Forum Archive Index - June 2000

[Phil Eriksen <phil@acepay.co.nz>]

Whatever the merits or otherwise of DFM, nobody enjoys seeing a business
they have spent time building being slagged off in a public forum. 

While it is fine to rant on about free speech and about leaving
Sharechat if these terrible companies try and restrict it, free speech
is a reality.  In NZ, you will not be thrown in jail, or killed, or held
as a political prisoner.  The worse than can happen is someone like DFM
will sue you, and thats not the end of the world.

With free speech, however, comes responsibility.  It simply isn't good
enough to think you can say whatever you like about a company under the
umbrella of "free speech".  

Has anybody actually emailed DFM, and mentioned concerns to them?  Has
anybody offered suggestions to DFM about things they could do better?  

Cheers,
Phil

P.S  To the people at DFM : unfortunately (or fortunately) the internet
and sharemarket forums has made and increasingly will make your business
higher profile, and a lot more visible.  Everything you do and say can
be made public easily, to a large number of people.  Why not turn this
into a positive?  You talk about your investment professionals and all
the work they do - why not give us more info about this work?  Perhaps
have one of them do an hour on Sharechat, providing a unique insight
into how you guys come to your numbers.  Its a mystery to many how
companies such as DFM come to projections for years ahead - why not show
us the process?  If people grow up and start emailing you with problems
directly, don't say "phew, glad thats not public.." - post the clients
email on your website, and answer the question - for all to see.  If you
have a "nothing to hide" policy you'll keep your clients very well
informed, and whenever there is a problem, people are more likely to
come to you. 

While I don't like seeing individuals having a crack at companies via
the internet, I assure you it will not stop, and the law will not help
you (I wonder how many copies Metallica will sell of their next
album...).  Whether you like it or not, the internet makes you more
visible and accountable -  the question is whether a company reacts (ie
scaring people off) or is pro-active - allowing negative feedback,
answering it publicly, and using it to strengthen your business.

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