Not to be a dick, but what was the reasoning behind picking decent/ok lifters instead of great lifters? Other than politics .
- Bobby
Here is a recap of the process we used.
1. We first started with a post made on 9-14 asking for ideas and applicants.
Here is the link: Log Applications
This was also sent out to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
At the same time I began compiling a list of nine people who would be a part of the selection committee.
2. Next we decided to ask the readers what they would like to see and created a Poll that was posted in my log, posted as an article, and also sent out on Facebook and Twitter.
Close to 40,000 people voted!
Here is the link to the poll: Log Poll
3. I made another update post on the 21st explaining how his process was going to work.
Here is the link: New Log Update
In this post I laid out the next steps.
4. The first cut was pulling out all the entries that submitted with VERY poor grammar, all caps, no caps, etc.
I was the one that made this cut and wrote:
Amazing enough this killed off 2/3 of all applicants. Remember this is a training log so they need to be able to write at a 4th grade level or higher (we are not that picky). Those we killed did not meet this standard.
Were there top lifters in here?
YES. But what good do they do a company when they can't write and every other word is F*ck?
I decided to make this first cut because these people will represent a company I've spent 12 years building and sacrificing for. I think if anything I've earned the right to keep people who can't spell or communicate effectively off the site.
REMEMBER: I don't have the best writing skills in the world - thus they need to be at a 4th grade level or higher.
We are here to help people get better. If they lift big but can't even write, how does that help anyone?
From Our About Us Page (created in 1999):
EFS - Primary Aim:
“To lead, learn and pass on.”
EFS Purpose
With continuous improvement we provide strength coaches, athletes and trainers the highest quality equipment, personalized service and knowledge they need to advance their training programs.
Vision
We have a passion for empowering success through personal achievement.
5. The next step was based on their past support of EliteFTS. This is a business and we are offering them an opportunity that can position them for consultations, product sales, mass promotion and possible free gear and products. Having been in business for 11 years with over 4,000 products we have something for everyone - if not we've had a dozen charity events with donation fees starting at $10. The point is we've made it very easy to support us and if someone has chosen to not do so, I completely understand and have no hard feelings what-so-ever, but I'm not going to select them over someone else who does support and believe in what we are doing and trying to achieve.
I had help doing this cut because there were still a couple hundred people who needed checked.
This KILLED another 2/3 of the people and got us down to 35.
6. At this point the names were divided up and sent to the review board. We all took a few names and found everything we could on them. We watched YouTube clips, read Facebook pages, Twitter posts, asked around, etc.
What we were looking for here was who could we best see supporting the values of the company.
Remember who we place becomes a "voice" that represents who we are.
This took more time than we thought it would.
7. This got us down to 20 people. At this point we e-mailed them a list of questions that represent the values of the company. The questions were also designed to see if the applicants would be a good "fit" for all three parties involved.
*The applicant
*The reader
*The company
8. The applicants and questioners were then reviewed and divided among the review board again. We made sure we'd all have a different person then we got the first time around. Once again calls were made, social network sites revisited, etc.
9. At the same time all names were e-mailed to some of our current sponsors and Q and A staff. All we ask them is "yes" or "no." If it is a NO, the person is taken off the list.
10. Those who made it past this point were called by either myself or Rachel for a final interview.
As far as "politics" I will say this much...
I have more pull than ANYONE and I do and did have the ability to move people to step 6 and 7, but that's were it ended.
There were some I really wanted and got and others I wanted even more that didn't make it.
This is a process that began close to four weeks ago and we are still not done yet.
Here are some other bullet points:
- Look over who we have on the Q and A now and who we've had in the past. VERY few came on as great lifters. They developed into them.
- Based on the feedback we got when we started - THIS is what people like to read and follow. They want to see the climb and how people do it and the struggles they face along the way.
- It's hard to bring people on who DON'T apply. We did get over 500 applicants but don't think for a second these are all top 10 lifters.
- I've been doing this for 12 years now and know from past experience to not go out and "recruit" people who don't apply because 99% of the time their logs suck, they don't answer questions and they cost the same or more as someone who is a great asset to the site that wants and is more than willing to help people with their training goals and questions.
- Taking full responsibility for everything we do as a company, I'm more comfortable when our actions represent what the readers ask for and support the values mission, and vision of the company.
- For those who just spent your time reading this let me PLEASE explain why I (re)posted it all this information.
I answered this because I personally feel it's a hell of an achievement and honor to make it through this process.
- This was not set up to be an easy process for a reason.
This site started with the Q and A (first me and then Bob Youngs, as well as other OK lifters!) and we all take great pride in giving back and the work we put into this. This is part of the culture that makes up who EliteFTS is and what we stand for.
To take this a step deeper. Do you know what the "culture" is with any of our competitors? What about any other business in general? See why this process is SO important?
- There are MANY great people who didn't make it and many more I would love to have if we had the space.
- I'm very proud of the people who make up the Q and A - Training Logs team.
- I'm also very excited and happy with the people who we having coming on.
I want to take this time to congratulate them on making it to the site!