I don't see how it would be a conflict of interest for Doug to promote the MSPA to shoppers. That's a core component of his position as far as I can tell.
As much as I would like to see the benefits spelled out, it's probably smarter for him to remove his posts then to get into an public debate about the benefits of becoming an MSPA member or take each question one at a time by phone. After all, he's presenting this very information at the upcoming shopperfest, so why give it away here for free?
<-------clip from the MSPA shopperfest site-------->
[9:00 am – 9:30 am The New MSPA and Your Benefits
Rich Bradley, Todd Persons Communications, MSPA-NA President
Doug Rector, Northwest Loss Prevention Consultants, IC Relations Chair
Based on a polling of the primary MSPA membership last year in San Antonio, MSPA-NA has embarked on its most substantial re-envisioning and restricting this past year since the association’s inception 16 years ago. Adding an Independent Contractor level of membership was just the beginning. Join MSPA President Rich Bradley on an insightful journey as he reveals the future of MSPA and how that impacts you. Afterwards, Independent Contractor Relations Committee Chair Doug Rector walks you through a brief overview of all the benefits that you are entitled to if you are an MSPA member – make sure you don’t miss out!]
<-------end clip from the MSPA shopperfest site-------->
Here's a link to the entire program for those who have not seen it: [
mysteryshop.org]
I guess we'll just have to wait for those who attend the shopperfest to report back.
I took Doug up on a similar offer he made to discuss this a few years back and called him. We had a candid conversation about some of the challenges that the MSPA faced and their desire to re-integrate shoppers into the conferences. Though I would like to see shoppers and MSC staff have a platform to work together, I have to say I continue to be dissapointed in the options presented. All of the various conventions that take place cost a considerable amount of money to attend, and I think it's well accepted that shoppers are generally not remunerated well for their time. Much of the value that I hear about from past conventions revolves around the social aspect of getting together and learning through that, so why not host a complimentary reception where all are invited to attend?
Realistically, what would the additional cost be to offer a meeting space one evening with a no-host bar where all who desired could attend for free? The MSPA could give a speech about the benefits they intend to offer for shoppers and not leave shoppers with the impression that they are just trying to make another buck off of us. Myself, I have no desire to pay for the opportunity sit through a seminar on how improve my fine dining write-ups. I don't need it at this point in MS career. The agenda seems clearly skewed toward attracting newer/untrained shoppers and drawing them into the MSPA training platform, rather than extending an olive branch help mend issues between shoppers and the MSPA. If the main focus of the MSPA in regard to shoppers is to make sure they are better prepared, wouldn't it make sense for them to create an environment where experienced shoppers would have an interest in being present and could mentor the new shoppers?
(edited because my HTML tags did not work)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2014 04:37PM by SteveSoCal.