Dan Trunk  

How was eBay Live 2008 ? It was like all eBay lives. It was filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times. I'm sorry but I stole those lines from an old radio show called

 " You are There". I will buy dinner for the first person who calls and tells me who the Anchor newsman was for that program.

This eBay live was different in that there was a new cast of characters and some old favorites John Donahoe Pres and CEO of EBAY INC. and Lorrie Norrington Pres of eBay Global Marketplace Operations. (note:  if you can’t fit title on business card get a new tile).

Gave the Keynote Address to a fairly hostile audience. To visit go to http://www.mapdigital.com/eBayLive!_keynote_june_2008.

I have to hand it to them and all the eBay personnel who were faced with a fairly hostile crowd while they tried to explain the recent and many changes. How did it go? About as well as one could expect. There was a lot of  “corporate speak”: You know community, family, empowerment, that sort of thing. I have to hand it to the eBay management and employees, they just  didn’t say shut up and sit down. Having spent 40 plus years trying to explain corporate changes that are going to impact peoples live and pocketbook I sympathized. I agree and disagree with some of the changes but it doesn’t matter what I think or believe -- I AIN”T THE BOSS. The Boss isn’t always right but he is always the boss.

I guess the point that was driven home very gently but firmly is that the changes where made to protect and advance the community (read company) by improving the buyer experience. I for one would welcome the abandonment of this eBay community BS. Ebay is a company that provides a platform and system to transact business on the internet in a safe and secure manner. End of story. While some of the things eBay provides is the opportunity for people of like minds/business the ability to  discuss their business, do charitable work, and communicate, it isn’t your normal community.

Please go to the link above and listen to the Keynote. It become clear that the message is eBay wants good sellers giving buyers a good buying experience. I believe this should be the goal of all eBay sellers.