Fall 08 Program Overview

Transcription

1 Program Overview

2 Program objectives The Symantec User Group Program is designed to make it easy for customers to regularly meet with other users in order to learn and share best practices, network, and stay up-to-date on the latest Symantec products. Why participate? There are many benefits for participating in the Symantec User Group program. Some of them include the opportunity to: Learn and share best practices Strengthen career opportunities by increasing skills, knowledge, and building relationships with peers Find answers and solutions to challenges Receive product roadmaps and latest information on Symantec products Earn Connect points and redeem for prizes at Enjoy free food! Types of user groups To help facilitate interaction between customers with similar challenges, product usage, skills, and interests, Symantec has four types of user groups: Backup & Archiving (BE, BESR, EV, NBU, etc.) Endpoint Management (Altiris, Ghost, etc.) Security & Compliance (CCS, DLP, SEP, SIM, etc.) Storage & Clustering (ApplicationHA, SFHA, VCS, etc.) A complete list of Symantec user groups is available at: Advisory Board overview Each user group is led by an Advisory Board consisting of five or more members of the group. The Advisory Board works closely with the Symantec User Group Program team to organize and plan each meeting. Advisory Board roles The Advisory Board assigns responsibilities and tasks required for the user group to be successful. Time commitment is approximately one to two hours per month. Most user groups have five board members whose roles are as follows: 2015 Symantec - All rights reserved Page 2 of 7

3 Director The Director is responsible for successfully planning and executing each user group meeting. This person confirms a member of the user group to give a presentation at each meeting and the location (usually hosted by one of the members). The Director also oversees the user group meetings, Advisory Board planning calls, and ensures all the Advisory Board assignments are completed. Marketing Director The Marketing Director is responsible for increasing interest and participation in the user group. This person sends out meeting invitations, reviews registration lists, sends follow-up s, and makes reminder phone calls to help drive attendance. The Marketing Director also encourages attendees to join the user group website and ensures the attendee sign-in sheet is filled out at each meeting. Membership Director The Membership Director ensures the needs of the user group are being met. This person distributes and collects feedback forms at each meeting and then compiles the information for review by the Advisory Board members to help plan the next user group meeting. This person also reviews and approves website membership requests and keeps the master user group member list up to date. Administration Director The Administration Director keeps minutes and writes a summary of the highlights from each user group meeting and Advisory Board planning call. This person provides meeting summaries, presentation files, notes, and other relevant information to the webmaster for posting on the user group website. Webmaster The webmaster is responsible for updating the user group website with current information about the next meeting, sending notifications to members, posting meeting summaries and presentations, etc. User group members User group members should actively participate and interact during meetings and via the user group website by sharing experiences, lessons learned, and best practices. User group members should also complete feedback forms provided at each meeting to request topics and content so the Advisory Board can effectively plan each subsequent meeting. In addition, members of the user group are encouraged to host, give presentations, and serve on the Advisory Board. Symantec User Group Program team The Symantec User Group Program team consists of the User Group Program Manager who works closely with each User Group Advisory Board to plan, organize, and hold each User Group meeting. Their primary responsibilities include: Develop and sustain the User Group Program Promote the User Group Program internally and externally Create and launch new user groups Train and empower Advisory Boards 2015 Symantec - All rights reserved Page 3 of 7

4 Plan user group meetings in conjunction with the Advisory Board Help provide speakers and content as requested by user groups Arrange logistics (invitations, name tags, food, prizes, etc.) for each user group meeting Symantec account team The primary role of the Symantec account team is to encourage customers to attend User Group meetings. Systems Engineers, Technical Product Managers, Solutions Specialists, and other subject matter experts are utilized as presenters and discussion leaders at user group meetings. Frequency of meetings Each user group determines meeting frequency. Most groups meet two to four times per year. Location of meetings User group meetings are usually held at a customer site. This approach saves money, provides better networking, and helps set the proper tone of a user group meeting where customers gather to share and learn from each other. Often the customer hosting will give a presentation and is able to provide an indepth look at their environment and business by having access to their network. Hosting a meeting User group meetings typically use a classroom or roundtable seating arrangement. Audio visual requirements include an LCD projector, screen, and possibly a microphone and speakers (depending on the room and size of the user group). Some meetings may also require Internet access and a polycom. A registration table is also recommended for providing name tags, feedback forms, and other materials to distribute during the meeting. Attendance Attendance varies based on location and user group from about 15 to 100 people. Catering User group meetings typically include breakfast or lunch depending on the time of day the meeting occurs. The Symantec User Group Program Manager will make arrangements and pay for catering. Budget The User Group Program team has budget to cover food and prizes for each user group meeting. Additional funds to cover the cost of renting meeting space may be obtained in the rare occurrence a customer is unable to host. Membership fees There are no membership fees to participate in a Symantec user group. Prizes Prizes are usually Connect Points ( that can be redeemed for gift 2015 Symantec - All rights reserved Page 4 of 7

5 certificates. Typically, there are three drawings (100, 125, and 150 points). Winners are randomly drawn using the feedback forms filled out by attendees at each meeting. In addition, the member of the Group who hosts the meeting receives 200 points, and the Group member who gives the user presentation receives 300 points. Website Each user group has a website at The site is administered by a member of the user group who posts meeting information and keeps the site up to date. Partners Symantec partners are welcome to attend user group meetings and can be a great resource in helping drive attendance by inviting their customers to attend. In some cases, a partner may be the best choice for presenting on a particular topic as requested by the members of the user group. Partners should not be given attendee registration or other contact information unless the members volunteer their own information. Selecting partners to serve on the user group Advisory Board is not recommended. Sample user group meeting agenda Agendas are organized based on feedback forms filled out by attendees at each meeting. Meetings are typically three to four hours in length and include breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of day the meeting is held. The best time to hold a meeting varies based on the location of the user group and factors such as traffic and the distance members travel. The most popular start times are 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. Generally, the agenda follows this format: Breakfast or lunch (15-30 minutes) Announcements and introductions (10-15 minutes) User group member presentation (30-45 minutes) Technical presentation or roundtable discussions (75-90 minutes) Feedback forms collected, planning for next meeting, prize drawings (15 minutes) Business process and workflow Joining a user group How do I become an official member of a user group? 1. Register or log into Symantec Connect at 2. Click on Groups 3. Click on the name of the user group you want to join 4. Click on Request Membership 5. Membership Director, webmaster, or Program Manager reviews and approves membership request 2015 Symantec - All rights reserved Page 5 of 7

6 Launching a new user group 1. Select a type of user group: a. Backup & Archiving (BE, BESR, EV, NBU, etc.) b. Endpoint Management (Altiris, Ghost, etc.) c. Security & Compliance (CCS, DLP, SEP, SIM, etc.) d. Storage & Clustering (ApplicationHA, SFHA, VCS, etc.) 2. User Group Program team creates website and invitation to promote new user group 3. Symantec account team sends invitation asking customers to join the website 4. Plan the first meeting once 10 unique customers have joined the website 5. Organize the agenda a. User group member presentation (30-45 minutes): Given by a member of the group focused on how they use Symantec products; lessons learned, key successes, and challenges; tips, tricks, and best practices on product deployment and usage. b. Technical presentation or roundtable discussions (75-90 minutes): Given or led by a subject matter expert (Symantec Sales Engineer, Solutions Specialist, Product Manager, Partner, etc.) focused on best practices, instructions, troubleshooting, live demos, etc. This should be technical in nature and not a high- level marketing or sales presentation. c. Advisory Board election (15-20 minutes): Members of the group are nominated and selected to lead the user group. 6. Select a location a. Most user group meetings are held at a customer site or Symantec office. b. If this isn t possible, Symantec will rent meeting space. c. Try to choose a central location with ample parking, easy access, etc. 7. Choose date and time a. Pick a date at least six to eight weeks in advance. b. Choose start time (8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. are most popular). c. Avoid holding meetings during the last two weeks of a quarter or near any holidays. About Symantec Symantec is a global leader in infrastructure software, enabling businesses and consumers to have confidence in a connected world. The company helps customers protect their infrastructure, information, and interactions by delivering software and services that address risks to security, availability, compliance, and performance. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Symantec has operations in 40 countries. More information is available at Symantec - All rights reserved Page 6 of 7

7 For specific country offices and contact numbers, please visit our Web site. For product information in the U.S., call toll-free 1 (800) Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 350 Ellis Street Mountain View, CA USA 1 (800) Symantec - All rights reserved Page 7 of 7