AIM-11

Maybe I should just do my Bio and Rookie Profile and blow right by you again.

I'm glad you're in on this diamond_ace.
 
Also, while I don't mind adding in the odd picture that is a link to something on the internet, if I am going to be required to do anything graphical at all then I am out.  I can't do any of that stuff, which is why I have only ever done Media Articles.

That was ... odd.

I'm glad you're in on this diamond_ace.
 
Also, while I don't mind adding in the odd picture that is a link to something on the internet, if I am going to be required to do anything graphical at all then I am out.  I can't do any of that stuff, which is why I have only ever done Media Articles.

Blame it on me.  I have no emotions so will not feel it.

“I don't care what you think unless it is about me.”
― Kurt Cobain
 
 
Last week I examined the issue of VHLM activity in a general, "fly by" sort of way.  I examined a few different ideas, laid out some things that could possibly increase activity in the VHLM, and ultimately increase the numbers of members that the VHL retains past 100 TPE. 
 
This week let's drill down into the specific tactics a little closer, and see if we can't flesh out some strategies and ideas.
 
People love themselves more than anyone else and want to believe you do too.
 
One of the primary ways of keeping people engaged in the league is to constantly have them believe that they are of the utmost importance to you.  At our very core as human beings, we are purely selfish beings.  Dale Carnegie commented that “A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”  To truly connect an individual to the greater community here in the VHL it's important that they feel like they are valued, or even better, that they are adored. 
 
Currently there are already some solid initiatives going on in this regard.  VHLM This Week is a concise and clear way that Jalodolar is engaging new members.  Using quick bullet points, and brief mentions, he is able to allow new members to see their name being mentioned, and make it known that their role is important in the league.  On a more polished, though no more important note, On The Rise also does a great job of accomplishing the same thing, but in a more verbose fashion.  While this has the downside of mentioning less people, it does a great job of really highlighting VHLM members in a deep way. Both of these initiatives should be applauded for their work.
 
While those are all solid ways that GMs and other members are hopping on board the narcissism train, there may be a few ways to take things to the next level.
 

1) Send off Quick Private Messages to any member being mentioned in an Article, or Graphic.
 
The forums can be an overwhelming place for anyone who has not been around for quite some time.  With a constant stream of new threads popping up, and a myriad of conversations happening around the league, it can be near impossible for all but the most dedicated to even know that they have been highlighted somewhere.  All of the recognition and attention in the world is useless if the target of that attention does not even know about it.  A quick piece of advice for anyone writing about a VHLM player, or a new members, is to send out a quick Private Message to whoever is being featured.  Even if it's a simple one liner in a message somewhere, a quick note to that player which says 'Hey, thought you might find this interesting!' could go a long way.
 
2) Provide a little extra incentive for people to write Media Articles about VHLM players.
 
While the VHL main league should always be the focus for most things, perhaps there could be a small incentive for anyone who chooses to write an article which focuses heavily on first gen players.  A token TPE boost of perhaps 0.25 TPE could provide the carrot that us Media Article donkeys need, to focus more on members who are new to the league.  The bonus should not be too high, so that discussing first gen players does not become so commonplace that the rest of the league is ignored.
 
3) VHLM GMs could have an internal Newsletter that highlighted members of their team.
 
VHLM GMs have a decent amount on their plate already, so I am hesitant to suggest any more.  However, the potential payoff for a newsletter, or internal article, could be quite large.  If a VHLM GM decided to write an article in their lockerroom each week that was simple, focused on member accomplishments, and engaged their members, my guess is we would see a serious spike in member retention.  The article would not need to be incredibly in depth, but might merely mention the point tasks that the members took part in, the TPE they earned, some accomplishments they had in the VHLM games, and perhaps some suggestions on what to do next.  A team which is led by an active GM who seems to truly value the long term welfare of his/her members, will be an All Star GM in my books.
 
At the end of the day, we need to be realistic about the power of puffing up our new members.  It might seem shallow or hollow, but it does work.  World Class salesmen know the power that merely speaking someone else's name has, and that same power could be used in the VHL as well.

“I don't care what you think unless it is about me.”
― Kurt Cobain
 
 
Last week I examined the issue of VHLM activity in a general, "fly by" sort of way.  I examined a few different ideas, laid out some things that could possibly increase activity in the VHLM, and ultimately increase the numbers of members that the VHL retains past 100 TPE. 
 
This week let's drill down into the specific tactics a little closer, and see if we can't flesh out some strategies and ideas.
 
People love themselves more than anyone else and want to believe you do too.
 
One of the primary ways of keeping people engaged in the league is to constantly have them believe that they are of the utmost importance to you.  At our very core as human beings, we are purely selfish beings.  Dale Carnegie commented that “A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”  To truly connect an individual to the greater community here in the VHL it's important that they feel like they are valued, or even better, that they are adored. 
 
Currently there are already some solid initiatives going on in this regard.  VHLM This Week is a concise and clear way that Jalodolar is engaging new members.  Using quick bullet points, and brief mentions, he is able to allow new members to see their name being mentioned, and make it known that their role is important in the league.  On a more polished, though no more important note, On The Rise also does a great job of accomplishing the same thing, but in a more verbose fashion.  While this has the downside of mentioning less people, it does a great job of really highlighting VHLM members in a deep way. Both of these initiatives should be applauded for their work.
 
While those are all solid ways that GMs and other members are hopping on board the narcissism train, there may be a few ways to take things to the next level.
 

1) Send off Quick Private Messages to any member being mentioned in an Article, or Graphic.
 
The forums can be an overwhelming place for anyone who has not been around for quite some time.  With a constant stream of new threads popping up, and a myriad of conversations happening around the league, it can be near impossible for all but the most dedicated to even know that they have been highlighted somewhere.  All of the recognition and attention in the world is useless if the target of that attention does not even know about it.  A quick piece of advice for anyone writing about a VHLM player, or a new members, is to send out a quick Private Message to whoever is being featured.  Even if it's a simple one liner in a message somewhere, a quick note to that player which says 'Hey, thought you might find this interesting!' could go a long way.
 
2) Provide a little extra incentive for people to write Media Articles about VHLM players.
 
While the VHL main league should always be the focus for most things, perhaps there could be a small incentive for anyone who chooses to write an article which focuses heavily on first gen players.  A token TPE boost of perhaps 0.25 TPE could provide the carrot that us Media Article donkeys need, to focus more on members who are new to the league.  The bonus should not be too high, so that discussing first gen players does not become so commonplace that the rest of the league is ignored.
 
3) VHLM GMs could have an internal Newsletter that highlighted members of their team.
 
VHLM GMs have a decent amount on their plate already, so I am hesitant to suggest any more.  However, the potential payoff for a newsletter, or internal article, could be quite large.  If a VHLM GM decided to write an article in their lockerroom each week that was simple, focused on member accomplishments, and engaged their members, my guess is we would see a serious spike in member retention.  The article would not need to be incredibly in depth, but might merely mention the point tasks that the members took part in, the TPE they earned, some accomplishments they had in the VHLM games, and perhaps some suggestions on what to do next.  A team which is led by an active GM who seems to truly value the long term welfare of his/her members, will be an All Star GM in my books.
 
At the end of the day, we need to be realistic about the power of puffing up our new members.  It might seem shallow or hollow, but it does work.  World Class salesmen know the power that merely speaking someone else's name has, and that same power could be used in the VHL as well.

Nashville is stupid good, I wouldn't worry too much. 

Happy.
 
Solved Riemann distribution of Prime Numbers.
Figured out the last digit of Pi.
Learned a little more on how to use human DNA to power batteries.

The VHL Minor League is an integral part of the VHL as a whole. It is the first thing that any new players will really sink their teeth into, and has the ability to make or break someone's long term prospects in the VHL.  As it stands right now, the VHLM is an effective league, with lots of positives and things going for it. With no changes, the league would operate effectively and do a good job of acclimating new members to the VHL way of life.
 
However, perhaps there are some other creative ways of encouraging activity at the VHLM level.  What we do know, is that people are generally engaged in activities based on a few different factors. 
 
First, people like to hear their own name.  When someone mentions your player in an article, you're far more inclined to read the article, and find ways of getting your name in there again.  Generally, players who put up more points, get mentioned a lot more than those that don't.  Is there a way for us to address this?
 
Second, many people are motivated by high score lists, rankings charts, and other competitve points systems.  Are there possibly ways to tap into the competitive inner nature of many of our newer members to try and encourage activity?
 
Third, there are many folks who are encouraged to remain active based on the social aspect of the message boards.  Chatting about their League of Legends games, their extracurricular activities, or their favorite boy bands, can be a way to keep people engaged in the league.
 
Finally, some people like to feel like explorers.  Some new members are the types that like to feel like they are the first to discover things, or want to work towards a greater purpose, aside from just dumping points into their player.  There may be some creative ideas that the VHLM, or VHLM GMs, at the very least, could attempt to do to try and keep their players connected to the league at large.
 

 
Ultimately, the degree to which new members to the VHLM feel engaged, is a function of how engaged their GM is.  Contacting members through Private Messages, setting up fun little challenges and high score lists for the team, and finding ways to have their players get mentioned in articles and podcasts, is actually far more important to being an All Star GM, then getting the perfect lines sent in, or making sure the right players get the right ice time - though these are both important factors as well.
 
Over the next few weeks I will be examining a few of these different member personality types, and bringing forth ideas on how the VHLM could creatively cater to them.  I will also be laying out some potential ideas for GMs on how they can engage and challenge the players on their own teams so that they will be encouraged to remain active in the league for a longer period of time.
 
It is impossible to retain every new member that enters the league, and generally VHLM GMs do a great job of staying active and trying to roster a competitive team, but there is always room for improvement.  A healthy VHL is ultimately a sign of an healthy Minor league.  Let's keep pushing to find ways to improve it!

The VHL Minor League is an integral part of the VHL as a whole. It is the first thing that any new players will really sink their teeth into, and has the ability to make or break someone's long term prospects in the VHL.  As it stands right now, the VHLM is an effective league, with lots of positives and things going for it. With no changes, the league would operate effectively and do a good job of acclimating new members to the VHL way of life.
 
However, perhaps there are some other creative ways of encouraging activity at the VHLM level.  What we do know, is that people are generally engaged in activities based on a few different factors. 
 
First, people like to hear their own name.  When someone mentions your player in an article, you're far more inclined to read the article, and find ways of getting your name in there again.  Generally, players who put up more points, get mentioned a lot more than those that don't.  Is there a way for us to address this?
 
Second, many people are motivated by high score lists, rankings charts, and other competitve points systems.  Are there possibly ways to tap into the competitive inner nature of many of our newer members to try and encourage activity?
 
Third, there are many folks who are encouraged to remain active based on the social aspect of the message boards.  Chatting about their League of Legends games, their extracurricular activities, or their favorite boy bands, can be a way to keep people engaged in the league.
 
Finally, some people like to feel like explorers.  Some new members are the types that like to feel like they are the first to discover things, or want to work towards a greater purpose, aside from just dumping points into their player.  There may be some creative ideas that the VHLM, or VHLM GMs, at the very least, could attempt to do to try and keep their players connected to the league at large.
 

 
Ultimately, the degree to which new members to the VHLM feel engaged, is a function of how engaged their GM is.  Contacting members through Private Messages, setting up fun little challenges and high score lists for the team, and finding ways to have their players get mentioned in articles and podcasts, is actually far more important to being an All Star GM, then getting the perfect lines sent in, or making sure the right players get the right ice time - though these are both important factors as well.
 
Over the next few weeks I will be examining a few of these different member personality types, and bringing forth ideas on how the VHLM could creatively cater to them.  I will also be laying out some potential ideas for GMs on how they can engage and challenge the players on their own teams so that they will be encouraged to remain active in the league for a longer period of time.
 
It is impossible to retain every new member that enters the league, and generally VHLM GMs do a great job of staying active and trying to roster a competitive team, but there is always room for improvement.  A healthy VHL is ultimately a sign of an healthy Minor league.  Let's keep pushing to find ways to improve it!

The VHL Minor League is an integral part of the VHL as a whole. It is the first thing that any new players will really sink their teeth into, and has the ability to make or break someone's long term prospects in the VHL.  As it stands right now, the VHLM is an effective league, with lots of positives and things going for it. With no changes, the league would operate effectively and do a good job of acclimating new members to the VHL way of life.
 
However, perhaps there are some other creative ways of encouraging activity at the VHLM level.  What we do know, is that people are generally engaged in activities based on a few different factors. 
 
First, people like to hear their own name.  When someone mentions your player in an article, you're far more inclined to read the article, and find ways of getting your name in there again.  Generally, players who put up more points, get mentioned a lot more than those that don't.  Is there a way for us to address this?
 
Second, many people are motivated by high score lists, rankings charts, and other competitve points systems.  Are there possibly ways to tap into the competitive inner nature of many of our newer members to try and encourage activity?
 
Third, there are many folks who are encouraged to remain active based on the social aspect of the message boards.  Chatting about their League of Legends games, their extracurricular activities, or their favorite boy bands, can be a way to keep people engaged in the league.
 
Finally, some people like to feel like explorers.  Some new members are the types that like to feel like they are the first to discover things, or want to work towards a greater purpose, aside from just dumping points into their player.  There may be some creative ideas that the VHLM, or VHLM GMs, at the very least, could attempt to do to try and keep their players connected to the league at large.
 

 
Ultimately, the degree to which new members to the VHLM feel engaged, is a function of how engaged their GM is.  Contacting members through Private Messages, setting up fun little challenges and high score lists for the team, and finding ways to have their players get mentioned in articles and podcasts, is actually far more important to being an All Star GM, then getting the perfect lines sent in, or making sure the right players get the right ice time - though these are both important factors as well.
 
Over the next few weeks I will be examining a few of these different member personality types, and bringing forth ideas on how the VHLM could creatively cater to them.  I will also be laying out some potential ideas for GMs on how they can engage and challenge the players on their own teams so that they will be encouraged to remain active in the league for a longer period of time.
 
It is impossible to retain every new member that enters the league, and generally VHLM GMs do a great job of staying active and trying to roster a competitive team, but there is always room for improvement.  A healthy VHL is ultimately a sign of an healthy Minor league.  Let's keep pushing to find ways to improve it!

You humans and your substances.

OUT OF THE WOODS!

It's not for everyone, but for me it's completely awesome.  I spent 2 hours yesterday evening building a slot car track and racing it with both of my kids while they laughed and competed with one another.
 
Then we had supper together and had ice cream afterwards.  My daughter sang Taylor Swift songs at the top of her lungs and we laughed a LOT.
 
Following that I read them another chapter of Harry Potter and my wife and I put them both to bed and had some time to chat about their days,
 
This mundane stuff might seem boring to many people, and it would have to me at one point as well, but now it's the best part of every day for me.

It's not for everyone, but for me it's completely awesome.  I spent 2 hours yesterday evening building a slot car track and racing it with both of my kids while they laughed and competed with one another.
 
Then we had supper together and had ice cream afterwards.  My daughter sang Taylor Swift songs at the top of her lungs and we laughed a LOT.
 
Following that I read them another chapter of Harry Potter and my wife and I put them both to bed and had some time to chat about their days,
 
This mundane stuff might seem boring to many people, and it would have to me at one point as well, but now it's the best part of every day for me.

It's not for everyone, but for me it's completely awesome.  I spent 2 hours yesterday evening building a slot car track and racing it with both of my kids while they laughed and competed with one another.
 
Then we had supper together and had ice cream afterwards.  My daughter sang Taylor Swift songs at the top of her lungs and we laughed a LOT.
 
Following that I read them another chapter of Harry Potter and my wife and I put them both to bed and had some time to chat about their days,
 
This mundane stuff might seem boring to many people, and it would have to me at one point as well, but now it's the best part of every day for me.

It's not for everyone, but for me it's completely awesome.  I spent 2 hours yesterday evening building a slot car track and racing it with both of my kids while they laughed and competed with one another.
 
Then we had supper together and had ice cream afterwards.  My daughter sang Taylor Swift songs at the top of her lungs and we laughed a LOT.
 
Following that I read them another chapter of Harry Potter and my wife and I put them both to bed and had some time to chat about their days,
 
This mundane stuff might seem boring to many people, and it would have to me at one point as well, but now it's the best part of every day for me.

Seriously though.  After being a parent for almost 10 years now. Spend time.  I figure I've only got another couple years left before my daughter no longer thinks I'm awesome and switches over to 'I hate you' mode.  We eat supper together every night, and I spend a lot of time with my kids in the evenings and weekends.  I am on the ice for speedskating with them, take them hiking, and attend as many of their events as possible with work.  Before I know it they will be moved out and have lives of their own.  This is the only real time I will have to instill values in them.

In a recent game in Oslo, a fan was injured by a puck that missed some of the back netting, bounced off of a girder high up in the stands and then landed on an infant who was brought to the game.  Startled by the falling puck, the infant cried and the man holding the infant, who was doing so because his wife was going pee, yelled.  His yell startled the little boy next to him who was holding his dad's beer and the boy spilled the beer on an extremely fat man in the row in front of him.  The man turned around to fight the boy but due to his obesity related heart condition he suffered a heart attack and fell backward onto the row below him and crushed an old lady's cat who had been smuggled into the arena.
 
As a result of this awkward tragedy, the VHLM has put forth a few new safety proposals for games.
 
1)  Personal bubble wrap for all patrons
2) Virtual pucks instead of real pucks.
3) Players will now stay at home and sim all games on the internet.
4)  Fat fans will need to pass through a special doorway that will entrap them if they weigh too much and send them sliding to the basement where they will be trapped until the end of the game.
5) Pets will be allowed, but only if they wear fan clothing.
 
Hopefully these new changes will make for an improved safety level for all patrons of the game, should they come to pass.

In a recent game in Oslo, a fan was injured by a puck that missed some of the back netting, bounced off of a girder high up in the stands and then landed on an infant who was brought to the game.  Startled by the falling puck, the infant cried and the man holding the infant, who was doing so because his wife was going pee, yelled.  His yell startled the little boy next to him who was holding his dad's beer and the boy spilled the beer on an extremely fat man in the row in front of him.  The man turned around to fight the boy but due to his obesity related heart condition he suffered a heart attack and fell backward onto the row below him and crushed an old lady's cat who had been smuggled into the arena.
 
As a result of this awkward tragedy, the VHLM has put forth a few new safety proposals for games.
 
1)  Personal bubble wrap for all patrons
2) Virtual pucks instead of real pucks.
3) Players will now stay at home and sim all games on the internet.
4)  Fat fans will need to pass through a special doorway that will entrap them if they weigh too much and send them sliding to the basement where they will be trapped until the end of the game.
5) Pets will be allowed, but only if they wear fan clothing.
 
Hopefully these new changes will make for an improved safety level for all patrons of the game, should they come to pass.

Is It Time to Start Pushing Forward to Version 2 of STHS
 

 
The VHL has long been known for its ability to be flexible and make changes when it makes sense to do so.  Filled with a high number of creative and tech-savvy individuals, the VHL has never shied away from making the tough decisions that were required to push forward with progress in the league.  The one big exception to this is the unwillingness to move to the newest version of the STHS Simulator - Version 2.
 
Making a huge change in the sim version is not something to be taken lightly, and thus far it has been communicated that there are too many issues around version two, to seriously consider the move. The Board of Governors last word on this issue was:
 
 
So that's that then right?  Perhaps.  However, let's take a step back to reconsider.
 
The Pros
 
1) Advancing to Version 2 would create much more diversity in player types and builds.
 
Three new stats would be introduced with the newest version of the sim in place.  Endurance, Durability, and Penalty Shots would all allow for a much deeper and broader selection of player types that could be built in the VHL.  With more places for points to be spread out it would allow for a larger spread in the types of players that would exist in the league.  Diversity is a great thing!
 
2)  Advancing to Version 2 would challenge GMs with new strategies and tactics.
 
Many of the GMs here in the league seem to have running a team and setting lines down to an art.  Version 1, from what I understand, has less depth to the decisions that need to be made by the GM.  Ice time, team strategies, and less positional flexibility not only handcuff GMs in the decisions they can make, but also remove some of the potentially fun GM aspects that are available in Version 2.
 
The Cons
 
1) There would be a shift in the types of stats and games that the league would see.
 
For many people this is too big of an issue to even consider moving forward to Version 2.  The newest version has a touch more randomness, more variation due to GM decisions, and would be near impossible to recreate the types of seasons that the VHL is used to having statistically.  Old records, historical stats, and past seasons would be relegated to the history books as "Pre-V2". For some people this is simply unacceptable.
 
2) Greater GM involvement may lessen the role that players have in determining their own success.
 
While giving GMs more of a role in selecting line, devising ice time strategies, and determining linemates, it could mean a lessening of the amount of power that the player has in controlling their own fate.  One advantage to having less flexibility at the GM level is that the players have a bit more control over how well they do, by focusing on a few specific stats that will always be important in the sim.  If there are less stats, and less decision outside of their control, then the players have a bit more power.
 
So Why Bother?
 
The old adage, "Don't fix what ain't broke", could easily apply here.  No one can blame the league for simply staying put with a formula that has operated for 40 seasons with considerable success.  Obviously the fear of minimizing VHL History is a real issue for many people, but it could also be seen as a chance to turn the page to a new chapter in VHL History.  It is unlikely we will ever see someone score 50 goals in 39 games in the NHL ever again. The rules have changed, the players have improved, and goalies actually stop shots now.  However, even though the statistics and records are different these days, the NHL is a wonderful league with great personalities and it is constantly creating its own new history.  The VHL need not fear a new step towards Version 2.  It could be exactly what is required to bump up interest even more beyond the levels they are at today!

There is no such thing as wasted TPE in this case.
 
Just a player who is content being a jr baby player and not paying his dues in the big leagues.

There is no such thing as wasted TPE in this case.
 
Just a player who is content being a jr baby player and not paying his dues in the big leagues.

The current teams don't even have full rosters.  Expansion seems like a strange option.  Probably just looking for ice girls.