(05 Dec 2015, 10:58 pm)LeeCalder wrote My lack of self confidence is becoming quite apparent in recent days. It hasn't really effected me throughout my life, apart from in recent months, after I had a few arguments with different people.
What kind of tipped me over the edge slightly was the comments regarding the CityLink 57 on Go North East's Facebook page and the GNE Latest News thread. Yes, it probably is my fault for voicing my opinions so strongly, but because I was on the receiving end of an awful lot of criticism it's effected me quite a bit.
Maybe S813 FVK, Jimmi's, Dan's and Tommy's comments in the Go North East latest news thread are correct. Maybe some of the comments are "Disgusting really" however, it is my opinion, and yes I probably do go too far sometimes, but as I said on Facebook it does nothing to help me.
In the future, I will be keeping my opinions to myself, as I am causing more trouble than it's worth.
Sorry for the rant, I just needed to get it off my chest.
I think it's great that people have different opinions and debate their thoughts on a particular topic. After all, it wouldn't be very fun if everyone decided to 'sit on the fence'! However, if an opinion is not backed up by relevant points, it's meaningless. You shouldn't interpret a difference of opinion as an attack on yourself, and it really shouldn't affect your self-confidence.
With regards to the Citylink 57 - I just thought it was comical that you and Gary went onto Go North East's Social Media page to suggest that customers would be confused and that the company doesn't understand route branding. As Go North East stated: the buses are different colours, but the same name and elements of the branding being shared allows the company to cross-promote combined frequencies on the shared corridors of these two services. It also allows for customers to benefit from cheaper fares: the Citylink ticket is now valid on service 57, too. The buses may not be brand new, and they may be returning to the corridor for which they were originally purchased, but it's an upgrade nevertheless. Capacity has been (marginally) increased, and the seats are more comfortable too. I really can't see what there is to complain about from a customer point of view?
Gary stated that network-based branding doesn't work as well as individual route branding - where's the evidence of this?
One of you also said something about changing an established brand name... The late Managing Director Peter Huntley, whom you are both a huge advocate of, stated in the Buses Magazine that the company's brands have a five-year product life-cycle, with updates and improvements being implemented to the brand designs before their product life-cycle has expired. Whether it's a minor amendment to the brand (ie Red Kite 45/46), a revision to accommodate for a different vehicle type (ie TEN, Red Arrows) or the brand name identity is reviewed as a whole and the company thinks about what the route/brand is really about. I think the re-brand of service 57 fits into the third category; whilst there are links to service 56, I'd argue that it's more linked to service 58, and therefore this should be the brand name shared.
Like I say - back up your opinions, and you mightn't see the backlash.
