Thanks. I think I'm going to make a video on being a "staffer." Everybody wants to be on "staff" because it's seen as more of a career milestone or a sign that you've "arrived." That's kind of how I saw it at first, but really it's just about being a representative for the company. It does the company no good for me to say the same about everything and to just try to blindly sell everything. Maybe the latest and greatest isn't what you need, and if I develop the reputation of just talking everything up and trying to get the sale, nothing I say has any value, and ultimately reduces my contribution to the company and my value to them. It's my job to know the equipment better than anyone else and to help people find the stuff they need. Yeah selling and promoting the equipment is part of the deal, naturally I'd like you to choose a Storm or Roto ball when you buy something. But at the same time if I talk you into something because it's the closest thing Storm/Roto has to what you really need, I'm doing everyone a disservice. If there's a hole in the lineup, or another company has the best ball in a certain reaction category, it's not my job to lie about it or cover it up, it's the company's job to fill the hole or raise the bar.
I'm also hoping to shift the "agenda" of the whole staffer and ball review thing. There are certain reactions you "need" to compete, sure. Just like if you went looking for golf clubs, there are a few clubs you very realistically and honestly need just to play the game. Everyone tries to market balls based on need now, "oh you've gotta have this reaction in your bag." Yeah, there are a couple balls out there I feel would be beneficial or "essential" (#marketing) to have in your bag, just like a 7 iron is for me on the golf course. 7 iron covers most par 3s and most approach shots on longer par 4s or par 5s for me, gets a lot of use. Some balls like the Hyroad and now the Code Red are balls that are likely going to get a ton of use on a daily basis. But for most league bowlers, you don't really buy stuff because you need it, you buy stuff cause you want to buy stuff. Bowling is supposed to be fun, why can't you drill something for fun? Do you always have to have a "need" for a ball to buy one?
I'm with Storm because I like the brand and because they keep offering me a contract every year. I like the equipment, I like the merchandising and marketing, and I really like the people. I don't scan the bowling ball landscape and jump from company to company based on who has the hot stuff at the moment, I'm with Storm because I want to be and because they keep letting me, and hopefully that doesn't change. At the same time, it's my job to represent the company well, and filling the typical "staffer" mold isn't the way to do it in my opinion. I like bowling and I like making videos, and being on "staff" allows me benefits and opportunities that help greatly with that. Obviously I like talking about bowling too, so this gives me a good outlet lol.
Luke, you may just rank in the top 0.5% of staffers ever. If I want a Storm or roto grip ball, your reviews are the ones I go to first. Hell, your reviews are the only ones I turn the volume up for because I know you will tell it how it is. You don't say crap like "this ball will work on anything from a medium heavy long oil pattern through the double burn!" on behalf of the bowling noobs everywhere, I thank you.
