alignment
November 2008 
More on what's been happening...
Posted on Aug 10th, 2007
by 
Gaia Team
Gaia Team
Everyone!
It's Siona.
So many questions, hm? Join the club. :)
I'll just share a bit about where I've been for the past two days.
Literally where I've been: I took a trip out to the Boulder area with Brian and Dave, to meet with the Gaiam team.
And oh my goodness. I wish all of you could have been there. Really. You know when you meet someone and after a minute or two of conversation you're talking as though you've known each other all your life? That's what this was like. I know it's a function of having aligned visions—what we've been dreaming of with Zaadz and what Gaiam is hoping to do when it comes to building a shared community of like-minded individuals is so well-matched as to be eerie—but the feeling of that happening is wonderful all the same.
First things first, though. We sent out that note about our 'partnership.' I'll take complete responsibility for any fuzziness about what exactly this entails.
:takes deep breath:
Yes, Zaadz was sold. We're now a subsidiary of Gaiam—"our new parent biz."
I know. Brian's original vision was to grow a tremendously large company; we were going to be the ones doing the acquiring. It's been a bit of a spiritual exercise for all of us on the team (Bri included) going through these changes and transitions, so I can only imagine what you must feel. But please please please believe me when I say I love and care about this community so deeply, and feel so utterly confident in the rightness of this move, and such a deep respect on behalf of the Gaiam team when it comes to helping further what Zaadz has already grown.
There's much still to be planned, but Zaadz (meaning both the team and all of you) is going to be playing a large role in visioning this future. The Gaiam team loves what Zaadz has done so far and has no desire to change anything—from our own team to the direction we've been moving. They'll be supporting us in implementing a subscription-based, ad-free version, and we'll be working with them on ideas to facilitate the positive, world-changing work that Zaadz members have been doing, so that it'll be easier for all of you to pick projects and promote causes and to band together with an eye toward 'real-world' change. And they're passionate about the idea of 'relocalization'—doing as much as we can to ground our work in actual communities and neighborhoods.
(I LOVE this idea—that is, the idea of using our ability to reach a global platform to help the revitalization of local communities both by understanding just how large a movement this drive toward the local is and by benefitting from the lessons of other locally-focused areas. Amazing.)
This is getting long, though. If you've read all of it, well, thank you. :) And if you feel like scolding me for not being completely, brilliantly clear at the very beginning that yes, we've been acquired, please go right ahead. (Send me a message or post here; I promise I'll respond.) I feel as though we've been given the support of Gaiam to continue doing what we've been doing, and I feel that this was all done in a spirit of cooperation and partnership, and it's important for me to impart that, but I'm also mindful of how the language might come across. :)
Also, I'm tempted to share a bit about a few community treats we've got coming up, but again, this is long, and there'll be more room for that in another post. So big hugs, and much love, and keep an eye here for more.
Posted by: Siona
It's Siona.
So many questions, hm? Join the club. :)
I'll just share a bit about where I've been for the past two days.
Literally where I've been: I took a trip out to the Boulder area with Brian and Dave, to meet with the Gaiam team.
And oh my goodness. I wish all of you could have been there. Really. You know when you meet someone and after a minute or two of conversation you're talking as though you've known each other all your life? That's what this was like. I know it's a function of having aligned visions—what we've been dreaming of with Zaadz and what Gaiam is hoping to do when it comes to building a shared community of like-minded individuals is so well-matched as to be eerie—but the feeling of that happening is wonderful all the same.
First things first, though. We sent out that note about our 'partnership.' I'll take complete responsibility for any fuzziness about what exactly this entails.
:takes deep breath:
Yes, Zaadz was sold. We're now a subsidiary of Gaiam—"our new parent biz."
I know. Brian's original vision was to grow a tremendously large company; we were going to be the ones doing the acquiring. It's been a bit of a spiritual exercise for all of us on the team (Bri included) going through these changes and transitions, so I can only imagine what you must feel. But please please please believe me when I say I love and care about this community so deeply, and feel so utterly confident in the rightness of this move, and such a deep respect on behalf of the Gaiam team when it comes to helping further what Zaadz has already grown.
There's much still to be planned, but Zaadz (meaning both the team and all of you) is going to be playing a large role in visioning this future. The Gaiam team loves what Zaadz has done so far and has no desire to change anything—from our own team to the direction we've been moving. They'll be supporting us in implementing a subscription-based, ad-free version, and we'll be working with them on ideas to facilitate the positive, world-changing work that Zaadz members have been doing, so that it'll be easier for all of you to pick projects and promote causes and to band together with an eye toward 'real-world' change. And they're passionate about the idea of 'relocalization'—doing as much as we can to ground our work in actual communities and neighborhoods.
(I LOVE this idea—that is, the idea of using our ability to reach a global platform to help the revitalization of local communities both by understanding just how large a movement this drive toward the local is and by benefitting from the lessons of other locally-focused areas. Amazing.)
This is getting long, though. If you've read all of it, well, thank you. :) And if you feel like scolding me for not being completely, brilliantly clear at the very beginning that yes, we've been acquired, please go right ahead. (Send me a message or post here; I promise I'll respond.) I feel as though we've been given the support of Gaiam to continue doing what we've been doing, and I feel that this was all done in a spirit of cooperation and partnership, and it's important for me to impart that, but I'm also mindful of how the language might come across. :)
Also, I'm tempted to share a bit about a few community treats we've got coming up, but again, this is long, and there'll be more room for that in another post. So big hugs, and much love, and keep an eye here for more.
Posted by: Siona
Access: Public
After watching tribe.net services and support spiral down after being acquired, I'm left feeling very glad I have my own website up and running. Time will tell.
Much Love, Gobs of Laughter & Blessed IS,
Jeremiah
Jeremiah said: “After watching tribe.net services and support spiral down after being acquired…”
Hi Jeremiah! Being head of the support department here, and being a member of Zaadz since the beginning, I plan on seeing you provided with the same top-notch service you're accustomed to, or better. Feel free to send me a message any time to let me know how the support team is doing.
And remember, I'm not only a part of the team, I'm also a member. I would be disappointed if things faltered, too! I'm here to help make sure the opposite happens :) (that things only get better, though I can't promise that I/we won't make mistakes from time to time).
Hugs,
~Matthew
Nice followup, Siona. Updates like these are very helpful. I look forward to hearing more details, especially about zPro, when you are able to post them. Did you take a camera crew with you to Boulder? :) It would have been interesting to see what you guys were seeing.
Also, to echo Jeremiah's concern, if this merger is able to give Zaadz the tools and firepower to become all that it can be, rather than another casualty of corporate shortsightedness and greed, that will be good for us, good for the planet, and good for establishing a new way of doing business. Along with cleaning up all the messes we've made on this planet, cleaning up the way business is usually conducted on the corporate level would be something to behold. Here's hoping this merger becomes a positive example for others to study and emulate.
Jeremiah: Thanks. :) I think we're going to be spiraling, but it'll be upward. No question.
Matthew? It's an honor working with you. Deep deep bow; and yes, I'm with you. As long as we're a part of Zaadz, our service model and support won't change. (Or if it does, it'll be for the better. :)
David: I'll keep posting! I wish we had a camera crew too (actually, Gaiam does have a nice studio, so I expect there'll be some video presence of the Zaadz team floating around soon), but I'll do my best to provide as accurate report as possibile.
Firepower? It's not a war! Kidding, kidding. Right now this merger is one of the more exciting things that's happened in my little life (it's like being acquired by a new family), and so I have very much the same hopes. So here's to relocalization, and new ways of business, and, of course, to Zaadz.
I'm so happy to be here. :)
Siona: I think many of us feel that the support on Zaadz went down so I do hope we'll see it spiral up again. It's a wonderful place but only as good as its intention. Somewhere I think a bit of that was lost.
I have noticed that since your presence has been more visible, its been a much more user friendly farm. It's great for the “corporation” to grow, just don't forget the little people because if we weren't here, Zaadz would be a very different place.
And Gaiam.com rocks! I'm a good customer!
Namaste
I notice Gaiam charges its members, is this going to happen here to?
I am a bit disappointed, I really always wanted to work for zaadz on the team…
thanks for posting the information Siona.
Blessings, Aley
Gaiam indeed has a number of subscription services, but nothing indicates to me that being a member of Zaadz will ever cost you money. In the future, there are a number of things we could offer as add-ons for a small subscription free, but to charge you simply for basic membership? I don't think you'll ever see that.
jackie said, “I think many of us feel that the support on Zaadz went down so I do hope we'll see it spiral up again.”
Hi Jackie,
Can you message me with specifics? I'll work with the support team to make sure we're addressing concerns.
Thanks!
~M
Aley: We're excited about (finally!) being able to offer the option of a subscription-based, ad-free site, but as Jake said, Zaadz-as-a-communtiy will always be free. No worries. (And, about joining the Zaadz team… well, don't you think this new move will mean we'll be more capable of hiring? ;)
jackie: Oh, thank you so much. I'm sorry about any percieved decline in service; we've been weathering a chaotic period and I do apologize, terribly, if any of you felt neglected as a result. Believe me, I know full well (and I've been spouting about this quite a bit!) that Zaadz IS the community. Zaadz is YOU. As long as you're here, being your amazing selves, well, this site is going to be same the incredible place it's been. I love being able to trust that–and to trust all of you!–and I'm so glad to hear it echoed in your words. :)
Jake wrote:
Gaiam indeed has a number of subscription services, but nothing indicates to me that being a member of Zaadz will ever cost you money. In the future, there are a number of things we could offer as add-ons for a small subscription free, but to charge you simply for basic membership? I don't think you'll ever see that.
I'm relieved to hear that! Though, how much input and control does the Zaadz team have over that, and everything else, now that Zaadz has been sold?
I'm definitely glad a subscription fee doesn't seem likely to happen, since if a subscription fee ever became mandatory to be a part of Zaadz, I think Zaadz (or any other site that decided to charge a mandatory subscription fee) would lose a lot of momentum and growth.
What kinds of optional add-ons might become available for a subscription fee?
Best wishes,
Apollia
Apollia: Completely agree! And as to optional add-ons… we've been tossing around the idea of a card that would offer you discounts at green businesses, or perhaps the ability to easily donate or offer carbon offsets. Site customization would also be nice, but I do love the idea of features that would help better the real-world and benefit subscribers, too.
As to your question about input and control, well, I feel quite confident that we have just as much say as we always did. I mean, I imagine that the team at Gaiam could decide to, say, make the Zaadz community into a shrine to Hanuman the Monkey God if they wanted, and we'd be a little stuck, but I don't see there being any more of a risk of this than there is Brian going crazy and deciding to sell all our addresses to mortgage lenders. It could happen, sure. I'm just not all that worried. :)
Siona wrote:
Apollia: Completely agree! And as to optional add-ons… we've been tossing around the idea of a card that would offer you discounts at green businesses, or perhaps the ability to easily donate or offer carbon offsets.
Sounds awesome! :-)
If, by card, you mean a credit card, I highly recommend mimicking the Clear Card from American Express, and improving on it. (I have a critique of that card on my website). That's the best credit card I know of, but there's still much room for improvement.
Site customization would also be nice, but I do love the idea of features that would help better the real-world and benefit subscribers, too.
Yes, same here. :-)
As to your question about input and control, well, I feel quite confident that we have just as much say as we always did. I mean, I imagine that the team at Gaiam could decide to, say, make the Zaadz community into a shrine to Hanuman the Monkey God if they wanted, and we'd be a little stuck,
LOL! :-D
but I don't see there being any more of a risk of this than there is Brian going crazy and deciding to sell all our addresses to mortgage lenders. It could happen, sure. I'm just not all that worried. :)
Thanks, that's reassuring. :-)
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good on you guys.
There's a million posts on this website about embracing change, and I love that you have embraced a change that is probably the unpopular move to test all our acceptance and spiritual embrace.
Zaadz isn't everything it could be… and I think they/we know this and its because of that why some people are feeling like they may have been forgotten. Thing is though, someone will probably always feel that way… But whats important is that if we hold it real close in our hearts and minds that everyone here is doing their best to serve humanity than we can let go of being in that unproductive “this isn't working” mindset and just maybe miracles will happen.
You know… maybe now, some people are saying “hey, look at this negativity in zaadz” and they project that reason onto the merger that is taking place. So it seems now that its because zaadz is more corporate that is the reason why people are considering holding back.
Reality probably is that now people are expressing disappointment in the corporate agenda, and yet without the corporate agenda, none of this could be in the first place.
I guess of mine is that those who have the biggest problem with this merger, are those who feel like they might have missed their opportunity. Now that the marketplace has expanded potentially that wave has passed. So those of us who have felt loss in this may have been holding back, right? So we forced the change, right?
Maybe learn from this and what happens when you hold back…. learn from the zaadz team and what happens when they let go… Big stuff!!!! Learn from the doubt that had you holding back in the past that might have you feeling like things could be escaping from your reach… they just simply are not… ever.
WTF? Bri is selling our addresses to mortgage lenders?????????????
ROFL! Ha ha. That is good. And though I share Sionas belief it won't happen - well I'll probably laugh if it does too.
Big thanks for the update and clarifications. It is what it is. It just took me a day to remember that as soon as we try and say, “this is how it's gonna be,” and, “I'll never,” then life says, “really'” and throws a curve ball.
Remembering that for me being the change means dealing with what is and not reacting out of fear. I trust the intentions and all the great connections and possibilities thus far so no sense in not looking forward to this.
Hugs and Blessings, David
Siona, thanks for the news and the updates. It's all pretty exciting. What a great team and vision onward and upward. It's a great place.
WTF? Bri is selling our addresses to mortgage lenders?????????????
hehehehehe.
apologies for my lack of participation!
More here: More on our, ahem, acquisition… :)
Thanks Siona:
Has been a rather strange week for me! My apologies. I thought maybe the team would be overtaken by the new parent company…thanks for clarity, and know we all love everything you have done here to make us part of this community we love so dearly.
Aley
Hi All! Thanks for the comments here. It's so inspiring to read them and see what an amazing community we have. Your love for the Zaadz is what has kept it going and what gives it life. The Zaadz team knows that and we're really excited to see what the future holds for all of us.
I just had to chime in and comment on how wonderful you all are!!
Siona,
What about our URLs?
Will the zaadz.com domain be kept and used?
With our existing URLs? I.E. http://rigpa.zaadz.com
Would my URL above, then be Aliased to http://rigpa.gaia.com?
One thing I found VERY attractive about Zaadz was the use of your own personalized host component to a hostname. It is much more powerful than something like: http://www.gaia.com/rigpa I certainly hope that is retained and that there will Aliases maintained to our new URLs for quite a long time such that Google searches and placement won't be lost, etc.
Thanks :)