Author Topic: Who Replaced Phil Beckley? (Read 6023 times)

jobsworth · « **on:** April 13, 2020, 12:35 PM »

I was watching FT TV this morning, and its no secret Phil left FT. Who replaced him? I havent seen any new instructional videos from FT UK since he left. To Bad I really enjoyed his teaching style.

Alex · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2020, 04:05 PM »

Nobody of course, Festool doesn't really care about an online presence anymore.

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2020, 04:18 PM »

Hi Ron

I am sure that @GarryMartin can give us an insight.

Phil is sadly missed as he was a great contributor here, was absolutely loyal to Festool and had an amazing ability to get a message across.

I am still a fan of Festool kit but have no idea what direction they are going. Festool UK have a new site in Bury and so maybe setting that up has diverted their attention from their loyal fan base.

Peter

GarryMartin · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2020, 02:57 AM »

Unfortunately, I have no idea from a training/instructional perspective.

I can tell you that the various Festool UK regional representatives are a lot more active on Instagram and Facebook than anywhere else, including this forum. They tend to just post product shots and announcements though. They certainly don't interact on the level that we came to expect from Phil; he's sadly missed.

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2020, 05:45 AM »

Quote from: GarryMartin on April 14, 2020, 02:57 AM

Unfortunately, I have no idea from a training/instructional perspective.

I can tell you that the various Festool UK regional representatives are a lot more active on Instagram and Facebook than anywhere else, including this forum. They tend to just post product shots and announcements though. They certainly don't interact on the level that we came to expect from Phil; he's sadly missed.

Hi Garry

I think it is likely to be corporate policy that has changed things rather than just Festool UK. Of course the current Covid 19 crisis will have an impact of their business as so many professionals are having to stop their normal business activity which must have a knock-on effect on the new tools that they might have otherwise been buying.

There are a lot of people contacting me either privately or via YouTube asking questions about new Festool kit. I am completely blind sided and can offer no opinion or help at all. I think that it has been exacerbated by the removal of the CMS concept which, for me, has been a fantastic concept especially for the small workshop.

I have heard from several companies that sales to the DIY and hobby market have increased and I assume that is due to people being forced to be at home and therefore using their time productively. Axminster, who are manufacturing at almost their normal capacity, are finding it difficult to keep up with demand.

Getting raw materials for projects is currently quite challenging here in the UK. There are some click and collect services running but it is time consuming and potentially risky. I am doing the site prep for a decent sized garden shed which will (eventually) be the subject of a video series. I can get the aggregates for the site work but getting a large quantity of treated timber is impossible.

I hope that everyone here on the FOG and their families are safe and well.

Peter

GarryMartin · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2020, 06:00 AM »

I know what you mean Peter. I answer a lot of questions on Twitter, either directed to me personally or ones that haven't been responded to by the Festool GB digital team.

Bert Vanderveen · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2020, 07:36 AM »

Quote from: GarryMartin on April 14, 2020, 06:00 AM

I know what you mean Peter. I answer a lot of questions on Twitter, either directed to me personally or ones that haven't been responded to by the Festool GB digital team.

I think this indicates a significant lack of understanding by Festool’s management regarding the validity of a website like FOG. IMO Festool should have a permanent presence here with a hands on attitude.
Festool - the company - is privately owned and therefore unconcerned about shareholder influence, which is a good thing in this overly corporate world, but they should consider stakeholders to be of consequence and take their needs and wishes into consideration by principle. A lot of those stakeholders are here on FOG. QED.

GarryMartin · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2020, 12:50 PM »

If you look at the evidence of traffic regarding Facebook and Instagram though, it will be significantly higher than here. Festool are just playing to their widest audience. Although the people on the FOG may be slightly better informed than the public majority, I would guess the pure economics would drive attention to other platforms.

It's a shame, but it's the reality we live in nowadays, unfortunately. Festool is no longer a niche, high-end retailer of power tools, even though the comparative offering prices are higher. Festool is sold in catalogue stores here in the UK now. Specialised dealers are competing with volume box shifters, and Festool is mostly playing to the platforms that drive that sales volume growth.

six-point socket II · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2020, 02:04 PM »

While Instagram, Facebook and maybe even Twitter might be beneficial for spreading the word and driving up sales & keeping folks entertained - it's a total waste of time if your objective is to transfer knowledge or build a library of said knowledge - because all three platforms are nearly unsearchable and lack any sort of bookmarks. (Yes, you can save on IG, but that works oh so well for the first 50 items, then you're lost) You either know exactly where to find something, and then maybe link it for someone else, or it's gone.

If knowledge transfer and collecting it library-style is what you aim for, Forums - as old as the concept is, speaking of the "internet age" - are still #1.

If it wasn't for (formerly) Festool employed people like Phil or Tyler who spent enormous amounts of time to offer help, guidance and expertise & knowledge you wouldn't even notice that the FOG is run by Festool at the moment.

Although, I was told on numerous occasions that Festool corporate watches the FOG and it's being used as a resource and highly regarded in that respect.

Let's hope we see some more activity from Festool corporate in the future.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2020, 02:15 PM »

This is the only person who could help:

Not me, the good looking gentleman on the right !

Peter

PS It was the only time that I wanted to stand on a Sys 3 !!

six-point socket II · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2020, 03:21 PM »

Two true gentlemen in that picture, that's for sure!

Kind regards,
Oliver

FestitaMakool · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2020, 04:48 PM »

Quote from: six-point socket II on April 14, 2020, 02:04 PM

While Instagram, Facebook and maybe even Twitter might be beneficial for spreading the word and driving up sales & keeping folks entertained - it's a total waste of time if your objective is to transfer knowledge or build a library of said knowledge - because all three platforms are nearly unsearchable and lack any sort of bookmarks. (Yes, you can save on IG, but that works oh so well for the first 50 items, then you're lost) You either know exactly where to find something, and then maybe link it for someone else, or it's gone.

If knowledge transfer and collecting it library-style is what you aim for, Forums - as old as the concept is, speaking of the "internet age" - are still #1.

If it wasn't for (formerly) Festool employed people like Phil or Tyler who spent enormous amounts of time to offer help, guidance and expertise & knowledge you wouldn't even notice that the FOG is run by Festool at the moment.

Although, I was told on numerous occasions that Festool corporate watches the FOG and it's being used as a resource and highly regarded in that respect.

Let's hope we see some more activity from Festool corporate in the future.

Kind regards,
Oliver

So true six-point socket.
I’m amazed by the resources put into SOME (SOcial MEdia) by large companies. They measure in hits and not by quality. That, in marketing is a huge difference..
Educated in marketing I kind of gave up on applying for jobs that suited. I was told (Last rejection was from the native Land Rover office) that they wanted all my skills, but THE most important thing was experience in SOME marketing. I tried to tell them that that might not be THE place to market advanced products, but maybe sun glasses and so on..
- Couldn’t help it..

So they probably ended up with someone skilled at SOME, but didn’t know a sh... about what LR is. Who cares

I have no experience of Phil Beckley, but; reading about him here, and have seen a few videos - he’s truly a loss for maybe even other companies he’s been with along with Festool.

Even before joining FOG, I became aware of @Mr. Peter Parfitt via YouTube, I’ve always rejected Google’s attempt to have me registered in order to subscribe, but seeing Peter in his videos, demonstrating Festool among other products and techniques I finally made an account to be able to subscribe. (I generally reject SOME all together as a principal)
So if you like Peter, I would be happy to send in a recommendation to FT to be their anchor of knowledge in Europe

Dusty.Tools · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2020, 01:28 AM »

As someone who’s day job is working for a major software company, I can understand Festool’s challenge here.

On one hand it’s easy to articulate the value but on the other hand it’s very hard to actual measure it. We could throw unlimited resources at Github and StackOverflow and still not be able to measure the return on that investment.

Unfortunately companies like this don’t become successful by spending money on something that can’t be justified.

There’s also the people issue. You want jobs that people can do that are really valued and have career growth. Otherwise people won’t want to do the job.

That said, I would give my left arm for forum like this driven by the community. It’s an amazing asset. If I was Festool I would look to reward the community to encourage more engagement. Rewarding top contributors with perks, discounts, early access to new products and direct lines my team.

I’m sure a bunch of people will disagree with me, but this is how big companies function

I personally would love more Festool input on the forum!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Jiggy Joiner · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2020, 04:42 AM »

Definitely miss Phil on here, and at the fairs and shows. Whenever I’ve met him, he’s always been very helpful, friendly and cheerful.
Really nice chap, and tough shoes to fill

Cheese · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2020, 10:31 AM »

Quote from: Dusty.Tools on April 15, 2020, 01:28 AM

...this forum is an amazing asset. If I was Festool I would look to reward the community to encourage more engagement. Rewarding top contributors with perks, discounts, early access to new products and direct lines my team.

I personally would love more Festool input on the forum!

I've advocated for a much...much larger Festool presence on this forum since the first day I joined. Shane absolutely was the best

and if Festool was able to find & install a person of his knowledge & capabilities for the first go-around there's no reason they couldn't repeat the performance. I'm not saying it would be easy, just saying it is possible, but Festool has "got to want to" and they certainly aren't there yet.

Early on, I also suggested to one of the Festool folks, we've had several, that simply announcing discontinued products first to members of the FOG would be a wonderful Perk/reward for forum membership. The reply came back that it'd be looked into...well that was 4 years ago...

xedos · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2020, 10:59 AM »

Quote

and if Festool was able to find & install a person of his knowledge & capabilities for the first go-around there's no reason they couldn't repeat the performance.

sometimes it's just plain ol luck.

Quote

The reply came back that it'd be looked into...well that was 4 years ago...

Typical corp. speak for - shut up and get lost because 1. we have no idea what you're talking about - or- 2. we don't really care what you think.

jobsworth · « **Reply #16 on:** April 15, 2020, 11:50 AM »

@Cheese

"Early on, I also suggested to one of the Festool folks, we've had several, that simply announcing discontinued products first to members of the FOG would be a wonderful Perk/reward for forum membership. The reply came back that it'd be looked into...well that was 4 years ago...

"

Youd be surprise how much pull FOG members have and how Festool knows who the frequent posters are.

EX: At the last FT Connect held in LV. I saw Sedge. Though never meeting him or seeing him in person. I walked up to him said something (trying to be funny but came out wrong) and walked away. I thought about it and realized how I must of came across to him.
I went to apologize and explain myself to him that I was only kidding but came across wrong.

He told me he found out who I was and he was good with it. So they do know who we FOGGERS are. I do believe we have some input that is taken seriously here.

Have you met your local FT rep. If not I suggest you do and tell him your a long time member of the FOG. Tough they all give good service I think you'll see some extra attention after he finds out.

Yes I know they are not allowed to post here. But some do read the post and know who we are.

jonnyrocket · « **Reply #17 on:** April 15, 2020, 03:58 PM »

Quote from: jobsworth on April 15, 2020, 11:50 AM

Have you met your local FT rep. If not I suggest you do and tell him your a long time member of the FOG.

How does one find out who the FT rep in the area is? I would sure like to meet mine and get some insight into the full list of dealers in the area.

jobsworth · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2020, 01:12 AM »

Yer dealer should be able to tell you and give his contact info. The FT reps have days when they visit the dealers answer questions demo some of the tools. Find out when yer dealer has a day scheduled then you can meet him chat with him and he'll give his contact info.

I recently moved and I need to find out who my new rep is.

Distinctive Interiors · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2020, 03:44 AM »

I spoke to my local Festool Rep earlier this week to enquire how he was doing during lockdown.....I normally hear from him on a regular basis. Whenever a new tool becomes available that he thinks may suit my work applications, he contacts me and arranges to come and demo it for me.

I got to try the new impact driver with him recently and had a look at the new STM 1800 and he brought me a KS60 to test out before it was released for general sale.

A great fella and an asset to the company.

Cheese · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2020, 09:46 AM »

Quote from: jobsworth on April 15, 2020, 11:50 AM

Have you met your local FT rep. If not I suggest you do and tell him your a long time member of the FOG. Tough they all give good service I think you'll see some extra attention after he finds out.

Hey @jobsworth there was a time when I knew who my local Festool rep was. Danny was always demoing at either Woodcraft or at 7 Corners Hardware on a 3-4 months schedule, so I'd run in to him 6-8 times a year. What a great guy, friendly, knowledgeable and willing to demo what ever any one was interested in. His demos lasted until everyone watching him was exhausted.

Seriously, he'd start at 10:00 and just be winding down around 5:00.

At one Woodcraft demo, he "accidentally" knocked the newly released Syslite off of the demo table a dozen times. At some point someone asked him if it still worked, at which point, he simply turned the Syslite on. After a collective choir of gasping quieted down, the entire Syslite inventory at Woodcraft was purchased by the attendees, including myself. Not bad business for Woodcraft or for Danny on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

And then 7 Corners Hardware went away

...and then Danny went away

...and then the demos at Woodcraft went away...

I've seen the new local Festool rep only once in the last 5 years and that was at the Festool Roadshow in 2018.

jobsworth · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2020, 11:02 AM »

Wow that sucks. I would check Anderson Plywoods site and they would list the Festool demo days. But I agree about Woodcraft. I met Allan K at my local woodcraft in Calif. He would regularly put on demos ad Id go there just to ax questions about tools and techiques for different projects I was doing at the time.

Last time I called the local woodcraft and axed when they are hosting a demo day they didnt know. I thought it was just the guy who answered the phone wasnt up to speed.

I think Ill give festool service a call and ax them if they could put me in touch with my local rep. I do need to chat with him about a local dealer.

six-point socket II · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2020, 11:18 AM »

Hi!

Really interesting to follow this thread!

I don't think that I've ever encountered Festool employees demo'ing tools beside the Roadshow. Of course some dealers have demo areas/ and will demo a tool or simply let you try it - but I don't think I ever met a Festool representative at any store/ during regular hours so far. Will keep an eye out.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2020, 11:31 AM »

Quote from: six-point socket II on April 16, 2020, 11:18 AM

Hi!

Really interesting to follow this thread!

I don't think that I've ever encountered Festool employees demo'ing tools beside the Roadshow. Of course some dealers have demo areas/ and will demo a tool or simply let you try it - but I don't think I ever met a Festool representative at any store/ during regular hours so far. Will keep an eye out.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Phil Beckley used to do it driving 200 miles each way in a day with the demo in between.

Peter

jobsworth · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2020, 11:34 AM »

Quote from: six-point socket II on April 16, 2020, 11:18 AM

Hi!

Really interesting to follow this thread!

I don't think that I've ever encountered Festool employees demo'ing tools beside the Roadshow. Of course some dealers have demo areas/ and will demo a tool or simply let you try it - but I don't think I ever met a Festool representative at any store/ during regular hours so far. Will keep an eye out.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Dont know if they are the same where you live, but when I lived in the UK the reps didnt really go to the stores other then to help the store employees understand the tools. The reps there went to professional shops and job sites to answer questions , help and demo new tools.

I found FT USA does things a bit different then they did in the UK. Though I did call FT UK up ad got the phone number for my rep bc I needed help and he came out to my shop and helped me.

I dont know if thats the norm or not.

six-point socket II · « **Reply #25 on:** April 16, 2020, 01:59 PM »

I should have said that I'm in Germany, obviously. So I never had the pleasure of meeting Phil in person.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Peter Halle · « **Reply #26 on:** April 16, 2020, 02:45 PM »

Festool operates differently around the world. Phil is a fabulous guy and represented Festool so well. He has moved on.

In the US and users will mainly interact with their brick and mortar dealers or their internet dealers. Festool does have RSM's that are out in the wild to support their dealer network and then help out with end users like us. Festool manufactures tools and sells tools to dealers so that they can in turn sell to us. Anybody who has been in a sales position could tell you that they operate under corporate parameters and goals. And meeting goals leads to longevity. All of the RSM's have been thru training and can assist with the majority of questions / issues.

But the Technical Trainers and the Application Specialists can offer even more assistance. You can pick up the phone and ask a question without doing the "trading emails dance." You probably will not get to a trainer, but the Specialists know their stuff and will probably be able to help you out.

Peter

six-point socket II · « **Reply #27 on:** April 17, 2020, 04:15 PM »

Festool Germany released a Festool Live Training video for the TKS 80 today.

Just for clarification: I learned that there are 11 application engineers/ representatives who demo tools and train/teach on site or at shops, from the video.

So I simply hadn't had the pleasure of meeting one yet beside at the roadshow.

Kind regards,
Oliver

FestitaMakool · « **Reply #28 on:** April 17, 2020, 06:05 PM »

Quote from: six-point socket II on April 17, 2020, 04:15 PM

Festool Germany released a Festool Live Training video for the TKS 80 today.

Just for clarification: I learned that there are 11 application engineers/ representatives who demo tools and train/teach on site or at shops, from the video.

So I simply hadn't had the pleasure of meeting one yet beside at the roadshow.

Kind regards,
Oliver

- Festool in English language on a world wide YouTube video!.. Wow!
That’s maybe even more exciting than the TKS 80

Maybe they watched Hooked On Wood?

six-point socket II · « **Reply #29 on:** April 17, 2020, 06:47 PM »

Sorry, the video is in German language - and I have no idea why it didn't embed. Sorry!

Kind regards,
Oliver