Man this is classy. Well done Freshdesk.
Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
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Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#72Why is this here? How do I downvote the post or recommend it for the "stupid twitter he-said-she-said" category?
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
Actually, this should increase the number of trials and customers for Freshdesk. It's like playing chess. Zendesk made a bad move and Freshdesk used that move to respond brilliantly.
I'm sure it will. It doesn't change my perception of them. In my opinion, anyone who thinks taking the time to create a web page for an argument or who thinks a product in the same field with a similar name is a copycat doesn't care about me, the customer. They should be spending their time improving the product, coming up with new ideas, or responding to legitimate support inquiries. Neither of these companies showe…
> anyone who thinks taking the time to create a web page for an argument
It's marketing, pure and simple. And if you think any company that spends time/money on marketing/PR doesn't care about you, the customer, you're going to have to have trouble finding any companies you want to give your money to.
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#74HackerNews readers, watch and learn. I'm about deconstruct what is going on.
Anybody who brushes off FreshDesk because of its Indian roots is doing FreshDesk a favour. This is a sharp mind at work and it is lethal.
FreshDesk is executing the standard modus operandi of upstart against an incumbent.
Jobs is a master at it (I'm Apple I'm Microsoft), Calacanis too (remember the SEO controversy, and then the Angel controversy?), and Girish is in the same league. The idea is to frame everything as a controversy, and linkbaits people into discussing it.
Notice how a custom domain is used and it is a mini website, not just a blog post? It is a custom website intended to fuel controversy and will drive a lot of SEO juice from bloggers all over the world. Sit back and watch its PageRank explode.
Girish is also running very hungry by executing a social media campaign. People may not buy from Twitter, but it buys mindshare. It will be a matter of time before FreshDesk gets a good recall rate, as long as it acts heads above other people. The name itself enjoys co-recognition from Freshbooks as well as ZenDesk.
Don't forget, Girish comes with a Zoho pedigree, and this is a company that has bootstrapped itself in India and no one would say the software is anything but world-class.
As for ZenDesk, Girish has stuck a fork into Ben Keepes for the lack of disclosure (by the way, I've been a long time reader of CloudAve, always insightful, even if [I now have to perceived it as potentially] biased), and then masterfully weaves ZenDesk CEO's twitter reply with the overtly racist overtone that cloudavesyd (onya Aussies) "Indian cowboys"-tweet. Note that mikkelsvane wasn't party to the "Indian cowboys" comment, but the way it is put, mikkelsvane sounded like he was in agreement (although to anyone who pays close attention to this type of things, he clearly was talking about something else).
Girish, if you are reading - I'm in Australia, if you could - please don't turn this into a wider "Australians enjoy India bashing meme". We already have a hard time here, and race doesn't factor much if at all in business.
As for ZenDesk, the important thing is to stay above the fray, establish their incumbency, but emphasize their own underdoggedness. Both can play the jingoist game and appeal to emotions.
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#75TL;DR: Nu uh!!!! ='''( [Quote comparing us to Gandhi]
I think their response was a bit too involved. They were insulted by some blowhard (CEO or not) and instead of rolling with the punches, they write an emotionally-charged, whiny blog post. Not to mention a name is the stupidest thing to fight over. If you want to see a real rip-off, check out github vs bitbucket.
Just focus on making your product. If you're doing well, some people may turn into little girls and get jealous and throw tantrums. Ignore them and focus on your goals. Engaging in back and forth like this shows nothing but weakness.
EDIT: Just noticed they actually bought a domain for this. Even worse. I don't see good things in the future for Freshdesk if this is how they respond to an affront. Also, why are they comparing themselves to Gandhi? You've got to be kidding me...?
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#76Christian Marth (@cloudgroupsyd) has a lot of explaining for that ridiculous and risible "Indian cowboy" dig. Twenty times worse because he doubled down on it while backpeddling.
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Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#77There's nothing like bad publicity. I never heard of freshdesk before this.
Use the publicity That you've been given freshdesk but don't overdo it!
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#78Regarding the initial dispute over trademark: The "desk" part of the name is 'descriptive' and so isn't the strong part of each trademark. The "zen/fresh" parts are arbitrary so are the strong part of each mark. These are distinct, so I don't think there is a valid claim to trademark infringement here. One could argue that "desk" is 'suggestive' in trademark law which makes it a bit stronger, but I don't think that would fly.
If one of the companies can show actual instances of customer confusion, then there may be a case as this is an important test in a trademark case.
The fact that zen haven't filed suit speaks volumes.
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
In an alternate universe it would look like they are complaining about personal attacks on them.
Yeah, I think that's the problem with these kinds of flame wars. Is freshdesk right that the criticism about them was out of line? Yes. Does responding by saying the criticism "reflects poorly on the intellectual ability of the person making the judgement" and "[criticizer should] exercise better judgement and ethics when making negative comments about a company" seem heavy-handed and just as ridiculous as the initia…
The full statement is:
> Passing judgement on Product innovation based on the founder’s nationality reflects poorly on the intellectual ability of the person making the judgement.
They are complaining that nationalist insults or racist insults make the speaker look like an idiot. Is this ridiculous, heavy-handed, and unfair?
Perhaps it is simply reflective of the fact that current culture looks down on racists.
Re: Zendesk CEO calls Freshdesk a freaking rip off - Freshdesk responds
#80Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm sure it will. It doesn't change my perception of them. In my opinion, anyone who thinks taking the time to create a web page for an argument or who thinks a product in the same field with a similar name is a copycat doesn't care about me, the customer. They should be spending their time improving the product, coming up with new ideas, or responding to legitimate support inquiries. Neither of these companies showe…
You realize that it probably took FreshDesk maybe 2 hrs to create that page with the intention of defending the credibility of their reputation? And at the same time, by picking (or rather extending) a fight with the industry leader, they are gaining lots of visibility for their product. Was it worth it for FreshDesk to put in the 2 hours to defend their reputation? Of course. How is that not brilliant?
I agree. Guy Kawasaki suggests companies should pick fights with better known rivals. Apple vs. IBM back in the day is a perfect example.
I now know who Freshdesk is (didn't before) and might consider them in the future. We used to use Zendesk but found it too expensive for our needs. Plug: we use Tender.