Our support solution says: "For those you designate as a2a friends, you’ll be able to engage in one-on-one communications via SFI’s TeamMail messaging system and SFI Instant Messaging. Mostly, those who you designate as your a2a friends should be those whom you have developed a true and valuable relationship with. If your relationship is only semi-valuable, just follow them instead (you can always make them an a2a friend later)."
So it's vital to choose the 10 a2a friends wisely. I chose them based on the following criteria:
01. Their Leadership Rank
02. Their Forum activities
03. Their Country and Languages they speak other than English
04. Their willingness to help the newbies
05. Their Daily VP Streak
06. Their Ask SC answers and its ratings
07. Special recognition awarded to them by SFI, such as Forum Guru and Forum Mod.
08. Their membership duration with SFI
The Leadership Rank:
An affiliate with a Leadership Rank (BTL and above) is best because, they know about SFI program more than an affiliate. We can count on their experience as and when needed.
Their Forum Activities:
I keenly observed their activities in the Forum. Are they actively participate in the Forum in a daily basis? Did they sufficiently gave answer for a question asked?, etc. If they are very active and helpful, they can surely help us a2a friends! They have some spare time for these activities. Therefore, the chances are high that they help us with our questions occasionally.
Their Country, Language And Time Zone:
Ours is a global business and we all belongs to different Time Zones. If we choose our friends from a single country or a couple of countries, there may be a situation arise that we need an urgent advice or help from them. If their Time Zone difference is greater, we'll not get timely help.
Therefore, I chose my friends from different Time Zones (from different countries). So that, I assure there's always one of my friend online or they are able to respond my queries within a couple of hours.
Besides this, if our a2a friends are from different countries they usually speak different languages other than English. Whenever one of my PSA/CSA from other language speaking country need a quick help in their native language for a better understanding; any one of my a2a friend is there to help. In short, my best 10 is a cross-section of the World!
Their Willingness To Help The Newbies:
By observing their forum posts, we can understand their willingness to help newbies as well as, experienced affiliates. How they encourage new members? Are they provide their answers or advise for (sometimes) silly questions? Are they patiently communicate with difficult or illegible questions? These are some factors I checked before choosing my best 10.
Their Daily VP Streak:
This is one of the main and important criteria in my selection process. I chose people with daily login history and with a Daily VP Streak of 150 days or more. There's no use in selecting people who rarely visit their affiliate center. You'll not get any help from them.
Their Ask SC Answers And Its Ratings:
I thoroughly checked their profile for the Top Author Badge and the Votes they accumulated. Then I read their Ask SC answers for clarity, their knowledge about the subject, etc.
Special Recognition Awarded To Them By SFI:
Special recognition awarded to them by SFI, such as Forum Guru and Forum Moderator are another parameter I checked. These recognitions shows at a glance that their contributions to the SFI community is outstanding. So that I gave preference to such people.
Their Membership Duration With SFI:
This is another factor I did not compromised when selecting my best 10. If their standing with SFI is a long one, I am for sure that they are serious with their SFI Business and they are not quitters!
I chose my best a2a friends based on the above factors and I'm satisfied with my selection so far. I laid out the main criteria for my selection and you can add other factors suitable for you.
less