David Bernard Weighs In on General Board Decision

[tv1a]

Former General Electric Chairman Jack Welch implemented a plan called Sigma Six. An over simplified definition of Sigma Six is the top 33% are rewarded with tremendous benefits, the middle 33% are given the opportunity to step to the next level, and the bottom 33% are given the pink slip. Funny how resources become available when a business removes the dead weights. Welch said if GE could not be #1 or #2 they would sell that portion of the company and reallocate resources to more proffitable ventures.

The upci operates more like a political machine than a business. Politics get in the way of good sound fiscal judgement. It makes it difficult for a person to put their financial support behind the organization when fiscal irresponsibility runs rampart.

I would rellocate resources in a heartbeat to start a spanish division. I would close divisions who were sucking resources from the company to fund the spanish division. I didn't realize how many spanish churches were in the upci. Time to give some new blood a chance.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by scotty

I stand in amazment oh great one...

$15 per half hour on cable access. $125 for half hour on our local CBS stations at 11:30 on Saturday morning. Goes into 140,000 homes not counting over air viewers.

[TrueNorth]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Former General Electric Chairman Jack Welch implemented a plan called Sigma Six. An over simplified definition of Sigma Six is the top 33% are rewarded with tremendous benefits, the middle 33% are given the opportunity to step to the next level, and the bottom 33% are given the pink slip. Funny how resources become available when a business removes the dead weights. Welch said if GE could not be #1 or #2 they would sell that portion of the company and reallocate resources to more proffitable ventures.

The upci operates more like a political machine than a business. Politics get in the way of good sound fiscal judgement. It makes it difficult for a person to put their financial support behind the organization when fiscal irresponsibility runs rampart.

I would rellocate resources in a heartbeat to start a spanish division. I would close divisions who were sucking resources from the company to fund the spanish division. I didn't realize how many spanish churches were in the upci. Time to give some new blood a chance.

If only life were so simple - or the religious org could be operated like GE.
Take for instance, Harvesttime - in my humble opinion they should have axed it years ago - but the bigger question was should the UPCI have a national media (radio) presence even if it is running a deficit. Many felt that the answer to that was yes so it limped along at a deficit while the simply business decision would have been to put it out of its misery.

I keep hearing of all the financial irresponsibility but have yet to hear the concrete examples (of which I am sure there are some.)

[TrueNorth]

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

Well I don't know about you, but if I am in a deficit I stop spending.

Seems odd to be adding more levels of bureaucracy when we can't even effectively manage what we have.

PPH is at a $1.5 million deficit. Where does the money come from to cover that? I would imagine from the same place this new division will get its funding. Donations from other, more solvent, divisions.

That is an undue burden on vital missions programs that have proven financially viable.

Here's the catch 22 - PPH has a deficit - they cut 25% of their biggest expense - workforce.
Now they're the bad guys because they reduced workforce, stopped Spanish SS materials and are now outsourcing. All things that from a business aspect make perfect sense.
We can debate about whether or not they cut the right personnel - but, that's business.

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by TrueNorth

If only life were so simple - or the religious org could be operated like GE.
Take for instance, Harvesttime - in my humble opinion they should have axed it years ago - but the bigger question was should the UPCI have a national media (radio) presence even if it is running a deficit. Many felt that the answer to that was yes so it limped along at a deficit while the simply business decision would have been to put it out of its misery.

With internet radio and podcasts available nowadays at relatively low cost, it might be time to allocate more resources in that direction, instead of following the old Harvesttime radio formula.

At the end of the day, ministries are called to be good stewards of God's money, and to make wise financial decisions.

[TrueNorth]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

With internet radio and podcasts available nowadays at relatively low cost, it might be time to allocate more resources in that direction, instead of following the old Harvesttime radio formula.

At the end of the day, ministries are called to be good stewards of God's money, and to make wise financial decisions.

They have gone the internet route but I can't imagine the reach would be the same. I think they are down to one broadcast on satellite radio now.

http://www.thereishopefortoday.com

[nwlife]

A lot of older people in SE oklahoma depend on the radio for some of their religious needs. I get to do a morning devotion for a couple weeks a year as part of the local ministerial alliance. I do get comments about it from all over parts of SE okla. (as long as the hills don't block the signal). While internet radio and web streaming is the wave of the future, there is a big part of the world that is still a few years behind in technology and not just because of religion.

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The OT Levites received Israel's tithe because they had no inheritance in Israel. Ask any Apostolic preacher if he thinks he has an inheritance and he will wax long and loud about his "bean patch" but never once think about the money flow that has made so many of them millionaires.

Exaggeration, much?

I didn't think we had that a lot of Apostolic preachers who are millionaires. You make it sound like its common among Apostolic preachers. I would say it certainly is not.

[Jehoram]

Originally Posted by TrueNorth

Here's the catch 22 - PPH has a deficit - they cut 25% of their biggest expense - workforce.
Now they're the bad guys because they reduced workforce, stopped Spanish SS materials and are now outsourcing. All things that from a business aspect make perfect sense.
We can debate about whether or not they cut the right personnel - but, that's business.

Oh no, I believe the entire PPH/Marketing operation should be shut down completely. I also don't believe they are the bad guys for cutting workforce. I would have done the same thing.

The issue is how can we expect Foreign Missions and Home Missions to cover the deficit that PPH will continue to run from this point forward? The layoffs were a bandaid. They need to shut the whole thing down.

Currently those divisions cover PPH's losses by diverting donations that are supposed to be helping ministry - not Marketing. It would also help if they would cut out the $12,000.00 birthday parties they throw for the Haneys and Jones every year.

[Jehoram]

Originally Posted by TrueNorth

If only life were so simple - or the religious org could be operated like GE.
Take for instance, Harvesttime - in my humble opinion they should have axed it years ago - but the bigger question was should the UPCI have a national media (radio) presence even if it is running a deficit. Many felt that the answer to that was yes so it limped along at a deficit while the simply business decision would have been to put it out of its misery.

I keep hearing of all the financial irresponsibility but have yet to hear the concrete examples (of which I am sure there are some.)

Here's the trouble with posting "concrete examples."

First, you would still defend the waste. Second, we would be banned for posting those sort of truths. Third, people will believe what they wanna believe anyway.