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One of my favorite business quotes, and a real reason for success in any
business came from a retired Harley Davidson exec. He said they were always
fortunate enough to have someone in charge who knew a bad idea when he heard
it. A sure benefit to any business, you wonder what could have happened to the
longest running vehicle manufacturer in the US of A if they hadn’t. Are you
smart enough to tell if an idea is bad, or do you just tend to go along with
what is told to you? Are you the consummate yes man, or do you just not care to
make waves? Are you afraid to speak your mind, or do you just mind your own
business? Food for thought, here are some bad decisions, and you wonder did
anyone know how bad they would be? And can you tell now...
First on my list is new Coke. Fearing that this international icon, Coca
Cola may be some day passed by Pepsi, they reformulated Coke, sending its
drinkers into a frenzy. I worked for Coca Cola then-it got bad and vicious,
until they brought back the Real Thing, and today we have Classic Coke. And is
beating Pepsi even worse, their official position, “we stumbled into the
marketing decision of the century.” During the 50—60’s, the British ruled the
motorcycle world in sales. No one gave Honda a chance, who would buy anything
Japanese? But when their 250cc bikes held their own against 650 cc legends, it
was too late. And the ill fated, and poorly designed Rocket 3 and BSA vanished,
leaving only Triumph left. Then the Meriden plant went on strike, protesting
its closure, causing them to have no machines, for a market that was shrinking
for them. Proving tow wrongs still don’t make a right. And by 1975 Made In
England was history, bad idea going on strike when you are going out of
business. Will the last person out of Meriden please turn out the light?
Big Blue, IBM, the developer of the PC, thinking no one would ever make a
PC t compete with tehm, sold one time rights to a young Bill Gates, never
realizing that others would make PC’s also. Bill saw the software as the key,
selling it to many different manufacturers, and the rest is history. Betting
the market would change as it did, the rest is history. You’ve got mail. Decca
records once had the choice of signing The Beatles, a big risk, or the
Tremeloes. Just ask Capitol Records, four piece bands do sell, they got it
right, just ask Sir Paul. A Hard Day’s Night for Decca on that one. Did you
know that Mars turned down the chance to be the candy on ET? The decision to
pass on M&M’s as the alien candy of choice catapulted Reese’s Pieces to
fame, 65% sales increase the first month the movie was out, almost passing the
famous melts in your mouth, not in your hand icon. M&M’s call home.
Remember the HMS Titanic, the unsinkable ocean liner? Why put on so many life
boats, it won’t sink anyway? Today what is the first thing you look for when
boarding a ship? After the buffet? In less than 140 minutes it was all over,
under and out.
Did you know Kodak had the rights to the first digital cameras? After
developing it, they sat on it, and when they did come out with their’s, lost $60
on each one sold. Hoping to make it up on volume, after 58 years on the Fortune
500 list they declared bankruptcy, so much for the wonderful world of color.
Where have all the Blue Light Specials gone? Probably to Wal-mart, as when K
Mart tried to go head to head with them, their stock sunk 63%, while Wal-mart’s
rose 82%. Seems their supply chain couldn’t keep up with demand, an empty
shelves sent customers elsewhere, just in time, like the philosophy they failed
at. We used to sing “the name that’s known is Firestone, where the rubber meets
the road.” And it did, until they came up with a poor way to build radials,
hoping to rush them to market. And they came apart, causing untold of misery
and accidents. Trying to blame the consumer over poor maintenance, they
recalled 10 million tires. Also available at K Mart Auto Centers. In a
pre-Rupert Murdoch era, Fox sold the syndication rights of M*A*S*H needing
money. Today ever time BJ and Hawkeye crack a rib or joke, Fox gets nothing.
In 1979 alone, its first year in syndication, each station showing reruns made
over $1 million dollars. And in the early 1980’s Yamaha declared publicly at
their dealer meeting that they would outsell Honda that year. To bad Honda had
stores that sold Yamaha too, bad thing to say, as Honda dropped the prices and
almost put Yamaha out of business. In the end good for consumers, who could
buy a brand new, 3 year old 1982 Yamaha in 1985. You might have met the nicest
people on a Honda, don’t forget to thank Yamaha as you ride off.
In the 3rd chapter of Genesis, we see the all time worst idea, one of
trusting anyone but God. And look at the results, even today. If Eve couldn’t
tell the lie, maybe Adam should have been able to. What did he and God talk
about on their walks? Maybe if he had listened, we wouldn’t be in this mess
today. What was he thinking? The dude had it made, great weather, great wife,
fresh food, lots of time to ride. Later Esau, the hairy twin of Jacob, sold his
birthright for a bowl of stew. He must have been real hungry, as this was the
first display of fast food not being good for you. Have it your way Esau? What
was Abraham thinking, the father of all the Jews, when he agreed to mate with
his wife’s maid to have a child? At her suggestion? Wouldn’t God’s promise be
enough for him? After all, God had been honorable up to that point? Sin has
never been the fulfillment of anything except misery. Bad idea Sarah, bad
choice Abe.
In Acts we read of a man who wants the Holy Spirit, and thinks he can buy
it. Bad idea, but he later comes to repentance. Only Jesus saves, he was
saved, but thought it a good idea to get what he could for what he had. Too
often an excuse we make today for our own sin. It’s night in the garden, and
they come for Jesus. Peter takes his sword and cuts off Malchus’ ear. Trying
to protect Jesus, imagine trying to protect God? And from going to the cross
for our salvation? Seemed like a good idea I’m sure, how many ears have you
severed for Christ? Only to have Him make it good by replacing them because of
your sin? And finally today, we have some who think the free gift of salvation
isn’t enough, and try to earn their way to heaven? Or follow cults, who use the
name of Jesus in vain, a good idea to discount hell if you might go, just don’t
believe, anything to avoid a choice. Or add some false doctrines, and make it
sound holy, holier than thou. The importance of being in the spirit so you know
the truth. Life is filled with one bad idea after another, be warned. We are
to be a gentle as lambs, but as crafty as a serpent. If it sounds to good to be
true, it probably is. So you can either learn from history, or repeat it.
But the worst idea of all time is thinking you can make it heaven without
Jesus. God made it simple, and free, so why fight it? Yet so many do, and when
a new idea, or religion comes around, they fall for it. Stick with the original
good idea, Jesus. God got Him right the first time, no need for a series of
reruns. Or of NEW Jesus. And any religion or religious person who has ever
tried to replace Him has failed. Today we may collect Edsels, eat M&M’s
while watching ET. We still take ocean voyages, and shop at K Mart. Just don’t
fall for any blue light special, no one will ever push Jesus out of first place,
and He has been real no need for syndication. Why watch reruns when He is new
and exciting every day? In Jesus you always have someone in place who can tell
a bad idea. If it works for Harley, just think what good decisions can do for
you? Now that’s an idea I can live with. Here’s a good idea-seek Jesus while
He still can be found. Today is the day of salvation. Be forgiven, then
forgive others. Bad ideas come and go-Jesus is forever.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com