What follows is a parable that reflects what happens all too often in businesses with a "spiritual" bent. It happens when a simple, legitimate teaching is subverted and complicated for the purpose of making more money from it. It was originally written in response to changes taking place last year in a company that does business in teaching hands-on healing. Sadly, it reflect what happens all too often in too many such companies, churches, systems and schools.
I’d like to share with all of you one of my “life experiences.”
Many years ago, as computers were first coming into their own, there was a great lack of knowledge about connecting computer peripherals – printers, scanners, monitors, cameras and such.
A friend of mine in a far away country, recognizing this opportunity, began to conduct “Printer Connection” workshops. For less than $300 you could attend his class, and in less than 2 days you could learn how to connect your own printer (or someone else’s), whether it was a serial, parallel, or usb connection. He was very good at it, and soon many people were “connecting.” He also saw that there was a need for many people to learn this skill set quickly, and his time was limited. So many needs and so little time. What to do?
He developed a system whereby a workshop attendee could attend repeat workshops, pay a one-time $100 fee, and become qualified as a “Printer Connection” Practitioner, with his blessings. Good deal. The students attended extra workshops. He even gave them a half-price special for repeat workshops. Some Practitioners charged for this printer installation service, and some offered it freely and gladly, especially for friends.
He then figured out that if he were to require attendance at a few more workshops (and another one-time $100 fee), he could certify his student as a “Printer Workshop” Instructor, and the new P/W Instructor could then hold workshops for other students, collect $300 from each one, and send him 10% of the fees collected. The money would come rolling in.
But gradually, the flaws in his plan began to appear. There were expenses. And not that much money.
Over a period of time he saw his classes dwindling. And those of his Instructors, as well. Computers were becoming mainstream and people were reading the Owner’s Manual.
He looked and looked for a way to increase the cash flow. He hired several management consultants. And by his own admission, they all cost him a lot of money.
Finally, he tried a new consultant who convinced him that he could increase his cash flow with this consultant’s new program, called “Selling By Taking.” The premise was simple. Instead of giving support to all of his Practitioners and Instructors, he could “take” money from them by decreeing an annual renewal fee to maintain their certification. What a stroke of genius. So what if they didn’t care for it. Progress is often unpopular.
So what if they rebelled and he lost half of them. That would still leave him a six-figure income every year, for doing nothing but decreeing: “Selling By Taking.” Brilliant.
Besides, many would remain loyal. It’s not a question of ethics or morality – this is business.
Well, some of his fans left him, moving on to bigger and better things – “if not this, something better.” Some refused to give in to extortion and were “unplugged.” And some willingly paid the fee so they could continue to install printers.
And they all lived happily ever after.
What does this have to do with my life’s experience?
Well, as a computer specialist, I had quickly learned to install printers and other peripherals with a minimum of time. I could teach people to do that with their eyes closed and even over the phone, in a matter of minutes rather than days. Just couldn’t justify charging them $300, much less taking 2 days of their time. And if the occasional person wants some help with their computer, I’m still willing to give it.
Yours in Truth,
G L Arnold
Story stolen from reprinted with permission from the Qtouch Blog http://qtouchblog.blogspot.com/
Copyright 2011 by Dennis George Rudolph. All rights reserved.
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