Agreed. The analogy only goes so far, then totally breaks down.
What I like about the part that does carry weight is that the whole idea/philosophy that threadless is functioning under and all these academics and corporate types are touting as a “new thing” really isn’t that new – Here’s a thought: The way threadless is operating requires or at least at the start up, required “faith” that the people would respond. Has our desire in the church for control and predictability of results created an environment that we don’t take as big of steps of faith? We want guaranteed results and we know how to produce them – this could be said by corporate types and church leaders alike… So by pushing certain buttons or spending certain amounts of money specific results can be temporarily achieved. If this approach is accurate the next “broken link” would be that there would be no high level of commitment because the participant would more than likely feel coerced, manipulated or … into the situation. This will not create viral impact or even generate “user innovation” such as Von Hippel’s theory desires.
Interesting article – who knew a simple INC article could spark such discussion.
Jim Hill
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080601/the-customer-is-the-company.html
From: Jan Lynn
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 3:54 PM
To: Jim Hill; Van Metschke
Subject: Re: threadless
...yes... but unlike Threadless, I’d have to say the church isn’t about letting people decide what they want. (I know that’s not what you were saying, I’m just pointing out the other side of the coin.) A good bit of the Gospel is like taking terrible medicine because it’s good for you. :-)
so... finding a balance.... ?
And oh yeah, blog on it!
On 6/6/08 11:32 AM, "Jim Hill" wrote:
Good article.
I appreciate the web 2.0 concept. I’d like to further discuss the general principle that what Threadless is doing is simply flowing with the consumer vs telling the consumer what they should buy. Can a parallel be drawn that this is how the church was designed (originally) to be run. Remove the technology component and add the boundaries of the scriptures. Isn’t the teacher/preacher of today supposed to analyze the “need for clothing” submitted and then produce it for them? Example: families are crying out for help in raising blended family situations – God has a “size” for that (Ephesians). People are looking for purpose – God has a purpose for our lives…
Has the church lost it’s perspective of analyzing needs and meeting them instead we “perform” out of our own perspective, hurts, strengths or for the almighty dollar (or fear of losing it)…
Just a few meandering thoughts as I get ready to go to lunch with a local business person. (I feel this could be the stuff blogs are made of :-0)
Jim Hill
PS. INC is a great magazine – I used to subscribe, for a period of time they had quite few “Christian” leaning articles…
From: Van Metschke
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 6:21 PM
To: Jim Hill; Jan Lynn
Subject: FW:
See link below.
Van Metschke
Technical Arts Director
South Hills Church
From: Van Metschke
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 8:34 PM
To: Van Metschke
Subject:
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080601/the-customer-is-the-company.html
Van Metschke
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