new contest

[Lone Star]

Congrats to medic-_texas! Also, congratulations to the runner ups! I thought there were some really great ideas out there...I did notice a heavy emphasis on the education aspect of our field, and I have to say "I am impressed!"

Congratulations to the winners again!

[DwayneEMTP]

Honorable mention to Dwayne for the foresight to understand that professional management makes all the difference, and just because we are medics doesn't mean we are necessarily best prepared to develop an organisation by ourselves. I see a lot of cities blow a whole lot of money on pointless studies and retarded consultants that contribute nothing of value to the equation in the long run. But the fact remains, we can learn a lot from those who have a proven track record of facilitating excellence in organisational growth and development. It is a sign of intelligence and professionalism to admit that we have much to learn from specialists in all fields, especially the non-medical fields.

Thanks Dust. I really didn't think anyone would believe I was serious.

An interesting story (to me at least), that generated this idea.

I was reading the biography of Jack Welch, the CEO that turned GE around. (There's something interesting about reading about the lives of people that make billion dollar deals as part of their normal workday, and he was kind enough to stay focused on management instead of tooting his own horn.)

The story below is relayed with honest intent, though the numbers may be off as I read the book a decade or more ago.

Anyway, GE decided it needed to start marketing some of it's products via internet. Plastics and such. They looked first in house, but couldn't find anyone qualified. They wanted to gross $50,000 their first year, but didn't have anyone confident they could make that happen.

So they hired some kid (30 or so I think) from Sun Microsystems to come in as a consultant and evaluated their needs and get them started on the right path. He spent about a month or so looking into it, then prepared his proposal for the Board. Now understand that everyone on the board earned a salary of $1 million/year plus. I believe this kid made $28,000/year or so at Sun.

When he had the floor, he was asked, "How do we make this happen?" He replied, something to the effect, "You don't. You are too old and fat." As the story goes, with the exception of gasps, and red faces, (You didn't attack ideas in Jack's company), there was silence.

When asked to explain, he told these older, richer men that it wasn't them personally, but the company. They had too much money, so there was no one in the company hungry enough to make it happen. And they were too old, they had been looking at things in their way, through the eyes of their generation too long. They simply couldn't get there from here.

He suggested that they create a new company, which GE liked to do anyway, but with young, hip, internet generation kids, and tie their income to the success of the project.

They did it immediately, and the first year, the new company grossed (I think) $55 million dollars.

Anyway, I sometimes wonder if that's what's happening to EMS. For generations now it's been managed by doctors, medics, politicians, or some combination these. I think maybe it's time to bring in someone that knows how to run a business, at the fortune 500 level, but isn't blinded by three decades of looking through the same tired, dirty, cracked glasses.

Completely off the subject I know, but as this thread seems to have fulfilled it's purpose I thought it might not be a terrible sin to throw this out there, for what it's worth...

Have a great day all.

Dwayne

[Dustdevil]

Dude, are absolutely right! That's whaty I been saying all along. EMS can't get to where it needs to be from where it currently is. Canadia figured that out, but the U.S. never will. Too many special interests will forever prevent it.

If you you had explained it that way in the beginning, you might have won the contest!

[itku2er]

DANG IT ........I missed this I have been busy with life for the last few weeks and I missed a contest......

[ninjaemtff]

Congrats to tex.

Terri maybe you should tell your life to stop being so busy.

[medic_texas]

Thanks everyone! I just put down what I want to do with this new service. I hope we all continue to make EMS a better profession. I think we all have something to bring to the table, everyone has great ideas!

Thanks again, as soon as I receive the package I'll let everyone know.

[Just Plain Ruff]

the next contest is gonna be a doozy.

I'm going to be working with Itku2er and Dustdevil on this one.

It will run for a whole month.

Did I say it was gonna be a doozy?

[spenac]

the next contest is gonna be a doozy.

I'm going to be working with Itku2er and Dustdevil on this one.

It will run for a whole month.

Did I say it was gonna be a doozy?

I wanna play. Maybe this time I will not be so darn forgetful.

[Eydawn]

Ooh... with those three minds working on it I think the next contest will definitely be a challenge! I can't wait! Sorry I didn't post my idea in here... I was waiting for the go ahead. Since it's not purely EMS related, if you want to know what it is, PM me and I'll send it to ya.

Wendy

CO EMT-B

[captainstandup]

Expert consultant = Idiot from out of town (>30 miles) with a suit, attitude and he must have a credit card to get lunch with, she better be really pretty and have a credit card to get lunch with.