5 Lessons Church Leaders Could Learn from MySpace and Blockbuster
Blockbuster was just acquired by Dish Network for $320 million–that’s quite a discount since it was worth $5 billion a few years ago. And News Corp is looking to unload MySpace–the darling they bought for $580 million in 2005.
What a sobering reality–up today, gone tomorrow; the best today, a laughing stock tomorrow. This is a lesson any humble heart can glean nuggets from…yes even church leaders.
Oh yeah… ministries do become irrelevant, close down, lose market share, and–wait for it–are “bought out” or “merged.”
So what can we learn?
1. Stay Away From Pride
“First pride, then the crash-the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 MSG)
In 2007, Rupert Murdoch brazenly predicted that MySpace would reach $1 billion in revenue by the next fiscal year. This not only stunned the world but also the executive team. It was outrageous, a boast that represented a blind attitude that this was the future of social networking.
Blockbuster CEO and Chairman, John Keyes, was also very brazen himself. He never seemed to take a look at what Blockbuster wasn’t doing right but what only Netflix was doing wrong. He was out of touch with reality: Blockbuster is the way of the future, Netflix will fall, we’re OK!
Rather than learn from Netflix, he chose to criticize them!
Yeah...those Netflix guys are real idiots!
Pride is the reason EVERY organization slips from greatness into mediocrity: “WE did this! We’re awesome! We’re unstoppable!”
Truth is: pride and God can’t reside in the place. It’s either one or the other.
2. Stay Away From a Complacent Culture
“He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, ‘Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!’” (Acts 2:40 MSG)
MySpace was a very nimble place to work. But once they were brought by News Corp–the kids had to “grow up!” Unlike Facebook which was focused on product development and innovation MySpace had become too concerned with revenue and meeting traffic targets. In fact, suggestions were made to the top executives at Fox Interactive that they sacrifice some of the page views so they could improve the site.
They refused.
Quarterly revenue targets were simply too important to lose advertising dollars while engineers “tinkered” with the site.
Greg Meyer, one of Blockbuster’s largest shareholders, gave some very great advice in an email to Fast Company some time ago: Blockbuster can leverage its advantages but only possible if the company can escape its “culture of complacency.”
Complacency? Isn’t that what stops most churches??
Jesus warned strongly about the traditions of men making the Word of God ineffective! But why?
Well…the original Greek word for “tradition” means a “handing over or selling out.” It also comes from a word that means “to bring into captivity.” So – tradition is a handing over of the commandments of God, resulting in the people being taken captive by man’s doctrines–resulting in a very weak church!
Or in this case: a very weak culture.
3. Play to Your Strengths
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.’” (Acts 6:1-2 NKJV)
To be honest, this point doesn’t really apply to apply to MySpace OR Blockbuster…but to News Corp. News Corp had no business in buying MySpace.
It didn’t play to its strengths.
But they’ve learned from the blunder and their focus is now on harnessing digital distribution platforms and infusing digital capabilities throughout its existing businesses rather than looking to buy the next Facebook or MySpace.
Churches that know who they are and who they’re NOT…have a HUGE advantage over those trying to be everything at the same time.
4. Pay Attention to the Customer
“Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: ‘What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!’” (1 Kings 12:16 NKJV)
The truth of the matter is Blockbuster with its late fees, poor customer service, and unwillingness to change lost sight of who was really important: the customer. Same thing with MySpace under News Corp.
In this day and age its not uncommon to see great churches constantly reassess themselves–asking themselves: “How are we treating people?”
Sometime ago the Wall Street Journal cited the rise in the use of mystery worshippers (people who come in anonymously and critique everything about the church). Many pastors see the need in gauging how their ministries are affecting the outside community—or the “un-churched.”
For example, Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point Church who regularly uses mystery worshippers said:
“My competition is Cracker Barrel restaurant down the street, if they go in there and are treated more like family than when they come to CrossPoint Church, then it’s lights out for me.”
Don’t make the mistake of Blockbuster and MySpace…remember its about the people.
5. Change is Coming…Prepare for It
“About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other-’We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!’-suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3 MSG)
This kinda goes without saying, doesn’t it??
But what do you think? What else can we learn from MySpace? From Blockbuster? Is there anything I missed?
Your thoughts…
Images by Fast Company and The Consumerist
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Comments
I must admit Mike: this is a FANTASTIC article!
I mean the correlation you made with these two companies and the warnings the church can learn were superb. I especially love the Scripture references.
I will really have to keep this for myself.
Thank you again…and my God continue to bless you in your work!
I agree with you Pastor. Mike you did an excellent job!
I am so glad you enjoyed it Pastor! It took me nearly 4 days to finish it lol!
One of the things that really sparked the idea in my mind was when Bishop TD Jakes encouraged pastors to be come the Netflix of Ministry and not the Blockbuster. That right there was like "Whoa!" It was a real eye opener.
But thank you again!
Thanks Scott! I appreciate that.
Great post Michael. Change is a must for any business and leader. If you don't change you will become extinct.
Especially in this day and age…everything is soooo much quicker than it once was! But thanks Dan!
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