It Takes People to Make People

Church Marketing Sucks has an interesting article about the idea of “it takes people to make people.” The premise being that to grow, you need people to help create a critical mass for others to want to join.

The process described made me think of a principal that Jim Collins describes in his book Good to Great. It is called the flywheel principle. This principle states that in order to keep an organization going you must continue to apply an equal force to the flywheel (your organization) to keep the momentum going.

Church Marketing Sucks has an interesting article about the idea of “it takes people to make people.” The premise being that to grow, you need people to help create a critical mass for others to want to join.

The process described made me think of a principal that Jim Collins describes in his book Good to Great. It is called the flywheel principle. This principle states that in order to keep an organization going you must continue to apply an equal force to the flywheel (your organization) to keep the momentum going.

While I agree with Brad’s initial assessment of growing and some of the ideas he discusses, I would like to suggest that the really important steps come after that initial year. That in order for a church to not fade out, it must make a serious effort to continue to apply force to the congregation to ensure that it will continue to grow.

What does this have to do with design and technology you might ask? Well, the same principle applies to your web, design, or IT project. A good initial plan is crucial. But just as crucial, you must apply equal and consistent effort over time so that the wheel will not stop spinning. How many great churches have started well, but soon faded? And the same can be asked of websites. Great ideas, great plans, but the project soon fades because there is no afterthought.

Think long term. How will you support this once it is up and running?