tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post6241406258239990499..comments2024-03-27T05:04:39.476-07:00Comments on Museum 2.0: Deliberately Unsustainable Business ModelsNina Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-69342068471760769772014-02-23T06:02:47.740-08:002014-02-23T06:02:47.740-08:00I am so glad you posted about this. I am a Program...I am so glad you posted about this. I am a Programs Manager at a small museum in PA and I can definitely vouch that one of the problems the museum faces is the prevailing thought that our goal is just to have the museum puddle along, all the while not innovating or rethinking anything about the museum that has led to it "just getting by" due to bare bones community support. It's a very frustrating problem, and I'm just happy to see it vocalized elsewhere. I have really found the "6 steps to making risky projects possible" to be helpful.<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-75442537714727648092011-11-02T02:41:31.559-07:002011-11-02T02:41:31.559-07:00There may be two issues here. (1) business models ...There may be two issues here. (1) business models that are deliberately unsustainable and/or risky and (2) the time dimension, business models can go from a growth stage to a decline stage. With respect to the latter, this requires the notion of "business model life-cycle."<br /><br />In addition to this, an organization can be involved in multiple businesses with different business models, requiring them to manage a "business model portfolio." Thereby, it can be beneficial to balance this portfolio by being involved in business models that are in different phases of their life-cycle, e.g. the BCG matrix.cash advancehttp://cashadvancesus.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-54066272589155763022010-12-03T22:34:20.679-08:002010-12-03T22:34:20.679-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Move4lesshttp://lasvegas.citysearch.com/profile/42465532/las_vegas_nv/move_4_less.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-24315145751400329842010-08-10T12:38:02.248-07:002010-08-10T12:38:02.248-07:00For museums with collections, preservation of them...For museums with collections, preservation of them is an ethical responsibility, therefore sustainability is the museum's responsibility. Museums are conservative organizations whose boards are less willing to take risk, but that being said museums that do not take risks in today's economy may very well fail. Museums need to serve the public good and seek that quality of "awsomeness" that will provide them with the means to survive just as businesses do when they seek to make a profit.johnverrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00125367102389957607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-31336260294544803332010-05-17T11:54:20.001-07:002010-05-17T11:54:20.001-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.dental carehttp://www.dentalcareview.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-25426816371002844132010-03-11T00:34:04.068-08:002010-03-11T00:34:04.068-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.business management universityhttp://www.raffles-college.edu.sg/programmes_newcastle_environmental.aspnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-6699483947239744132009-12-06T23:36:40.006-08:002009-12-06T23:36:40.006-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051729703042387987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-32508088528110342772009-04-04T09:04:00.000-07:002009-04-04T09:04:00.000-07:00A year ago friends and I developed an English lang...A year ago friends and I developed an English language training program for a craft town in rural Mexico where I have great relations with the community museum. The language program 'only' lasted 5 months and everyone in town an in the museum were supportive of the program. But others were distressed that the program wasn't structured to endure. "These programs need to be sustainable," they argued. I had a difficult time articulating the logic of creating what I now see is an unsustainable initiative within a larger framework.Ron Maderhttp://www.planeta.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-38147469446355673742009-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:002009-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:00Anon and Yuhong,I'm thinking about every artist I ...Anon and Yuhong,<BR/>I'm thinking about every artist I know, every musician trying to make it, every engineer with a crazy dream to make something great. These people are NOT focused on money. They are focused on making their dreams real. Don't you know people and startups like that?Nina Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-50672642908539304152009-03-21T11:53:00.000-07:002009-03-21T11:53:00.000-07:00For non-profits this theory may be true, but unfor...For non-profits this theory may be true, but unfortunately this blog article misapplied it to a public for-profit. For them this theory is IMO more like the theory I believe:<BR/>"The business model that governs all business is to make profit for the owners of the company for as long as possible. If the businesses do produce 'awesome' stuff it's only as a by-product of trying to make money."<BR/>Yep, have you heard of the short-termism of Wall Street?Yuhong Baohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14519473280837410246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-9950541259193284102009-03-20T08:29:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:29:00.000-07:00This all seems rather too capitalist in its dogma....This all seems rather too capitalist in its dogma.<BR/><BR/>'At one point, Mark commented that they have a "deliberately unsustainable" business model. In other words: do great stuff while you can, and when you can't do it anymore, stop. This is the model that governs most businesses and artistic endeavors.'<BR/><BR/>This, actually, is incorrect. The business model that governs <STRONG>all</STRONG> business is to make profit for the owners of the company for as long as possible. If the businesses do produce 'awesome' stuff it's only as a by-product of trying to make money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-19022854247654967602009-03-12T14:34:00.000-07:002009-03-12T14:34:00.000-07:00When we describe nonprofit arts institutions as ri...When we describe nonprofit arts institutions as risk-averse, are we truly describing them or just judging them? Non-profits are generally undercapitalized, so their risk is already high--if the art form is live, the risk can be significantly higher. <BR/><BR/>A museum can control the quality band of its exhibitions over time--when you acquire a Vermeer or a Rothko, you lock in quality. The perceived relevance may change from month to month or year to year, but there are few artists, historians, or imaginative viewers who would argue Vermeer doesn't matter any more, so museums have strategic competitive advantage in cultural history.<BR/><BR/>A theatre, for instance, deals creating new artistic product all the time, and with shifting perceptions of both quality and relevance at every event. The immediacy and risk of the project is a core value. This is both the source of excitement and the problem--a theatre that's built to last may be doomed; a theatre that's built to reinvent itself or to flame brightly only for a time may have strategic competitive advantage.abjms2https://www.blogger.com/profile/15685768330824998636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-72269266823536726872009-03-11T16:37:00.000-07:002009-03-11T16:37:00.000-07:00Fabulously provocative, as always.I'm particularly...Fabulously provocative, as always.<BR/><BR/>I'm particularly interested in this economic time - how do museums (and other cultural institutions) prove relevance to society for our survival when social services (food banks etc) are clearly in (greater?) need?<BR/><BR/>How can we make that 'awesomeness' of our institutions important enough to support? And not just have them be legacy institutions that are supported for no other reason than their long-time existence?<BR/><BR/>And as a non-collections-based museum, we're not beholden to anyone to preserve anything - but we have transformed historic military buildings into an amazing 7.5 acre children's museum - and if we went under, I'd hope someone would innovate with our buildings for a culturally-relevant experience - I wouldn't want our site to turn into a for-profit entertainment zone!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-3210302644155763182009-03-10T11:09:00.000-07:002009-03-10T11:09:00.000-07:00To me there is no separation...to be awesome we mu...To me there is no separation...to be awesome we must be sustainable. We're building new tech with cradle to cradle concepts on waste and reuse, a complicated scenario when discussing a touring international experience on energy production. We have no choice but to live our message out in everything we do by being as resourceful, imaginative and inventive as possible as a light down the path for others to follow.Evonne @ Amorationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657359983972192070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-40405959913733027262009-03-10T10:45:00.000-07:002009-03-10T10:45:00.000-07:00@John,I don't think it's a false choice. The argu...@John,<BR/>I don't think it's a false choice. The argument is: focus on being awesome first. I believe that the structures to support sustainability will always emerge, and should be cultivated, but that they should remain in service to the superlative program/project at hand rather than becoming the primary focus of energy.Nina Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-25214067703101493872009-03-10T10:39:00.000-07:002009-03-10T10:39:00.000-07:00I think this presents us with a false choice: be a...I think this presents us with a false choice: be awesome or be sustainable. Fifty years ago Walt Disney showed Americans that you can be both. Indeed, the best way to really be sustainable is to continue to be relevant, which means finding new ways to be "awesome" for your constituents, not only for the people you serve but also for those who support you.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13977235361767944881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-30378459251538484392009-03-10T08:06:00.001-07:002009-03-10T08:06:00.001-07:00And as always, Nina...great food for thought...And as always, Nina...great food for thought...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722393013493841067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-19725080164489338792009-03-10T08:06:00.000-07:002009-03-10T08:06:00.000-07:00True--not all museums are collecting institutions-...True--not all museums are collecting institutions--however preservation/collection is defined as one of the essential functions of an accredited museum so that function cannot be overlooked.<BR/><BR/>And of course museums fail. And collections are passed to other surviving institutions. However, I still argue that when a donor signs that piece of paper giving you the authority and the responsibility of caring for the item they are donating, they are doing it with the understanding that you will do it "forever." Planning otherwise (i.e. "to fail") seems unethical.<BR/><BR/>Do I think that there is an unnecessary proliferation of museums? Most definitely. Do I think that existing museums have an obligation to survive within current accepted ethical parameters? Heck yeah. Do I think that most museums need to be more proactive in securing their futures (casting aside outdated business models). YES indeed.<BR/><BR/>We are consistently changing ways of engaging our audiences to make them care about "our schtuff." We are trying to grow our next generation of museum advocates through exciting experiences for the children. We are seeking balance between hiding safely in a hole and putting ourselves out there for public curation.<BR/><BR/>I guess I just see a middle path...<BR/><BR/>Great conversation here...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722393013493841067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-62950641186930781342009-03-10T06:25:00.000-07:002009-03-10T06:25:00.000-07:00most of what museums do IS deliberately unsustaina...most of what museums do IS deliberately unsustainable. that's one of the reasons they are so project-driven: raising and burning money for a great idea like an exhibition, installation or on-line feature. none of these things could make it on their own.<BR/><BR/>but these are different from the organizational and technological infrastructure that needs to be in place to support those activities. the two go hand in hand.<BR/><BR/>the problem is that sometimes the scale is unbalanced, and 'existence' and infrastructure don't leave enough air for programs that take risks. the co-dependence isn't always healthy.<BR/><BR/>/jtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-70707938032328015362009-03-09T14:33:00.000-07:002009-03-09T14:33:00.000-07:00Non-profits in general are often excessively risk-...Non-profits in general are often excessively risk-averse. In part this is due to various aspects of industry culture that have been addressed above. But <A HREF="http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/blog/2008/09/17/risk-reward-and-the-agency-problem/" REL="nofollow">structural factors also play a role</A>. For example, managers at non-profit organizations are exposed to the consequences of failure, but are far less able than their for-profit counterparts to benefit personally from success. This distorts incentives and encourages us all to play it safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-90566378667762889952009-03-09T13:37:00.000-07:002009-03-09T13:37:00.000-07:00Really interesting comments.@Sibley, whether comme...Really interesting comments.<BR/><BR/>@Sibley, whether commercially focused or not, museums and non-profits should focus on growth--but it may be growth of audience, services, value to society rather than $$. So I think your argument is compatible whether break-even/profit is involved or not.<BR/><BR/>@Rena and jk, is it really possible to say "failure isn't an option"--for any kind of institution? Preservation may be one of those core services on which your institution must focus "survival resources," but we've seen several examples recently of museums that have failed to protect their collections despite conservative models. I once heard a science museum educator explain that people only get engaged in (nature) conservation if they love nature... and that if museums want to support conservation, they need to impart and support enthusiastic exploration of nature. Maybe the same is true of material culture. If you can create services that make connecting to collections supremely wonderful from visitors' perspectives, then they will care to support the survival side. <BR/><BR/>@msw, great point. One of the reasons I prefer for-profit models in many cases is that you aren't beholden to the mostly conservative funding sources that exist for non-profits. You can move faster, and as you put it, do great work.<BR/><BR/>@bigkafka, have you read much about Peter Drucker's theory on "planned abandonment?" I hear it tossed around a lot these days with regard to tech experiments, but is a useful and challenging management task for anyone.<BR/><BR/>Shovel up. Ready to roll.Nina Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723930679606298550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-53818845300483116562009-03-09T13:27:00.000-07:002009-03-09T13:27:00.000-07:00I am with the "shovel ready project" idea! Brillia...I am with the "shovel ready project" idea! Brilliant<BR/>Podunk Historical society in danger of closing due to funding: Shovel Ready<BR/>The play all day like a grown up children's center is in danger of closing due to funding: Shovel Ready.<BR/><BR/>Your Mama's Ol' Hot Water Bottle Museum and Wine Bar in danger of closing: Shovel Ready!<BR/><BR/>We can all get jobs in the green technology of recycling strategic plans, interpretive handbooks, and collections polocies!John Buchingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01051709680631836851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-69938096935881874112009-03-09T12:11:00.000-07:002009-03-09T12:11:00.000-07:00I can see the point that Museum are supposedly "to...I can see the point that Museum are supposedly "too honorable to fail". <BR/>But, what if we had a National Cemetery for Museum pieces.<BR/>This is a "shovel ready" project. It would just be in charge of storing and cataloguing any worthy remains of a failed museum.<BR/>Then what if non-profits were required to have a "failure plan" -- a plan of what happens when the non-profits is dismantled for lack of volunteers or funds etc.<BR/><BR/>I really like this idea of "planning for obsolescence" for the non-profit (and museums) space.bigkafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01519616381237198315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-24734077449081003182009-03-09T12:10:00.000-07:002009-03-09T12:10:00.000-07:00To the commentors concerned about preserving objec...To the commentors concerned about preserving objects, I would add that a) not all museums are collection museums, so this while point probably diverges across that difference;<BR/>b) if museums took so many more risks that a few failed, the average would probably be so much more successful that way more objects would be preserved than are now (and better used for the public good); <BR/>c) a failing museum doesn't mean the objects would go in the trashbin - there would always be the next museum eager to take them up.<BR/>I think this point should still apply to collections museums, although I'm probably biased toward the thinking of "how much does it really matter to preserve the 10 millionth item if very few people are actually seeing them or learning much about them." But that is an age old debate that there are many legitimate opinions on.Sibleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06861292758344267847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37032121.post-1181976942816007112009-03-09T11:52:00.000-07:002009-03-09T11:52:00.000-07:00Very nice post! "deliberately unsustainable busine...Very nice post! "deliberately unsustainable business models" now there's a soundbite!Jeff Widmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14150348636150122338noreply@blogger.com