[CQ-Contest] Re-engineering

[Joe Contester]

Ward said:

It could be extended to the idea of sending an email to every ARRL member
whose validated call appears in the final data base. It's a "Simple Matter
of Programming" - the four most dangerous (and expensive) words in the
English language. Imagine - "Dear WX1XXX - thank you for participating in
the ARRL's ABCD contest. Please click [link] to receive a copy of the
complete contest results. We hope to see you in the next one! For more
information about contesting and contest organizations in your area, please
click [link]." I ask you if that wouldn't be powerful to a 20-, 30-,
40-something ham that represents the next generation of contesting?
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Exactly.  Let's see things from the perspective of the "customer".  The customer has been told that line scores have been deleted in order to save $100,000/year for the expressed purpose of having more funds to defend spectrum.
 
The "loss" is tangible: no more line scores in QST
The "gain" is intangible: spectrum defense is an ambiguous term to the typical customer
 
I spend uncountable hours every year attempting to get my organization "re-engineered".  Too many times, we build I-T processes around legacy manual labor centric processes.  The best run operations realize that I-T can offer the opportunity to re-engineer for long-term efficiency.
 
The building-blocks are in place for this when it comes to radiosporting.  Cabrillo + Internet +  log submission robots + email = automation opportunity.  Here's the deal: take the $100,000 of savings for the first year, roll that over into an I-T system that can actually enhance  the radiosporting experience while automating (read: reducing the maintenance costs) it.  Then, use the difference between the significantly reduced cost and the original $100,000 to defend spectrum (or more smartly, use that as seed money to find other systems that can be further automated, resulting in even greater cost controls).
 
There is no doubt in my mind that Dave Sumner and the upper management of the ARRL has this as a goal.  The problem is that they may be shackled by the myopic opinions of an aging ham population who feels entitled to the bread-and-butter of the 20th century, and haven't acquired a taste for the banquet offered by a good 21st century meal.
 
Keep the faith, Ward.  Some day...some day. :)
 
Ev


		
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