[MD] growth and sustainability

[Ham Priday]

Hello Mel [Krimel mentioned] --


> Not for profit operations often operate less efficiently
> and squander any chance of surplus and returns less
> if anything to community.

[Krimel]:
> This is not only wrong it is down right offensive. Non-profits
> tend to be mission driven. Unlike for profits they have a purpose
> for existing beyond the mundane profit motive. They have
> Values. Some non-profits like the Salvation Army, the
> Red Cross or even the Catholic Church have assets and
> annual budgets in the billions of dollars. Others like small
> business are run by well meaning people with high ideals
> and little administrative ability. Like entrepreneurs these too can fail.

Blanket labeling again!  "High ideals" are to be found in ALL sectors of the 
business community, whether they make a profit for their investors or 
operate as non-profit organizations.  I can't speak for charities, but my 
business experience includes several industrial advertising agencies, a PR 
firm, two electronic equipment manufacturers, and a major chemical 
corporation.  While the profit motive was evident in all these associations, 
so were business ethics and the rule of advancement on merit.  By the way, 
none of these firms was unionized.  (I say this because I suspect that those 
ensconced in the ivory towers of academia view the "captains of industry" as 
ruthless money-seekers who have no regard for their employees.)

I also worked for a nonprofit (non-charity) national research organization 
for 12 years, and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career. 
ECRI was headed by a physician, who also served on the board of Consumers 
Union, and it provides liaison between hospital purchasing departments and 
the medical equipment industry.  For a yearly fee, purchasing agents obtain 
assistance on order placement and pricing information on pharmaceuticals, 
radiation and surgical/therapy devices, and patient equipment such as 
orthopedic beds, stretchers, wheel chairs.  This saves them bundles of 
money, prevents purchasing errors, and alerts them to new FDA regulations. 
ECRI's technical reports are held in high esteem, and the medical suppliers 
are most cooperative in seeing that we got reliable data.  The firm owns its 
own building in the suburbs, operates openly and democratically, and rolls 
all income over into projects involving new product evaluations.  It was an 
ideal first job for anyone just graduating from college or for individuals 
(like me) with some medical knowledge, an ability to write, and experience 
working with sales reps.

Mel, if you're looking for organizations that squander money and ignore 
efficiency, check out the government bureaucracies.  When bureaucrats are 
allowed to operate on an unending supply of taxpayer money, they have no 
incentive to economize or maintain high ethical standards.  Since almost 
half of America's citizens are govenment workers, you can probably get a 
comparative report from your next door neighbor.  When Obama becomes 
president, we'll all be working for the government.

Regards,
Ham