My Motive - Digital APBA: Richard Hearn

[Greg Jacobsen]

Budget

Richard,

Great post it certainly clears up most of the questions that everyone has had with regard to the change in direction from Crowne - and certainly your motivation. Most of the hardest working people in APBA have traveled the same path and just want to give something back.

You mentioned that there is a budget, we all understand through the article in Propellor how ABPA is going to pay for this upgrade, however we do not know what the budgeted amount is.

Is that something you could share with us?

Also - if there is anything I can do to help along the way let me know.

Greg Jacobsen

[Richard Hearn]

Greg. I hope you can appreciate that as a contractor, I really can't share their budget. That said, as a member I would also want to know. The June propeller explains how they plan to fund this, and from the comments I've read and heard, I think you probably already know the budget over the next 3 years... Given they share their budget at the annual meeting, I suspect at the very least everyone will know then.

Thanks for the offer to help. Unlike most engagements, this one has an added difficulty in managing all the different points of views and desires to help. We are doing our best to spend most/all of our $$ focusing on the program implementation itself (hence the low end video communication instead of a production quality version or $5000 live webinar). And therefore, we will definitely be reaching out for help.

Also, thanks to the others for the encouragement and support. As they say "Pioneers get arrows". I'm doing my best to dodge them at the moment... Sometimes its best to just run faster than them.

[Big Don]

Better to run faster than to just run away.

Thanks for what you and Crowne are doing for boat racing.

[Top Gun 3-Z]

A digital clock at all nationals from this day on would be a good start.Just would like to say good luck with everything Richard.

[HRTV]

Sorry Richard I consider everything you have laid out so far to be feeble attempts at best. Web sites, forums, new office software etc.. Big deal you are doing absolutely nothing that is going to revolutionize the sport or bring in extra income. Will the new software help tabulate points and things of that nature? I’m sure it will but in reality there is nothing new to see here.

If you are wondering why I am not sucking up to you like many of the post after you made a public motive speech which I thought was laughable then consider your self lucky If I turn out to be the only naysayer in the crowd.

Obviously many of the guys that have posted here would never make good business men since a shrewd business man says “prove to me that this is a sound investment and that you guarantee results” what I see here is many folks just towing the company line and going along with what ever you say.

Someone even posted a note directly to me on HRTV asking if I knew that you were an outboard racer implying he is one of us so trust him. Go figure looks like you have pulled the wool over many folk’s eyes already.

I will end by saying the folks over at Lucas Oil clearly have gotten it right and are about to cash in this weekend. It is embarrassing and shameful that after all these years the APBA never had a leader with a vision to create such a facility. Every dime ever made by the APBA should have been going into a fund to build this type of facility not wasted on a company like yours to build silly web sites.

Good luck with that new message board and office software.


http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-national...,7497969.story

[jswain3]

Jokes on you

Dan,

Somebody once told me never to type angry...or I would have a lot to "say" on here. Due to your consistent posts bashing people trying to improve our sport...You will now be the center of many jokes at Wakefield. For that, I thank you sir.

[Dave M]

Jokes ?

Dan,

Somebody once told me never to type angry...or I would have a lot to "say" on here. Due to your consistent posts bashing people trying to improve our sport...You will now be the center of many jokes at Wakefield. For that, I thank you sir.

Jordan,

I doubt the jokes will affect anyone. Natural born leaders could care less if someone laughs at their expense. They simply know they get it and move on with the project. Those that joke at others expenses don't lead, they follow.

[HRTV]

Jordan,

By all means bring on all the jokes if that makes you feel better. Here is a quick bio on me for those who do not know me. I first joined APBA as a racing member in the OPC category back in 1979 this was way before many of you young bucks were even born or even knew what APBA was.

True I have not been an active member for years now but that doesn’t change my position. The organization is broke and nothing Richard has laid out is going to fix it. This new digital makeover is just that putting lipstick on a pig.

[HRTV]

Jordan let me clarify, what Crown Partners is proposing most of you guys have already done and are doing so out of your own back pocket.

I understand that there are hundreds of folks out there busting their asses to bring in new members and put on races. These are the real heroes of the sport. I simply don’t see how spending this money is going to change anything. The organization would be better served to give that money to clubs who could use it to improve there local races and buy updated safety gear etc.

Before you make jokes about me just think what you and your local club could do with this money.

[Matt Dagostino]

Hell Yea..............

A digital clock at all nationals from this day on would be a good start.

This would be a good first step!!..........Go Top Gun!

[jswain3]

Leaders

Dave/Dan

You have no clue as to my knowledge of leadership. I have no need to impress it upon you either, especially on a public forum. I'm a racing member, and I don't care if I was born when you started racing or not. My family started in the 50's, in SO. I'm in this for the long haul, to RACE. Not to be on hydroracer speaking poorly about friends who are investing so much time and effort into improving our program. You both badmouth the organization (& its leaders) that I care deeply about, so often it makes me sick. This is me signing off.

I'll see you guys at the races....

Oh wait, no I won't, you'll be at "Lucas Oil Stadium" acting like rock stars.

[Big Don]

Dan you never cease to amaze me. I must admit, I don’t know you at all other than on this site. But please enlighten me as to what you have done for our sport other than creating this website and your current HRTV site? Is that what gives you the right to continuously bash our volunteer leaders and our organization? Because you have been a member since 1979? So what. What have you done to help this sport? Have you ever held an official position in this organization? I have been around longer than you and I don’t even seem to recall your name being on a ballot. That does not mean you don’t have a voice or a right to share your opinion. I just have always learned in business and in life that if you think things are so bad than step up to the plate and show us how it’s done. Come on now, I’ll guarantee you that I can get you at least 50 votes if I make a push to get you elected. Ball is in your court. Or would you rather do nothing and just complain? Your call.

You want to throw everyone under the bus for not communicating. How many emails have I sent you that have gone unanswered? When you were doing membership drives and were asking for us to donate money to HR, I asked you if you could provide me with what it cost you a year to maintain your website so I could try and help raise money. You refused to answer that request along with other email I sent you. So, just like what you like to do, I had to assume things…So I assumed you were making a profit and just didn’t want to share that with me or anyone else.

And I totally disagree with your comments of, “Obviously many of the guys that have posted here would never make good business men since a shrewd business man says “prove to me that this is a sound investment and that you guarantee results” what I see here is many folks just towing the company line and going along with whatever you say.” Really you think there is a guarantee on anything in life or business? Guarantee??? Look at Tom Ricketts (Pretty successful businessman), new owner of the Chicago Cubs. When he proposed the idea of buying the team to his dad he cinched the deal by telling him “no matter what, they always sell out Wrigley”. Guess what, they are not selling out Wrigley this year.

If you understood business, you would understand that without a sound infrastructure you can’t grow a business. APBA has realized this and are moving forward. You think this was decided in a closed door room? I was there when Crowne made their presentation at the National meeting because they were asked to be there. All I saw were heads shaking yes, and many of those people in the audience are VERY successful businessmen, who run their own companies. People talking after it was done and making comments like…. this is what we have needed; we need to get this approved. People were saying, even if it cost us a little in our membership dues to help turn things around, were all for it. You’re so hung up on the facebook thoughts that you don’t understand the back office upgrades to save us money, time, expense, and so on… and don’t tell us you understand what we are getting because if you truly did you would know we are getting one hell of a deal and it is the right direction.

As an example since you seem to think otherwise…the company I work for was doing around 55 Mil a year and going down quick a few years back. With new leadership willing to take a gamble and we decided we needed to desperately upgrade our computer software systems. We spent 1 Mil on software and probably another million with modifications to fit our business model and we continue to modify it as business changes. We closed this past year in a down economy with an 18% increase in revenue over the previous year. We hope to hit 400 Million in 6 short years. We could have never done it without those changes. It made us more efficient, better focus, understood our business better… So I’m sorry you’re wrong. Those things at APBA need to be fixed or we don’t stand a chance of fixing it. Once they are fixed we can go out and start selling sponsorships because our systems will be able to support it. You can’t sell what you can’t support.

Richard can obviously defend himself… but having known Richard his entire life, he does not pull anything on anyone. He is a straight shooter and tells it like it is. I would love to see you try and have a debate over business or even this sport. He would embarrass you.

It’s unfortunate that people like yourself and others don’t see anything good about our organization. Your constant negativity has taken what used to be a fun and informative website and driven off a lot of racers!

[HRTV]

Don,

I grew up just a few blocks away from what I consider to be one of the hardest work families in the APBA. The Augustine Klan, so trust me when I tell you that I know folks who have given it there all.

Like yourself I have seen many changes throughout the years and I clearly noted in my last post to Jordan that I am fully aware of the fact that there have been countless numbers of unsung heroes involved in the sport that have given their time and hard earned money to promote and establish new races doing so with their very own money.

If Richard has sold the powers to be on his project then that’s all that really matters but don’t ever try to silence someone from speaking out. Not everyone will always agree it’s called a democracy. If we disagree on this topic then so be it. The guys over at Crown are big boys and could probably give a rats ass about what I think so there is really no point in everyone getting there panties in a bunch over my comments. My Post was not made in hopes that I would gather a huge crowd to rally around me and become the next powerboat racing tea party leader. My post is what it is and if you don’t like it then …….. :- )

[Dave M]

Well Said

Dave/Dan

You have no clue as to my knowledge of leadership. I have no need to impress it upon you either, especially on a public forum. I'm a racing member, and I don't care if I was born when you started racing or not. My family started in the 50's, in SO. I'm in this for the long haul, to RACE. Not to be on hydroracer speaking poorly about friends who are investing so much time and effort into improving our program. You both badmouth the organization (& its leaders) that I care deeply about, so often it makes me sick. This is me signing off.

I'll see you guys at the races....

Oh wait, no I won't, you'll be at "Lucas Oil Stadium" acting like rock stars.

Jordan,

First, good speech. Second, you trying to tell me you guys don't act like rockstars at the races ?

Next, you say you love APBA deeply, what about boat racing ? Without it there is no APBA. I know you love boat racing, so just be clear.

Love of the sport will only get you so far, then it dies. Change needs to happen, leadership challenged, the same ole same ole will always lose. In life and in business. Matt pointed that out. And like he said, it is a gamble. What I sincerely hope is that outboard kneelers are the largest part of the organization, like it was decades ago. Obviously that worked for them back then as membership was at all time highs. Perhaps some lessons learned along the way when you were not yet involved should help current leadership understand the importance of a plan that members can get behind, support, and most of all, be transparent. Id APBA was a for profit company my opinion would be different. A member driven organization needs to be transparent, and no surprises to the masses should EVER occur. In fact, I think the way the model is set up currently is lacking the ability to bring this to the members. It is way to easy to get a rule passed or exploited without a lot of input from the members. Perhaps that change could be made now with this big new plan. Hopefully the plan will be laid out here, on facebook, on BRF, on APBA website, in the club newsletters and websites and any other way communication can take place, and allow for input prior to implementation. I still stand by the fact that APBA should fix the root problems first, then tackle this. You can't sell the sport on daylight to dark programs. You can't sell a program that newbies can't understand. Simplify and excel. And then bring it to the masses.

I offered my help to Richard and anyone else who would listen. So I have a right to my opinions same as you do. I saw the problem over ten years ago, and brought it to light. What else can I do of offers of help go unanswered. I sure makes a person feel like his membership dollars are hard a work against him. One newbie once told me, and I pay for this unlubed shaft......

Again, if the leadership ever wants my opinion, input, or help feel free to contact me. So now you can't say I don't care.

[42M]

Don & Jordan,

Don't waste your breath. With Dan not being an APBA member I don't see (apart from the first amendment) how he is even entitled to an opinion on what Richard & APBA are doing to improve itself. Democracy? You have no vote and no voice.

Being only 21 I'm well aware that my words will be quickly disregarded. I'll let my family history speak for itself. 4th generation racer, my dad started racing in 1949, joined APBA in 1950.

Jordan, I look forward to those jokes this week.