Since Billy launched CTa half-century ago, CTI has launched
numerous magazines—some successful, some not. We learned
the hard way the survival factors specific to starting magazines:
extensive preparation, often several years of it; finding an out-
standing champion to make it happen; more capitalization and
more effort than originally projected. And, yes, we’ve had to dis-
continue some magazines that were not financially viable.
Especially today, wise leaders must know when to pull the
plug on a dream that’s in trouble. A failed project must not be
allowed to drain the future.
We once tried to tell a friend that, but he kept trying to keep his
dream magazine alive anyway. He had launched a small publication,
but it was dying. Our best people analyzed it for him, but they con-
cluded it simply wasn’t viable. Our advice: fold the magazine and
move on. We knew from experience it was painful but necessary.
Our friend heard us, but he couldn’t let go. For years he strug-
gled on; you could see the suffering in his face. After several years
of great financial stress, he had to fold it anyway.
“Cutting bait” can mean moving on to new opportunities. For
some additional thoughts on that, you might want to turn to the
chapter “Innovating,” in part six, where we say a few words about
dismounting dead horses and other verities of entrepreneurship.
Points to Ponder
BILLY GRAHAM:
Prayer is not just asking. It is listening for God’s orders.THE BIBLE:
“In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see
visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants,
both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
ACTS 2:17 – 18Birthing Dreams