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Dave Harkins

Dave Harkins
Member since : Nov-10-2008 (Verified)
2 Ideas, 14 Comments, 400 Votes

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Ideas Posted

BSA's Licensed and Custom Products team has had a number of requests in recent years for fun, temporary, tattoos with Scouting and related symbols to support recruiting. To date, we have not created these items due to public perception of tattoos; however, as our culture changes it seems to be time to rethink this position.

These would be temporary, water-applied tattoos, available only by special order. It would wash off within a few days. The tattoos would not be stocked in the Scout Shop. Designs would be determined if or when we decided to proceed. We don't envision these to be much different than what kids are already purchasing or applying from special bubble gum wrappers.

We recognize that these could not be given out at schools during classroom events. Although, we envision that they would be made available at other sign-up events.

We'd like to hear your opinion.
As the personal and professional use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, blogs and other social media/new media tools increase, the BSA should consider developing social media guidelines to assist employees in the proper and acceptable use.

These guidelines would cover appropriate professional use in serving and growing membership, as well as allowances for flexibility of personal use on personal time, without fear of violating corporate policies.
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Comments Posted

Dave Harkins 3 months ago
We're currently investigating opportunities for cable programming placement for the 30 minute documentary that accompanies the book, BSA: A Centennial History.
Dave Harkins 5 months ago
We may also want consider cross-referencing this information with the vendor files.
Dave Harkins 6 months ago
The BSA National Office, Supply and BSA Licensing all have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Search for each on Facebook.

The Twitter feeds are:
BSA (@boyscouts)
Supply (@scoutstuff)
Licensing (@bsalicensing)
Dave Harkins 6 months ago
Google Tool Bar (for most browsers) offers a spell check feature. It will check spelling in any web form (on any website) and is available free of charge from Google.
Dave Harkins 6 months ago
One that adds additional features to allow suppliers to electronically submit invoices and managers to approve those expenditures online would be great.
Dave Harkins 7 months ago
BSA's Licensing team is in ongoing conversations with OCC on this topic. There are many details and challenges to work through.
Dave Harkins 7 months ago
BSA Licensed the a Pinewood Derby computer game last year that's met with great success in the consumer market (http://www.pinewoodderbygame.com/).

A demo version of this game could be made available for distribution at no cost upon request of local councils.
Dave Harkins 7 months ago
In one of my jobs before I came to the BSA, I was the CMO of a software engineering firm during the dot com era. We were often recognized by the industry analysts for significant innovation in technology application. During my time there, my boss would find a way to work, "If it's a good idea, it's worth doing poorly," into conversation at least once a day. When I got over the annoyance of it, I realized he was on to something.

We don't drive innovation through planning. It only comes in the doing.

These days, I would take this concept further and say, "If it's a good idea, it WILL be done poorly."

If it's novel enough to be interesting, then the first 5 (10, 20?) tests will be messy--equivocal as all-get-out: if it works right the first (2nd, 3rd) time then it was not, by definition, an interesting or innovative idea.

Poor execution doesn't turn a good idea into a bad one; it helps us figure out what to do next. Conversely, no amount of planning can turn a bad idea into a good one, regardless of the execution.

The fact is no amount of planning or preparation is going to make or break a great idea.

Can't we be nimble enough to just innovate?
Dave Harkins 10 months ago
To allow our program to be co-opted by a commercial enterprise does seem befitting our organization. Why force a whole new program into the BSA for a mere announcement during the Super Bowl?

What would we be willing to trade next?
Dave Harkins 11 months ago
BSA has been working on licensed video games as part of an effort to increase awareness of BSA and its programs to non members. While there are a number of opportunities still under consideration, we recently launched a licensed Pinewood Derby computer game (http://www.pinewoodderbygame.com/).
Dave Harkins 11 months ago
One could argue that we do not control the message and content now.

Consider the many forums (e.g., Scouter Forum, Google groups, and Yahoo groups) and email lists (e.g., Patch-L and Scouts-L) that already exist. In these mediums hundreds, if not thousands, of Scouts and Scouters discuss BSA, its program, procedures, and policies on a daily basis. BSA does not control any of these conversations.

We should also consider that these conversations have been happening for nearly 100 years. The only difference now is that technology has enabled one to have these conversations just as easily with someone across the country, as one can with someone across the backyard fence.

The simple reality is social media (forums, online groups, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, blogs, etc.) are all about transparency, not about control. These changes in communication should not be viewed as a "bad cold" which will pass. These are the new tools to communication (think TV, Radio, phone or telegraph of past generations). BSA should take the time to engage and use this media to its benefit, not hide its head in the same it because it cannot control the message.
Dave Harkins 0 years ago
Perhaps another solution is to elevate the Venturing Silver award to the same "status" as the Eagle.