Recall that a few weeks ago, I met with the leadership of a Pregnancy Help Center, including their Executive Director and a few of their Board members.
Though there were several specific topics that we discussed, the central theme of the meeting was what could the PHC do to become more competitive against the abortion facility situated across the parking lot from the PHC.
As part of that conversation, it came to light for the Board members for the first time just how uncompetitive the PHC was, as measured by market share, versus the abortion facility.
At best, the PHC had 1% market share versus the abortion facility’s 99% share.
For any leadership team that receives this kind of news, it can come as a shock.
After all, when the PHC sends reports out to its Board members and benefactors about lives saved from abortion, even one life saved can be very emotionally gratifying.
As gratifying as those save stories can be, if all Board members and benefactors of PHCs were also aware of the number of lives lost at the abortion facility against whom the PHC competes – well, let’s just say the joy of the save stories would be short-lived.
In my experience, for most PHCs across the country, around 1% market share is the rule, not the exception.
Seeing the Light
Fortunately, some Board members of PHCs have backgrounds in competitive for-profit businesses.
They are used to competing hard for customers, and winning in the marketplace.
They know that 1% market share is not winning – far from it.
So when they come to understand the true state of the competitive reality between PHC and abortion facility, they naturally want to know what the PHC can do to substantially increase its market share over time.
Such was the case at the meeting I attended, and I was glad to see that the meeting set the wheels in motion in a direction that I believe will result in the PHC establishing a culture that embraces a more competitive mindset.
We shall see.
But another very interesting thing happened towards the end of that meeting with the PHC and its leadership team.
One of the Board members that I was sitting next to leaned over and asked me a question that I have become accustomed to being asked by pro-life business people who want to see PHCs become more competitive.
What is the question?
Where Is Our Champion?
He asked me, “Where is the Pregnancy Help Center that is the counter to Planned Parenthood at the national level?”
The answer to that question is, “There isn’t one.”
It seems that experienced business people sense that Planned Parenthood enjoys a major competitive advantage of not having an opponent they have to battle against on the national stage.
And I think they are right for a host of reasons we will discuss in future articles.
But for this week, I want to explore some of the “macro” issues that have been obstacles to the emergence of a strong national Pregnancy Help Center brand.
After all, when I tell inquiring pro-life business people that there isn’t a national Pregnancy Help Center brand, their next question is always, “Why not?”
We’ll dive into that tomorrow…
Regards,
Brett
