A Cost-Cutting Proposal

[cfirwin3]

2 hours ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

The second semi became almost universal when the pit expanded.   Prior to that, with clever packing everything could fit in one semi.  

Sure...

But, condense the pit.  Desperate measures, and such.

(Which isn't all that desperate, really... as a group can still sound phenomenal with far less).

[IllianaLancerContra]

1 hour ago, cfirwin3 said:

Sure...

But, condense the pit.  Desperate measures, and such.

(Which isn't all that desperate, really... as a group can still sound phenomenal with far less).

I suppose that with amplification you only need one of each instrument.  Unless there are 5 different marimba parts. 

[ContraFart]

2 hours ago, cfirwin3 said:

You don't think that they are overspending on materials and resources for their shows?

(Replacing equipment, horns and uniforms too frequently; quadrupled transportation needs; expanding specialized staff; frequent long haul trips to attend competitive shows, etc.)

Running out of cash with the fees that they are charging means that they are over spending on the thing that they are doing... which is the show, and the resources that they put into it.

Equipment and horns are cost neutral due to being sold off after tour. Uniforms are about $100 per member and usually part of tour fees. If the difference between going on tour and folding is one vehicle, you shouldn't be on tour in the first place.

Member dues are only cover about 50% of the total cost of tour.

[Triple Forte]

18 hours ago, Mr_Moto said:

We’re looking at the activity as a whole, and I think there are some ways that everyone is affected equally. Ultimately though we’re talking about a small group of non-profits that all operate on a slightly different business model. There are 3 big levers that are what we need to look at in how to fix the problem. 1.) Operating Expenses 2.) Revenue 3.) Fundraising. It’s not going to be a one size fits all solution, it’s going to be a bunch of small little tweaks and investments that are going to help right the ship, and each corps will have to figure out what is going to work best for them.  

This is going to require corps to really workshop and try to look at their operation holistically and through a different lens. This requires creative problem solving, and is going to take several iterations to figure out what will work, create the metrics, and make it happen. This process has to be collaborative and operated from a flat hierarchy in order for it to not be steamrolled by one individual or small subset that might already be controlling power. 

What are the things that need to remain constant vs what can change? The member experience, which include competing, is the main draw for the competitors. So how do we keep that same, even if we’re looking at less shows or possibly fewer miles traveled, while figuring out other areas in the organization that can reduce operating expenses. 

Operating Expenses:

1. Most corps are already minimizing camp attendance, some cutting to just brass for Feb and March already.
   1. One of the biggest expenses is flying in instructors and paying them. Can we use more local staff who aren’t necessarily on tour to help fill out the roster and who also might be willing to work for the same or less pay. 
2. Size of the convoy is a thing that adds up quickly. Vehicle rental + labor to drive + gas + insurance = This is 20-25% of the budget for most corps
   1. Souvies could be cut down. Mandarins is a great example of this. They weren’t making enough at most shows to cover the cost. How can we reduce operating expense while trying to maintain the same revenue?
      1. You could take the Souvie vehicle out of the fleet. Cut the foot print of soupiest for most shows to a small tent, samples of most/all items, and one person with a POS system. The foot print of this could fit in the back of one of the support vans that most corps have. All orders are then shipped from corps hall or 3rd party the next day. Yes, fans lose the instant gratification of getting the item that moment, but if you educate them on why they are doing this, most would understand. They could still do full size souvie setups at regionals and finals and this would exponentially cut down cost. 
         1. With a smaller setup size for most shows you could have this run by one of the admin assistants as the size would only require 1-2 people to setup. 
3. DCI in recent years has created the relationship with Sysco to negotiate for a better deal for all corps for food. How can we leverage DCI to negotiate better rates on other things that all corps are doing. Could DCI negotiate with a bussing company or tractor/trailer rental company to do a larger rental contract for the season that corps opt in to. 

Revenue:

1. Corps need new revenue streams. Many have realized this, but drum corps is not the money maker. These non-profits need to realign in serving their community to create opportunities to generate revenue, and qualify for more grant opportunities. This would take a lot of leg work in building relationships and initial infrastructure investment to get things up and running. 
   1. Music lessons programs - Some corps have done this locally or virtually. Incorporating staff or local educators to improve local music education is a viable option. This could include student and adult performance groups as well. 
      1. This could be a great opportunity for older members or recent age outs that are local to cut their teeth on teaching and to continue to have a relationship with the corps in the off-season. 
   2. Music Store - with many local music shops closing down this could be an opportunity to create a hybrid opportunity, and have an instrument repair tech on staff that could be useful for the corps to keep repair costs down, and could be an opportunity to build great relationships in the community with local band directors by offering repair services and bid on local school contracts.
      1. This could be starting their own or investing into a percentage of a local company to help support them and make sure the community has music instrument inventory and repair resources.
   3. Create a service that the corps has been outsourcing. Phantom has done great with this by creating a march printing business that is available to other corps or the local community.
      1. Cross pollination - Corps could use this to co-op to use their buying power together to support each other and make sure that they’re getting the best possible price.
   4. Entertainment Companies - We’ve already seen this with corps in certain locations especially where pro sports are. Advertising these services and having local members. 

Fundraising: 

Fundraising is such an integral piece to making drum corps happen. We’re at a place in time where everyone is being stretched thin financially with the current rate of inflation. If we consider the recession of 2008-2010, how did that affect fundraising for drum corps? Are we looking at something similar now where we could potentially see a downturn in dollars raised for corps? Or is that a risk to be considered?

 

Exposure of the Activity:
If we’re ultimately looking for more corporate sponsorships to help offset costs, then the activity needs more exposure and that is going to take an investment. This is where the PBS broadcast used to be super helpful in getting this niche activity in front of a larger audience. DCI should be investing in larger media advertising campaign to help promote the activity as a whole. Hopefully this is something the new DCI CEO will be looking to focus on. 

Awesome stuff and let’s add marketing the hell out of the activity and what it is?   Most people have absolutely no idea what drum corps is.  I can’t help but think there are some people out there who would love the activity AND have businesses and deep pockets.  
what do Corps and DCI do to promote  the activity on a daily yes daily basis?  On season and offseason!  How many individual towns and cities do corps  spend time in during  the course of their tour? Do they market in those areas?  Doesn’t have to be fancy or super time consuming.  
 

more people have to be aware of what the activity is, and the fact that it exists.   The more people in the know could easily translate to new revenue streams …..

[IllianaLancerContra]

41 minutes ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

I suppose that with amplification you only need one of each instrument.  Unless there are 5 different marimba parts. 

Perhaps ContraFart is correct & amplification isn’t the problem.  Maybe it is actually the solution.  
 

Why march 16 tubas if you can have 4 amped tubas?   Same with all the brass.  Cut horn line size by 75%, but amp them all.  Same with battery- 4 snare, 2 tenor, 5 bass.  Cut pit to one per part.    Set max Corps size to what fits in 2 busses.  Less vehicle cost, and, importantly, less food cost.  And less people may have an easier time finding housing.  
 

Plus, if the number of potential members stays same then more Corps may have max membership.   Win-win.  

[cfirwin3]

1 hour ago, ContraFart said:

Equipment and horns are cost neutral due to being sold off after tour. Uniforms are about $100 per member and usually part of tour fees. If the difference between going on tour and folding is one vehicle, you shouldn't be on tour in the first place.

Member dues are only cover about 50% of the total cost of tour.

You're right. There's no hope for cost cutting.

[ContraFart]

2 minutes ago, cfirwin3 said:

You're right. There's no hope for cost cutting.

You can nickel and dime costs all you want, it's not going to change the reality that the corps needs to adapt to the national tour model and that model is the majority of your costs

[ContraFart]

1 hour ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

Perhaps ContraFart is correct & amplification isn’t the problem.  Maybe it is actually the solution.  
 

Why march 16 tubas if you can have 4 amped tubas?   Same with all the brass.  Cut horn line size by 75%, but amp them all.  Same with battery- 4 snare, 2 tenor, 5 bass.  Cut pit to one per part.    Set max Corps size to what fits in 2 busses.  Less vehicle cost, and, importantly, less food cost.  And less people may have an easier time finding housing.  
 

Plus, if the number of potential members stays same then more Corps may have max membership.   Win-win.  

So fewer opportunities to march and a worse member experience is the answer? 

 

[IllianaLancerContra]

Just now, ContraFart said:

So fewer opportunities to march and a worse member experience is the answer? 

 

No.  Total marching membership stays same.  Just more Corps are at (new) full size.   
 

 

[ContraFart]

5 minutes ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

No.  Total marching membership stays same.  Just more Corps are at (new) full size.   
 

 

How do you do that by limiting to 2 busses?