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Epic Pressures Vendors to Drop WMC

This is interesting.

Epic Systems Corp., the Verona-based electronic medical records company, is threatening to pull its business from local vendors who support the state’s largest business lobby over a political disagreement with the group.

In a statement to the State Journal, the company cited concern over Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s spending this year on behalf of state Supreme Court candidate Michael Gableman, estimated at $1.8 million, as a reason for working only with vendors whose officials oppose WMC’s agenda.

“We believe that what we tolerate is what we stand for, and as corporate citizens, we stand for the preservation of the foundation of the judicial system,” said the statement, attributed to the Epic Management Team. “… After careful consideration, we made a decision to try to work only with vendors that do not support WMC with its current management. This was not a decision we made lightly, but believe it is the right thing to do.”

Obviously, the folks at Epic can do whatever they want.  If they disapprove of WMC and want to cut off support for them, that’s their prerogative. 

But if I were an investor in Epic, I would seriously evaluate my investment.  Whenever a company starts to make decisions based on emotion or politics instead of what make the most financial sense for the company, it’s bound to impact the bottom line.

Posted by Owen at 1819 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

1. Agreed - if they don’t like WMC, then pull your membership. Actively going out and hammering your vendors/suppliers is just idiotic and very costly for the company. A) it takes a lot of time to find a new vendor and B) if I’m the new vendor I’m going to charge them more because I know they have limited options and are in a hurry to switch!

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 27, 2008 at 1941 hrs
   
   
   

2. A company also has to put their reputation above profit or the bottom line.  They might have felt that they would be selling their corporate soul for a few pennies, and that would have hurt them as well.

   I don’t see it any different that when the right praised Miller for dropping the Folsum Street Fesitival or American dropping their support for Bill Maher.

   Posted by capper on June 27, 2008 at 2103 hrs
   
   
   

3. Epic is privately held.  The leadership is as liberal as they come in Madison.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 0724 hrs
   
   
   

4. Cap, that’s not exactly correct.

   They were not “selling their souls” for a few nickels.  They forced JP Cullen to sell ITS soul for about $20 million in profits, pretax.

   Posted by dad29 on June 28, 2008 at 0909 hrs
   
   
   

5. I’m in Madison right now visiting and EPIC rules here. You are absolutely correct about EPIC - founded by big liberals and supporter of big liberals.  They tout their wonderful work environment, claim it takes them 3 years just to train new hires to the EPIC way of thinking and doing business.  The city of Madison is crying big tears over their failure to keep EPIC out of the “burbs” when EPIC started to grow.  Madison’s failure is Verona’s gain. EPIC is huge!!!
   As far as JP Cullen goes, they’ve got a $200 million building project with EPIC right now.  Seems to me it’s all about the money. 
   Would anyone want to bet EPIC would not go after WEAC or public education for their support of Justice Butler in the same campaign.  Tell their vendors they won’t do business with them if they have kids in public schools.  I’m not holding by breath.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 0946 hrs
   
   
   

6. Just another thought about all this.  I see this as preparation for next years race by Shirley Abrahamson.  EPIC has thrown down the marker and is trying to intimidate.  Nothing they fear more than a State Supreme Court that’s not controlled by liberals.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 0948 hrs
   
   
   

7. Dad-

   They didn’t “force” the contractor.  The contractor chose to leave WMC (which is not necessarily a bad thing) for the $20m.  I personally don’t think that there is one member of WMC that wouldn’t turn their back on it if there was a profit involved.  That’s just the way they roll, so to speak.

   Posted by capper on June 28, 2008 at 1007 hrs
   
   
   

8. Okay, so when will teachers be allowed to boycott WEAC?  Oh..silly me…choice is not allowed under the iron fist of the WEAC regime.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 1338 hrs
   
   
   

9. Whenever a company starts to make decisions based on emotion or politics instead of what make the most financial sense

   And how about a trade group that makes decisions and spends money on politics and stirring up emotions?

   No impact on anyone’s bottom line there?

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 1422 hrs
   
   
   

10. EPIC had to move because they ran out of space on Madison’s westside. Hardly a failure. In fact, EPIC goes out of it’s way to encourage employees AND visitors to use mass transit and shuttle services.

    I know, coming from southeatern Wisconsin and being wired to Sykes and Belling, your readership must think that sucks.

    But what sucks even more, to a right-winger, is when multimillionaires are politically liberal. I mean, it just doesn’t make any sense, does it?

    Probably run by a bunch of Jews! 

    After all, isn’t business supposed to squeeze every penny they can in profit, screw social responsibility?

    Regarding WEAC, I’d like to see them get out of the bidding war as well as WMC.

    Otherwise, we need to put a banner around the Capitol that says “FOR SALE!”

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 1657 hrs
    
    
    

11. Otherwise, we need to put a banner around the Capitol that says “FOR SALE!”

    Obviously Adam has not been paying attention.

    That sign was put up by Jim Doyle to get elected remember?

    And WEAC and the Indians happily obliged.

    Posted by Michael J. Cheaney on June 28, 2008 at 1828 hrs
    
    
    

12. Oh, Michael!

    I’ve been paying attention.

    And so have you.

    Those darn injuns!  They get everything. I liked it more when they were on food stamps.

    Bring back the good ole days!

    

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2008 at 1838 hrs
    
    
    

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