Evangelism (Also see Soul Winning)
The
Chevy Nova was a relatively successful American car for many years. Encouraged
by U.S. sales, Chevrolet began to market the American Nova throughout the world.
Unfortunately, the Nova did not sell well in Mexico and other Latin American
countries. Additional ads were ordered, marketing efforts were stepped up, but
sales remained stagnant. Sales directors were baffled. The car had sold well in
the American market; why wasn't it selling now? When they discovered the answer,
it was rather embarrassing: In Spanish, Nova means "no go." The
business world is full of such stories. For example, when Perdue Farms, Inc.,
converted its popular slogan "It takes a tough man to make a tender
chicken, "into Spanish in hopes of expanding its chicken business, the
results were less than desirable. Why? The translation was "It takes a
virile man to make a chicken affectionate." Not exactly what Frank Perdue
had in mind.
(Source:
James Emery White, Rethinking The Church, Baker, 1998, p. 38.)