Many of us may be willing to make modest pivots in business, but what happens if your business model is soon to be irrelevant? Kodak made their money on film when digital cameras surfaced. They needed to change their business model, but their leadership lacked the courage to make a radical pivot. Their inaction resulted in bankruptcy. Peter was only ...
In 2001, I owned a consulting practice that worked with about 30 clients a year. Then God began revealing a plan for me to start this nonprofit. As I fasted, prayed and journaled, God gave me a vision of equipping 100,000 leaders through the internet, events, and radio. This seemed impossible. I knew little about the internet, I had never ...
While traveling, Pastor Francis Chan met a man who shared that his intelligence was so low in high school that in his junior and senior year he passed only one class. Remarkably, this young man prayed fervently for God’s intervention. According to Francis, this man prayed, “Lord, I’m a Chinese man with glasses. I’m supposed to be smart. Please help ...
Recently, I heard several amazing stories of God’s greatness that might bless you as well. At an event I attended, Francis Chan shared a couple of incredible stories that had happened to him in the previous 24 hours. While flying to Kansas City, Francis met a pastor who amazingly has a congregation of 25,000 members in Pakistan! This pastor felt ...
Years ago, Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center in Kansas had an opportunity to purchase the building adjacent to Planned Parenthood. But they had no excess cash. As their Board discussed alternatives, the Board chair said, “We have three choices. We start a fundraising campaign, we borrow the money,” then jokingly said, “Or we pray someone dies and leaves us money.” ...
Christopher Columbus was an explorer and innovator. He had a theory. He believed he could sail west, instead of east, to reach India. No one had ever attempted this approach and his flawed theory could have resulted in a disastrous outcome. Columbus chose to be courageous and follow his dream. Although he did not find India, Columbus’ courageous adventure resulted ...
Our circumstances sometimes are so bleak that we can’t see the possibilities God has in mind for us. Moses told the Hebrew slaves that despite being in slavery for 400 years, God was about to release them. But Moses’ first attempt to reason with Pharaoh resulted in Pharaoh punishing the slaves by making their work even harder. The Israelites became ...
When I left banking to begin helping business leaders integrate their faith into their business life, I received a letter from a business colleague. His letter basically said, “Rick, you’re a fool. Your idea is crazy, and your family will starve. Stop before it’s too late.” Many years later, that colleague apologized and commended the faith it took to launch ...
Working with thousands of business leaders, I love how each person has their own unique way of expressing their faith. Some are very direct through their company mission statement or their marketing approaches. Other business leaders are more subtle, possibly by describing the values they believe in, leading you to ask why. Unfortunately, some are so stealth that you may ...
A recent article from the Small Business Chronicles states, “cash scarcity is common for small businesses.” Due to capital expenditures, supply chain disruptions, competitive labor costs and more, cash flow in many cases can be lean. When things get tight, there may be a temptation to withhold paying what is due. Proverbs 11:24 says, “One gives freely, yet grows all ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
