As I marvel at how radically different America’s culture has become, I’m concerned for the small business owners. Common sense decisions, like not allowing a man in a girl’s bathroom, can get you sued or destroyed in today’s world. It reminds me of a war movie where the soldiers are at the edge of a field full of land mines. ...
Jeff is an entrepreneur who called me to discuss his business. Over the last five years, Jeff has grown his startup business to ten employees. But now, Jeff feels lonely, depressed, and unsure of his ability to grow the business beyond where it is now. Jeff’s issue is not uncommon. There are stages in growing a business when it ...
In this series, we’re discussing preparing for economic storms. The fourth and last step I recommend is decreasing payroll. Many large organizations start with massive layoffs without considering other solutions. Previously, I worked for a bank that frequently downsized. One year, the bank creatively allowed 40-hour employees to shift to 35 hours a week. This allowed many working mothers ...
As an optimist, troubles must stack up pretty high before I begin to feel discouraged. However, I had one of those weeks recently. Our upcoming event was becoming overwhelming. We were experiencing some online problems and I learned of some customer issues. The discouragement was building. I needed solitude. As I took a car ride, I prayed and asked God ...
NEXT, an insurance company, recently surveyed small business owners. They discovered that the changes in the marketplace with supply chain issues, difficulty in finding staff, and rising wages are causing burnout for many business leaders. Nearly 40% of the more than 1,000 small business owners surveyed admit to feeling "frustrated" or "stressed" by the state of America's workforce. 35% of ...
A friend asked me to participate in an intervention years ago. We met with a Christian leader who was threatening to leave his family to run off with someone from his church. Never had I witnessed how easily evil could overtake someone who had previously taught God’s Word. I was amazed when he stated that God wanted him to leave ...
One of my children has experienced a tough season recently. On top of losing a job, she and her husband also had multiple car problems, surprise tax issues and the stomach flu. As a parent, I wanted desperately to solve their problems. But I knew if I stepped in too soon, how would they learn the patient endurance that comes ...
Years ago, I was involved in planning a new school. We had a meeting where our launch team was seeking wisdom from a group of experts about who should be our target customer. Unfortunately, our launch team had our own agenda that significantly differed from the experts. Our team doubted their collective wisdom because of our personal biases. Months later, ...
Martin Luther was quoted as saying, “There are three conversions: the conversion of the heart, mind and purse.” Many business leaders have heard sermons about being generous givers. But the numbers of those who have moved that concept from their minds to their wallets are few. Recently, a friend told me that his business had been on the verge of ...
On a flight back to Kansas City, I was seated next to an entrepreneur who talked nonstop. For the next hour, I listened to this businessman talk about his business. By listening intently, I built trust with him. Suddenly he blurted out, “I had leukemia four years ago. Yesterday the doctors told me they think my leukemia is back.” I ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
