Recently, I took an assessment that pointed out that my leadership style is to primarily focus on the future. This can be good in preparing for the future, but it also means that I sometimes do a poor job of reflecting on the past. There is a lot to be learned, however, from pausing to reflect on the past. As ...
Over twenty years ago, I helped start a school for learning disabilities. We struggled, but finally clarified our target audience. Recently, I referred a parent to that school. I was shocked when he informed me that they no longer serve children with his son’s challenges. Over time, the original mission of an organization can easily be highjacked, unless you define ...
Over the years, some people have asked if I’ve ever considered taking our Unconventional Business events into Oklahoma City. But it never seemed like the right time. Recently, however, we hired someone who previously lived in Oklahoma City. As she encouraged us to consider moving into Oklahoma City, we began praying. Since then, the Lord divinely introduced me to someone ...
Many business owners believe that the privately-held stock they own in their company has little value until they sell the business. Mark discovered otherwise. Mark leveraged his stock long before selling his business. Mark had his business appraised, then donated 20% of his company stock to a donor advised fund. (That’s basically a checking account specifically for giving.) This gave ...
In 2020, Cyber Monday sales were $10.8 billion. Yet, most of these sales went to the large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. Many small businesses do little to compete with these mammoth retailers, feeling somewhat hopeless. Yet, I believe that small businesses can get a slice of the largest sales day of the year if they seek ...
For decades, retail stores counted heavily on Black Friday to meet their annual sales goals, especially small independent retailers. Covid, however, upended that long time business strategy. In 2020, according to the Washington Post, in-store shopping fell 37 percent on Black Friday from 2019. Although many might hope that Black Friday will return to normal, this is unlikely. Independent retailers ...
A few years ago, Dan considered selling his machine tooling business. Fortunately, he shared his plan with me before he had negotiated a deal with the buyer. After I introduced Dan to a unique strategy, and the National Christian Foundation, Dan donated 20% of his company to a donor advised fund prior to the sale. This strategy gave Dan an ...
Recently, I met with a 25-year-old entrepreneur who had already had three failed businesses and was working on his fourth. I love the passion of young visionaries, but I hate to see the pain many have experienced due to a lack of discipline. My encouragement to this young man was that I saw tremendous potential for his future, but he ...
When Kathy and I finished our last estate plan, we had a son with autism whom we believed may never be able to work, an immature teenage daughter and no grandchildren. Now we have grandchildren, our son has a job, and our daughters are married and more mature. It’s time for us to update our will based on our changing ...
Years ago, a brother and sister inherited a small business when both parents died suddenly. Both siblings worked in the business, but the brother inherited control of the company. Suddenly he became the executor of the estate, the chairman of the board and the acting CEO. He had to manage three different roles while grieving the death of his parents ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
