What are some specific attributes of God’s character and ways?

How do we model them in the process of living out our roles?

Obviously, demonstrating the highest and purest standards for justice, ethics, honesty and integrity are a good starting point. These basic building blocks represent ‘101 level’ Christianity and are not even viewed as uniquely Christian qualities. We model God’s character and ways by:

• showing our respect for Him and His all-important place in our lives as we relate with others. After all, being who He is, He is worthy of being first in our lives in a manner which is tangibly modeled. One way we might do this is…

• being open with others concerning the time we spend with God and His Word. The people we touch through business share our own children’s perspective in understanding that importance is spelled t-i-m-e. The time we spend with someone or something speaks volumes to others about what we truly value. An important example of modeling what we value by how we prioritize our precious time relates to the time we spend with God in His Word. Our attitude toward Scripture’s importance and authority in our lives should model that of Christ. As we relate to the unique group of people our business attracts we naturally communicate the value of God’s Word to them.

• our marriage relationship and our attitude toward marriage in general. Many of the policies that we adopt can either support and enhance, or damage or destroy, the health of our team’s marriages. The way we pursue our own marriage and what we say about it are the most powerful influences we can have.

• our parenting and the priority we give to being a godly parent. The children of the world are perishing for lack of godly parenting. Youth crime and violence, rampant across our nation and globe, are the result of ungodly parenting and the rejection of God and His ways. Our level of commitment to our family and to parenting our children tells others a lot about our belief in God and His ways.

• our attitudes towards money and the pleasure of this world. Ouch! For those with some means, this can be a tough path to choose. As Christians – especially Christian leaders – we should have an entirely different set of values than the world does. If our behavior demonstrates a high priority on acquiring the ‘things’ that the world loves and seeks, something is radically wrong!

God has called us to a challenging and demanding role. It is costly and can seem very painful. It reflects a spiritual paradox: the easier it becomes to obtain worldly pleasures the harder it is to deny them to ourselves. To deny the flesh is never easy. It always hurts. But leadership in God’s Kingdom is a sacred trust. In this sense, nothing that we do or say is unimportant. To the degree that our lives and actions demonstrate our trust in God, and express His values and character, we succeed. To the extent that we express those of the world we fail to have a positive impact. The ultimate judgment of our work doesn’t happen here. This judgment doesn’t accept, nor will it ignore, our adopting worldly standards of hedonistic materialism. It will happen after our race is over and will be done solely according to eternal standards. Our effective use of the ability we’ve been given to influence others will be judged in terms that have nothing to do with worldly value. This is the stricter judgment spoken of in James 3. This is the higher standard we are called to reflect as we shine our light to a hurting world. This is, ultimately, our leadership responsibility.

Leaders lead, and leadership by example is the best technique as proven for thousands of years. No great leader has ever been a disciple of “Do as I say, not as I do.” Over and over again in the study of leadership, it comes out. The greatest leaders are those having volunteer followers. Inspiration through example moves people to follow more effectively and for longer duration than anything else.

Inspiring and influencing others to follow voluntarily is leadership in its purest form.
Of course, there are other forms of leadership such as totalitarian authority, positional, monarchical, or elected majority and so on, but in the operation of a highly effective and long term successful company, volunteer followers are what we need, not slaves, serfs, or robots.
Probably the antithesis of the type of leaders we are striving to illustrate would be the army which is based upon positional authoritarian leadership. There is no choice given to the followers, it’s either obey or be punished. The leaders are identified by their title and it alone qualifies them to direct, give orders and make decisions.

Jesus might be the greatest example of a true leader. He had no title or position, no real power other than truth and example. He led by example and the power of His vision.
Ghandi is another example of a basically powerless man who is acknowledged to have been a great leader who influenced by example.

In our companies, we are the leaders. We have a title which demands respect and we can utilize the army model of chain-of-command leadership and management if we choose to do so. Most companies do but most of the best companies do not.
In today’s world, and, seemingly even more so, tomorrow’s’ high performing companies use a different style. Modern leaders will be more like Jesus than Patton.
Influence will be more effective than positional power and developing the ability to be an effective influencer is key.

To close our time today, let’s hear the famous poet Edgar Guest as he says:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day,
   I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
   Fine counsel is confusing, but examples always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
   For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done.
   I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true;
    But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.                              

For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
   But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

Our pricing policies influence how buyers interact with us and actually help to shape their behavior, which is why training and discipline in this area is so important. Our sales and order desk people should work to engage and understand the buyer upfront by asking a series of questions to ‘profile’ their objectives, personal perspective and readiness.  Based on their answers, we’d alter our presentation to maximize the fit of our offer.

Understanding the customer’s exact role in the buying process, along with what and why they’re buying, lets us to zero-in on their expectations. This helps us to meet or exceed these expectations, thereby justifying a healthy price for our products or services. Taking the time to initially engage and profile the customer enables us to understand how they’ll buy. Remember, they buy emotionally and justify intellectually. We must satisfy both needs so as not to derail the purchase. Customers don’t like the feeling of being sold something. They like to buy while being confirmed in the wisdom of their decision. Even when our selling offer is fairly standardized, customers want to feel that we’ve tailored something for just for them.

A customer’s experience with us generally involves three dimensions: quality (i.e., brand reputation,  features, durability, fitness for use), service (i.e., responsiveness, delivery, warranty, field support, ‘moments of truth’), and price (actually perceived value). Quality is now a prerequisite for long-term participation in most markets. Without it, you’ll be discounting prices and incurring cost premiums just to stay in relationship with skeptical customers. It’s service excellence that often separates outstanding companies from mediocre ones. Think about companies such as Disney, FedEx, Lexus, Ritz-Carlton, and American Express. They’re all ‘premium’ companies, offering a superior service experience that enables them to set the price in their field. It’s easy to match someone else’s price, but tough to match a well-run company’s service! Consider these results from a Rockefeller Corporation study on why customers defect:

• 4% die or move away
• 14% buy from a friend or a competitor
• 14% are dissatisfied with an aspect of the offering
• 68% believe you don’t care about them

Face it, if everyone were price conscious we’d all be driving Hyundais or Kias. Most people aren’t price sensitive as much as they’re value conscious. Studies show that just 15-35% of consumers consider price to be the chief factor. More than 60% don’t consider price at all and 80% remember the brand, not the price. In every product category, ‘high-involvement’ buyers outnumber ‘price-fixated’ shoppers more than two-to-one.

With this in mind, for pricing to become a core competency in our business we must take specific steps with our team to understand and incorporate the ‘five Cs’ of value:

• Comprehend value to customers (i.e., understand segment-based value drivers)
• Create value for customers (i.e., create/deliver segment-based value solutions)
• Communicate the value you create (i.e., tell them upfront and reinforce it later)
• Convince target customers to pay for value (must profile/know them to do this)
• Capture value with strategic and disciplined pricing based on value, not cost

At the end of the day, what we’re selling is value. If we can’t communicate this value, our team can’t maximize it and capture it with price during each customer engagement. By ignoring what drives customer value, we give the customer the upper hand in negotiations, resulting in lower pricing and profits.

Beyond the amazing personal realization that His Spirit lives in us once we come to Him in faith (Jn 14:16-17), and that this promise is eternal so that no one can ever snatch us out of His hand (Jn 10:27-30), God has ordained this wonderful union for a purpose: that the world may know (Jn 13:34-35). He is the vine and we are His branches (Jn 15:5). In John 17:20, Jesus prays that others will know Him through our message. Scripture reminds us that our example of living and working together in unity (Ps 133:1, Ro 15:5-6, Eph 4:1-3) glorifies Christ and helps others to see the truth. We use our spiritual gift s and callings for this purpose so that the Body of Christ may be built up in unity (Eph 4:12-13).

In the process of pursuing and promoting this Christ-centered ‘oneness’ in all God-given structures and relationships, others will be drawn toward a saving relationship with our eternal bridegroom, Jesus. Alternatively, when we lust after other ‘idols,’ or hunger to be personally ‘significant’ or fulfilled, we cripple our witness. Are you currently feeling incapable of having much of a transformational impact through your life and business? If so, reread this devotional and remind yourself of the truth that our faith can move mountains (Mt 17:21) and that He who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1Jn 4:4).

Let’s talk.
• Would others observe that you find your significance and satisfaction as a child of God and disciple of Christ? How does your leadership actively demonstrate thankfulness, submission to God and His Word, and the pursuit of unity with other believers?

• What’s currently derailing you from the intimacy, unity and oneness with Christ that transforms relationships and communities in this life?

This informative event will be hosted by C12 Area Chairs Randy Harrod and Kevin Respress. Hear how Christian Business Owners, CEOs and Presidents can answer the call to “build great businesses for a greater purpose” in the C12 Group.

The C12 Group of Central Florida is a roundtable of 10-15 Christian business owners and CEOs who are serious about growth in business, in ministry, and at home. C12’s unique platform for business development combines structured curriculum, like-minded peer counsel and accountability, and one-on-one coaching to shape great businesses for a greater purpose.

Register Here

This informative event will be hosted by C12 Area Chairs Randy Harrod and Kevin Respress. Hear how Christian Business Owners, CEOs and Presidents can answer the call to “build great businesses for a greater purpose” in the C12 Group.

The C12 Group of Central Florida is a roundtable of 10-15 Christian business owners and CEOs who are serious about growth in business, in ministry, and at home. C12’s unique platform for business development combines structured curriculum, like-minded peer counsel and accountability, and one-on-one coaching to shape great businesses for a greater purpose.

Register Here

Consider how God built His Church. As recounted in “Why Work?” (Nancy & Howard Olsen,M3 Planning, 2006), the Christian faith was birthed and flourished in the marketplace. Jesus, a small town carpenter, recruited His disciples in the marketplace where He also made 122 of His 132 New Testament public appearances. Of His 52 parables, 45 had workplace settings. The gospels were written by workplace professionals. After Pentecost, the explosion of believers happened all over the city. Those working with Paul to reach the Gentiles typically led lives which blended business and ministry. Of the 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39 occurred in the marketplace. When the Jerusalem temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., the early Church moved its ‘center’ to Antioch, a vital merchant trading center. Fast-forwarding to America, our founders coupled faith with work in establishing a free nation “under God.” The subsequent ‘great awakenings’ in our history gained their momentum in the marketplace.

What does this mean for us? Did we really sign up for all of this? It’s certainly far more comfortable to view our vocation as simply a 40-60 hour-per-week job. But artificially dividing life into secular and sacred realms doesn’t square with God’s Word. The Puritans had it right in seeing our vocation broadly as God’s call to social, economic, civil, and church engagement as we serve His purpose, using our God-given talents and opportunities to serve others. Jesus didn’t say “go to church,” but rather He called His people to be the Church and “go out”! But we all have specific areas where we like to hang out and devote our energy, often at the exclusion of other priorities. Whether we’re workaholics, doting parents, “can’t say no” church volunteers, or obsessive hobbyists, we must be careful not to reshape God’s call on our life into a lopsided focus on one or two things while ignoring others. Puritan pastor Richard Baxter said, “Overdoing is the most ordinary way of undoing.” In contrast, ‘diligence’ simply involves a constant, motivated effort to do what God wants, by seeing every responsibility as an assignment from, and for, the Lord… nothing more, and nothing less.

Speaker: Buck Jacobs, C12 Group Founder and Chairman

When: May 4th 11:30am – 1:00pm

Where: First Baptist Church, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32805

Register Here

Buck Jacobs is Chairman of the Board and Founder of The C12 Group, LLC and has written several books and feature magazine articles, including  A Light Shines Bright in Babylon – A Handbook for Christian Business Owners, A Strategic Plan for Ministry and The Parable of the Janitor and the CEO.

Buck’s earlier experiences include:

• Managing Director (CEO) of Sta-Power Italia, Spa., Rome, Italy, a supplier of automotive aftermarket chemicals.
• CEO of The Executive Development Institute, with responsibility for 20 district offices, 50 sales trainers and 8,000 direct sales people.
• CEO, President and Director of R.G. Haskins/N.A. Strand Corp., a manufacturer of specialty machine tools.

Buck currently lives in Cornelia, Georgia, 85 miles northeast of Atlanta. He is happily married to Bonnie for 35 years, and they have three lovely daughters and five “way above average” grandsons, and one very beautiful and huggable granddaughter.

Taking Stock
What we do in the midst of a recession greatly influences our long-term prospects for being a high-performing company with an uncommon sense of purpose and teamwork. For leaders, this is an ideal time to take a fresh look at the fundamentals of the business and ensure a solid foundation for the future..

The following 7-Point Gut Check gives each of us an opportunity to “take stock” by self-evaluating our real-time leadership in seven vital areas.
■Get Off the Ledge First things first! If you’re still operating in the red or running ‘close to the edge’ on cash, what (or who) are you waiting for? If your sources of funds don’t provide enough cash each month to meet your uses of funds, you’re playing a losing game or putting your head in the sand. If you haven’t done it already, it’s time to reset your resource/capacity levels to match your activity so that you can continue operating indefinitely and profitably at this level
■Build a Winning Team This is a great time to clearly communicate and then regularly reinforce alignment on your firm’s core principles (i.e., vision, purpose, and core values).
Deep engagement is necessary to ensure clear buy-in and to help employees coalesce into a solid team.
■‘Lean’ Sales and Marketing Are your marketing efforts disjointed and based on historical habits and generic sounding appeals? Or, are they unified and based on a very focused and distinctive core message delivered through the most productive communication channels, beginning with your name, tagline, signage, website, literature, stationary, email and targeted ad spending?
■Clean-up Historical Operating Problems and Compromises Now’s the time to get serious about eliminating repetitive waste (e.g., poor project plans and costly quality problems), unnecessary capacity, underperforming suppliers, and organizational ‘ankle weights’ (e.g., naysayers, upward delegators, untrustworthy teammates, and accountability avoiders).
■Refocus around Planning and Execution Discipline Allowing multiple agendas in the same company is crippling. Involve key employees and staff leaders in the planning process and hold them responsible for delivering their piece of the Plan (e.g., revenue growth, cost, asset turns, etc.). Engage them in building the business ‘on paper’ with a fresh plan.
■Establish a Culture that Integrates Learning, Accountability, and Performance Pay A team that’s seriously engaged in making its Plan will constantly confront ‘off-Plan’ areas, hold each other accountable, and celebrate successes together. Share the pain and the gain, while cultivating a culture of ‘owners’ and committed ‘professionals.’
■Unwavering Personal Witness It’s incumbent on us to communicate clearly and lead with grace when making changes that negatively impact others. As a steward, servant leader, and Christ follower, we’re to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in all seasons. Do we exhibit His peace in the midst of the storm?

Reflect on each of these seven areas. Any low score is worthy of personal reflection and prayer, discussion, and staff brainstorming to probe ways to remedy and elevate your company’s performance.
How can your leadership help your team to use this recession as a foundation strengthening time that provides a fine launching pad for the future?

This informative event will be hosted by C12 Area Chairs Randy Harrod and Kevin Respress. Hear how Christian Business Owners, CEOs and Presidents can answer the call to “build great businesses for a greater purpose” in the C12 Group.

The C12 Group of Central Florida is a roundtable of 10-15 Christian business owners and CEOs who are serious about growth in business, in ministry, and at home. C12’s unique platform for business development combines structured curriculum, like-minded peer counsel and accountability, and one-on-one coaching to shape great businesses for a greater purpose.

Register Here