Our CEO Role Model

In leading our companies we are called, before all else, to model God’s character and His ways in our business interactions. As we focus on keeping this first thing first, we use the gifts and opportunities He has given us to permit Him to reach others through us. We do this in the process of conducting business. We don’t stop leading the business, making daily calls and decisions, or dealing...

Considering Buyer Behavior

Buyers come in many shapes, sizes and behaviors. Ideally, our pricing policies and customer handling reflect this. Customer motivations, flexibility and preconceptions – all of which impact how we can best connect with them – can be all over the map! Zig Ziglar, famous sales expert and Baptist Sunday School teacher, said, “Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no...

I Coulda Been a Contender!

“I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude v3 Marlon Brando’s pitiful angst in delivering the most famous line in 1954’s“best picture,” On the Waterfront, still resonates with us since it deals with a common condition: being burdened by regret for previous actions and lost opportunities. Brando’s character,...

A Word of Encouragement

I have some good news for you today! God isn’t participating in the recession! And He won’t be needing a stimulus package or bailout, either! These tumultuous days may be the greatest season of our lives… the most fruitful that we have ever known! It will all depend on how we perceive them. It’s been said that “The circumstances of life don’t make me who I am; they reveal whose I...

Bringing News of Great Joy

In C12 we often speak of ‘spiritual value added’ related to sharing the love of Christ through acts of service, sanctification and salvation. As we approach Christmas, with our calendars full of events and family gatherings, it’s vital to remember the amazing opportunity we have to faithfully and intentionally share Christ’s Gospel of grace and produce Kingdom fruit. It’s been said...

Integrity – I’ve got it! Or do I?

Practically speaking, integrity means that we live without obvious contradiction between what we say we believe and what we actually do. There’s an observable consistency about them, linking their words to their actions. A common slang expression for people with integrity is that they “walk their talk,” meaning that what they say and do are consistent. A ‘high integrity’ person lives...

Ending Working Relationships in Christ’s Love

One of a leader’s toughest tasks is releasing team members, whether due to poor performance, economic conditions, or a major breach of trust. No ‘normal’ person enjoys the termination process. Most of us suffer from being too slow in making these difficult decisions, rather than being too quick, and will readily admit that this is one of the most distasteful aspects of exercising our...

Am I a Pharisaical Leader?

Dictionaries define “pharisaical” as hypocritically self-righteous, condemnatory, excessively pious, holier-than-thou, sanctimonious, phony or two-faced. In essence, we can be viewed as pharisaical whenever we claim or pretend to be one thing, but are seen as imperfectly carrying it off (can I get an “Amen”?!). When we strongly proclaim one value system, yet are frequently viewed as...

Walking in the Spirit at Work

The “walk” in the Spirit is a very short walk, about 6 inches, the approximate distance between our ears. It is a battle fought in our thought life. Our actions are born in our minds. Continuing thoughts eventually become actions, and these actions comprise our walk. To walk in the Spirit we must learn to let Him make the choices of what thoughts we allow to continue. And in order to let Him...

Where Does Jesus Show?

C12’s tagline is “Building GREAT Businesses for a GREATER Purpose.” Imagine being a ‘fly on the wall’ and somehow being able to quietly observe your company as an employee, customer, supplier, or competitor would. What would you observe on a regular basis that would lead you to think that your company belonged to Christ and was being led by a believing manager or steward? What would you...