A recent blog post from YourBrand Inc. states that, “Everything has to start with a vision.” Vision is the launching pad for every aspect of the organization. Twenty-twenty is a year to set aside and finetune the fuzzy visions previously established. Just as perfect vision is 20:20, the year 2020 is an opportunity to specifically pray for and create clarity […]

As we head into a new year, most economists believe we will experience a recession this year. This can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, if business owners and CEOs begin conducting business with that belief. Yet, they also have a stewardship responsibility to be prepared for the worst. So as Christian leaders how should we respond? In Matthew 10, Jesus forewarned […]

It’s hard to know whether or not the plans I develop for the New Year are from me or from God. I’m a very optimistic person, so I have a tendency for my plans to seem unrealistic. Yet, if I’m carrying out God’s purpose, wouldn’t He provide all that’s required? Although I don’t have all the answers, what has helped […]

As you reflect over this past year, has 2019 gone as planned? If you’re 2019 was like ours, it probably hasn’t. Although some things went better than plan, many did not. Although I can’t control the economy or those around me, I can pause at year-end to reflect and learn. Year-end is a great time to thank God for His […]

Although many employees leave work early on New Year’s Eve, some businesses require harder work at the end of the year. When I was a banker, I occasionally had to help customers finance their purchase of a business or major equipment before the tax year ended, making New Year’s Eve a long work day. When you’re surrounded by many who […]

The sunrise is a daily reminder of the fundamental and undeniable rhythm of God’s presence on the earth. The sunrise is the guiding light, the leading light that makes vision possible. The sunrise in business is the vision statement. The vision statement for a business illuminates the horizon, just as the sun rise illuminates the horizon. Luke 1:78-79 says, “Because […]

Bill Gates once stated at a TED conference that his most fulfilling act has been to establish The Giving Pledge. Mr. Gates has encouraged at least 120 of the wealthiest people in the world to give away at least half of their wealth. These wealthy philanthropists are discovering causes to which they are pledging large sums of money. True generosity […]

After the American Revolution, Christmas was viewed in America as an English custom and not widely celebrated. According to Wikipedia, in the 1820s, story tellers like Washington Irving and others encouraged new Christmas traditions. In 1822, Clement Clark Moore released a poem now known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” It was these stories that popularized exchanging gifts, and many believe […]

A friend of mine believes that if he voluntarily pays his employees to be off work on Christmas, that they should know what Christmas means to him. Each year at Christmas time, my friend hosts a party for his employees and their families. Before passing out gifts to each child, he shares about the gift God gave us by sending […]

Recently, I met with a new friend who was carrying a burden of concern for his children. My friend’s father had established trusts for each grandchild to be funded from the success of their family business. In the beginning, the trust amounts were modest, but as the business flourished, the trusts had grown larger than the family ever imagined. My […]