Posts
This week I learned a new "trick" to blogging. As I work to establish a platform, I started with this blog. But I realized that simply writing my own blog and working real hard to bring readers to it was really just that, hard work. Don't get me wrong, I love the writing part of it. But attracting an audience with a new blog just seemed not quite the most efficient method.
Then the thought occurred to me that I can write BUT use somebody else's blog to get the attention I need to build a platform. It doesn't have to be my blog at all. I can simply post comments to someone else's blog. The trick is that simple. AND...
Make sure the blogs you post to are in your genre of writing. That way you are writing to the market you want to have notice you. Make sure to post to blogs that are large and widely read. There's lots of little ones out there not worth the time. Post to blogs hosted by editors. Get right to the buyers and sellers. A captive audience of millions of readers and that one important editor. WOW! What a revelation.
At the end of the post, a simple URL will start to bring traffic your way. Many blogs even feature a Google autofill to make this even easier.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
What Are You Reading?
What are you reading in the business/management book world? What book(s) have helped? Why? Conversely, what books did not help and why? What book(s) do you recommend?
Have you read my book? If not, then consider this:
The management strategies in this book all work and are 100% guaranteed. Each topic is backed up by real-world examples cited from the popular business literature such as Industry Week, Business Week, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal. Many personal experience examples are also provided.
Have you ever experienced "right-sizing"? You can avoid this ever happening again in your life by following one simple strategy. You can get it for FREE on my website right now. But before I tell you the link, here's a few more things to think about.
Have you ever been looked over for a promotion or been denied a job opportunity that you thought was the perfect opportunity for you? You are certainly not alone here. Wouldn't you rather be one of the few who makes it right to where you want to be without all the hassle of politics and networks and slush piles? You can find out how for FREE on my website and then get moving into that position.
Who do you rely on at work for reliable information, good advice, and mentoring? Do you have a network you can trust? Do they consistently deliver good results? Do they value your participation? On my website, I share with you a list of people that are guaranteed to bring positive answers to each of these questions. Best of all, this list is FREE.
If you haven't already skipped to the bottom of this message to click through to my website for this valuable free information, may be it's because you are a little skeptical. That's a fair assessment for the claims I'm making so far without giving you much to grab onto. So read on about this real example to convince you to scroll on down and click.
At least one employee in every workplace has one. The little cartoon of people laughing hysterically at the comment, “You want it when?!!!” Whether manager or hourly worker, it makes no matter. The implication is the same. You are not going to get what you want right away. After all, who do you think you are? Can’t you see I’m busy?
A former boss of mine exhibited what I believe to be the best example of an open-door policy. Whether you came to him, or he perceived the need on his own, he took immediate action on the request. He didn’t delegate. He didn’t shift you to his secretary to make an appointment. He took charge. He took care of the problem. Because he knew that a problem left unattended was a problem that would fester and grow bigger with time.
There are two general work situations that demand the principle of now. If you are a manager, then you are a servant to your people who work directly for you. Like my old boss, your job is to drop everything to help your people get things done. Now. If you are an hourly employee, then your job is to act now upon the words of your boss. Get the job done. No assumptions about the calendar or the budget or the method.
I try to reinforce this principle with my children during teachable moments. The other day my eight and five year old sons and I were building a sand castle. The older was yelling at the younger to get out of his way. They were both trying to dig the moat, which at that point was not big enough for the two of them. I stopped the argument and asked a few questions.
“Son, what do you want?”
“I want him out of the way,” replied the elder.
“Don’t you really want to build a sand castle?”
“Yes, but he’s in the way.”
“Then follow my example and try to create a solution instead of a problem. You want him out of the way immediately and obviously he is not moving. He is trying, just like you, to do a good job. How about if you ask him to come over here by me and start working on the castle walls while you continue to dig the moat?”
The idea worked. It had to be reinforced a few times. But they’re just kids. As adults, the same reinforcement is needed. We learn exactly the same way. What we did not learn properly when we were children we must now learn as children.
“Why did this solution work?” I asked.
“Because now we both get to do something to make the castle,” he replied.
“What I mean is, what is the principle that makes it work?”
“I don’t know.”
Another series of questions and answers revealed the following:
My sons did as they were asked. They did it immediately. Why? Not because the external goals could be accomplished (being out of each others’ way and building the castle). Because the internal principles of leadership and understanding were applied. Would my children obey if the command was foolish or not according to their desires? No. So as their father/leader, they trust me personally. They trust me, my judgment, and my words. They trust that I know what the goals are and how to achieve them to everybody’s satisfaction.
That was a fun example of a very real and serious principle that you can adopt at work right now. You can order my book and learn about this principle and dozens of others that will bring you and your company to profitability beyond your imagination. But before I give you that URL, there's one more very serious story you should read.
Do you remember the big Cadillac recall back in the mid 90’s? GM said that there were thousands of the Northstar-powered luxury vehicles on the road that were motorized bombs. A potential fuel leak was the culprit. Dozens of people died in random explosions on the highways. You remember the news, don’t you?
Of course not. It never happened. Do you know why? Because I stopped it. Yes, there were a few isolated cases of fuel line leaks. There were audits, inquiries, containments, and meetings. Root causes were determined and corrective, preventive, and mistake-proof actions were appropriately applied. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into fixing a process that everybody had once considered infallible.
Like your company perhaps, my company was world-class in the products it made. There was depth of experience, the best equipment, and the best engineers to always improve it. But through attrition and time, the experience base was slowly disappearing. The art and science of the process was not passed on adequately. It was not written down anywhere and everybody had their own version of how things worked. With that, unknown and unexpected variations crept into the process.
No one would have said that the process was out of control. In fact, everybody from the machine operators up to the CEO would say that they were the best in the world and they couldn’t possibly be susceptible to the kinds of problems that GM was reporting. Everything was good enough and no one from the outside could tell them any different. After all, who knew the business better than the experts?
The answer? No one. But GM did know a little something about business processes that we did not. Our business process was out of control and it was the real root cause of the problem. A real tragedy almost happened in the mid 90’s but it was averted because management woke up and fixed the problem.
Are you ready to solve some real problems in your life at work? Are you willing to implement the things that really work because you are just sick and tired of all those other books and fads that failed you? Are you ready to wake up (and how about waking up a bunch of those around you) and fix the problem like I did?
Then by all means I invite you to my website and get that FREE information I told you about a while ago. When you get to my site, just look for the new chapters menu and they're yours for FREE.
Go to www.biblicalquality.com right now for your FREE management strategies and the link to purchase your own copy of all my other proven profit builders in Biblical Quality.
Thank you and I look forward to your feedback.
Have you read my book? If not, then consider this:
The management strategies in this book all work and are 100% guaranteed. Each topic is backed up by real-world examples cited from the popular business literature such as Industry Week, Business Week, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal. Many personal experience examples are also provided.
Have you ever experienced "right-sizing"? You can avoid this ever happening again in your life by following one simple strategy. You can get it for FREE on my website right now. But before I tell you the link, here's a few more things to think about.
Have you ever been looked over for a promotion or been denied a job opportunity that you thought was the perfect opportunity for you? You are certainly not alone here. Wouldn't you rather be one of the few who makes it right to where you want to be without all the hassle of politics and networks and slush piles? You can find out how for FREE on my website and then get moving into that position.
Who do you rely on at work for reliable information, good advice, and mentoring? Do you have a network you can trust? Do they consistently deliver good results? Do they value your participation? On my website, I share with you a list of people that are guaranteed to bring positive answers to each of these questions. Best of all, this list is FREE.
If you haven't already skipped to the bottom of this message to click through to my website for this valuable free information, may be it's because you are a little skeptical. That's a fair assessment for the claims I'm making so far without giving you much to grab onto. So read on about this real example to convince you to scroll on down and click.
At least one employee in every workplace has one. The little cartoon of people laughing hysterically at the comment, “You want it when?!!!” Whether manager or hourly worker, it makes no matter. The implication is the same. You are not going to get what you want right away. After all, who do you think you are? Can’t you see I’m busy?
A former boss of mine exhibited what I believe to be the best example of an open-door policy. Whether you came to him, or he perceived the need on his own, he took immediate action on the request. He didn’t delegate. He didn’t shift you to his secretary to make an appointment. He took charge. He took care of the problem. Because he knew that a problem left unattended was a problem that would fester and grow bigger with time.
There are two general work situations that demand the principle of now. If you are a manager, then you are a servant to your people who work directly for you. Like my old boss, your job is to drop everything to help your people get things done. Now. If you are an hourly employee, then your job is to act now upon the words of your boss. Get the job done. No assumptions about the calendar or the budget or the method.
I try to reinforce this principle with my children during teachable moments. The other day my eight and five year old sons and I were building a sand castle. The older was yelling at the younger to get out of his way. They were both trying to dig the moat, which at that point was not big enough for the two of them. I stopped the argument and asked a few questions.
“Son, what do you want?”
“I want him out of the way,” replied the elder.
“Don’t you really want to build a sand castle?”
“Yes, but he’s in the way.”
“Then follow my example and try to create a solution instead of a problem. You want him out of the way immediately and obviously he is not moving. He is trying, just like you, to do a good job. How about if you ask him to come over here by me and start working on the castle walls while you continue to dig the moat?”
The idea worked. It had to be reinforced a few times. But they’re just kids. As adults, the same reinforcement is needed. We learn exactly the same way. What we did not learn properly when we were children we must now learn as children.
“Why did this solution work?” I asked.
“Because now we both get to do something to make the castle,” he replied.
“What I mean is, what is the principle that makes it work?”
“I don’t know.”
Another series of questions and answers revealed the following:
My sons did as they were asked. They did it immediately. Why? Not because the external goals could be accomplished (being out of each others’ way and building the castle). Because the internal principles of leadership and understanding were applied. Would my children obey if the command was foolish or not according to their desires? No. So as their father/leader, they trust me personally. They trust me, my judgment, and my words. They trust that I know what the goals are and how to achieve them to everybody’s satisfaction.
That was a fun example of a very real and serious principle that you can adopt at work right now. You can order my book and learn about this principle and dozens of others that will bring you and your company to profitability beyond your imagination. But before I give you that URL, there's one more very serious story you should read.
Do you remember the big Cadillac recall back in the mid 90’s? GM said that there were thousands of the Northstar-powered luxury vehicles on the road that were motorized bombs. A potential fuel leak was the culprit. Dozens of people died in random explosions on the highways. You remember the news, don’t you?
Of course not. It never happened. Do you know why? Because I stopped it. Yes, there were a few isolated cases of fuel line leaks. There were audits, inquiries, containments, and meetings. Root causes were determined and corrective, preventive, and mistake-proof actions were appropriately applied. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into fixing a process that everybody had once considered infallible.
Like your company perhaps, my company was world-class in the products it made. There was depth of experience, the best equipment, and the best engineers to always improve it. But through attrition and time, the experience base was slowly disappearing. The art and science of the process was not passed on adequately. It was not written down anywhere and everybody had their own version of how things worked. With that, unknown and unexpected variations crept into the process.
No one would have said that the process was out of control. In fact, everybody from the machine operators up to the CEO would say that they were the best in the world and they couldn’t possibly be susceptible to the kinds of problems that GM was reporting. Everything was good enough and no one from the outside could tell them any different. After all, who knew the business better than the experts?
The answer? No one. But GM did know a little something about business processes that we did not. Our business process was out of control and it was the real root cause of the problem. A real tragedy almost happened in the mid 90’s but it was averted because management woke up and fixed the problem.
Are you ready to solve some real problems in your life at work? Are you willing to implement the things that really work because you are just sick and tired of all those other books and fads that failed you? Are you ready to wake up (and how about waking up a bunch of those around you) and fix the problem like I did?
Then by all means I invite you to my website and get that FREE information I told you about a while ago. When you get to my site, just look for the new chapters menu and they're yours for FREE.
Go to www.biblicalquality.com right now for your FREE management strategies and the link to purchase your own copy of all my other proven profit builders in Biblical Quality.
Thank you and I look forward to your feedback.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The State of "Christian" Publishing
Yesterday I read a most grievous Christianity Today article on the current state of Christian publishing. A few statistics are quite alarming. The number of independent Christian bookstores has dramatically decreased over the past few years. This is attributed to two primary causes: 1) the internet, and 2) the big bookseller chains. This in turn has decreased the membership in CBA.
In another article in the same issue there was a discussion about the future of the Christian publishing business. It seems altogether possible that traditional, conservative Christian publishers may one day soon be merged with the big, secular publishing houses.
Does any of this concern you? Do you see a greater bias entering the picture? Perhaps. But fear not. God can overcome all this if your voice is one He wants heard. But the thing that digs at me the most is this:
That Christians seem so willing to allow this to happen at all and see nothing wrong with mixing their business with the business of the world seems to add another blemish upon the Body of Christ. How can we ensure a pure and unspotted voice when our objectivity to the Word of God will almost surely be brought into question by those who agent, publish, and sell our works? It's one thing to be under this scrutiny by those who are also under God's authority and Holy Spirit direction, but quite another by those who are of this world, led by the father of lies.
There are many Christians out there with a voice. With Christian publishing becoming more of a business than a ministry now, the wilderness is just getting a little larger every day. Beware my friends, Jesus is coming again very soon. Be watching; be praying; be unspotted; be ready, and; be bold to speak and write the truth, taking it first before the throne to ensure your message is pleasing to God and according to His will.
In another article in the same issue there was a discussion about the future of the Christian publishing business. It seems altogether possible that traditional, conservative Christian publishers may one day soon be merged with the big, secular publishing houses.
Does any of this concern you? Do you see a greater bias entering the picture? Perhaps. But fear not. God can overcome all this if your voice is one He wants heard. But the thing that digs at me the most is this:
That Christians seem so willing to allow this to happen at all and see nothing wrong with mixing their business with the business of the world seems to add another blemish upon the Body of Christ. How can we ensure a pure and unspotted voice when our objectivity to the Word of God will almost surely be brought into question by those who agent, publish, and sell our works? It's one thing to be under this scrutiny by those who are also under God's authority and Holy Spirit direction, but quite another by those who are of this world, led by the father of lies.
There are many Christians out there with a voice. With Christian publishing becoming more of a business than a ministry now, the wilderness is just getting a little larger every day. Beware my friends, Jesus is coming again very soon. Be watching; be praying; be unspotted; be ready, and; be bold to speak and write the truth, taking it first before the throne to ensure your message is pleasing to God and according to His will.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
What's Next?
The purpose of this blog is to provide my out loud thoughts on Ephesians 5:25-27, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
I have two complete manuscripts on this subject and one in the works: Christian Mythology, The Remnant, and My Little Children. Last month I submitted the first to an agent. Yesterday I received the rejection. As I prayed about this situation a few things came to mind that I want to share with you.
First, Christians should recognize the imminency of the return of Jesus Christ. As such, we must be ready at all times. Jesus wondered aloud whether He would find faith on the earth when He returned. The purpose of my books and blog is to wonder in word whether He will find His Bride as " a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Second, God showed me that this rejection was something to rejoice in, be thankful for, and continue in prayer in full of the Spirit (according to I Thessalonians 5:16-19). Why do that in light of rejection? Because this work is one of faith, not sight. I know that God wants this message out. I also know His timing is perfect. I also know my understanding is frequently corrected by Him, particularly with regards to timing. I usually think "right now!" whereas God does not tell me when but allows me to learn.
Right now I am reading through Exodus. Moses had the same problem with time. He thought deliverance would be immediate. But God had some things to do first. He would show Himself God of gods and LORD of lords before Pharaoh. I wonder what kinds of things God has planned for this world just before Jesus comes and before my book is published.
Because I believe the time is at hand. God has given His final Word in the Bible to warn us of the wrath to come. I believe He wants to use my books as perhaps one last warning to the true Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, to get ready. That is the bottom line. Jesus commanded us to watch, pray, and be faithfully ready.
If you are ready and actively making your calling and election sure through the exercise of your spiritual gifts within the remnant Body, the praise the Lord. Give thanks. Keep praying. Keep discipling. And pray for me, that I may continue with boldness to write and speak the word with boldness as we all ought to. Finally, pray that I obtain an agent. I sent another query last night. The time is at hand.
I have two complete manuscripts on this subject and one in the works: Christian Mythology, The Remnant, and My Little Children. Last month I submitted the first to an agent. Yesterday I received the rejection. As I prayed about this situation a few things came to mind that I want to share with you.
First, Christians should recognize the imminency of the return of Jesus Christ. As such, we must be ready at all times. Jesus wondered aloud whether He would find faith on the earth when He returned. The purpose of my books and blog is to wonder in word whether He will find His Bride as " a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Second, God showed me that this rejection was something to rejoice in, be thankful for, and continue in prayer in full of the Spirit (according to I Thessalonians 5:16-19). Why do that in light of rejection? Because this work is one of faith, not sight. I know that God wants this message out. I also know His timing is perfect. I also know my understanding is frequently corrected by Him, particularly with regards to timing. I usually think "right now!" whereas God does not tell me when but allows me to learn.
Right now I am reading through Exodus. Moses had the same problem with time. He thought deliverance would be immediate. But God had some things to do first. He would show Himself God of gods and LORD of lords before Pharaoh. I wonder what kinds of things God has planned for this world just before Jesus comes and before my book is published.
Because I believe the time is at hand. God has given His final Word in the Bible to warn us of the wrath to come. I believe He wants to use my books as perhaps one last warning to the true Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, to get ready. That is the bottom line. Jesus commanded us to watch, pray, and be faithfully ready.
If you are ready and actively making your calling and election sure through the exercise of your spiritual gifts within the remnant Body, the praise the Lord. Give thanks. Keep praying. Keep discipling. And pray for me, that I may continue with boldness to write and speak the word with boldness as we all ought to. Finally, pray that I obtain an agent. I sent another query last night. The time is at hand.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I Forgot
This has been a tough two weeks. Emotionally, physically, and mentally taxing to the limit. It's crisis time again at work and in these respects I did not handle it well at all. God just went completely out of the picture. Well, almost. His Holy Spirit never leaves or forsakes. He just keeps gently prodding. Even when He is grieved.
Has this ever happened to you? What do you do? How well do you handle crisis? What do you do when you willfully get back into sinful acts to try to deal with crisis?
I finally had enough. I went to my favorite hot spring (Io Jima, Nagasaki, Japan) to relax. Once completely drained, I could take the time desperately needed to pray. And God broke through and spoke through and gave me the gift of repentance. It was more painful than the crisis but in a good way that only God can work.
Here's a few verses that He put in my mind today. Perhaps they will help you and me next time.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (II Peter 1:9-10)
In such a state of guilt, I certainly forgot I was purged. Once restored, God gifted me again by reminding me that not only was I forgiven, but I was also not forsaken. He reminded me of my calling (to write) and election (I am!) so that I could relay this good news to others.
It's also a warning too my friends. Judgment is coming. Jesus is coming back soon as both Judge and Bridegroom. Deal with your sin now and be found faithful when He returns.
I was reminded to pray for my friends too. Like Job, God often restores me when I pray for my friends. For you, He wants you to know with certainty these words of truth: What are your spiritual gifts? Are you using them daily for God's glory? They are part of your calling. Do you know your calling? Have you forgotten?
Has this ever happened to you? What do you do? How well do you handle crisis? What do you do when you willfully get back into sinful acts to try to deal with crisis?
I finally had enough. I went to my favorite hot spring (Io Jima, Nagasaki, Japan) to relax. Once completely drained, I could take the time desperately needed to pray. And God broke through and spoke through and gave me the gift of repentance. It was more painful than the crisis but in a good way that only God can work.
Here's a few verses that He put in my mind today. Perhaps they will help you and me next time.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (II Peter 1:9-10)
In such a state of guilt, I certainly forgot I was purged. Once restored, God gifted me again by reminding me that not only was I forgiven, but I was also not forsaken. He reminded me of my calling (to write) and election (I am!) so that I could relay this good news to others.
It's also a warning too my friends. Judgment is coming. Jesus is coming back soon as both Judge and Bridegroom. Deal with your sin now and be found faithful when He returns.
I was reminded to pray for my friends too. Like Job, God often restores me when I pray for my friends. For you, He wants you to know with certainty these words of truth: What are your spiritual gifts? Are you using them daily for God's glory? They are part of your calling. Do you know your calling? Have you forgotten?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Whom Do You Fear?
Growing up in the sixties, I remember vividly a commercial by the Ad Council. Of the many recorded quotes, FDR's 1933 first Inaugural Address"...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" always stuck in my mind over the years. I suppose that during the Depression there was plenty to fear. Many of those same fears abound in today's recession.
Take a moment to read his address and notice the prolific use of Biblical overtones. What is blatantly missing? What is missing today? What is the Christian Church missing?
The fear of the LORD
So far in my studies I find three key reasons why this is so. Each one has a unique resonance.
Take a moment to read his address and notice the prolific use of Biblical overtones. What is blatantly missing? What is missing today? What is the Christian Church missing?
The fear of the LORD
So far in my studies I find three key reasons why this is so. Each one has a unique resonance.
- The fear of the LORD is not taught. Psalm 34:11
- God's commandments are not obeyed. Ecclesiastes 12:13
- Everything seems perfectly normal. Psalm 55:19
Take a moment to ponder that last one. I can write no more on this because I am soaking on that last point myself before the throne for many days now. I am desperately trying to learn to to battle this and teach others how to break into what I'll call an abnormal Christian life. But it is the life, the only life, that Jesus talks about when He declares, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life." And we as Christians are for the most part missing it entirely because we choose to live the normal life of this world. Proverbs 1:29
Whom do you fear?
Sunday, April 6, 2008
More Work
Up until my latest job, I have never reported directly lower than the company President. So after many years I was very used to a certain work atmosphere, perks, and schedule. Then I went to my current job and started at the bottom of the totem pole. Although the promotions came fast, I'm still far from mahogany row. From a secular viewpoint, this has had its good points and bad points with me. What God is doing with me however, is teaching me to put that all away. For instance, I leave promotions to His timing.
This is what I have learned from Psalm 75:6-7, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge : he putteth down one, and setteth up another."
My wife andI have also learned how to rely solely upon God for our daily bread. There was a time in my professional life when we went without a paycheck for nine months. But we never lacked for any good thing. And we never had more than was necessary. It was a tough time but a great time to praise God. We often think of it to remember how good God is. "...give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Proverbs 30:8-9)
In all this God is preparing us for the great leap into the world of full-time writing. God is doing a perfect job leading me there. It is my calling. He is making a straight path. He will do the same for you. Do you trust Him?
This is what I have learned from Psalm 75:6-7, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge : he putteth down one, and setteth up another."
My wife andI have also learned how to rely solely upon God for our daily bread. There was a time in my professional life when we went without a paycheck for nine months. But we never lacked for any good thing. And we never had more than was necessary. It was a tough time but a great time to praise God. We often think of it to remember how good God is. "...give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Proverbs 30:8-9)
In all this God is preparing us for the great leap into the world of full-time writing. God is doing a perfect job leading me there. It is my calling. He is making a straight path. He will do the same for you. Do you trust Him?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)