Skip to main content

What To Do First to Make a Profit

The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat  ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're  not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director.  Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year.  God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started inve

How to communicate for the best result possible:
Lessons from Kathryn

This is another one post where I share with you another great insight I learned from Kathryn Kemp, my boss and one of my mentors. We are up to 21 posts now of things I've learned from her although it's actually been a lot more than that.

Kathryn loves text messaging and does it often, even for business purposes. Years ago when we were first starting to work together she texted me about something important she wanted to ask me about for work - something above and beyond my normal course of duties.  I am often blessed to do special projects for work, and never lose sight of the honor it is to be asked and entrusted.

When we got on the phone to confer about things she quickly apologized for texting me and said she was reminded never to do it again when it is something important she wants to ask me about. I never complained about her texting me but she knew from previous personal conversations we've had about our lives in general that it's my least preferable form of communication and sometimes downright gets on my nerves.

I told her that being that she's my boss and had something important to ask me, I have no problem with the fact that she texted me. She replied once again that she would not be doing that again, as she wanted to communicate with me in the style I'm most comfortable with whenever we are discussing something important. She has never again texted me about something important, for the last three years. Most times she e-mails me as she knows it's my preferred method and even when she's going to call she e-mails first to see what the best time to call would be.

There's pretty much almost nothing I wouldn't do for my boss. If it's within my power, I'll do it. If it's not, I'll pray that God would help me do it anyway.

On the flip side, I know that Kathryn LOVES texting so I don't hesitate to send her one if I need something important. I know she powers down her computer on certain days off and doesn't turn it back on nor does she want to be asked to. (She would keep her boundaries and not turn it back on, which I respect.) She prefers a text. So I do that. I know that if I want a good relationship with my boss, this is important.

There are others who report to Kathryn who prefer a text, or a call. She knows who prefers what and acts accordingly to bring the best work out of that person.

It pays for you to know the people's preferences who work with and for you, and those in your larger network that you rely on.  Particularly if you want or need something from people, results tend to be more favorable if you ask in the manner that they best receive information.

And since I'm on this subject - for those who do text me, it would be good for you to know that I tend to check my text messages twice a day - in the morning when I wake up and at night before bed. I know that it's important that I check them daily, and I do. However, I enjoy texting about as much as flossing. Which might explain why you can go a whole day before getting a reply.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Relevant Church doing something...

incredibly RELEVANT!

I just heard some news today that really inspired me. A church here in Tampa, Relevant Church is doing a new thing this month called the "30 Days Sex Challenge." (I've never visited the church but Pastor Trinity - our children's pastor - has visited or has met some people from this church and he was very impressed.) Realizing that this is a major element missing from some marriages (the frequency factor) their lead pastor, Paul Wirth, has issued a challenge for all the married couples to have sex for 30 days in a row. At the same time he has issued a challenge for all unmarrieds to completely abstain from sex. Of course we know the Bible says that those who are unmarried should not have sex in the first place but the point is, a lot of unmarried's aren't obeying the Lord's command to abstain and this is just one pastor's way of trying to get them to see that indeed, there is a better way! (God's way!) At the same time, many married couples are not

What Verbal Abuse is Really Like, and Why We Must Care
Guest Post: Terri von Wood

In my speaking travels, I meet the most amazing people. Some are connections that go beyond just a night or a weekend of preac hing. One day on my journey, I met Terri von Wood, and we immediately clicked and have been friends ever since.  Just a reminder that all of our guest bloggers this week are available to chat with you in the comment section here on the blog or on my facebook page where the blog is also published.   *** People who have never suffered through or witnessed abuse (including pastors) often don't know how to help women in abusive situations. Knowledge is power and it is my belief that if the church understood the prevalence of abuse, help would be made available.  First, we must acknowledge that the divorce rate is the same  in the church as in the world.  Second, we must understand that the 50% divorce rate does not include all the women who are abused but stay because they do not know what else to do or do not have anyone to turn to.  If those women we

Stuff I Adore That Costs Little to Nothing...

Okay...taking a break today from writing about heavy things...like grief, loss, and bawling. Time to write about random stuff today that nobody may be interested in reading. Nevertheless here it is... Stuff I adore that costs little to nothing... Listening to playlists I make on (free) Spotify Drinking out of canning jars Reading books again that I already have on my shelf. Walking and riding my bike. Admiring crepe myrtle trees. Taking a bath in the daytime with the lights off in the room. (Natural light.) Naps. Snuggling with my husband or one of the kids and watching a movie at home. Having all noise turned off when no one is home. (No TV, no music, just silence.) Prayer.