I have asked Rich Marshall to host a couple of blogs. He is an internationally recognized speaker, trainer and author with over 40 years experience in bringing out peak performance in others. His clients are a virtual who’s who of corporate America. He has developed a new breed of corporate leadership training you will want to know more about. It’s called the E.P.I.C. Training System, a classic leadership development program and a remarkable proprietary system built on 7 foundational areas of human performance improvement. Now, here’s Rich…
Strategic Planning with the Holy Ghost - Part 2
Over the last several years I have had the privilege of working with dozens of enterprises in the planning process. Coming from a background of pastoring (I did this for 35 years) I was very accustomed to seeking help from the Lord, especially in asking the indwelling Holy Spirit to help. However I found that most executives, even Christian executives, do not take advantage of this competitive edge. For some reason, when it comes to planning most of it falls into one of two categories:
1. A full reliance on the Holy Spirit; with lots of faith and prayer and trust involved. In most of these cases; there is little practical, commonsense and time tested and proven strategic planning ingenuity used. It is as if it would not be full of faith if good planning methods were employed.
2. A full reliance on proven strategic planning methods; with much attention given to the planning process, using all of the most up-to-date methods available. In most of these cases; there is little or no input from the Holy Spirit. It is as if it would be “poor business” to include Him here.
Therefore I am encouraging Christian business leaders to integrate all of their business life under the heading: My business is my ministry. When we do that, we will be much more likely to include the Lord in all that we do; especially the planning process.
Here are some thought provoking ideas to assist you in the integration process.
All that you do is a spiritual activity. Both business and church are ministry and both should be treated as a way of fulfilling your God given purpose in life.
It is so easy to fall into presumption and call it walking by the spirit. In other words, we assume that since we are Christian and prayed in the morning, that everything that happens during the day has been orchestrated by God. I have found that Charismatics are probably most guilty. By the way: leaders are not exempt.
Prov. 16:3 “Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.”
Did this plan or strategy arise out of dependence on and hearing the voice of God during the process?
Marketplace ministers need to watch out here. We are sometimes so intent on losing Christian-ese that we forget to use planning opportunities to engage the Holy Spirit.
Consciously, from a place of dependence, invite God into your planning process. Don’t leave Him out.
NOTE: Join Rich and me Tuesday at 1:00 for an in depth discussion on how to integrate your leadership style with your core values, vision, mission and life purpose. Click here to register for the free call!
I believe the root cause of stunted fruit or bad fruit in our life goes back to what we store up in our heart. The things we meditate on, ponder, consider, day dream about. Eventually those thoughts will come out in our words (out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks) and we tend to believe what comes out of our mouth (faith comes by hearing… Rom 10:17). Let me show you a practical business application of this last truth…
Most folks who have a product or service to sell, look for the opportunity to present their story to a prospect. Their unspoken but clearly understood hope is, that the prospect will believe their claims and purchase their goods. But there is a way to increase quite significantly the conversion from listening to purchasing. You must help the prospect find faith in your claims. While you may convert them with testimonials, convincing demonstration or just the sheer force of your persuasive personality, you can significantly increase your result by leading the prospect through a questioning process, the answers to which release the words from their own mouth that convince them of the truth of your claims.
People tend to believe less than 100% of what someone else says, especially a stranger who stands to benefit financially if they can get you to agree. But those same people tend to believe 100% of whatever comes out of their own mouth, so lead those folks to the conclusion you came to by taking them on the same journey, asking them the questions they need the answers to and let their own answers convince them.
Important Note: If at all possible, mark your calendars for September 4 – 6 and plan on joining me at the Kingdom Economic Summit in Austin, Texas where I will be speaking with Myles Munroe, Lance Wallnau, Os Hillman, Kent Humphreys, Rick Joyner and many other leaders in the Christian Marketplace movement. Many of the Kingdom’s leading generals are being brought together to release and impart instruction, wisdom and anointing for today’s marketplace leaders to experience a greater measure of wealth transfer for the purpose of building and advancing God’s Kingdom in the earth. Click here for details…
Before you sink your teeth into today’s excellent content from our guest, I want to quickly call to your mind our survey from a couple of weeks ago. Thank you once again to all of you who participated. I told you then that you would be helping to steer where things go. Today’s message is a direct result of your requests for more information about promoting your business, growing your revenue, and also about locating business opportunities!
The list of people that Debra Thompson Roedl has worked with is replete with names you would recognize were I to mention them. She hasn’t just contributed to their success… in many cases, she is responsible for their success. We’ve been connected with her for a little over a year now and space does not permit me to go into detail about how significant she is to our advancement. I know you’re going to enjoy hearing from her this week.
How To Make Sure Your Business FAILS! (Part 1 of 3)
I bet that title grabbed your attention and it should! With today’s economy you need to do everything you can to ensure that your business SUCCEEDS and does not Fail. But it is up to you to take action and make it happen!
You see most Christian entrepreneurs who are either starting out in their business or well on their way with their business leave out one key ingredient that can make them or break them and cause them to FAIL. It is called MARKETING.
These entrepreneurs are not typically trained or educated in marketing. They don’t even understand how essential marketing is to their business in order for them to start, sustain and/or grow their enterprise. Can you relate?
In fact… because of this lack of knowledge, the typical business owner’s approach to marketing is “Fire… Aim… and then get “Ready”. And guess what? They don’t hit the Bullseye with this method. The less you hit your bullseye, the less money you make and you know what that means… it is just a matter of time before your business fails. Then what are you going to do?
To ensure success in your business you have to create a new mindset and that is…
Marketing Is A Continuous Process!
Marketing is the foundation of your business and everything else that you do is built upon this foundation. From your products, to your services, to your customers… marketing is in every aspect of your business and it is a constant process.
When it comes to Marketing your business… I have created a specific System to make sure you succeed and do not fail! It is called the BULLSEYE Marketing Accelerator System. With this system your approach to your business is Ready, Aim, Fire and then BULLSEYE!
OK folks, I hope today’s message from Debra has served to whet your appetite for much more! Don’t miss Part 2 tomorrow, as she drills down into the 4 key steps in the illustration. I know you’re going to benefit from it!
Yesterday I caught Joel Osteen on television telling a story about Patrick Henry Hughes. He was born with crippled limbs and without eyes. Naturally his parents were devastated and wondered what they had done to deserve that. When Patrick was old enough to sit up, they put him on a piano stool and he began to learn the notes. At age two, he was taking requests. By grade school he was playing old standards and by high school he was playing the blues. When he got to college he was an accomplished pianist and trumpet player.
Recognizing his tremendous gift, the college band director asked Patrick to play in the marching band which entertained thousands at the University of Louisville football games, etc. In order for this happen, his father gave up his day job and worked the graveyard shift at UPS so he could be at every practice and wheel his son in formation, spinning and turning with the rest of the band while his son blew the trumpet with gusto.
What happened with Patrick is truly amazing, how he developed a gift God gave him that could easily have been missed. What also happened, was that a blind boy inspired vision in his parents. His mother “saw” the potential in him as she taught him piano. His father, instead of mourning the fact they could never play ball together, got a vision to play music together. The band director received vision when he “saw” the gift inside this young man. The gift by the way, was far more than a music ability. As much as anything, it was how Patrick interpreted life. When asked to describe his disabilities, he said, “Not disabilities at all, more abilities.” I believe we tend not to see things the way they are but rather we see things the way we are. That should tell you a lot about Patrick and about yourself.
Patrick’s example is removing the scales of self-imposed limitations that are blinding countless sighted people from “seeing” and fulfilling their vision. What’s inside you? What’s holding you back? What’s your excuse? Gain some vision from this courageous young man, Patrick Henry, and from his family and begin stepping into the vision God has equipped you best to fulfill. As Helen Keller once said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” By the way, now when his parents ask God what they did to deserve Patrick Henry, they say it with tears of joy!
If this story and video helped you at all today, please share it with your friends, family and business associates. Who knows who you might help in the process?
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today:” Exodus 14:13
We’ve been talking lately about “seeing,” but not so much with your natural eyes, though they may aid in the process. I am talking about seeing in a higher dimension. We already know there are sound frequencies at a higher and at a lower frequency than humans can hear but animals can hear quite clearly. Just because you can’t hear them, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Animals can sense tornadoes and earthquakes enough in advance to save lives, if we are paying attention.
On occasion I have seen into that higher dimension and on all occasions it has made a significant difference in the outcome of the circumstance in which it occurred. As a young copier salesman in Tennessee, my boss accompanied me on a call to close a sale at the courthouse. Our equipment had been on trial for some time and had performed unbelievably poorly. The decision maker was not leaning in our direction and there was a competitor in the lobby begging for the opportunity to compete.
We had superior equipment and his bad experience was an anomaly but he didn’t know that and was resisting (understandably) our attempts to close the sale. We were giving many assurances but he wasn’t hearing us. Unexpectedly, my eyes were opened to see in the spirit realm. I wasn’t looking for that. I had never experienced it before and would have been suspect of others making such a claim. Nevertheless, I saw perched on this man’s shoulder a black “cat / monkey-like” figure, only far more hideous, chattering constantly into his ear. Surprised by the vision before me, especially as it occurred in a business meeting at the courthouse, I left the room without explanation.
I began taking authority over that demonic presence and praying fervently, whereupon my boss came running into the room I had ducked into to tell me the man suddenly changed his mind and I was needed to go over the numbers to wrap up the sale. Seeing into the spiritual dimension revealed the true problem and the solution became instantly clear. When you are faced with a challenge, ask God to reveal any other forces that may be at work to hinder your progress, then act accordingly.
“And there appeared a great sign in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun… and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered, to devour her child as soon as it was born.” Revelation 12:1, 4
This past weekend I received an unexpected phone call, the implications of which are far reaching and personally painful. I spent much of the weekend with my wife processing it. While having our Saturday morning coffee I looked out over our lanai into the backyard and noticed a raven swoop down to check out a turtle trying to birth some eggs and bury them in the shallow earth. My wife pointed out that the time to give birth had come and in the turtle’s most vulnerable time, the destroyer had come to devour her offspring and the turtle had no choice but to give birth anyway and she could not change the outcome. The scene was riveting.
As soon as the eggs were buried, she turned and walked away and the birds of prey began to feast on her offspring. One by one the eggs were uncovered and eaten like delicacies until they were all devoured. I realize this is normal in nature but as you know I have been asking God to speak to me and cause me to “see” and “hear” what He was saying to me. I was surprised by how emotionally upset I became as each egg was consumed. I wanted to look away but couldn’t. I wanted to blow the birds away with a shotgun, but my neighbors would surely object. It seemed so wrong and yet it was so natural. The mother turtle just slowly walked away, never looking back and the birds picked the site clean in a matter of moments. Then everything returned to normal as if nothing had happened at all and there was peace. It all seemed rather surreal.
But there was a speaking of the Lord to me. It wasn’t easy to hear, nor pleasant to see but God was showing me something very personal. It cut to my deepest core but at after it was over, it was as if I had just had surgery and been stitched up. The healing could begin. My wound had been open for a very long time, but on Saturday, surgery was done and the recovery process began. I came to terms with reality.
I tell you this sketchy version of a very personal story because I want you to begin to pay attention to what God brings across your path. Begin to recognize the “super” in the midst of the “natural.” I have looked out that window thousands of times and never witnessed something like that. When you see something that grabs your attention, it may well be the Lord is speaking to you, but you will miss it unless you wait on the Lord and ask Him to reveal it. Learn to hear Him in unexpected ways. It might just be a much-needed surgery.
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever.” Ex 14:13
As I have laid out previously, one must escape the paralysis of fear and learn to be still so you can see the salvation or deliverance God has. Nothing calms fears quite like being in right relationship with God. When we sin, it is not God who turns away from us, but rather it is we who turn away from Him. We feel shame, unworthiness, etc. because our heart condemns us (and so do many of our brothers and sisters), but John says, “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our hearts. If our heart does not condemn us, then we have confidence towards God.” When you sin, run toward God. That in itself is an act of repentance, and He will not condemn you. Rather, He will restore you. When you are “still” in His presence, it is the same as “waiting on the Lord,” and it is in that process, you experience the restorative process and find strength again. (Psalm 27:14)
Now to my point. Seeing. Do you believe there is a spiritual dimension, a heavenly realm that is a higher dimension than our earthly existence? I do. When I say “higher,” I am not referring to altitude. I am speaking of higher “authority,” greater excellency, superior strength, the eternal vs. temporal. Remember how Elisha answered his servant who was terrified by the armies surrounding the city? 2 Kings 6:16 records his response, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” How did he know that? Is it possible he had trained his eye to see? Is it possible that his walk with God had attuned him to see in that realm? And more to the point, is it possible that we might also learn to see like that?
Elisha prayed for his servant who had never seen in that dimension, “LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the Lord opened his eyes and the servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. If God would answer that prayer for Elisha, do you think God might open our eyes to see? I am going to suggest that we can learn to see in ways we may never have seen before, whether with the eyes of our understanding (Eph 1:18), our spiritual senses (Heb 5:14) or through spiritual giftings (1 Cor 12). And I am going to suggest that seeing in that realm is as much of an advantage as natural eyesight is an advantage in life over those who cannot see. Even though we see through a glass darkly, “in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.”
In many ways we are sight deprived and we don’t care because everyone we know is also similarly afflicted. But when a man or woman with spiritual vision comes along, we discover there is a higher way of life. In the next several weeks, we are going to explore what it means to see in that realm and I will be calling upon you to share your experiences of receiving sight and seeing the salvation of the Lord!
None of us got to where we are without the help of others. One of the people who has contributed to the success we had at Selling Among Wolves in 2007 was David G. Johnson of Epiphany Marketing. His specific area of influence had to do with the growth of our business using the internet. Because his input was valuable to me, I thought his input might be valuable to you as well. With that in mind, I have asked him to contribute the content for the blogs this week. He is limited to just a few blogs this week, so I suggest you don’t miss a one of them.
In my work with clients over the years, one thing I’ve observed is that most marketing mistakes made by businesses both small and large come from a fundamentally poor understanding of the real identity of the business. If you don’t know who you are, how can you properly introduce yourself to your future customers? In truth, how can you have any real clear idea about who your future customers are if you aren’t crystal clear on who you are? It’s an extension of a personal identity crisis that gets carried over into the business world, and it’s much more common than I ever would have imagined had I not observed it first-hand again and again.
To illustrate this phenomenon, I’ll let you in on one of the processes that I take nearly every client through to help them better understand who they are. It’s actually a very simple process, but is typically overlooked. It begins by asking the very simple question: what is your true product or service?
Before you respond with the most obvious answer, let me ask it a different way. What business are you really in?
Most companies (and this is particularly true of small businesses) define themselves too specifically and do not think about the answer behind their answer.
To illustrate this, let’s use a well-known company as an example. Starbucks roasts coffee beans purchased from growers all over the world and sells them primarily by making drinks out of them in their local retail stores. What business is Starbucks in?
a. Coffee
b. Beverages
c. Legal Addictive Stimulants
d. Entertainment
Give it some thought. We’ll pick this thought up tomorrow…
Be sure to watch your inbox for details of an important marketing meeting David and I will be holding very soon!
“Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the armor of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of bronze, and cut asunder the bars of iron: And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.” (Isa 45:1-3)
Did you know that God has riches hidden in secret places? And these are riches He is eager for you to possess. Am I saying that God wants you rich? I don’t know what God wants for you with respect to tangible riches. I don’t know your character, your calling or your capabilities. What I do know is that there are great riches hidden in secret places and the kind of riches I am speaking of cannot be seen with the eye.
Take for example the rainforest. People with limited vision see only with their natural eye and cut it down to obtain temporal, tangible riches. They sell the timber and create pasture land for cows. But people with great vision who have spent time in the secret place of God know that God made the systems that make the rainforest the most productive and fruitful system on the planet producing tremendous abundance out of relative scarcity.
In spending time with the Father, they learn the systems. They discover the ways of God. They obtain great wealth of wisdom as they inherit His heart for the created order and in the process they can be trusted with the power that wisdom gives them. It is the unseen riches that produce the visible riches. Most folks chase the visible, corruptible, temporal riches. Wise ones chase the unseen eternal riches and in apprehending them, have everything else they need.
I don’t know about you, but I have gotten very serious about “son training.” It’s the process of growing in Christ from little children unto sonship. That place where the Father trusts you with the keys to the car… OK, not the car, but the keys to the kingdom so to speak. One of the things that has helped thousands of business leaders mature, take on greater responsibility and handle wealth wisely has been a conference I hosted three years ago this month. Today, I am going to give every one of you an invitation to receive either the DVDs or CDs from that all day event FREE if you order the download version.
We gathered 11 of the most successful Christian business leaders to convene in Ft. Lauderdale and pass on the inheritance of their heart. It was simply riveting. I asked them to speak to us all as if we were their only heir and this was their last time to pass on business wisdom in a Biblical context. What they shared amounted to nothing less than “son training” for the marketplace. I know from some of the blog comments this week, that there are folks who don’t believe “sons” are called to the marketplace, but for the rest of us, this will put you well on the path to being a “son” in the marketplace, regardless of your gender!
Over the last several years I have had the privilege of working with dozens of enterprises in the planning process. Coming from a background of pastoring (I did this for 35 years) I was very accustomed to seeking help from the Lord, especially in asking the indwelling Holy Spirit to help. However I found that most executives, even Christian executives, do not take advantage of this competitive edge. For some reason, when it comes to planning most of it falls into one of two categories:
In my work with clients over the years, one thing I’ve observed is that most marketing mistakes made by businesses both small and large come from a fundamentally poor understanding of the real identity of the business. If you don’t know who you are, how can you properly introduce yourself to your future customers? In truth, how can you have any real clear idea about who your future customers are if you aren’t crystal clear on who you are? It’s an extension of a personal identity crisis that gets carried over into the business world, and it’s much more common than I ever would have imagined had I not observed it first-hand again and again.