Selfishness is a dirty word in Christendom. Well, at least publicly. It’s not that it isn’t the type of foul language that isn’t spoken in mixed company – quite the contrary: we use the term to criticize our opponents, our children, and maybe even ourselves from time to time. No, it is that type of particular profanity that is used regularly and often with the intent to shame others or to debase ourselves. We just cannot seem to stand it when someone acts in their own self-interest, especially when it requires them to not act in ours.

Which is, ironically, selfish.

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Competition is not something we do well as Christians.  It likely ranks in the Top 10 Worst Practices in the Body.  I take that back – we compete very strongly against our own, but hardly and rarely in the right way.  In terms of the market, or outside of denominations, though, we most often take our ball and go home, so to speak. Read More »

While sitting in my front lawn watching the sunset, I noticed something I haven’t often seen before. Every so often, in the failing light, I saw something flittering above the tree line. At first, I thought it was birds. Then, I realized it was bats.

These mysterious and often maligned creatures were just starting their day – or night. What would have been dinnertime for me was just right for their first meal of the day. As I studied them, I began to realize some very important principles. These were common facts of life to them, but they were startling examples of best practices in business to me. Read More »

Is the concept of profit something we are compelled to do as an organization?

This is an in-depth question, which I plan to write more on myself, but I first wanted to share with you another’s thoughts, which got me to thinking on this question.

Click here to read Driessen’s Social Responsibility of Profits.

Over the past week I have been spending time on the Big Island of Hawaii with my wife. We have done a snorkeling cruise, seen rock beaches, and attended a farmer’s market. Outside of each other, we haven’t known another soul on the entire island. We have been strangers in a strange land, so to speak. Read More »

Over the weekend, The Dark Knight debuted in theatres across America. “Debuted” is actually a misnomer. Knight falls into the category of movies that culture has waited for and eagerly received. It is an example of a tool, in the form of media, driving culture.

By driving culture, I mean it influences what people see, think, read and talk about. Many people over the weekend discussed this movie, whether they saw it or not. They dialogued about their thoughts on the movie and, most likely, the tragedy of Heath Ledger’s loss after such a crowning achievement for acting. Read More »

This week, the New Iron team is at the Christian Bookseller’s Association (CBA) annual trade show, the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS).  While it is my first time attending this event, there are multiple veterans of the industry present.  Businesses looking for access to the Christian audience are spending several days meeting with buyers and suppliers of products and services; top authors and publishers are here to promote; distributors are looking for top talent, and vice versa.

But many believe this year’s show is not as large as last year. Read More »

There is one great asset that businesses and organizations may possess; one asset that is perhaps greater than all others. This asset is not for sale, though it is of tremendous worth. It cannot be sold, though it can be lost. This asset cannot give you a depreciating expense on your financials. It can be acquired only by being earned, and it may be lost if those things that earned it are abandoned.

This asset is loyalty, and there is no substitute for it. Read More »

No, you didn’t read that wrong. Or maybe you did. Read it again – “A Dollar Earned is a Dollar Saved.” We are so used to hearing it the other way around.

And so it is. Sometimes.

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Recently, I was in a Florida town to perform the wedding ceremony of my sister – a tremendous honor. While we were there, some family and I took a day trip to another small but lovely tourist town. We enjoyed seeing the various attractions, but the improvements the local government could do to support its greatest revenue generator – tourism – were painfully obvious.

After hearing me comment several times on these opportunities, my cousin asked if I should see the Mayor so that I could point these things out to him. We all had a good laugh, but it got me to thinking, “What would I say to a city official if I had the chance?”

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