customer service
Customer service is fulfilling your commitment and promises to the customer... not adding extra requirements to the customer that are not included in the signed paperwork or excusing your mistake by placing blame on the customer.
Geez. I'm so frustrated right now.
Some places just don't get this and would rather tell the customer they are wrong instead of admitting they could be wrong.
The irony is, places like this lose business and don't have loyal customers.
I love that
Starbucks has a "just say yes" policy. I wonder how often they have to "just say yes," but it sure goes a long ways in their customer service. No wonder they have so many loyal customers.
Aghh. I'm so frustrated.
Labels: customer service, leadership, management
god's dreams are for others
Continuing my read through Genesis this morning about Joseph realizing the dream that God had given him had finally come through in
Genesis 42:9 when his brothers bowed down to him.
The tendency is when we are young, what God speaks to us often creates pride. It did for Joseph. He was quick to tell everyone about how he was going to rule... and not just rule, but rule them. That one never goes over well quite so well.
The dream that Joseph had of his brothers bowing down to him was bigger than Joseph ruling them. It had everything to do with Joseph being in a position to be used by God to save others.
I think it's probably like that for most of us. We love to think we've got the new solution or we are going to be a great leader when God speaks things to us. And that's ok to dream about being a great leader and helping others as long as it is
channeled in the right direction. But what Joseph didn't see and we don't either a lot of times is God's dreams for our lives aren't so much about us as they are about Him and others.
They are all about God using us to save and impact others.
So, dream big. But allow God to keep you humble. Because the dreams aren't about you, but about God's through a humble individual.
Labels: leadership, management
windows to mac conversion
For the past few days, I have been copying, reorganizing, and deleting files to be copied over from my Windows-formatted hard drive over to my new Mac. It's been a little bit of a process, but a little easier than I thought. All my favorites have been added,
iTunes set up, iPod reformatted, and my external hard drive reformatted and partitioned for Mac and Windows use.
I think I'm completely switched over. Now back to my
job.
Labels: personal, technology
great birthday
Today I turn 23. How crazy is that? Really it is.My parents and sister made the two hour drive to come spend the day with me and Lacey, so I was thankful for that.We had Rib Crib for lunch, which is always good; I did the final prep for my sermon tonight; and then had the opportunity to preach at a church to raise funds for The Crossing. Overall, a great day.Lacey also got me one of these, which I have been wanting for a while.Labels: personal
hello
This says it all.
Labels: personal
nugget of truth
Chick-Fil-A is a great organization with a great chicken sandwich and some of the best BBQ sauce I can find. Although I'm a big fan of Chick-Fil-A, honestly I'm getting tired of fried foods in general. Nonetheless, a great family environment with some of the best fast food.
Ben Arment had a post today that resonated with me. Thought I'd pass it along.
"We had an executive from Chick-Fil-A visit yesterday to talk about leadership. He said something fascinating about their company...
- The average fast food store does $800,000 a year
- McDonalds, the clear frontrunner, does $1.9 million per store
- Chick-Fil-A, which is closed on Sundays, does a shocking $2.8 million per store
He wasn't trying to criticize McDonalds, but said the golden arches had violated something sacred on their way to the top, which has adversely affected their revenue."
Go to Ben's blog to read the rest and find how McDonald's mindset is one that is often found in churches.
Ministry really is all about fully committed disciples of Christ. Labels: leadership, management, ministry
a new day... a new dependence
I need God more today than I have ever before.
I'm truly thankful for all that God has done in my life, but honestly the past isn't enough for today. That's not a selfish statement... it's just the fact that I need God's provision and help more than ever before.
A lot of people will say "God deserves your praise even if he never does another thing for you." And you know, I agree with the statement, but it doesn't change the fact that I need God more than I have before. The fact is God deserves our worship even if He never did anything, so it really has nothing to do with what God has done or will do.
I need Him to be with me even more than he has before.
I need God to provide more than before.
I need God to guide me more than before.
I need God ideas and God-strategy.
I've been reading through the book of Genesis and reflecting on all that God did for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He continually blessed them... over and over again. And with all that God did for them, there were moments where they couldn't rely on what God had done in the past to get them through... they had to have a new dependence on God.
Today is a new day. What God did yesterday will no do for today. It won't provide Lacey with a teaching job in Frisco or help us solidify a location for our preview services. But it does remind me of what God has done and all of his faithfulness and give me a hope for what He can do today.
It's a new day... and I'm more dependent on God than ever before.
Labels: christianity
weekend recap... tuesday style
Lacey and I visit 8 different apartments last Thursday. It was a long, hot day.
We reserved an apartment on Friday morning, so that's a nice relief.
Lunch at Chipotle was great, except for the fact that our order go screwed up, and the staff got mad at us for simply asking them to make it right. I'm sorry it was busy, but that doesn't give you a right to not get it right. I forgot how hot Texas is.
Enjoyed a Starbucks talk with Lanny and Kristyne... talked about life, ministry, plans, and funny stories. The partner discounts will truly be missed when Lacey no longer works there. Went to Hope Fellowship on Saturday night, so that Lacey could meet a middle school principal. Hopefully, the connection will lead to a job. Sunday was our first staff meeting with The Crossing staff. Got a lot nailed down for a Family Night at the Park and preview services coming up too fast.
Did I mention, I forgot how hot Texas really is.
Lanny and I schooled some neighborhood high school dudes, Carlos and Fernando, in pool football. That makes us real cool, right.
Labels: personal
apartment hunting
Ahh... the tedious details of moving have arrived. Thankful for the move but not all the little stuff that comes along with it like the drive, finding a job, finding a place to live, and packing. That's never fun.
But we are so excited to be moving to Little Elm/Frisco in two weeks.
Today, Lacey and I are apartment hunting. Got about 5 or 6 we've been doing research on, so now it's time for the visit and to brush up on my bargaining skills. Thanks to Zach for all the lessons. I'm your protege. Ha.
Pray that we find something in a good location and that where we move into, we can make a difference in our new community.
Labels: personal
obseverations of systems
I love systems and processes of organizations. Over the past 3 months, I've been a contractor doing IT-related work at a Fortune 500 company. Even though it's an entry level position, I've been able to observe and study the processes they have in place from the inside. I've also observed several different churches from the inside as an intern or staff member or doing research.
I probably haven't been around enough to know any best practices, but I do have some observations from my limited experience. A church planter and I have exchanged a few brief emails, and I love his wording for the importance of systems describing them as "thoughful and pro-active."
Here are some of my observations:
1. Systems should provide a clear, universal direction and process for operation.
2. Documentation is key, because it become more than an idea or suggestion.
3. Systems help keep the operation sane and help prevent unnecessary confusion.
4. They should handle issues before they become issues, so someone knows how to respond.
5. Systems must align with the vision of the organization.
6. They must be evolving and growing with the organization.
7. Church systems need to have a level of flexibility because we are in the people business... not catering to them, but being conscious of them as people. We can't just overpower people.
8. Don't overcompensate on reactionary issues. Balance the process without extreme action.
9. When enforcing the process, remember to have grace. It's been given to you before. People are going to try and bend the rules or buck the system. A combination of grace and conviction is a must. Labels: leadership, management, ministry
discovering god's will part 2
I got swamped at work today, so this is a little late.
Forgive me if you've been waiting at the edge of your seat all day. Ha.
Lacey and I are moving to Texas.
We will be a part of an incredible team launching a church in Little Elm.
We couldn't be more excited.
Discovering this has certainly been a process over the past 6 months, especially since it was right "under our noses." But the process is over, and we are anxious to move.
We move in less than a month, and the first preview service is a month away. Are you joking me? So much to do.
We are now praying that Lacey finds a teaching job. Not only do we need it, but she really wants to teach.
Like I said yesterday, God has been faithful and He will continue to be.
Labels: christianity, personal
discovering god's will
God's plan can just be sketchy at times. Not because God wants to hide it or keep us in the dark... He just wants us to go through the discovery process at times.
No one like long, drawn out processes. Especially, when they are hard, and you are anxious.
The past 6 months have been pretty humbling just to be honest. Moving in with your in-laws isn't anyone's plan for their life. Experiencing deep disappointment is difficult. And not having any answers to EVERYONE'S questions can be frustrating. And I know everyone means well, it's just hard not being able to answer with any certainty. [I am thankful for all the questions in a way though... they come from people who genuinely care about us]
After 6 months of uncertainty, frustration, ups and downs, and waiting, God has spoken and directed us... as we knew He would. It's the waiting that is hard, huh?
This I do know.
God has been so faithful... so faithful to Lacey and me.
So, what will our next step be?
Lacey and I... [to be continued tomorrow]
Labels: christianity, personal
apple's brilliance
Over the past few months of extensive use of Mac computers, setting up home networks using Macs, printer sharing, and Mac computer rebuilding, including the use of Darwin-the host system of Mac, I must admit I'm becoming a fan. The ease of use and functionality is really great. I may have to make the plunge.
Not to mention the pure aesthetics are simply sweet.
Then to top it off, they have iTunes and produce brilliant commercials. When I saw this one, I was blown away with the coolness... and I'm not a creative type.
Coldplay iTunes Commercial on Vimeo. Labels: culture, personal
