If you’re like me, chances are you’re a creative professional who complains too much. In pursuit of creating my projects, I’d like a better computer, I’d like a bigger office, I could use more employees, or I’d like bigger budgets. At least I used to think that way – until I attended a church in Jakarta, Indonesia made up of Iranian refugees. I’m in Indonesia helping produce a major outreach event for Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading the Way ministries. Indonesia is a long way from Iran, but many of these refugees are trying to get to Australia or America, and this is a good midway point for either destination.

At the service, I met an Iranian filmmaker who’s been a cinematographer and special effects designer for years. In fact, he was so good, he was selected to travel with the Ayatollah and even live in his home in Iran, filming the most intimate details of his life. But at some point, in pursuit of spiritual and artistic freedom, he began to be threatened, and realized he had to leave. In the middle of his career as a creative professional, he was forced to leave everything he knew and make his way to Indonesia. I can’t tell you his name or show you his photo because many in the Iranian community still live in fear of being tracked down. FULL POST

Are You Running Your Business in a Christ-Like Matter?

Ten Traits of a Christian Business

If you call yourself a Christian Business, your words, actions and deeds need to align with the way you run/manage your business. These Top Ten Verses/Characteristics will do much to help you ensure you are "walking the walk and talking the talk." Though many will do what they can to derail your good efforts as Satan will always rise up against those who are doing good. So count it a blessing for when you are prosecuted for you are doing much good for the Kingdom of God. Although these traits were written for our business, you will find the verses readily adaptable to yours:

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You may have the greatest idea in the world for a book, movie, business, or nonprofit. But when writing my book “Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social Media,” I discovered that today, living in the most cluttered culture in history, you also have to consider how to cut through all the competition and get noticed. Want to publish a book? In 2011, 300,000 books were published by traditional publishers, and that doesn’t count the additional 3 million that were self-published.

How about producing a feature film? During the same period, 1,000 movies were released in the United States.

Maybe you could start with a YouTube video? According to their own statistics, 60 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute.

Television isn’t any better. The average cable TV system in America now has 160 channels, with some satellite systems boasting as many as 500 channels.

What about a great business idea? The U.S. government’s own statistics reveal that in spite of today’s tough economy, 500,000 businesses were opened in 2011, all competing for the same investor money. FULL POST

What are the most important attributes you need as a leader? The Creative Group did a poll that indicated that 34% of executives felt strategic vision is the most essential quality for successful leadership. That poll was taken a few years ago, but I think it’s still worth thinking about today. In the poll, advertising and marketing executives were asked, “In your opinion, which single quality among the following is the most essential for effective leadership?” Their responses:

1. Strategic vision 34%
2. Strong interpersonal skills 29%
3. Integrity 29%
4. Creativity 3%
5. Intelligence 3%
6. Don’t know/other 2%

Turner goes on to describe the four most common mistakes that can undermine a manager’s credibility with employees:

• Deserting your team.  Managers who fail to stand up for staff members when they’re unfairly criticized or when times are tough lose their employees’ trust.
 • Sending mixed signals.   If you’re receiving contradictory messages from a client or senior executives, you may be passing this confusion on to your team. Make sure you have all the facts, and be consistent in the direction you give. If parameters or goals change, explain why.
• Not giving credit where it’s due.   Acknowledge employee contributions on projects, and never take credit for someone else’s ideas or efforts. Shining the spotlight on your team makes everyone look good.
• Breaking promises.   Only promise what you know you can deliver to your staff. If, for example, employees have been told they will receive a promotion, raise or bonus when company profits improve, follow through on your word as soon as feasible. FULL POST