Create. Motivate. Communicate.

I am regularly faced with pressing needs to get things rushed through when designing a brochure or doing some website tweaks or even to just consider a process for how people progress through the organisation.  I have to constantly ask myself, the same question in different ways…What’s the why? Why are we having something designed like this? Why do we want to start a new program? Is it just because of a need, or is just because of a request from someone, stick to your guns and ask yourself… Why? Not to be rebellious, but to simply query to the process of the decision. If everyone can be clear of the process, then the what gets answered by the why.

If the purpose is just to fulfil a need and does not fit into your ‘Why’, one has some choices to make. If one does make choices without first understanding the purposes, then what is likely to happen, is people will get frustrated in the process, and before too long, the why is just a distant memory and has given into a complex process of choices that ends up being confusing for all people involved.

Looking at organisations that strive for simplicity, the ‘Why’ is the paramount question before any process is executed. So next time one is faced to urgently implement a new process, ask yourself what is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’?

I first came across this phrase through reading an awesome book called ‘Helping People Win at Work‘ by Garry Ridge (CEO, WD40 Company). A ‘Knowledge Silo’ is someone who gathers all the know-how of a position or department and does not like to share this information to other colleagues. Whether this is done through a lack of trust with fellow colleagues or a way to build security and value within an organisation, it can be a very dangerous culture that is developed in a non-profit or secular work place.

Why is this a danger? It becomes a danger because people who are knowledge-silos are people who lack trust. If the company or organization fosters an environment that is full of these types of personalities, it is difficult to build an happy workplace where people can grow and be fully effective for the work environment.

So how can knowledge-silo person be identified? Continue Reading…

I hope you enjoy this video. I found found it really insightful. People often say that they don’t have time for social networking tools like Facebook or twitter. Little do they understand, that these mediums are simple not just entertaining tools, but rather communication tools to reach a new generation. A digital generation. More than 25% of Australians are now using Facebook. I am sure that number is growing for Twitter users in Australia.

If you or your ministry is not yet on the Social Networking wagon, don’t be scared. If you are serious about reaching the next generation, then you have to use the tools to reach them. Just like a fisherman uses different bait to catch different fish, we too must be prepared to use different tools to reach those who do not yet know Jesus Christ!

In the meantime, enjoy the video:

Making the decision to attend university after almost 20 years of formal education was a big decision. But I am sure that the assignments and the thought provoking inclass dicussions will be well worth it.

I came accross a phrase recently: the more we elaborate our means of commnication, the less we communicate. Written about 250 years ago by clergyman and scientist Joseph preistley, is that statement still applicable today. One would have to say yes with a clause.

The wonders of technology have certainly changed in the last 25 years let alone 250 years, so even the means of communication has become more complex and elaborate, does that mean we are communicating less? Well it depends. I like to coin it “shotgun communication”, using a mass of mediums can both weaken and strengthen your message. However “sniper” based perhaps can have a better outcome.

Now to put this in context of ministry, if you are trying to deliver a sermon that will please everyone through using all sorts of communication tools, you may be disconecting your listeners/viewers.

I believe the old addage, KISS – keep it simple saint still applies even with the vast arrays of communication means.

Now am I saying don’t use any of the technolgy at our hands, certainly not. What I am saying though, consistency is paramount where there is such a pull to immitate what that other church/ secular organisation is doing.

Ensure that no matter how many means you are using, keep your measage consistent, this will ensure that you have maximized your “connect” with the end user.

I am amazed that people still think that we can communicate the same old way to a new audience. Jesus said that old wine skins are not good for new wine. Okay perhaps I am stretching the context of that scripture. But in listening to a seminar I attended recently, in which there were two wonderful speakers, David Horton and Jeremy Pearsons, they both were at very different ends of the spectrum when it came to communication styles. Jeremy, grandson of Kenneth Copeland celebrated his 30th birthday during the seminar, and David Horton, a generation ahead of Jeremy both captured the audience, but with two very different styles of communication. Continue Reading…