It took a few years but Facebook finally figured out how to change its layout successfully. In the past, the social network developed something new, published little prior information, and forced users to adopt the change almost immediately. This caused many users to be surprised (they did not expect it), confused (they did not know […]
Category: Strategy
Uncovering Production for Meaningful Expression
It is no secret that a focus on production in church services has increased dramatically in recent years. And as an occasional producer, I am a huge advocate for the use of technology and other tools to create unique and memorable weekly experiences. But like every trend, a production focus is easy to adopt without […]
Calculating Change
The decision for change in any organization involves the calculation of two costs: . 1. The cost of change 2. The cost of staying the same . Sometimes these costs involve financial information. In local churches, they more often include the cost of credibility, influence, stress, time, people, etc. Unlike most calculations, these are very […]
Defining innovation. And actually using it.
Every organization runs on three basic resources: 1. Money 2. Time 3. People . Any obstacle encountered can be directly traced to a lack of one of those three. Thus, the three frequently become road blocks to the development and implementation of incredible ideas. I cannot count the number of times I have seen great […]
Develop your brand, no matter your size.
If you drank a Coca-Cola over the past few weeks, you probably noticed a major difference with the can. In a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, Coke has been served in all white cans in an attempt to increase consumer focus on the protection of the habitat of polar bears. However, this week, Coke […]
The 80% Rule
The other day, I was catching up with an old friend and mentor who pastors a quickly growing church. Recognizing this growth, he has been challenged by some to offer an additional service based on the “80% rule”. Consultants and church leaders reference this rule quite a bit, suggesting that when a church auditorium nears […]
Simply functional.
. . People generally complain about a product for one of two reasons: “It’s too complicated to use.” (Lacks simplicity) “It doesn’t do what I want it to.” (Lacks functionality) The tension between simplicity and functionality exists within every organization. And when not intentionally balanced, the two become enemies of one another. We hear it […]
The first step toward organizational simplicity.
Within many leadership teams, the concept of simplification is equated with the concept of “cutting”. [Cut programs. Cut classes. Cut ministries. Cut something.] With this understanding, simplification is often resisted, based on the fear that one’s activities might meet the axe. But the process of simplification does not have to begin with program cuts. And […]
Check out Tony Morgan’s latest eBook…
Organizational change is a frequent discussion topic for many church leadership teams. And most of those discussions begin with a focus on the need for change, easily recognizable with a few key metrics (i.e. attendance, giving, involvement). But determining how to make change is an entirely different task and the point at which most teams […]
The Waiting Experience
As I write this, I’m sitting in the airport waiting for a flight that has been delayed. There is something about a delayed flight that drains the energy from a terminal. The family leaving on vacation is suddenly less excited given the additional hours they must wait to arrive. The businessman headed to close a […]