Build a great company on a powerful foundation!
I‘VE 
COME TO REALIZE just how much I rely on others for my business success.
It’s not that I’ve structured things in a particularly complex manner: I’m a part of a small group of coaches operating under a single brand. I’m responsible for finding my own clients and delivering services to them.
That group is vitally important to my focus and motivation. Read the rest of this entry »
J OSH MILLER 
is a pastor who is starting up a new church in Fort Collins, St Thomas Church. He brings a wealth of experience and amazing energy, so I have confidence that he’ll see success with this venture.
I first met him at a local Chamber of Commerce event. How unusual is that, right? It’s almost as if business relationships can’t at all be associated with spirituality.
So of course I just had to find out more.
YOU 
HAVE A POWERFUL VISION: You’re going to save the natural river with your ice cream business. You’re putting together your plan, things are pulling together, but then you have a nagging feeling.
You’re losing sight of your vision.
Sure, the passion’s still there, but you’ve realized that you’re spending the bulk of your time just doing all the logistical stuff. Health department requirements, suppliers, inventory, opening a new location, advertising … it’s pretty overwhelming.
How are you ever going to have time to save the river?
GOD 
IS THE COMPOSER of the universe. Knowing the beginning, end, and everything in between, He has carefully constructed this beautiful place we pass through.
I’m the eight note down in measure 93, the low A flat. I’m not particularly special, no more but no less important than anyone else in this entire symphony. I marvel at the wonderful intricacy of it all.
Because I’m limited, I only see those around me and a few who have gone before. Read the rest of this entry »
SilverEdge 
WAS A TRADITIONAL payments services company in Colorado. From that history as Payment Solutions, they’ve reinvented themselves under a new name as a payment technology provider for small- and medium-sized businesses.
I saw that they were growing swiftly – they made the Inc. 500 in 2012, the Mercury 100 in 2011 and were awarded the Mercury Fastest Growing Company in 2012. But I hadn’t paid much attention.
This is an impressive business. Fast growing, focused, and solid in their convictions.
A few weeks ago I met Ken Salazar, president and CEO, and was impressed with the values foundation they have for the company. So I was glad I had a chance to meet with him and dig into the topic.
SOMETIMES 
IT’S ONLY FAITH that gets you through.
This has been a tumultuous few weeks, both for my business and personally. I won’t go into details here, but it’s been … a testing time.
Life is not meant to be comfortable or convenient.
WE’RE ALL FALLEN, INSECURE, DOUBTFUL. It’s a fact of life and part of the human condition.
Your business, whatever it is, can supply hope. For you, for employees, for partners, even customers.
I mean this in a deep way, not just as an element of your marketing messages.
KELLER WILLIAMS 
REALTY is the largest real estate franchise company in North America, with over 100,000 associates in 700 offices and twelve countries. They have grown rapidly since being started in 1983.
But that’s not the real story.
This company is really, seriously, passionately, designed around the agents who provide such great service for their clients.
ANNETTE 
AND PATRICK ARCHAMBEAU have a neat little window-washing business here in northern Colorado. They’re focused, professional, and dedicated to building their loyal client base.
But they’re also quite clear that this company isn’t the purpose of their lives. That honor falls to the dear horses they serve.
Back in the mid 1990s they formed a non-profit, now Archway Foal and Rescue Training. This is their deep passion, helping foals needing medical and social assistance. They typically work with an animal for 3 to 4 years, sometimes saving them from slaughter.
ROBERT REICH
is one smart guy, and I deeply respect the fact that he appears to actually understand how the economy works.
So I noticed his recent article titled “The Rebirth of Stakeholder Capitalism“.
He makes a powerful distinction between Shareholder Capitalism and Stakeholder Capitalism. The former structures a business to benefit only the shareholders, while the latter incorporates other beneficiaries: customers, employees, and communities.
The Values-Based Business 