Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Telecommuting Can Work!

At MBS some members of our team have been telecommuting since 1990. I'm often asked how I know whether it's working for us. The unspoken question is, "How do I know I'm getting a full day of work in exchange for a full day of pay??

That is an excellent question, and one which every employer wrestles with-- whether their staff works in the office, on the road, or from home!  And the answer is the same regardless of where employees work: Does the amount of employee output meet or exceed the expectations of the employer?

Let's face it: even employees who work in offices can under-produce. They can waste time doing things their employer hasn't asked them to do, and their output suffers accordingly. That can also be true for employees who work on the road or from home. So, I recommend two things to help in this area:
  1. Employers, give your team clear guidance on what you believe they should be able to accomplish in the time they are at work. If they exceed your expectations, reward them for their diligence and capability! If they under-produce, let them find employment elsewhere that is better suited for their skill-set and motivation.
  2. Employees-- especially those who are Christians-- the Bible encourages you to do your work as though working for the Lord himself! Writing to those who were enslaved to their employers (a far worse condition of employment than most of us experience today), Paul said in Colossians 3:22-25: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism." NIV
And telecommuting has some significant advantages! Studies show that it increases employee morale and job enjoyment. And it reduces employer cost because of the reduction in office space that must be maintained.

Yes, telecommuting can work! It takes diligence and trust on the part of the employer, and needs to be matched by diligence and integrity on the part of the employee. But that's really true of any employer/ employee relationship, regardless of whether the location is an office, on the road, or at home.

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Bonus Years

If you knew my past, you'd understand why I say I'm in the bonus years. Before deciding to believe in Jesus as my savior I was pretty messed up.  My life up 'til then could be characterized as one ugly bowl of soup:
  • Always in trouble in school; getting suspended and even expelled.
  • Dropped out of high school near the end of the 10th grade.
  • In trouble with the law for dope and fraud.
  • In trouble in the military for fraud and being a malcontent.
  • One of the largest volume wholesale drug dealers in northern Los Angeles (high quality pot, hash, and LSD).
  • A total stoner; spent almost an entire summer on LSD and other hallucinogens.
  • All this by the time I was twenty-one.
I really never expected to hit fifty years of age.  I don't think anyone who knew me expected me to live that long either.

But then something happened.  Through a series of events I was confronted with the promises of God over the summer of my 21st year.  In September I told God, "To the extent you're faithful to your promises, to that extent you can have my life."  One of his names is The Faithful and True.

So here I am, in my fifties!  And that's why I call these The Bonus Years! And there is truly no greater joy than knowing God and living life his way.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

New Article on the Business Case for Charity Software Licensing

I just released an article to the publishers designed to help software providers understand the benefits they should consider regarding charity licensing discounts.  My hope is that it will sway those not currently offering charity discounts to begin doing so.

If you'd like to read a free advance copy, just click here!

Friday, June 1, 2012

New Article on Wise Cloud Strategies

Church and ministry leaders are being tasked with making Cloud decisions, but need to know whether their decisions are good or bad, wise or unwise.  This brief article will give you a framework for working through Cloud decisions.

Click here to read a free advance copy!