"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
The power of the influencers is quite awesome in today's business world. Twice last week I heard/read this question:
"Are you best off:
1. Getting 3 minutes on CNN.
2. Getting published in the Sunday Opinion section of the "New York Times" and having your column reach #6 on the most emailed list.
3. Having "a guest post you wrote, published on the blog of someone else who has a large readership?"
And the answer is #3."
According to what I read, having Tim Ferris (author of the Four Hour Work Week) say something good was the only promotion that significantly pushed up the book of author Michael Ellsberg, from #1,295 to #45 on Amazon best seller list.
The power of influencers is here to stay.
What we have to watch for is also the power of the negative influencers. In this age of 140 characters I find it easier to say something negative, be cynical, or pithy than it is to say something good and then say why. If this is true, then we need to watch even more closely what the influencers are saying and feeling about our businesses.
It's sad, but true, that our human nature makes it so easy for us to say something bad about someone else. We do it all the time and then wish we could pull back those words, but it is too late. Negative influence is cancerous and goes around the office too fast. But, we can be the blockers and change that if we desire. We are told in 3 John that "those who do evil prove that they do not know God". Wow. When we don't do or say the right things we are actually telling (and influencing) others that we are ones who don't know God. This is dangerous territory if we understand and realize that our influence can carry far beyond what we think possible. Let's consider and sit with this today and be sure that we aren't getting swept up in the bad stuff that is swirling around us but instead breaking out of the cycle to stand up for what is right and good.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Showing posts with label 3 john. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3 john. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
day 811: The Influencers - Part 1, The Good Guys
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
Much of the success of products and services getting known in today's business environment is all about the influencers. We must take the influencers seriously and understand what they are saying, how they are feeling, and what's next on their mind. If we can be one step in front of them, and sway their influence, then that is our best chance to have them say what we want/need them to say or "Like". Yes, that "Like" button is important. Back in the day when I was in the videogame business we would bring in the influencers and have them play the game before it was finished and then listen to them to incorporate their feedback into the game. When the game finally came out if they saw their ideas/suggestions, we had a better chance of them being positive influencers. Upstream contact and engagement with the influencers can go a long way.
Like it or not, we are all influencers, to someone. Actually it is impossible to hide from this even if we don't know who the person is that we are influencing. We have to know this about ourselves if we are to be effective in our ability to bring glory to God in our work. If we recognize and take on the responsibility of being an influencer then we can work to set the right examples and follow through with what God asks us to do. In 3 John we are asked to, "Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children...". Yes, you are an influencer. So the question is, what kind of influencer are you?
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Much of the success of products and services getting known in today's business environment is all about the influencers. We must take the influencers seriously and understand what they are saying, how they are feeling, and what's next on their mind. If we can be one step in front of them, and sway their influence, then that is our best chance to have them say what we want/need them to say or "Like". Yes, that "Like" button is important. Back in the day when I was in the videogame business we would bring in the influencers and have them play the game before it was finished and then listen to them to incorporate their feedback into the game. When the game finally came out if they saw their ideas/suggestions, we had a better chance of them being positive influencers. Upstream contact and engagement with the influencers can go a long way.
Like it or not, we are all influencers, to someone. Actually it is impossible to hide from this even if we don't know who the person is that we are influencing. We have to know this about ourselves if we are to be effective in our ability to bring glory to God in our work. If we recognize and take on the responsibility of being an influencer then we can work to set the right examples and follow through with what God asks us to do. In 3 John we are asked to, "Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children...". Yes, you are an influencer. So the question is, what kind of influencer are you?
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
day 785: Influencing
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
Yesterday, we read on how we can be influenced. Today's let's spend a few moments on the importance of influencing.
Big companies, big brands, big marketing and advertising budgets, big product launches. We are used to all of these being influencers in our culture and business lives. The bigger and bolder it is the more it gets noticed and if it really means anything then it sticks around and influences our lives and culture. Think about the influence that companies like Apple and Google have had on our everyday lives. And don't forget the Procter & Gambles or the Wal-Marts of the world. They are just as influential, but in a different way. Influence can come in many forms and if a company has it, they not only succeed but they tend to get a wind at their back. It's an important factor to think about when we discuss success criteria of our businesses. Are we influencing the market? Are we influencing the competition? Are we influencing our partners, customers, and ultimately our consumers? If we don't have influence, we don't have clout and it's hard to find momentum.
We are given the task and opportunity to be influencers for the Kingdom each and every day. Throughout this day each of us will have more opportunities to influence in a positive way than we can count. Each word, each inflection, each action are points of influence that we can either manage and make productive for the Kingdom or miss. It's not that we have to be in the face of other people about our faith. It's as much about are we modeling the life that Christ asks us to live for Him? Today, check your words. Check your actions. Check the attitude that others can see and feel coming from you. Are you being a positive influence on others in the office? Whether you know it or not, you are an influencer.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Yesterday, we read on how we can be influenced. Today's let's spend a few moments on the importance of influencing.
Big companies, big brands, big marketing and advertising budgets, big product launches. We are used to all of these being influencers in our culture and business lives. The bigger and bolder it is the more it gets noticed and if it really means anything then it sticks around and influences our lives and culture. Think about the influence that companies like Apple and Google have had on our everyday lives. And don't forget the Procter & Gambles or the Wal-Marts of the world. They are just as influential, but in a different way. Influence can come in many forms and if a company has it, they not only succeed but they tend to get a wind at their back. It's an important factor to think about when we discuss success criteria of our businesses. Are we influencing the market? Are we influencing the competition? Are we influencing our partners, customers, and ultimately our consumers? If we don't have influence, we don't have clout and it's hard to find momentum.
We are given the task and opportunity to be influencers for the Kingdom each and every day. Throughout this day each of us will have more opportunities to influence in a positive way than we can count. Each word, each inflection, each action are points of influence that we can either manage and make productive for the Kingdom or miss. It's not that we have to be in the face of other people about our faith. It's as much about are we modeling the life that Christ asks us to live for Him? Today, check your words. Check your actions. Check the attitude that others can see and feel coming from you. Are you being a positive influence on others in the office? Whether you know it or not, you are an influencer.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Monday, December 5, 2011
day 784: Influenced
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
Within our work places they are all kinds of people who we could call influencing. The boss of course, those who work at the top of the organization, the Board, etc. But there are far more influential people within companies than those who have official titles. We know who they are if we will only stop and think about it for a moment. These are the people who for either positive, or not so positive reasons, people listen to and watch for the cues as to what they are up to or not. A study was done a few years ago about who were the influencing kids in a school and fashion was the barometer. The researcher kept asking kids why they wore the shoes they did and each time the answer would be because someone else did. The researcher kept following the names of the ones who were influencing until they got to the kid who said, I wear them because I think they are cool to wear. He was an influential. Why? It's an intangible sometimes that is hard to pin down, but what's important is that we know who the influencers are so that we can utilize them to help establish, move, and spread messages. Keeping our eyes open to know who these people are can make a difference in how we manage our businesses.
As there are those who are influential, we can also find ourselves being influenced. Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of following a bad example? Hard to know really, but going all the way back to high school it seemed like the "bad" influences attracted the "good". Look no further than the movie Grease. The same happens around us everyday at the office. There will be those who are more political and undercutting. There are those who do the back channel talking. There are those who cut the corners and try and trim off the work. Lots of bad influences around us all day. The Bible tells us to watch for the examples around us so that we are not pulled down into their ways. We must stay above it and away from it as best we can. For when we are being influenced, we are influencing others. Think about that today. More to come on this tomorrow.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Within our work places they are all kinds of people who we could call influencing. The boss of course, those who work at the top of the organization, the Board, etc. But there are far more influential people within companies than those who have official titles. We know who they are if we will only stop and think about it for a moment. These are the people who for either positive, or not so positive reasons, people listen to and watch for the cues as to what they are up to or not. A study was done a few years ago about who were the influencing kids in a school and fashion was the barometer. The researcher kept asking kids why they wore the shoes they did and each time the answer would be because someone else did. The researcher kept following the names of the ones who were influencing until they got to the kid who said, I wear them because I think they are cool to wear. He was an influential. Why? It's an intangible sometimes that is hard to pin down, but what's important is that we know who the influencers are so that we can utilize them to help establish, move, and spread messages. Keeping our eyes open to know who these people are can make a difference in how we manage our businesses.
As there are those who are influential, we can also find ourselves being influenced. Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of following a bad example? Hard to know really, but going all the way back to high school it seemed like the "bad" influences attracted the "good". Look no further than the movie Grease. The same happens around us everyday at the office. There will be those who are more political and undercutting. There are those who do the back channel talking. There are those who cut the corners and try and trim off the work. Lots of bad influences around us all day. The Bible tells us to watch for the examples around us so that we are not pulled down into their ways. We must stay above it and away from it as best we can. For when we are being influenced, we are influencing others. Think about that today. More to come on this tomorrow.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
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