{"id":5593,"date":"2015-09-05T18:32:01","date_gmt":"2015-09-06T01:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/?p=5593"},"modified":"2015-09-05T18:32:01","modified_gmt":"2015-09-06T01:32:01","slug":"how-organizations-can-become-great","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/how-organizations-can-become-great\/","title":{"rendered":"How organization’s can become great…"},"content":{"rendered":"

My recent work has taken me into several Christian organizations that are struggling under financial pressures, and are experiencing declining customers or members. Their day-to-day operations aren\u2019t driving successful outcomes. They\u2019ve fallen into what Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great<\/em>, calls \u201cthe Doom Loop\u201d[1]<\/a>, or a downward spiral. Hence, these organizations are forced to figure out what they can do to begin operating in a more efficient manner, to improve marketing efforts, etc. Often, they have tried advice or techniques from the latest leadership trends, without the success they hoped for. When I begin to discuss operational standards and employment practices with these organizations, I often see resistance and an attitude of \u2018we are not a business\u2019. There is a general avoidance and distrust of those practices that seem \u2018too corporate\u2019. It is often assumed that operating like a business will limit an organization\u2019s ability to follow the Lord\u2019s leading. \u00a0I typically find that there is a strong desire to serve Christ within these organizations, but lacking strategic focus in the day-to-day operations, policies, and programs. \u00a0The good news is that there are many business practices that can enable an organization to more effectively reflect the image of Christ and to fulfill a specific purpose in the body of Christ.<\/p>\n

In Good to Great<\/em>, author Jim Collins discusses what he terms \u2018the Hedgehog Concept\u2019. [2]<\/a>\u00a0The Hedgehog concept\u00a0demonstrates how an organization’s strategic focus contributes to their ability to be successful. \u00a0Organizations should\u00a0identify what they are best at, what drives their economic engine, and what they are passionate about. For Christian organizations, this is where their calling and the Lord\u2019s leading come into play. Too many churches and Christian organizations begin\u00a0the task of evangelizing the world and doing ministry in a broad context, without understanding the specific scope of work that the Lord has called them to do. Often, they strive to follow the same models that worked for the church or organization down the road. They look for opportunities and often leap into new programs, projects, and ministries without having a clear vision or understanding how the work enables them to better fulfill their specific mission or calling. They lack strategic direction and focus.<\/p>\n

Collins, in Good To Great And The Social Sectors<\/em>[3]<\/a>, offers the following advice for social organizations:<\/p>\n