The big idea is elusive, at best, and can take years to develop.  So, the best organizations develop a consistent pattern of small gains and progress while they’re looking for the big idea.  This is the key to progress.

Author’s note: This is the second in a series of articles regarding the mistakes I’ve made in developing our foundation over these first 14 years.  A friend recently sent me a book titled, “Success Always Begins With Failure”.   I love that title and hope that my failures shared will give you some tips for your own giving journey. [more]

This is my first article for our new website. I intend to dedicate most of my first year of writing for the site to sharing what I’ve learned as I grow in service to others.

Starting a good business, just like living a good life, requires planning and discipline.  I know because I struggled for many years to develop my company into a successful organization.  [more]

Planning and implementing are different disciplines; good employers are not good listeners 24/7; a business year consists of three months of strategic planning and nine months of disciplined execution. [more]

Great thoughts are the beginning of every great organization and then must be followed by feelings and actions.   [more]

Non-profit organizations and the people they serve are, by definition, chaotic and so one must settle on good coping strategies and diverse partners to deal with chaos effectively. [more]

Most non-profits should NOT start social businesses but if they do, they must take themselves through four key questions before embarking on their adventure. [more]

Nothing good happens in our lives or our business until we see things as they are and decide to change. [more]

The most effective non-profit organizations are learning to combine mission with business disciplines. [more]