One of the greatest myths that plague pastors and religious leaders today is that they can control their image, story, and brand. I've worked with major pastors and ministry leaders all my life and heard everything: what we can't shoot or photograph, who gets access, who makes decisions, etc - all in an effort to tightly control their image and brand. But in a digital world, that's simply impossible. Sure, I'm a branding advocate, and we can certainly INFLUENCE our brand story and I'm a strong believer in doing exactly that. But as I say in my book "Branding Faith" a brand isn't ... read more

I was reading a recent issue of Fast Company magazine that featured an article on Cisco CEO John Chambers and the success he's had with that company. But in the middle of the article, a quote from Ron Ricci, VP of Cisco really stood out: "I think that culture is really a reflection of the CEO personality. Collaboration works, but only if it's what the CEO believes." Ron is right - over and over I've seen organizations with vibrant teams doing original work; but without a CEO, pastors, or other leader who buys into the ideas, it doesn't go anywhere. I know of one major media ministry right now that has a ... read more

I received an interesting note from Mary Hutchinson from Inspired Direct, a direct mail and fundraising company for non-profits, churches, and ministries. Her note really shook me, because it indicts so many national media ministries. READ THIS. It will be worth your time: ... read more

The American Family Association has embarrassed themselves again over another boycott - this one against Gap. The Mississippi-based ministry last week issued a boycott against Gap Inc. -- the retailing giant whose brands include Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. They've called for a "two-month boycott over the company's failure to use the word 'Christmas' in its advertising to Christmas shoppers." As the ministry says, ... read more

I wrote last week about the American Family Association's Boycott against The Gap stores, and how poor it was from a strategic standpoint. You can read that post for some background, but today, various news sources revealed that Gap's profit has increased by 25% - so much that's it's doing a $500 million stock buyback. If that's not enough, the company is focused on increasing market share during the upcoming holidays. This is exactly why boycotts are dubious at best, and need to be part of a well thought out strategy. As I detailed in my last post, I really don't see ... read more

Here's the playback of Conversant Life's live webcast with me and Brad Abare. Send this link to every pastor, ministry leader, or church media person you know. Sorry - the free download of my book is over. But I'd love to hear your thoughts about our discussion.

... read more

I just met someone and I want to punch him in the face. Yep. I know. I shouldn't be that way, but this guy really drove me nuts. Here's the scene: I'm sitting at lunch with a fascinating guy I had just met a short time before. Successful businessman, innovative thinker, great teacher. The conversation was very focused and really interesting. But as we talked, a friend of his walked up, so we invited him to sit down. Immediately, this friend jumped into the conversation taking it in an entirely new direction. And every time we tried to get back to ... read more