4 Concepts to Getting Your Company Back on Track

During this episode we look at the business parallels provided in the book of Ezra and the Return Era. Our guest this week is Anne Lazo, owner of Eagle Soars Consulting, a marketing & training company that specializes in strategic planning and messaging for small and medium sized businesses. During our discussion, we talk about the mission and vision statements of the company. Holy Profits Radio is hosted by Bradley Waldrop and is a production of Chrysalis Consulting, LLC.

Transcript:

Welcome to Holy Prophets Radio, a business show that applies God's Word to your work. We discuss business basics ranging from starting your own company to tackling complex human resources challenges. Don't forget to check out our complete schedule, archived shows, helpful downloads, and much more at leadingforachange.com/radio. Now get ready to take your company to the next level by applying biblical truths to your work with Holy Prophets Radio, hosted by Bradley Waldrop.

Hey, welcome to the program. We have a guest with us today who will join the conversation shortly. Before we get too far into the program, I want to recognize that this is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is bittersweet. We celebrate the freedom we have, but remember the families who have made tremendous sacrifices for us. To those who have lost someone, whether they be friends or family, my heart goes out to you, and my eternal thanks as well. Without your sacrifice, we wouldn't have the freedom we enjoy in this country. To those currently in uniform or supporting someone who is, my heart goes out to you too. Your service makes the world a better place, and it’s a debt we can never repay.

I also want to thank Mike, who engineers our show. He's here every week making us sound good and dealing with technical issues. Thank you for your faithfulness, Mike. Thanks also to Shelly Hughes and Pete Blackshaw for trusting me to get this show on the air. Your dedication to spreading God's Word is inspiring.

I’d also like to thank Jeff for encouraging me to do a podcast for the show, and Leslie for her encouragement for the YouTube channel we just launched. Both of these have helped us reach new audiences. Last week, we talked about integrating multiple cultures in our organization with Kevin McCracken, COO of Social Imprints. It was a fantastic show.

This week, we’ll discuss what life looks like when we need to pivot or revisit the basics of our business. That’s why Ann is here. We’ll talk about what a mission and vision statement is and why we need them. But first, I want to discuss the Return Era in the Bible. This era is like God putting the Israelites in a 70-year timeout. Like a parent putting a child in timeout, God gave the Israelites 70 years to think about their actions. They returned to Israel and had to rebuild. In the book of Ezra, chapters one through six, it's all about rebuilding the temple. This process is a lot like rebuilding our businesses.

The Israelites did four specific things that we can apply to our businesses. First, they regrouped with those who remembered the cause. In our businesses, we need to gather those who remember why we started and what we stand for. Second, they had two groups: those who built the temple and the Levites, the supervisors. In business, we need socially and emotionally invested individuals to participate in strategic planning, and leaders who stick their neck out for what’s right. Third, they were united during reconstruction, giving as they had the ability to give. In business, we need a united team emotionally invested in the mission. Lastly, they celebrated milestones. We don’t do that enough in business. We need to celebrate our achievements.

After the break, we’ll talk with Ann Lazo about crafting a mission and vision statement. Supporting the local community.

Welcome back to Holy Prophets Radio. Before the break, we discussed the Return Era when the Israelites came out of exile in Babylon and returned to Israel to rebuild the temple. I thought it would be great to have Ann Lazo here to talk about that reconstruction process. Ann owns Eagle Soars Consulting, a marketing and strategic planning firm in Asheville. She helped design the logo and artwork for our podcast. Ann, thank you for being here. Tell us a bit about yourself and your business.

Ann: Thank you for having me. Eleven years ago, I was a director of sales and marketing for an environmental consulting firm. I saw changes and decided to pursue my lifelong dream of owning my own business. I focused on marketing for small and medium-sized businesses that couldn’t afford a PR firm. As our services grew, we started offering training and development to make teams stronger.

Bradley: That’s great. Small businesses often struggle to split their time effectively. Your services are essential for helping them put out quality messages. Today, we’ll talk about the mission and vision statements. Can you describe what a mission statement and a vision statement are?

Ann: The mission and vision statements are like the lighthouse or compass of your business. The vision statement is the bigger picture, what you want your legacy to be. The mission statement is what you do, guiding your employees and informing your customers. It’s about the activities of your business, while the vision is about your broader goals.

Bradley: That’s a great analogy. As companies mature, their vision often changes, becoming longer and broader. Do you find that vision changes with the size and maturity of the company?

Ann: Yes, as a company grows, its vision evolves. Experiences, prayers, and community impact shape it. As businesses mature, they refine their niche, focusing on specific areas to excel in. They move away from a shotgun approach to a more focused direction.

Bradley: Let’s talk about core values. What are they and why are they important?

Ann: Core values guide how you accomplish your mission. They define how you treat people and the impression your company gives. They break down the mission into principles of conduct, helping you make decisions aligned with your beliefs.

Bradley: Core values can also serve as a litmus test for decisions. Sometimes businesses chase attractive opportunities that don’t align with their core values. It’s important to have a team to remind you of those values. When creating or resetting a mission and vision statement, what does that process look like?

Ann: It’s important to get outside professional help to guide the process and ask tough questions. Involve your team in developing the mission and vision to ensure they are invested in it. A consultant can help draw out the necessary elements and unify the team.

Bradley: Hiring a consultant can be daunting. How should business owners choose the right one?

Ann: Choose a consultant whose core values align with yours. Have one-on-one discussions to ensure a good fit. Most consultants offer a free initial consultation. It’s about building a relationship and ensuring they can hold you accountable with grace and mercy.

Bradley: What one piece of advice would you give business owners about mission, vision, and core values?

Ann: Always come back to your mission, vision, and core values. Periodically evaluate them and ensure everyone knows and understands them. It’s essential to keep your business aligned with these guiding principles.

Bradley: How often should businesses revisit their mission and vision?

Ann: It varies, but quarterly reviews or whenever something doesn’t feel right are good practices. It’s not a weekly task but should be done regularly with a trusted team.

Bradley: There are two types of meetings in businesses: tactical and strategy. Strategic planning should be periodic. A consultant can help identify the best schedule for your business.

Ann, thank you for being here. How can people contact you?

Ann: Visit my website at www.eaglesoars.com or call toll-free at 888-410-3070. You can also email me at askusk@eaglesoars.com and find us on Facebook at Eaglesoars Consulting.

Bradley: Thank you, Ann. Next week, we’ll discuss the Silence Era, the period between the Old and New Testaments, and how it relates to business owners feeling stuck. Join us next week, and thanks for listening today.

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