After more than thirty years as a sales and marketing executive, Arnold left the corporate world to join Ministry Ventures as Vice President of Strategic Development. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, he equips nonprofit leaders to strengthen their organizations and develop their leadership skills. He also leads the business development process for Ministry Ventures and recruits new coaches to join the MV team in strategic US cities.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• [2m 23s] Tell us how God has directed your career. Born in the Upstate. Went to college. Spent 30 years in sales and marketing for a couple of medium-sized food service firms.  About five years ago, felt the Lord calling him to a work as a coach and consultant to small, faith-based non-profits. Does some coaching with Christian business people as well.
• [5m 04s] Tell us a little more about Ministry Ventures. Serves small to medium-sized, faith-based, para-church ministries. Offers learning avenues for several aspects of running and fundraising for non-profits. For more information, please visit www.ministryventures.org.
• [7m 20s] What are some common mistakes non-profits make? 1) Think that they don’t have to operate like a business. You do! Must operate in a way to try to generate a profit, albeit a small one. 2) Leadership believes they can rely on grants and corporate gifts alone. 70%-90% of philanthropy is a person giving to another person because they believe in that cause. 3) Failing to have the correct people on the board.
• [10m 53s] What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a non-profit? 1) Tell me where you are serving now. Helps gauge whether or not they have a realistic idea of what this service will look like. 2) What do you want to start? 3) Is someone else already doing this? Can you just plugin? 4) Tell me why you think you can do this better than someone else who is already doing it. 5) Pray before you leap. 6) Seek wise counsel. 7) Do you expect this to grow into an organization, or is this a personal mission? Maybe you don’t need to start an organization; maybe you can pursue it as a personal ministry through an existing avenue.

SECOND SEGMENT

• [19m 45s] Worst career failure? In mid-40s, was a senior VP at a sales organization that was downsized. Spent 14 months looking for a job. Took a temp job at Christmas time at a retailer in Syracuse, NY. They put him in the women’s accessories department. A lovely, elderly woman asked him to help her find her correct pantyhose size. He had no clue! Really learned how to rely on the Lord’s direction at this time. Had to learn how to give up control and let God be in control.
• [24m 40s] Advice to high school seniors? Figure out what kind of work God wired you for. Find your own calling. Your calling will be at the intersection between your passion, your expertise, and the opportunities God presents you with.
• [26m 23s] How connect? akimmons@ministryventures.org. Upcoming event on November 17, 2016. More details at mvlive.org or by emailing Arnold.

BONUS SEGMENT

• [30m 08s] Number one personal habit? Organized and disciplined.
• [31m 25s] Organization tip? Take control of your communication. Better manage your email and social media. For example, unsubscribe to unwanted emails. Also, try to open an email only once and either act on it, file it, or delete it.
• [33m 49s] Productivity tool? Customer Relationship Manager software such as Salesforce, Infusionsoft, and Streak (for Gmail). Arnold uses Less Annoying CRM.
• [38m 08s] Top three business tips? 1) Give it over to God. It’s God’s, so take the attitude that you are only the steward. God is responsible for its success. 2) Be faithful in the small things. Recognize and reward your employees, customers, etc. Everyone likes to feel needed. Business is built step-by-step, not in big leaps. 3) Know your numbers. Know your metrics. Monitor daily those 2-4 metrics that indicate the success or failure of your business.
• [40m 56s] Recommended book: 1) The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande, 2) Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, 3) The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, 4) Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton, 5) Good to Great by Jim Collins, 6) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, 7) Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten Hansen

Resources Mentioned:

• www.ministryventures.org
• Event on November 17, 2016 – mvlive.org
• CRM solutions: Salesforce, Infusionsoft, and Streak (for Gmail). Arnold uses Less Annoying CRM
• The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
• Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
• The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
• Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton
• Good to Great by Jim Collins
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten Hansen
• Get a free audio book with a free trial of Audible.

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Killer Resources:

• Get a FREE audio book at Audible.com.
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Robbie Romeiser is a commercial real estate broker, real estate instructor, and author of the daily devotional Today’s Quote From God (www.TodaysQuoteFromGod.com). Desiring to help his own children follow God’s calling in their lives, Robbie founded Career Callings (www.CareerCallings.net) to help people find, prepare for, and pursue the work God has called them to do. To have Robbie speak at your church, business, professional association, or civic club, please email Robbie at robbie@careercallings.net.