TomPlanck.com

Social Media Site Success

tom — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:05:50 +0000

The pillars of social media site success

“Why people choose to visit online social sites:

Who likes me?
Is everything okay?
How can I become more popular?
What’s new?
I’m bored, let’s make some noise

None of these are new, but in the digital world, they’re still magnetic.

If you want to understand why Twitter is so hot, look at those five attributes. They deliver all five, instantly.”

(Via Seth’s Godin)

RP: Going to sleep with the iPhone

tom — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:39:23 +0000

TUAW Tip: Going to sleep with the iPhone

“Since I often listen to music while falling asleep (especially on trips — maybe it makes me feel more at home), I was happy to see this tip, sent to us by reader Mark S. He points out that there is a sleep timer on the iPhone, but it’s not in the iPod app. It’s hidden over in the Clock app — once you’ve got your music playing, you can then exit out and go over to the Timer app in there, and under the ‘when timer ends’ option (where you usually choose a ringtone), you can choose the ‘Sleep iPod’ choice.

Then, when your timer stops (and you’re off into dreamland), it’ll stop the iPod for you. Very nice. Of course, there’s still the issue of headphones, if you’re wearing them, but I usually am able to push those off in a fit of dreamless sleep (or, of course, you could just use the external speaker on the iPhone).

All of the sleep tunes, much less worry. This tip’s been going around for a while, but it’s the first I’d heard of it. Thanks, Mark!”

(Via TUAW-iPhone)

Join The Twitter Party!

tom — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:03:05 +0000

Follow me on Twitter.

A Show or A Story?

tom — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:22:11 +0000

Seth Godin nails it again!

“Marketing is telling a story that sticks, that spreads and that changes the way people act. The story you tell is far more important than the way you tell it. Don’t worry so much about being cool, and worry a lot more about resonating your story with my worldview. If you don’t have a story, then a great show isn’t going to help much.”

(Read more here.)

Baseball Season IS HERE!

tom — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:53:18 +0000

Tomorrow the Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers will officially report to spring training. I love this time of year. It won’t be long and I’ll be entertained nightly by the boys of summer. YES!

I walked into February every year with great expectation of what the Reds season will bring. I have swallowed the kool-aid more times than I care to recall, but this year I think we might just have a serious chance to compete. I’m not asking for a World Series Championship or even a playoff appearance. I am simply hoping the Reds will be playing meaningful games in September.

I am hanging my hopes of a couple key realities:

When was the last time the Reds showed up to spring training with this kind of pitching? It’s been YEARS!
When was the last time the Reds showed up to spring training with what might be the best young player in baseball? Has that ever been the case?
When was the last time the Reds showed up to spring training with a few very capable bench players? Okay, we have nailed that one for YEARS!

If the Reds can stay healthy and get some solid production from their young rising stars then September will be a lot of fun. Hoping…

The $30 Million Question

tom — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:19:31 +0000

This is MUST SEE “TV!” Watch this very short clip from Andy Stanley’s closing talk of the Balanced teaching series at North Point Community Church: Video Link

WOW!

(Via The Official Buckhead Church Blog)

Kindle 2

tom — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:29:02 +0000

It’s no secret that I LOVE GADGETS and TECHNOLOGY! I am confident that if I had one of these (see pic to right) I would read, learn, and grow MORE! I am completely convinced I would be a better pastor/leader.

If any of my faithful readers would like to remove that from my Amazon Wish List email me for my home address. I’ll be glad to graciously receive your gift. I thank you in advance.

They begin shipping on February 24th and I cannot think I one reason Pastor Tom shouldn’t have this tool on his ministry tool belt.

The Character of Leadership

tom — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:13:13 +0000

“Issue No. 126 of Your Weekly Staff Meeting features a Top-9 list of leadership character qualities. Which reminds me. Last week I spotted this ‘message from God’ on the website of Vision Network of New Zealand: ‘Every day I get more prayer requests for car parks than anything else. It’s time to think bigger, people!’ –God

And this reminder, check out my Management Buckets website with dozens of resources and downloadable worksheets for your staff meetings.

I Was the Problem

‘In my twenties, I was determined to change the world,’ says this week’s author. ‘In my thirties, I tried to reform the church. In my early forties, I discovered I was the problem. That was a most difficult day.’

So begins Jeff Iorg’s very transparent first chapter. As pastor, denominational leader and now seminary president, Iorg understands the trenches. He also understands the God of the trenches. He confesses to the sin of ‘coasting.’

‘For me, my pastorate had become like swimming laps. I was stroking along, doing well, staying in shape, keeping things moving, and making steady progress.’ But then: ‘answering God’s call to this new position was like being tossed overboard into the ocean. No more gliding along! Once again, I would be swimming for my spiritual life.’

What’s unique about this book on character qualities? ‘God wants you to work hard and to study how to improve your skills so you work more effectively. Other books, other very important books, will help you do that. Most schools, seminaries and seminars focus on these skills. Many of them are helpful. But this book is not about how to do leadership. It is about how to be a leader.’

So…after setting the spiritual foundation in chapter one (worth-the-price-of-the-book), he zeroes in on his Top-9 list of character qualities that define great leaders. It’s the perfect book for a silent day-of-prayer retreat or a 10-week group study with emerging leaders and managers. I love the fact that his nine character qualities are preceded by verbs. It’s all about being—and involves action. Here’s the list:
   • Maintaining Integrity
   • Finding Security
   • Maintaining Purity
   • Learning Humility
   • Developing Servanthood
   • Gaining Wisdom
   • Practicing Discipline
   • Showing Courage
   • Sustaining Passion

To order this week’s book from Amazon, click on this title: The Character of Leadership: Nine Qualities That Define Great Leaders, by Jeff Iorg.

Your Weekly Staff Meeting Questions:
1) ‘Showing Courage’ is one of the author’s Top-9 character qualities that define great leaders. He says that ‘showing courage begins with confronting immobilizing fear.’ Jeff Iorg reminds us that the Bible lists more than 600 references related to fear. All of the Bible’s ‘spiritual hall of fame’ leaders had something in common: they were afraid of something. What do you fear?
2) The author doesn’t suggest that his Top-9 list is the final word on character. What leadership character qualities would make your Top-9 list?

Don’t Be Deluded – Insights from Mastering the Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Nonprofit

One of the big ideas in the Donor Bucket, Chapter 11, in Mastering the Management Buckets, is that fundraising is hard, but transformation is harder. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Spiritually-based development professionals know that it’s not about the checkbook, it’s about the heart.

For example, at the historic convocation described in 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, King David gave a fundraising pitch to the nation of Israel as he presented the temple blueprints (the To-Do List) to Solomon. Look how he begins his spiel:

‘And you, Solomon my son, get to know well your father’s God; serve him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he’ll make sure you find him, but if you abandon him, he’ll leave you for good. Look sharp now! God has chosen you to build his holy house. Be brave, determined! And do it!’ (1 Chron. 28:9-10, The Message)

It’s as if David is saying, ‘Solomon, if your motive is your own glory or your own fun, or a charitable deduction for playing golf or bidding on that luxury vacation—don’t be deluded. God will not be mocked!’ God sees through every motive. CEO David had created an extraordinary plan, clearly given to him by God (note that!), and had coalesced people and resources so that Solomon could launch this building program. Be sure to read David’s encouraging words later in that same chapter.

For more resources, visit the Donor Bucket page of my website.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CLA TeleSeminar With John Pearson on March 27, 2009. Join other nonprofit leaders, board members and pastors for a one-hour TeleSeminar on Friday, March 27, at 9 a.m. PST, hosted by Christian Leadership Alliance, on ‘Six Best Practices for More Effective Boards.’ I’ll present six very practical tools you can use (and download) to improve your board governance practices and speed up board meetings. Visit CLA for registration details.”

(Via John Pearson’s Buckets Blog)

The Shack

tom — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:21:50 +0000

Less than a week ago, I began a journey. It was a journey to listen to the audio version of “The Shack.” Months ago I purchased the audiobook in iTunes. It had been recommended to me enough that I figured I better give it a read/listen. I had started it a few times, but never managed to finish. It did grab my attention, but I wasn’t ready for the journey.

Last Wednesday evening, I was challenged to read it again. I mean really read it. It was a clear enough of a challenge that I decided to dive in and finally finish. I committed to the “task.” I can honestly say that every free moment during the last few days, I have listened. Not once did I want to push pause. I cringed a few times when phone calls interrupted my journey. I have also replayed certain portions. I even fell asleep at night a few times enjoying the story only to try to remember where I left off.

I am writing this post today to highly recommend a reading or listen of “The Shack.” Whether you are a committed Christ follower or a desperately seeking person, this book will serve you well. Listen. Read. Both will be incredibly engaging. I promise!

It will require a second listen/read before I share my take of “The Shack” on this blog. Know this, the first listen was life-changing for me!

Leading on Empty

tom — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:28:14 +0000

“Are you tired? You know… weary in well-doing? Do the ministries you helped create, now seem to bog you down? Do the things that once made you excited now make you exhausted?

If so… you’re not alone.

Wayne Cordeiro writes in his new book ‘Leading on Empty‘:

‘For over thirty years my drive for excellence propelled me. It wasn’t that I was compulsive; I simply had a deep desire to do my best. I drove hard on all cylinders, not realizing that being an entrepreneur means that everything you initiate, by default you must add to your maintenance list…

…Slowly, the unwelcome symptoms began to surface. Ministry because more arduous. My daily tasks seemed unending, and e-mails began to stack up. People I deeply cared about became problems to be avoided, and deliberating about new vision no longer stirred my soul.

Although I never doubted my calling and gifting, what began as a joy that filled me now became a load that drained me. But I didn’t know where I could trim. People were coming to Christ and lives were being changed. How could all this be wrong?

Decisions — even small ones — seemed to paralyze me. Gradually my creativity began to flag and I found it easier to imitate rather than innovate. I was backing away from the very things that used to challenge and invigorate me.’

Wayne writes extensively about his moment of truth in ministry…

It literally has changed his ministry.’ In his new book, Leading on Empty, Wayne diagnoses a problem that is wide-spread among church leaders:’ burnout.’ He tells his story, and encourages pastors to learn from him and many leaders from the Bible who experienced burnout.’ Leaders like Elijah, and Moses, and David.

If you think you’re the only leader that wonders how he can continue at the same pace, you’re not.’ And if you think you can lead uninterrupted with vision and passion for year after year without a break, you’re wrong.

How’s your energy level?’ Do you need a break?’ Do you need to re-charge?’ Might I suggest one way to do so is to pick up Wayne’s book and learn from it.’ He will give you some great insight on how to lead well, and, best of all, how to FINISH well.”

(Via MMI Weblog)

I recently purchased this book and cannot wait to get started. My reading list is growing. I better block off some reading time in my iCal. That will be the next thing I do…