Excellence Matters

Serving 9 Million Entrepreneurs
Anthony Tan

As a Christ-centered leader you are expected to do excellent work. In this session, Anthony Tan, Founder of Grab, shares about how excellence requires moving from a productivity perspective to Christ-centered creativity and innovation.

Discussion Questions

Servant Leadership

The greatest example of servant leadership is found in the Gospel of John. The disciples are gathered together in an upper room just before Jesus is to be arrested and put to death. As they gather to share their last meal together, Jesus does something that still echoes across time… he proceeds to wash the feet of his disciples. Then he tells his followers that to be known as the greatest, the most excellent, they must be willing to serve.

  • How is your business seeking to serve others? What are tangible ways you can humble yourself and honor others like Jesus?

Excel in Everything

When we think about excellence, many of us jump to product development, marketing strategies, or talent recruitment. But in 2 Corinthians 8 Paul encourages us to excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in love, and in the grace of giving.

  • What could excelling in faith, in speech, knowledge, love and giving look like in your work life or daily rhythms?

Displaying Empathy

In this video, Anthony Tan talks about how a culture of excellence can only be created by staying close to the ground and developing empathy.

  • In what ways do you struggle with displaying empathy in business? Does it make you feel weak or indecisive? Do you feel like people will take advantage of you?

  • How might a greater measure of empathy in your business strategies or priorities create greater and more sustainable opportunities?

Ideas to Explore the Mark Further

Looking for some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of Excellence Matters

Ministry in Deed

Rescuing and Redeeming Supply Chains
Henry Kaestner

In this session, we talk about our responsibility, as faith driven entrepreneurs, to redeem supply chains and create jobs for people in vulnerable situations. This video shares the story of Regenesys, created in the Philippines to create living-wage jobs for survivors of human trafficking. In partnership with Next Door Photos, they built a photo-editing supply chain that provides next-day service and equips their employees with world-class technology skills.

Discussion Questions

Business That Sets People Free

In his first sermon, Jesus said that he had fulfilled these verses from Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives…”

  • Have you considered how your business might help “set people free?

  • How can you be part of the solution to eliminate forced labor?

Addressing Supply Chains

As Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, we have a responsibility that goes beyond just maintaining a good working relationship. We should be going the extra step to determine if our suppliers are ethical in their labor practices.

  • What do you know about the operations of your current supply chains? Have you thoroughly checked into their operations?

  • Do you know about the free service provided by FRDM that helps business leaders vet their supply chains?

What Do You Need to Surrender?

As we saw with Sam and Mindy, they felt compelled to use their company for more than just real estate photography. They submitted to God’s will in that. Now they’re actively participating in the redemptive work of our Heavenly Father.

  • What do you need to surrender to God? Is it your company? Your bottom line? Or maybe you need to surrender what you thought your venture would look so it can be what God wanted all along?

Ideas to Explore the Mark Further

Looking for some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of Ministry in Deed.

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    As leaders, we need to realize that we cast a long shadow in our companies. Our words and our actions have a large impact on the well-being of your team. Consider, what does your leadership shadow look like today? Here are some guiding questions to ask:

    • What values are expressed in your language/communication? How do your actions align with what you say? How do your company’s measurements align with those values?

    • How can you intentionally shape your shadow to create a culture of active service and ministry?

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    Part of Ministry in Deed is providing resources and opportunities for financial, physical, and spiritual wellbeing to your employees. You can consider doing that by improving your supply chain, providing a financial management course, hiring a chaplain, or slowing down to get to know your employees and ask good questions.

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    You can get your company involved in blessing your local community by setting up regular service days, or by creating a company fund to help those in need. Consider partnering with local non-profits or your local church to see how your company might come alongside great existing programs.

Identity in Christ

From Pleasure to Joy
Human Nature

Success should look different for the Christian entrepreneur. Dylan Wilk built a billion-dollar business before he was 30, but quickly realized the emptiness of pursuing pleasure. In the process of seeking his purpose, God transformed his heart to see people. With his wife, Anna Meloto Wilk, Dylan launched Human Nature, a natural personal and home-care product company employing over 600 people throughout the Philippines.

Discussion Questions

WHAT’S YOUR PRIMARY IDENTITY?

Dylan Wilk experienced immense financial success with his first computer game venture in London. But he soon realized that the money and success alone wasn’t fulfilling. In Matthew 19, Jesus says to his disciples, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

  • Have you ever been tempted to see your business or your wealth class as your primary identity?

  • How do you consider your finances and wealth in light of what Jesus says about the rich?

The Measurements of Success

Dylan had everything an entrepreneur could seemingly want: business success, wealth, fame. But he talks about how hollow all of that was, because he got caught in the trap of loving money and using people. Instead, he decided to love people and use money to care for them.

  • How are you measuring your success? Is it simply how much profit you are making? Or perhaps how much influence do you have? Does the idea of loving God and loving people form part of your definition of success?

Work as Worship

If there’s one thing we as entrepreneurs have in common, it’s a strong work ethic. Whether it’s instilled into us by our parents or the result of pursuing a lifelong dream, we’re not afraid of hard work.

  • What do you think is the difference between worshiping work and letting your work be worship to God?