If I were to start a new ministry or organization there’s a number of things that I would have as foundational elements. I would definitely include your “typicals” but one thing that I would definitely do is include Google’s “20 percent time” statute.
In other words, I would make it a “rule” that employees must spend 1 day out of their work week developing themselves and/or developing their own projects and following their own personal technological interests.
An entire day. 8 full working hours dedicated to personal innovation.
I wouldn’t do this just to be “different” but because I believe that offering this level of freedom in terms of one’s creative talents and abilities gives them the opportunity to better the overall ministry and business.
If you were to start up a new ministry and/or organization, what would you do differently? If you have done this yourself already, what did you do that made it awesome?
[Image from Andre]
Adam_S says
I would include in your 20 percent time the ability to work for others and help them out as well. I know churches that have their staff spend 10 percent of their time helping out other churches.
human3rror says
dude. word up on that. i agree.
dewde says
That's pretty flippin sweet. I wish Google would have its staff help my business out 10% of the time. In all seriousness though, how cool would it be to have a ministry whose only purpose is to routinely and systematically fill knowledge and service gaps for other ministries?
We could call it: Ministry Ministries
peace|dewde
human3rror says
that's cute.
😉
csalzman says
I worked at a place that gave us 10%. It was an extremely good idea. Chances are you're not effectively working for 40+ hours a week anyway, so why not channel some of that lost time into something useful?
human3rror says
and it worked out ok…? not just a good idea?
Josh Wagner says
Until I read this I had not heard about it. 20% of your time for personal creativity? Brilliant! If I were starting something I think I would encourage people to see what everyone else does. When people forget what the low man does, they fail to respect the position. Kinda that "Walk a mile in his shoes" thing.
Bill Bolte says
That would be cool. I think it should be mandatory. Not enough forward thinking business minds in the world today…
Lex says
Can I come work for you?
human3rror says
bingo. you're on the short list.
puaha.
Christina says
i likey
human3rror says
wow. you're briliiant. bit.ly link for site and blog.
are you tracking clicks?
Christina says
Yup! I sure am! (using bit.ly …not tooting my own horn on brilliant comment, LOL)
I saw your link to bit.ly and tried it out. Pretty dope.
EpicFaith says
Love the Idea. Look at what Google has been able to produce. If I ever start a ministry I will remember this.
Jim says
I like this notion. Currently I'm scheduling time for reading books and training. Fridays are spent in the editing room while the wife/kids are at homeschool co-op all day.
human3rror says
editing room? wazzat?
andrewminchew says
open plan offices, to increase collaboration. (also a google thing) if anyone is in a church/ministry office that has open offices, i would love to hear about your experiences.