Checklist For Leading Your Company Through Difficult Times

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PILOT’S EMERGENCY CHECKLIST
CEO’s EMERGENCY CHECKLIST
First and Foremost – Fly the airplane.
It is your job to fly the plane. You have been trained to do this, and no one else can do what you have been so well prepared to do.
Maintain control. Don’t panic. Don’t “eject”.
Remember your training. Focus on what you need to do, not on the distractions around you.
Keep your eyes on your instruments. Use them to guide you, not your feelings. In particular, watch the instruments to maintain the correct attitude relative to the ground. Don’t trust your instincts to know up from down. Trust your instruments and follow your training.
Run the business.
God has put you in this place at this time (John 15.16). No one else is better to do this than you. He has equipped you to carry out His purpose in this circumstance, no matter how grim (Phil 4:13).
Focus on what you have:
·    God’s promise of direction (Prov. 3:5-6) and wisdom (Jas. 1:5).
·    God’s promise to provide for you (Phil 4:19, Jer. 17:7-8, Matt. 7:7-8, John 14:13, Is 41:10).
·    The Spirit of power (2 Tim 1:7).
·    The love of God (Rom 8:39)
You may feel alone and desperate, but God will not forsake you (Deut 31:6). He has you on the radar screen with a purpose to bring you safely to your destination. Don’t give up (Eph 4:30).
Do not rely on your feelings. Do not let your actions be swayed by the world around you. Rely on God’s Word. Trust God and follow His direction with trust and confidence in his love for you.
Evaluate the present situation and assess your resources.
  • Check the fuel tank selector.
  • Check your instruments, including fuel quantity.
  • Check the engine conditions: temperature, oil pressure, RPM.
  • Follow your checklist. Ask the copilot to help. Continue to fly the airplane.
Evaluate the present situation and assess your resources.
  • First, check the most critical resources.
  • Check the vital signs for your business: cash, inventory, orders, payables, receivables, and whatever the important factors are to your business.
  • Know your situation for what it is.
  • Analyze what you can control and what you cannot control, then with God’s guidance; determine what is important and focus on the things you can control. Rally your management team and employees to help with the current needs (Prov 15:22). Be courageous (Josh 1:9). Run the business under God’s direction.
Contact Air Traffic Control.
  • Let them know your situation.
  • Ask them for help.
  • Listen to what they say. Continue to fly the airplane.
Connect with God to get direction.
  •  Pray regularly and continuously. (Phil 4:6-7, Col 1:9-12, Matt 6:6).
  • Study Scripture relevant to the situation.
  • Seek wise counsel (Prov 11:14) from your FCCI group or other advisors who share a Christian Worldview.
  • Listen – really listen — to God’s voice speaking into your situation (Deut 30:20).
  • Maintain a quiet heart. Operate and control your business under God’s direction.
Develop a plan and take action.
  •  Determine the best strategy.
  • Initiate the plan.
  • Inform the passengers appropriately. Be honest and real. Prepare them for the ride.
  • Prepare the cabin.
  • Stay in control. An out-of-control airplane will crash.
 Continue to fly the airplane. Maintain control all the way to the ground. Everyone can survive that way.
Figure out your next steps and take action.
  •  Prepare the plan and follow it.
  • Serve one another as God has commanded us (John 13:34).
  • Prepare the business for the turmoil and changes. Just waiting for business to pick up is unwise.
  • Inform your employees and shareholders appropriately. Be honest and real. Prepare them for the ride.
  • Stay in charge of the moment and business. Stay committed (Rom 12:10).
  • Plan for survival. Don’t write an obituary or sing a dirge.
Continue to run the business. Maintain control as events turn, in spite of external pressures and forces (Rev 12:10, 1Pet 5:8). Everyone can survive that way (Ps 100:2, Phil 2:14).

 

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