April 10 marked 100 days at the helm of TAB. Going into the role several mentors advised me to have a 100-day plan, share it with the staff and focus on implementing it.
In many ways I did have the plan, but outlining it happened more in 100-hour increments. We moved quickly into transition mode on day one (Jan. 1) and made initial staffing and responsibility updates.
An out-of-the gate staff retreat allowed for vision casting, brainstorming, team building and learning. Special guests challenged and encouraged us while time spent prayer walking the TAB building reminded us to lift up each other as well as the work we do in prayer.
The board of directors, especially the officers and committee chairs, played a significant role in the transition and worked hard to set our team up for success. The March 2 board meeting provided our first opportunity to truly reflect on all the moving parts.
The weekly deadlines for the print edition, digital PDF version and podcast continued as a backdrop while the daily web updates and social media posts kept us present in the moment.
We also immediately updated each of the content areas such as simplifying and freshening up the look of the print edition, stepping up our social media engagement and improving the functionality of our website.
Keeping up with the finances — along with the intensity of the annual audit — and managing the day-to-day operations of running the business typically happens without much fanfare. However we decided to implement new processes and assessments so there has been a little more activity than normal.
Offering an improved level of customer service and enhancing the opportunities for our churches, associations and other partnering groups is a major move made during these first 100 days. The conversion process took serious focus and a good bit of extra attention and work from our staff and Cambey & West, but we pulled it off within the timeframe we had hoped.
The final tweaks are currently being made and we will spend the next 100 days becoming proficient in our new system. We also plan to finalize the decluttering effort taking place throughout the building.
We reworked the staff’s individual office spaces in January and are repurposing a few areas for current needs that will carry us into the future.
A few other items from the first 100 days are a new concert series sponsored by TAB, networking and training offered to churches and associations for developing their digital presence and increased involvement in Alabama Baptist life by TAB staff members.
We are adding continuing education and training opportunities to keep our staff sharp and growing, and we are striving to continually update areas that are falling behind.
It has been exciting and sometimes overwhelming to sort through all the ideas and opportunities. Thank you again for your support and encouragement. Please continue to pray for our team as we seek to serve our Lord and you with purpose and excellence.
Share with others: