In the 1980's, Truett Cathy and his company, Chick-Fil-A, had a decline in sales for the first time since its founding in 1946. The frustration led him to take his key staff and board members to a Strategic Planning session.

After two days of talking and praying, they agreed only on one thing...their Mission Statement: "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-Fil-A."

The employees chipped in to buy a bronze plaque of the Mission Statement for Truett,who secured it near the front door of their new headquarters building. Since that one act,sales growth took off, heading toward $2 billion this year.

President Dwight Eisenhower once said, "Plans are often worthless, yet the planningprocess is priceless."

God blesses companies based on their effective communication, relationships, love, calling, and talents aligning with His plan and grace. We have researched the Bible and uncovered the Cornerstone Paradigm. This is a planning process that defines theSolid Foundation the Bible describes for each of us and our businesses.

In a problem solving session, Jim Failor remarked about the absence of a key member ofour team. This man with great insights said, "CEOs do what they want to do." In otherwords, it's about our priorities and whom we report to...ourselves...or God and His calling.

The biggest time trap for entrepreneurs is picking up monkeys from their employees. Per the legendary Bill Oncken, "Too many executives back into the future, keeping their eyes on those things they have done well or love to do (pick up the decisions of their subordinates) rather than turning around and facing the future...those things they still do not know how to do, but face the future with a willingness to fail and humbly grow from them."

A personal trust and relationship in Jesus Christ is about stepping out in faith (risk) and allowing Him to lead when it doesn't always make logical sense. He is the priority.