“But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Fast Company Magazine recently ran an article about 10 CEO moves that changed business. We can learn from each of them.

At the end of last year, Amazon announced that they would be putting out for bid (setting up a contest) for where they would locate their second headquarters site. They had run out of talent in Seattle and they needed to find another location to build and grow from.  What they did was cause municipalities across the US (cities and states) and in a couple of international locations to scramble and come up with as many incentives as they could to get Amazon’s attention.  According to Fast Company, 238 cities in the US applied. As of the writing of this, Amazon threw a curve ball and has said they will likely split their second HQ in two and have two locations instead of one…bringing their HQ sites to three total.  The front runners now are Long Island City, NY and somewhere outside of Washington, DC.  But, we will see.  The bold move here is what large company will ever relocate somewhere without sending out a “Location RFP” (request for proposal) without shifting the burden to cities and towns to do the work to attract the business?  I’m not sure it is all good, but expect to see cities getting smarter and companies to expect more.

I feel like God sends me His “Location RFP” each and every day.  He basically says to me, “I have a place all ready for you Rusty and all you have to do is be willing to let me show what I can of it now, and then you just trust and follow me there.” Seems so simple, right?  But, like each of the 238 cities who prepared for the Amazon RFP, it takes real decisions on what we are going deem to be important, where are we going to focus ourselves and what are we willing to give up.  God is not asking for much, but He is asking for our all.

I just want to add that it’s been fun to explore ten bold CEO moves and apply them to our business journey and faith walk. We can learn much from those who are bold, courageous and willing to make a first move.  But, we can learn way more from how God expects us to take these earthly acts and turn them into actions that forward and expand His Kingdom on earth.  As we purposefully take ourselves into the marketplace, let’s remember why we are doing what we do; to boldly bring glory to Him!

Reference: Hebrews 11:16 (New Living Translation)