Liz Paxton,former IT Director for Customer Management at Diageo and now a management train

CABE gives me the opportunity to consider and debate business issues with my peers,  who largely share similar  aims and values and ethics. The network is diverse and interesting, sympathetic and challenging  and has made me rethink my own approach and leadership attitudes.

 

Resources

Some general resources and hot topics

Faith and Business - do they mix?

Read Zaki Cooper (Director of Business for New Europe)'s article on Faith and Business - a new deal for the modern workplace.

Even debated at the Church of England Synod. Read the background papers and listen to the motion passed that "This Synod affirms daily work, be it paid or unpaid, as essentially a spiritual activity; recognises the importance of Christian values in economic life; encourages bishops and clergy to give greater priority to equipping and resoourcing church members through teaching, prayer, affirmation and celebration, to fulfil their vocations, ministries and mission in their places of work; and commissioned the Mission and Public Affairs Council to convene a symposium and provide resources...

Disscussed at the latest Level Seven event on 30th June at St Bride's, Fleet Street. Read the report.

God's business or None of His Business? Mark Greene picks up this topical issue.

Managing Faith in the Workplace was the subject of an evening organised by the Chartered Management Institute and the Three Faiths Forum. Read the report from the event held on 5 June 2008.

Got questions on how to manage this in your workplace? The Employer's Forum on Belief might be able to help...

Debated by Lord Griffiths, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra (chair of Interfaith Relations Committee at the Muslim Council of Britain) and Douglas Murray (director of the Centre for Social Cohesion). Listen to their different perspectives on Radio 4's 'Beyond Belief' programme on 31 Dec 2007. Brief overview.

All Stressed up and nowhere to go?

Geoff Shattock, International Director of WorkTalk, Charles Eve an MD at Goldman Sachs and Mark Greene, Executive Director of LICC spoke with passion and insight at CABE’s collaboration conference earlier this year. Read the notes...

Our calling

Caroline Spelman MP (Chairman of the Conservative Party) spoke at the Women on the Move networking event on 9 October 2007 at the Palace of Westminster about her calling and how important it is to see it as "a cloak God lays on your shoulders. Don't confuse calling with who you are. It might change... it may bring attacks". Remembering that the attacks are against her calling/current role not against her personality helps her to stay calm in charged situations. Another key point was about being consistent in our behaviour - so that our conduct fits who we say we are. People are watching us to see if our faith makes a difference in our lives. The gospel needs to be "absorbed into our being." She also encouraged workplace fellowship groups and urged us to "be bold in your fellowship - form one where you are." She is part of a cross-party weekly prayer fellowship which provides support and encouragement and demonstrates that God is bigger than any one party!

Weekly emails

From LICC...
Principles? "Many of us are faced in our everyday lives with dilemmas... just as critical to maintaining the integrity of Christian witness. Temptations abound, particularly in the workplace. Corporate culture regards 'whistleblowing' as a sin; God regards condoning evil as a sin..." Read more

Anita Roddick suggested "...business should assume moral leadership in society. It has to shift its emphasis from the material to the spiritual, connecting with people's sense of meaning and purpose..." More...

And Work Talk…
WorkTalk provide resources for Christians at work. One of Geoff Shattock's Wake Up Calls asked how we wanted to be treated: "Would you prefer people to settle with you rather than hold grudges? To build ethical, affirming, committed relationships and be transparently truthful in their dealings, not going for the pound of flesh but even taking into account your demands?" Jesus tells us what we need to do in Matt 7:12. Why not sign up for the weekly email and prepare to be challenged.

Principles for Business: Group Discussion Template

A useful framework for Christian fellowships, churches or other workplace groups. Is there consistency between the way you behave at work and the way you behave at home/church...? How can you support and encourage each other to put your Christian principles into practice?