January 2009: Volume Two, Number One
Relationship & Integrity
An Interview with Reggie Britt
By, Bill Weaver
Welcome to Believers in America. This month's interview is with Reggie Britt, President of Compass Technologies, LLC.
QUESTION: Reggie, to begin with, would you share with us the vision and purpose of Compass Technologies?
We create lending software solutions. I think “solution” is the bottom line for me. If we’re not solving our customers’ problems, then we have failed. There are numerous stakeholders in our company: employees, investors & customers. Our vision is to make all of these relationships profitable.
QUESTION: Do you have a company mission statement? If so, can you elaborate on its meaning?
Our current mission statement reads as follows: “We will lead the consumer finance software industry with comprehensive solutions, profitable relationships, and timely delivery by staying true to our Christian principles.” Here are the key words for me in this: solutions, relationships, delivery, and principles. As I mentioned before, solving problems is a must. I’m very goal oriented so I’m always concerned about delivery or “getting it done.” The one thing that we have to be careful about is the relationship aspect. Much of life is built on how much value we give to this. As I look back over the successes and failures in my life, this is the one area that I am most concerned about. I really think that you can fail in a lot of areas, but if you can win the relationship battle it can compensate for your other shortcomings. Honestly, I have struggled with using the word “Christian” in our mission statement. I don’t want to back down in our commitment to using Jesus Christ as our role model, but I wish we had a better word. We are better known for what we’re supposedly against instead of what we should be advocating. He (Jesus) lived a life that was simple, honest and full of integrity. He was consistent, yet unpredictable and judged each situation on it’s own merits. That’s what I want for our team.
QUESTION: Reggie, how has your faith affected your career?
It’s been a journey with a lot of twists and turns. I think the most important thing has been God’s faithfulness and His persistence in pursuing me. Early in my career I was more interested in success and achievement. As I have learned to walk with God more intimately, I have become more focused on significance and the journey itself. As an entrepreneur it is easy to get focused on the results instead of the relationships. God continues to remind me that it’s about the people.
Question: : Are Christian-owned businesses any different than other business? What makes them different?
They should be. Taking care of people should be our number one priority. We have an opportunity to bring a message of life and hope in how we interact with our customers, employees and vendors. Morality is important and I think we want to strive to do the right thing in how we conduct business, but it’s more than behavior. It’s being able to be honest and open about where you are; being able to admit your shortcomings; asking for and offering forgiveness. There is a life that Jesus offers. Our world desperately needs to see that lived out.
Question: What are some things you are doing that you hope will affect today’s business climate from a spiritual dimension?
I am focused on a couple of key things: Relationship and Integrity. As I look back at the stories of Jesus and how He conducted His life, I’m amazed at the amount of time He invested in people. He literally changed the world one person at a time. When people feel valued then the walls come down and you have an opportunity. Integrity comes from the word “integrate.” Basically, it means you are the same person regardless of the situation. That’s what I’m working on. I want to be the same guy whether I am at work, home or elsewhere.
QUESTION: You have stated that you are a fan of the movement that encourages people to focus on their giftedness instead of trying to spend a lot of time shoring up their weaknesses. Can you expand on that?
I am fascinated how God made us. He was intentional in giving us certain strengths and weaknesses. I firmly believe that we need to put our energy into honing these strengths and lean on God for His help in shoring up the weak areas. We have spent a lot of time at our company investigating this. When someone is doing what he or she was made to do, we all win. Sometimes an employee who is failing is simply out of position. Our calling in life is about who we are instead of what we do. If you can get clarity on this and walk in your area of strength, you will be more effective and fulfilled in what you do. Passionate people change the world.
QUESTION: What would you tell the person who has a strong faith in God who feels he may be selling out by staying in the marketplace instead of seeking “full-time” Christian service elsewhere?
This is a huge problem in my opinion. Christianity has created this class system where it appears more glamorous to be in “ministry” instead of in the workplace. It baffles me how we got here when you read the stories of Jesus. This may sound controversial, but I think that any “Christian” organization is a business. They have a different product, but at the end of the day it’s still a business. At the same time everyone is in “full-time Christian service.” The greatest need is in the marketplace. Church attendance decreases every year. The only way many people will be exposed to the lifestyle that Jesus encouraged is through people living out their faith in the workplace.
QUESTION: As a leader, I often find myself learning more from the mistakes and challenges in my life rather than the successes. Can you share some of the mistakes or big challenges that you have faced and how you overcame those?
I have made a ton of mistakes. I worked too hard early in my career; walked away from God for a season; missed out on the early years with my children; blown it in personal and business relationships; made some questionable moral choices, and had some challenging times in business. I have learned to persevere, to go back and ask forgiveness for hurting people and to have a more intimate relationship with God. The thing that I missed early in my faith journey was that a personal walk with God was available. I did not understand that I could hear from Him and get His counsel. Success is blinding. Failure on the other hand is a better teacher. It builds character and brings clarity. When I look for role models or mentors, I look for someone who has experienced both success and failure.
QUESTION: How do you want to be remembered, both personally and professionally?
First of all, I don’t want there to be a distinction between the two. I would like for it to be said of me “He finished well.” One of my favorite books in the Bible is Ecclesiastes. I relate to the message of that book and Solomon’s story. He was the wisest guy who ever lived (except for Jesus), yet his life did not end well. He did a lot of great things professionally, but he failed in the other areas of his life. I want my children to live a life of freedom and passion. I’m hopeful that I can inspire them to do that by how I finish.
I want to be remembered more as a sage than a king. Read the book of Proverbs and you’ll find that God created the world with wisdom and not effort.
QUESTION: If you could live your life over again, what two things would you do differently?
I would spend more time with my family and focus more on enjoying what I do (instead of getting somewhere). I got the message early in life that accomplishment was more important than the journey. Looking back I can see that life is made up of relationships and the 1000 small things we do along the way.
– Thank you, Reggie. May God continue to bless your endeavors in today's workplace.
God has placed each and every one of us in our individual workplace environments for a reason. His reason. What is He challenging you with? The requirement to be a minister in today's workplace is not religious education; rather, it is the spiritual conditioning that comes from "having been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
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Believers in America®
Believers in America® is committed to offering exciting and uplifting real life testimonials from various individuals who have successfully incorporated their faith into their workplace environments and is an answer to a calling that has filled my heart as a Christian entrepreneur. This WebMag endeavors to provide tips, encouragement and support for those experiencing a similar desire to "live their faith" at work.
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Bill Weaver, President
Weaver Associates
www.weaverassociates.com
Established in 1976, Weaver Associates is a graphic design and creative development studio based in the metro Atlanta area. Our mission is to provide innovative solutions for clients relying on technology to grow their businesses. Our clean approach to our clients’ design challenges has been integral to their success throughout the years.
Mr. Weaver also serves as President and Founder of Believers in America®. |
