LEARNING TO LEAD IN CRISIS - What fascinate me are people who made a difference. Their world was one way when they entered the scene and it is another, better way, when they exit. True leaders leave the premises knowing they made the lives of others better. Today many people seek such roles because they pay the most money, or carry the greatest prestige, or so they can prove a point about their sex, race or sexual orientation. Because people have clutched leadership positions in order to better themselves, society has witnessed some horrific scandals. When self-centered people hold office, it is only a matter of time until they are seduced. The truth about leadership is that it does not exist for the leader, but for the led. Leaders are largely unnecessary in times of peace and tranquility. In those cases, a manager will suffice. But when people face a seemingly insurmountable problem or crisis, they instinctively look for a leader. That’s the leader’s specialty: moving people from where they are to where they need to be. Leaders solve problems. They help people gain a higher view of life than self-interest. If there was ever a time for your life to make a lasting contribution, it is now.

...................................................................................................................................................................

 Learning to lead in crisis

If there was ever a time for your life to make a lasting contribution, it is now. Will you rise to the challenge?

by Richard Blackaby

I love history. My children believe that proves I am as boring as the color beige. It’s not that I get worked up about dates, meetings and documents.

What fascinate me are people who made a difference. Their world was one way when they entered the scene and it is another, better way, when they exit.

Some people leave their world in worse shape. Many leave it in the same condition. But true leaders leave the premises knowing they made the lives of others better.

In recent years, the role of a leader has been tarnished.

Today many people seek such roles because they pay the most money, or carry the greatest prestige, or so they can prove a point about their sex, race or sexual orientation.

Because people have clutched leadership positions in order to better themselves, society has witnessed some horrific scandals.

We are no longer shocked when high-ranking officials fall from power due to moral or ethical failings.

When self-centered people hold office, it is only a matter of time until they are seduced.

The truth about leadership is that it does not exist for the leader, but for the led.

Leaders are largely unnecessary in times of peace and tranquility. In those cases, a manager will suffice.

But when people face a seemingly insurmountable problem or crisis, they instinctively look for a leader.

That’s the leader’s specialty: moving people from where they are to where they need to be.

Leaders solve problems. They help people gain a higher view of life than self-interest.

Society’s current dilemma is not the problems it is facing, but the leaders at its disposal with which to address them.

Business leaders may be more focused on retirement plans than organizational health.

Pastors are often driven by numerical growth rather than the spiritual growth of their members.

Leaders are not being taught that leadership is a sacred trust between them and their people. As a result, self-promoting people are searching for leadership roles that cost little and pay much.

Historians love to evaluate what happened in the past (My kids would suggest they need to get a life!).

One of the interesting speculations indulged in each year is evaluating American presidents.

The perennial “top five” presidents in these polls are: Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

What’s interesting about these people is that they all led in times of crisis.

Lincoln is generally rated as the best leader, but he also led during America’s greatest crisis.

Franklin Roosevelt served during the Great Depression and World War II.

Washington guided the Revolutionary army against the world’s superpower.

Theodore Roosevelt fought in the Spanish-American War and built the American navy into a major force.

Truman led at the close of World War II, decided to use the atomic bomb and presided over the war in Korea.

These men faced enormous decisions with no easy answers.

Other presidents who have traditionally been valued highly have been Reagan, Kennedy and Jackson.

Reagan faced down Gorbachev and ended the Cold War. Kennedy stared down Khrushchev at the brink of nuclear war. Jackson was a celebrated general.

In each case, conflict and crisis enabled leaders to rise to the occasion.

Of course, crises don’t compel people to become great leaders. James Buchanan preceded Lincoln. He could have addressed the problems that Abe did, but he refused.

As a result, Buchanan is ranked as one of America’s worst presidents.

Hoover could have tackled the Great Depression before Roosevelt. These men were given an invitation to greatness, but they failed to accept.

We live in an age desperate for leadership.

Government, business, churches, families and non-profits are all facing herculean problems that only leadership can fix.

If there was ever a time for your life to make a lasting contribution, it is now.

Will you rise to the challenge?

Richard Blackaby. Richard is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and lives in Jonesboro, Georgia. Richard travels internationally speaking on spiritual leadership in the home, church, and marketplace as well as on spiritual awakening, experiencing God, and the Christian life. Richard regularly ministers to Christian CEOs and business leaders. He has written or co-authored 33 books including Experiencing God: Revised Edition; Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda;and Experiencing God: Day by Day.

This article was first published on RichardBlackaby.com. Used with permission from Blackaby Ministries International.

https://www.biblicalleadership.com/blogs/learning-to-lead-in-crisis/

PEPSI COLA - The original formula for what would become Pepsi Cola was invented in 1893 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham of New Bern, N.C. Like many pharmacists at the time, he operated a soda fountain in his drugstore, where he served drinks that he created himself. The Pepsi brand has diversified far beyond what Caleb Bradham could ever have imagined. In addition to the classic Pepsi Cola, consumers can also find Diet Pepsi, plus varieties without caffeine, without corn syrup, flavored with cherry or vanilla, even an 1893 brand that celebrates its original heritage. The company has also branched out into the lucrative sports drink market with the Gatorade brand, as well as Aquafina bottled water, Amp energy drinks, and Starbucks coffee beverages.

............................................................................................................................

Pepsi Cola

The History of Pepsi Cola

by Mary Bellis 

Pepsi Cola is one of the most recognizable products in the world today, almost as famous for its commercials as for its never-ending battle with rival soft drink Coca-Cola.

From its humble origins more than 125 years ago in a North Carolina pharmacy, Pepsi has grown into a product available in multiple formulations.

Find out how this simple soda became a player in the Cold War and became a pop star's best friend.

Humble Origins

The original formula for what would become Pepsi Cola was invented in 1893 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham of New Bern, N.C.

Like many pharmacists at the time, he operated a soda fountain in his drugstore, where he served drinks that he created himself.

His most popular beverage was something he called "Brad's drink," a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, kola nuts, nutmeg, and other additives.

As the beverage caught on, Bradham decided to give it a snappier name, eventually settling on Pepsi-Cola. 

By the summer of 1903, he had trademarked the name and was selling his soda syrup to pharmacies and other vendors throughout North Carolina.

By the end of 1910, franchisers were selling Pepsi in 24 states. 

At first, Pepsi had been marketed as a digestive aid, appealing to consumers with the slogan, "Exhilarating, Invigorating, Aids Digestion."

But as the brand flourished, the company switched tactics and decided instead to use the power of celebrity to sell Pepsi.

In 1913, Pepsi hired Barney Oldfield, a famous racecar driver of the era, as a spokesman. He became famous for his slogan "Drink Pepsi-Cola. It Will Satisfy You."

The company would continue to use celebrities to appeal to buyers in the coming decades.

Bankruptcy and Revival

After years of success, Caleb Bradham lost Pepsi Cola.

He had gambled on the fluctuations of sugar prices during World War I, believing that sugar prices would continue to rise — but they fell instead, leaving Caleb Bradham with an overpriced sugar inventory.

Pepsi Cola went bankrupt in 1923.

In 1931, after passing through the hands of several investors, Pepsi Cola was bought by the Loft Candy Co.

Charles G. Guth, Loft's president, struggled to make a success of Pepsi during the depths of the Great Depression. At one point, Loft even offered to sell Pepsi to executives at Coke, who refused to offer a bid.

Guth reformulated Pepsi and began selling the soda in 12-ounce bottles for just 5 cents, which was twice as much as what Coke offered in its 6-ounce bottles.

Touting Pepsi as "twice as much for a nickel," Pepsi scored an unexpected hit as its "Nickel Nickel" radio jingle became the first to be broadcast coast to coast. 

Eventually, it would be recorded in 55 languages and named one of the most effective ads of the 20th century by Advertising Age.

Pepsi Postwar 

Pepsi made sure it had a reliable supply of sugar during World War II, and the drink became a familiar sight to U.S. troops fighting all across the globe.

In the years after the war, the brand would remain long after American GIs had gone home.

Back in the States, Pepsi embraced the postwar years.

Company president Al Steele married actress Joan Crawford, and she frequently touted Pepsi during corporate gatherings and visits to local bottlers throughout the 1950s.

By the early 1960s, companies like Pepsi had set their sights on the Baby Boomers.

The first ads appealing to young people called "the Pepsi Generation" arrived, followed in 1964 by the company's first diet soda, also targeted at young people. 

The company was changing in different ways. Pepsi acquired the Mountain Dew brand in 1964 and a year later merged with snack-maker Frito-Lay.

The Pepsi brand was growing up quickly. By the 1970s, this once failing brand was threatening to displace Coca-Cola as the top soda brand in the U.S. 

Pepsi even made international headlines in 1974 when it became the first U.S. product to be produced and sold within the U.S.S.R.

A New Generation

Throughout the late 1970s and early '80s, "Pepsi Generation" ads continued to appeal to young drinkers while also targeting older consumers with a series of "Pepsi Challenge" commercials and in-store tastings.

Pepsi broke new ground in 1984 when it hired Michael Jackson, who was in the midst of his "Thriller" success, to be its spokesman.

The TV commercials, rivaling Jackson's elaborate music videos, were such a hit that Pepsi would hire a number of well-known musicians, celebrities, and others throughout the decade, including Tina Turner, Joe Montana, Michael J. Fox, and Geraldine Ferraro. 

Pepsi's efforts were successful enough that in 1985 Coke announced that it was changing its signature formula.

"New Coke" was such a disaster that the company had to backtrack and reintroduce its "classic" formula, something Pepsi frequently took credit for.

But in 1992, Pepsi would suffer a product failure of its own when the spin-off Crystal Pepsi failed to impress Generation X buyers. It soon was discontinued.

Pepsi Today

Like its rivals, the Pepsi brand has diversified far beyond what Caleb Bradham could ever have imagined.

In addition to the classic Pepsi Cola, consumers can also find Diet Pepsi, plus varieties without caffeine, without corn syrup, flavored with cherry or vanilla, even an 1893 brand that celebrates its original heritage.

The company has also branched out into the lucrative sports drink market with the Gatorade brand, as well as Aquafina bottled water, Amp energy drinks, and Starbucks coffee beverages.

Mary Bellis

New York-based film producer and director

Singled out by Forbes magazine for her writing on inventors. 

Known in art and independent film circles by the name CalmX

Creator of computer-generated art

Experience

Mary Bellis was a former writer for ThoughtCo, where she covered inventors for 18 years. She was a freelance writer, film producer, and director.  In addition, Forbes Best of the Web credited her for creating the number one online destination for information about inventors and inventions. Her writing has been reprinted and referenced in numerous educational books and articles. She was known for her short independent  films and documentaries, including one on Alexander Graham Bell. She specialized in making and exhibiting computer-generated art, while working as an animator, journalist and an independent video game developer. She died on March 28, 2015. 

Education

Mary Bellis held a Master of Fine Arts in film and animation from the San Francisco Art Institute.

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-pepsi-cola-1991656