7 proverbs every business owner should discover

18 October 2009

BIG IDEA help people be successful in business thru biblical wisdom

DO                                             STORY                                        BENEFITS

launch pad

Business people in the Bible

-        Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job

-        Matthew, Peter whose partners in business were James & John, Paul, Priscilla & Aquila (tentmakers like Paul)

Significant managers – Joseph, Daniel

Jesus refers to business owners – Luke 16 business owner sacking a manager,

James & John, Andrew & Peter were businessmen

the 7 proverbs

# 1 first plant your fields then build your barn Prov 24:27

Right priorities at the launch of your business

Don’t start a business without a written plan

-        clearly defined measurable outcomes

-        what am I in business for? Fundamentally – to make money

-        strategies to get there

-        what would indicate I have succeeded?

Carefully watch your cash flow – cash is king, last 12 mths in our church business affairs

# 2 Dear friend if bad companions tempt you, don’t go along with them Prov 1:10

The people in your business determine your success

YOU
OTHERS

–       staff – let others make you successful, release people – outcome oriented more than process fixated

–       advisors - get the best financial & legal advice you can afford Prov 19:20 listen to advice

–       mentors/coaches – discover successful people & ask questions

–       customers – look after good customers

# 3 God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is above board Prov 11:1

Integrity & honesty - primary place of integrity

Looking for a snack in city – walked away – I knew I was being ripped off … short term value of ripping people off in price or service

# 4 Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism Prov 18:9

Power of focus

BIG PICTURE FOCUS         Why are you in business?                    What’s the main point?

ANNUAL FOCUS    What are we trying to achieve this year?

Work ON your business not just IN your business

WEEKLY FOCUS      Well managed diary – tradies who never turn up on time

DAILY FOCUS         Downside of multi-tasking

# 5 A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall Prov 20:4

Understand seasons – lazy business people do not understand seasons

BUSINESS SEASONS – low, mid, peak

SEASONS OF ECONOMIC CYCLES -

PERSONAL SEASONS – young family – don’t ruin your family to establish your business

ENERGY SEASONS - manage your energy – daily (morning/nite person), weekly (ebb & flow of your week), annually (warn my staff of approaching holidays & my tiredness)

# 6 A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart & good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle Prov 15:30

You are the thermostat - your attitude infects everyone in your business

Twinkle in your eyes (joy, smiling, happy, upbeat, positive, hope filled) brings joy to hearts of your workers

Good news brings health to a business – get good news happening! Staff meeting – white board good news!

# 7 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own Prov 3:5

Trust in the Lord New Plymouth business guy, owns 2 car yards, investment properties, started commercial & residential electrical business

Power of prayer, when he walks onto the yard cards sell!!

PRAY FOR BUSINESSES

Priorities, people in your business, integrity, focus, discernment in various seasons, joy, faith