7 Crucial Business Principles

Unfortunately, the following are business principles I have learned the hard way, through experience. If you will take them one at a time and consider each, you can learn them the easy way! Remember, just because each principle below has a fairly brief explanation, don’t be tempted to skip over it. Take each one and think it through. There is gold here! I am hopeful that you can avoid the trouble I had and skip right to the learning!

Business Principle #1 – Work IS Ministry

For the majority of my life, I have thought that I was either doing work or doing ministry, but never both at the same time. I have spent many years trying to balance my work and my ministry efforts. Unfortunately, I have been wrong all this time. The truth is that even my mundane tasks at work can be ministry.

The key is the purpose of the work. Our business’ mission is to honor God by impacting the lives of our employees, customers, and community. With that as our mission, any work I do on a day-to-day basis is helping to further that mission (Colossians 3:23). Because the heart of our mission is Christian ministry, my work in furthering that mission, through sustaining our business, is also ministry. Remember the next time you are creating or analyzing a report, signing checks, or running a meeting – you are also doing ministry!

Business Principle #2 – Change Takes Time

As I look back at some of my younger years, I realize how naive I was to think I could effect massive change in our organization in a short time period! So many times, I would lay out a plan for a new direction or initiative. I would include what I thought was a conservative timeline with various milestones along the way. I truly thought I was being realistic with my target dates.

The reality was that I was so far off base it was not funny. As I look back, it is more clear to me that the problem was not with the people in our organization, but with my timeline. I like change and can usually adapt to it fairly quickly. The same is not true with an organization. Do yourself a favor and allow for more time than you think is necessary when you plan for change. It will remove significant frustration for everyone!

Business Principle #3 – Communication Is Critical

It is easy to slip into the mindset that everyone you work with knows what you know or remembers what you remember. This is simply not the case. Even if you have told them before, their priorities are different than yours and it may have slipped their mind.

If you are in any way charged with leading a team, understand that constant and consistent communication is critical to your team’s health. If it is your job to cast and communicate the company mission and vision, then that is what you must do, day in and day out, without fail. Even if your job is not at that level, you must maintain a flow of information to your people. If you don’t, you will find your team failing before long.

Business Principle #4 – Calendars Are Self-Filling

If you do not fill in your calendar with your priorities, then others will fill YOUR calendar with THEIR priorities. This world is simply too fast and busy for you to leave your calendar open to whatever comes. If you do, you will find yourself working for everyone around you and never doing what you want, and need, to do.

My recommendation is to start with blocking off time well in advance for those most important tasks or priorities. Stick to these commitments and schedule other stuff around them. It will be tough initially, but you will get better at it as you begin to see the benefits. I promise, this is one principle worth addressing soon!

Business Principle #5 – Good Is Not Good Enough

I used to believe that when we made significant changes to align our business with God’s Word, people would begin to flock to our doors. They didn’t. Even people I respected and considered as friends chose to go elsewhere. This hurt and I took it personally, at first.

Then I began to realize the being “good” isn’t good enough. People will not patronize a business simply because it is run by “good” people or based on “good” principles. Chick-Fil-A is not successful because the Cathy family is “good”. Chick-Fil-A is successful because they operate incredibly excellent businesses with exceptional products and even better customer service. Being “good” is worthy, but business success requires you to go further.

Business Principle #6 – My Time Is Expensive

I used to believe that if something needed to be done and I could do it, then I needed to do it. See an incomplete task that I can do? Do it! Again, this is not the right mindset for success in business. Just because it is something I CAN do does not mean it is something I should do. Let me explain.

I need to focus my energy and effort on those tasks that ONLY I can do. I then need to delegate other tasks to someone with less experience, knowledge, or a more basic skill set. If I am doing these tasks, I am not able to perform the job that only I can do and the business suffers. Take a look at what you do on a daily basis. If someone else could do it for less, delegate it and free up time to do what you do best.

Business Principle #7 – Being Organized Is Cheaper

If time is money, then being organized saves me money. I used to have an office that looked like I was extremely busy! At least that is what I told myself at the time. I had stacks here and there with papers everywhere. Then I began to realize that this lack of organization was costing me time (and therefore money).

I took it upon myself to learn how to be organized. I started with David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done. I created a system for organizing my desk, computer, and office. It took time, but the investment has paid off in spades. I have been virtually paperless for years and my office reflects it. I now save time and energy because I have a system to find what I need when I need it.

Summary

I hope at least one of the above business principles has struck a nerve with you. I promise you that any one of them can make a significant impact in your success if you will take the time to understand it and make the necessary changes. I know you can do it!

Have you already learned any of these principles the hard way?

Which of these principles will you accept and act upon now?

Do you have any principles you would add to this list?

Photo by Martinan/iStock

Another Free Book Give Away?

You read that right! I am offering a free copy of Truett Cathy’s book, Wealth: Is It Worth It?!

How Do You Win?

If you scroll down just a bit you will see the Rafflecopter entry form which outlines a bunch of ways to enter the Wealth: Is It Worth It? giveaway. Just complete as many as you would like to be entered to win!

Why Am I Doing This?

I started this blog in an effort to spread the message of integrating the Christian faith into our businesses. I want to see more Christian business owners and leaders begin looking at their businesses from an eternal perspective and running them as platforms for Christian ministry.

While I know my posts are written toward this effort, I thought I would try to step it up a notch for 2013. My plan is to give away one book a month for the entire year! All I am asking from you is to follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. As you enter, you will be helping me to spread the word about this blog at the same time. We both win!

This Month’s Book: Truett Cathy’s Wealth: Is It Worth It?

Truett Cathy has experienced poverty and plenty. Though the founder of Chick-fil-A, Inc., prefers times of plenty, he hopes never to forget the lessons he learned growing up poor.

No overnight success story, Truett Cathy worked with his wife, Jeannette, for 21 years behind the counter of their single mom-and-pop restaurant before he opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant at the age of 46. His latest book, Wealth: Is It Worth It? explores the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany success.

Enter The Give Away

Follow the instructions below to enter the Wealth: Is It Worth It? contest and then spread the word to others! The contest ends at midnight on Sunday, June 30th and the winner will be announced on Monday, July 1st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Dream

I am sure you have had the dream. Everyone has likely had it at one time or another, in one form or another. Some even experience it as a recurring dream. It is certainly not a dream that you enjoy having because of that intense feeling of dread that always comes with a knot in the pit of your stomach.

Unless you just enjoy that feeling, you hate these dreams. The one thing you know you would hate even more than one of these dreams is for this to happen in real life. To face a test in real life, knowing that you are not at all prepared, is a scary thought.

Application?

Even if this is true, what does it have to do with Christian business owners and leaders?

Actually, this dream has a lot of application in the lives and businesses of Christian leaders. Before we discuss that, let’s first take a look at Scripture.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4

A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

Testing Our Faith

If you are not familiar with the first chapter of James, then you need to take a couple of minutes right now and read it HERE. As you can see, James starts right out talking about trials and testing of our faith. Then, in verse 12 above, he mentions the reward we will see when we pass the test.

If you have taken the step of faith and committed your life to following Jesus, then you are not a stranger to trials or tests. As Christians, we face them all of the time. In some cases, these tests are small ones. Other times, the tests seem like they are going to crush us.

We Are Being Prepared

What I am not sure most Christians realize is that these trials and tests we face daily are actually meant to help us get prepared for future tests and trials! And those are designed to get us prepared for more tests in the more distant future. It goes on and on!

Final Goal

Look at James 1:4 again. James says that that final goal is for us to be mature and complete, not lacking anything. In Romans 8, Paul says that God’s goal for us is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. That is a tall order!

To be honest, I am not a Bible scholar and cannot tell you exactly what that means. I do think I understand that the general idea is that God is using the trials in this life to mold us to look more like Jesus.

If that is true, then we really should face our trials with joy, knowing they are moving us closer and closer to the end goal of looking more like Jesus. While it sounds crazy, this really should be our approach.

Pray To Be Fully Prepared

Let me add another facet to this idea. Following James’ instruction to consider these trials as joy is not our only responsibility. As hard as that is, I think there is a tougher step we can, and should, take. This step may seem unrealistic to you, but I am sincere in offering it as heartfelt advice.

I believe we should pray for God to expose us to the full extent of the trials He has in mind for us. While this sounds like asking for punishment, I actually see it as a sincere effort to be fully prepared for a future test.

Not To Be Found Short

Just like the dream I mentioned earlier, we all hate facing a test that we are not prepared to face. In the same way, I do not want to face a future test or trial for which I am not prepared. If the trial I am facing right now is meant to prepare me for that future test, then I want to go through the full preparation I can!

That means I want the full extent of this current trial so that I am not found short later. I want all the preparation He has in mind for me so I am ready for whatever lies ahead.

Does that make sense?

Prayer Changes, Too

If you understand my reasoning and agree with it, then this means your prayer life should likely change dramatically. Not only should it change your prayers involving the trials you are going through, but it should also change your prayers for others.

Rather than praying for God to lift suffering and stress from our lives, we should be praying that He gives us the strength to go through it. Rather than praying for relief, we should pray for endurance through the trial and understanding that we are being prepared for the future.

Application to Christian Business Leaders

Assuming you are still following me with this line of thinking, let’s quickly apply it to Christian business owners and leaders.

First, we will face many tests and trials in the course of trying to run a business. The world does not like Jesus and every effort we make at spreading the Gospel through our businesses will be met with serious opposition (think Chick-Fil-A). If we are going to face these trials, then we really need to be prepared for them.

Second, while these trials may not be any tougher on us than what others may face, our trials often have consequences that affect many more people. If we are diligent in facing these current trials with the mindset of being prepared for future ones, we will have greater impact for eternity on those around us.

Finally, if we will face these tests with joy as James instructs, those that are watching us today will gain hope. Whether we recognize it or not, people are watching. Whether we like it or not, we have a responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors to represent our King in the best way we can.

I am really interested in your response – what are your thoughts?

Can you see yourself praying for the full extent of a trial?

Have you already experienced this? Tell us about it.

Even in our government and schools, there are exceptions. These are not the people I am talking about today. They are doing their part.

Where Are The Christian Leaders?

My question is really targeted at the Christian business leaders today. Why are there so few bold Christian leaders in the business world these days? Why is Dan Cathy’s stand so uncommon? What has kept potentially bold Christian leaders from stepping onto the field and making a difference for eternity?

I must confess I am not sure of the answers to these questions. It could be fear on several levels. Maybe it is uncertainty about what to do and how to do it. It could even be simple laziness. I really do not know.

What To Do About It?

The better question for us is this – what are we doing about it?

See, I get a lot of grief from my extended family because I really do not pay much attention to the news. I am frequently the last to know about things going on in the world around me. When I learn about current events, they are not so current!

Right or wrong, I am like this because I feel like it is mostly a waste of my time to watch things happen when I feel I have no opportunity to influence them. I would rather spend my time working on things I can impact. I would rather read or learn something that I can apply tomorrow in a way that impacts someone for eternity.

Get Intentional!

I am not advocating everyone boycott the news (necessarily), but I am saying we all need to spend more time intentionally becoming the people God created us to be. I do not believe God created us to be people who know all that is going on in the European economy, but are doing nothing here to impact people for their eternal life.

So…having said all of that…let’s get back to the question at hand:

What are we going to do about the lack of effective Christian leadership in the business world today?

We Are The Christian Leaders!

It is my humble recommendation that we do everything we can do to add one more Christian leader to our own surroundings – ourselves! We cannot shirk this responsibility and hope someone else sees the need. That has not worked so far!

No, instead we must become the most effective Christian leaders we can be with the talents and strengths God has given us. For some, you are in a position of leadership over hundreds or even thousands of people already. For others, you may be the only person under your leadership right now. For most, you are in between.

A Journey That Takes Time & Effort

We do not become effective Christian leaders by climbing on a desk and announcing to the world that we are finally ready to take on that role. No, the process of becoming effective in your Christian leadership is one that takes time and effort. In fact, there is seldom an announcement. More often it sneaks up on you after years of preparing.

Please remember that our model for this journey has never been on TV, has not written any books, and is without a social media platform. Those people that had waited generations for Him to take the helm as their leader instead rejected Him almost as quick as He opened His mouth to cast the vision. The ones that ended up following Him were mostly rejects themselves.

If you are up to the task, follow along with me for the next several posts. We are going to be looking at material from the C12 Group that will give us some basic building blocks of effective Christian leadership. While there is no silver bullet for becoming the leader God designed you to be, the building blocks I will share with you should get you headed in the right direction.

Are you on the path to becoming a Christian leader in your circles?

What are you doing to intentionally move down that path?

Can you give an example of a Christian leader you are modeling after?

Make A List

Okay, now that you have someone in mind, I want you to write down the reasons that you have for seeing them in this light. What is it about them that you wish you could have or experience? How do you measure their success? When you say they have seen their share of victory, what do you mean? Be specific with your list. Don’t leave anything out.

Our Look At Victory

For the last week, we have taken some time to look at victory and come to some conclusions.

First we defined it according to Scripture.

Then we discussed going “all in” with God to experience it.

Finally, we explored what it means to EXPECT victory.

Victory In Business?

Today, I want us to take a hard look at what victory actually looks like in a Christian business. While this may sound simple at first, it really is critical. See, if we do not have a crystal clear picture of what it looks like in our business or on our job, then how do we really expect to strive for it or experience it? How can we expect to recognize it when it comes?

Your List

Let’s get back to the person you look up to in the business world.

Take a look at your list and tell me what you see.

Are your observations related to his financial success in his business? Do you connect his acquisition of other businesses to your view of his success? Do you like the fact that he has a reputation within the business world for being shrewd and able to generate strong returns on his investments?

What other items are on your list? Did you mention anything about her involvement in industry associations? Did you list some awards she may have won as a result of her hard work or creative solutions to workplace challenges? Maybe you considered her life-long tenure at the same company as worthy of your respect.

Your View Of Victory In Business

Whatever the case, your list is a rough picture of the way you define victory in business.

The tough question is this…does our list match up well with Scripture? Does it fit with the definition the Bible gives us for victory? Can you make a case for a direct connection between your list and the life and example of Jesus? Are you working toward living a life that does the same?

If you can, congratulations!

If not, there is work to do.

Examples Of Victory In Business

In an effort to help you see this picture with a little more clarity, I have put together a list of actual examples that do match up with the Bible’s definition of victory in business (and life). Take a look and let me know what you think about this list in the comment section at the bottom of the post.

[box]

– The CEO of a national company is accused of discrimination because his company supports the Bible’s definition of marriage. As a result, at least one major city government is moving to block the company’s expansion into their city. (Read about it here.)

– The owner of a young construction business chooses to take a risk and hire someone he truly cannot afford for a non-revenue-producing position. He decides hiring a chaplain for his employees is too important to pass up.

– A company chooses not to match the operating hours of the rest of their competition, forfeiting a huge opportunity for revenue. Instead, they close on Sundays. (Read about it here.)

– An operations director decides that his call to ministry in the workplace is more important than keeping a job where that is frowned upon. He is fired for his decision and is now on his own to start a business that will glorify God.

– A corporate manager decides to pursue an online degree in apologetics so that he can be prepared to answer the tough questions he will receive from his clients as he makes more of an effort to share with them the reason for his faith in Jesus.

[/box]

Eternal Perspective

If you look closely, you will notice that each of these examples reflect an eternal perspective. While victory may not seem evident right now, each item on the list will still be having a ripple effect 1,000 years from now. This is usually the best indicator of true victory.

The other thing you will notice is that these examples would likely be looked upon as silly or even foolish in most pure business circles. Review this list at any of the nations top business schools and you will likely receive laughter or even be mocked.

God’s View

The truth is that God does not define victory as the world does. In fact, Scripture says that He chooses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). The experts may not agree with my list, but I am not so concerned with what they think. I hope you see it the same way.

How does your list look to you in hindsight?

Would this list have been different for you 5 years ago? Why?

What do you need to do to change your list?

Several months ago, I was approached about an amazing opportunity coming to our community. It turns out that Chick-Fil-A has agreed to bring their Camp Winshape daycamp to our town. A local church has partnered with them to do this. But there is a twist to it – one that makes this opportunity that much better!

Camp Winshape, a part of Truett Cathy’s Winshape Foundation, is described on their website as an experience that offers kids fun, adventure, lasting friendships and a closer relationship with God. At the core of their programs is a relentless pursuit of providing a camp environment that challenges campers to sharpen their character and deepen their Christian faith and relationships.

Scholarship Opportunities Added!

The local church and Chick-Fil-A had agreed that they could handle roughly 300 kids for the five-day camp. But rather than offering the 300 slots to the public in the normal fashion – first come, first served – they decided they wanted half of the slots to be filled by kids that could not afford the tuition! With the tuition at roughly $200 per child, many kids are financially unable to enjoy the benefits of this camp. Of course, that also meant someone had to come up with roughly $30,000 to fund the 150 scholarships!

At this point, the operators of the local Chick-Fil-A restaurants in our town stepped up and proposed an idea. They decided they would host a Chick-Fil-A Race Series event in our town, using the sponsorships from local businesses to help fund the scholarships for the kids’ tuition expenses. That’s where we came into the picture!

We Are Title Sponsors!

The local operators, knowing our ministry mindset, approached us about being the title sponsors for this race event. The event would include both running and walking segments so that more people could participate. Chick-Fil-A corporate hosts these races in communities all over their company footprint, so they are experienced with the details.

As sponsors, we get to be associated with Chick-Fil-A, which is the very kind of company we are striving to be! We will have XX employees acting as volunteers to help with the race day logistics. We also have more than 30 employees and family members running or walking in the various race events.

Our Benefits

Obviously, we get to market this event as well. We will have cars displayed on site. We will have attention-getting pace cars with our name all over them to lead the races as well as to bring up the rear. Our company logo is prominently featured on the posters and flyers that are posted in the four main cities that make up our selling market. Our logo will also be on every t-shirt given to volunteers and participants.

Finally, and most importantly, our entire sponsorship fee goes fully to the scholarship fund to ensure more than 50 kids get to experience the camp Chick-Fil-A has put together! All of the other race expenses are covered by Chick-Fil-A!

Like I said, this event ties together so many benefits for our company. It is truly a win-win-win event! The kids win. Our businesses win. God wins.

[box]

Overall Benefits

• Christ-centered camp
• Character development and leadership content
• Underprivileged children being served
• Employees volunteering and participating
• Our association with a prominent Christian business (Chick-Fil-A)
• Money donated along with physical involvement
• Our business is featured in key markets
• God is honored

[/box]

Do you see any benefits I left off the list?

Have you had similar opportunities with your business?

What are some other win-win-win ideas you have?