As an entrepreneur, I have to constantly keep myself in check. I don't know about you but I can easily get off task or lose the vision I originally had for my business and ministry. Not that vision cannot be sharpened or redefined but if I do not focus on the task of growing the ministry I envision, I will end up with a clutter business.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5 (NKJV)
A clutter business is one that is going in so many directions that it is not moving. Kind of like the verse above - haste does make waste.
Many clutter businesses appear when the owner does not write down an effective mission statement for the business. I began this way but have learned to define my business and focus on the direction I want to go. It makes a large difference in what I do and do not do.
I have also learned that I can say no to ideas. Clutter businesses run on many ideas - many of which do not fit the big picture. As a minister I have to paint the big picture and if something does not fit in the picture - like a blue whale in the mountains, then I need to stay away from it.
I need to know what amount of time I am going to put into my ministry. I need to make sure that the time devoted is worth the product and service I put forth. I need to know my marketplace and not just what I market. I need to be aware of my customer base and what is driving them to and away from my business.
A good business plan is needed for any business to thrive. Business plans do more than provide credibility. They define our direction and our purpose. They are also not written in stone. As we know our business, whether on eBay or in an ecommerce store or through providing service, we may have to sit down and revisit our purpose.
Developing your plan for business is the best tool for keeping you on track. Many businesses fail because they do not have a clear sense of direction.
You can always hirer someone to help you write your plan. Check references if you do choose to hirer someone.
I want to use this section in helping you set up the right frame of mind as you prepare to write out your plan of action
Take notice of the theme developing in each section heading.
Prayer and Research
Max Lucado once said, “When I work, I work. When I pray, God works.” How true this is. Everything emerges from prayer and worship. Try going a week without prayer and see what I mean.
Your research will seem meaningless without God’s direction. Prayer helps us to keep our research focused. Throughout the book of Proverbs a reigning theme is how the fear of the Lord leads to wisdom. Prayer reminds you of this and helps you increase in wisdom.
Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3 (NKJV)
Research is foundational in finding a product. Most great companies started without having a product. They brought together the right people, and then they researched.
Good research builds understanding. The more you understand your product the easier your business plan. The more you understand your product the more you will believe in your product.
People constantly come up with good ideas but do not research and find out if the good idea will work. Just look at the various “as seen on TV” items that are sold. Very few are really good ideas that have been researched.
Most are good ideas that lacked research and had to be sold via “as seen on TV.” Those that lack research are the ones stacking up in someone’s warehouse floor or being sold dirt cheap on eBay.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15 (NKJV)
Good research that is founded on prayer will save you a lot of headaches. Bad research creates a person that believes that they can do no wrong. They fail to see the relevance of research that is counter to their desires.
When you pray, ask God to allow you to be open enough in your research to allow room to be wrong about your idea.
Prayer and Financing
Prayer gives feet to ideas. If God is to give us the desires of our hearts, and our hearts are set in honoring God, then God is faithful. Through humility, we find God is able to supply all our needs.
Many people who are looking for financing are putting all their faith in that financing. But look at this verse:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV)
This sounds like a let down, but listen to this advice. When we put our trust and faith in God through prayer, tomorrow will take care of itself. You will not have to boast.
Your research will tell you if you are on the right track. Your faith, however, will tell you if you are following God’s tracks.
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished. Proverbs 27:12 (NKJV)
Caution through faith is not weakness but freedom.
- Freedom from carelessness
- Freedom to avoid obvious mistakes
- Freedom to make mistakes
- Freedom to test your theories
- Freedom to trust God
Prayer and Avoiding Schemes
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5 (NKJV)
There are two kinds of business people: the diligent and the hasty.
The diligent Christian businessmen are those who pray over their decisions and make the decisions. They are slow in answer but sure in footing. They are persistent and know where to say no. They avoid get-rich-quick schemes because diligence allows them time to survey the situation and wisdom to use discernment.
Diligence according to the proverb leads “surely to plenty.” Hard work yields a harvest. Get it quick schemes do not have any surety and are too good to be true. The only person getting rich on the late night get rich quick infomercial is the one collecting your dollars!
The hasty businessmen are those who jump at every opportunity. They lack insight and lack wisdom. They are easily swayed to buy into every product that promises to make them rich. They lack discipline, and eventually end up in poverty.
Pilots have to make corrections to their flight path occasionally (especially if they do not have all the fancy electronics). In the same way, prayer keeps us in tune with God’s Spirit as He makes slight corrections to our paths.
When we listen to God we make better decisions and in time learn how to judge business opportunities on their complete merit and not on their shady promises. As you develop your business plan, you will also be able to give assurance for your idea.
Prayer and Resources
Consider this verse from Proverbs:
She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16 (NKJV)
As you pray, ask God to help you secure the right resources. The woman in this proverb is one who considers carefully her purchase to make sure her purchase would match her resources. If she had bought 100 acres and only had supplies enough to plant 10 acres, then she would have wasted available resources.
Pray about the use of your resources to make sure you do not over extend yourself. A lot of online entrepreneurs are expanding their business locations because they have had some successes. John Chow, an online blogger, works from his own living room and makes $29,000 a month. The only thing he has expanded was the use of an additional computer screen.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Proverbs 31:24 (NKJV)
This woman also knows how to grow her business. She saw a need and supplied it. She also invested properly in additional income sources. If her business plan allowed for her creativity, this new venture will keep her family fed for years to come.
Business does not guarantee security. Waste your resources and you will find your business on life support. Use resources properly, and your business will have legs to stand on.
Just remember, that all good plans change. You also cannot plan for everything. This doesn’t mean you should not work your plan or plan your work. Be diligent because you will reap what you sow into your business.
No comments:
Post a Comment