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I was attending a business workshop the other day and as I was supporting the person doing the workshop, was there prior to people turning up, greeting people, handing out name tags and so on. This gave me opportunity to speak to everyone and get to know people and find out things about them.

Can’t remember the reason why but one of the women mentioned the church she goes to and I immediately told her about my church and the Business Ministry we have therein. She was interested and asked if she could be put on the mailing list and gave me her card. We had continued our conversation as others sat at our table.

Later, about a half hour or so into the presentation, her business partner turned up late and sat beside her in the chair that had been saved for the latecomer and the two proceeded to chatter constantly all the way through the presentation. I did feel this to be rather rude - people came to the workshop to listen to the presenter and not the two women who chatted constantly but it also saddened me. Because I was very aware that others had been listening to the earlier conversation I had with one of the women about our churches and the business ministry. What must they now be thinking of this same lady?

We are constantly reminded by Paul in the New Testament to follow his example, who in turn follows the example of Christ. If we are to be a light to the world then it is important that we show that light constantly and lead by example. Many only know Christ through ourselves and it is through us that they might decide to come to know Christ too. But if what they see turns them off, what then?

In Romans 14:13 we are encouraged to “Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way”. The earlier part of this verse also mentions not to pass judgement on one another and I’m at risk of doing the same and that wasn’t my intention, but rather just to make you, the reader, aware that we are always on show and what we say and what we do are seen and heard by others. It is important that we act as we speak.

There may have been a legitimate reason for these two women to keep conversing throughout the presentation - they were business partners and perhaps much of what was being said needed discussion for future application, however it did mean that the ability of others at their table to hear what was being said was depleted and unfortunately could have coloured their perception of a Christian in Business. KMT

Christian in business, lead by example, Romans 14:13, Ministry in Business

Have you noticed in the accounts of Paul in the New Testament, that whenever he entered a new town, he first went to their synagogue and the very next place to visit was their marketplace. Why do you suppose that is?

Paul knew that was where the activity of the town took place and where he would find key people in the community. He wanted to reach the business people, the ones in the community that made things happen, those that fed and clothed the families, supported the families and the people as a whole. He wanted to reach the decision makers, the influencers of the community and those who could support and encourage a new ministry being developed in that area. Paul wasn’t fussed about who those business people were. He spoke to both men and women in the marketplace and introduced the Christian faith to them all.

Who do you know in the marketplace that you can introduce Christ to?  Who do you know that needs a friend or just someone to listen to them?

In the business world we are often so wrapped up in what we’re doing on a daily basis, and meeting deadlines, that often friendships, or the potential for friendships, are shoved aside. But don’t forget we are on show always, and that we have the light of Christ to shine. How will people see that if we don’t do something about it?

One way we can touch others is to spend time getting to know them. That could mean at networking events, over lunch or a cuppa, at a staff meeting or in an elevator. It means making use of our ears, our hearts and our minds and really listening to what others are saying and picking up on the unspoken word, the body language, the ‘attitude’ or something that demonstrates they have a need or that something is missing.  Often this will take place over several occasions and not just one meeting, but sometimes you might just strike them when the need is urgent. Seek God and listen and He will point you to those who need to hear from you.  KMT

I was driving to a breakfast today not far from home. It’s Saturday and normally I wouldn’t be going out, especially not early in the morning - it’s my day for relaxing at home but this breakfast was special because I was a sponsor for the event. And the event was the local council Mayoral Prayer Breakfast - designed to coincide with National Thanksgiving Day.

Sponsorship is often an overlooked opportunity for gaining exposure for your business. Whenever people hear that word they immediately think $$ - lots of it - and dismiss the idea but it really is one worth considering. Not all sponsorships require lots of dollars and some accept payment in kind or in time. In fact, often these are the very things that are greatly valued.

For those reading this blog many are well placed to use their skills and abilities to contribute to local events, as well as events online. The recent Virtual Assistant Convention OIVAC had a steering committee (all voluntary) and a list of volunteers from around the world all pulling together for a common cause. On a local level it gives you the opportunity to get in front of local business people and others for a short time - enough for them to notice that you exist. And one of the themes talked about this morning related to the nature of volunteers and their work in many areas around the country - indeed something to be thankful for. We also prayed for the mayor who was in attendance and it is so good to see her attend these events. It’s not the first Christian event I’ve seen her at and she genuinely appreciates the support of the local churches.

As well as sponsoring the event, I also offered a give away - a book called The Business Mom Guide Book and the Pastor who won it knew of a lady who would benefit from the book so that was good to hear. He was actually sitting next to me and our discussions turned to other things and it appears our sitting together was God designed because there are other things I can assist him with - that are not business related at all. He made a comment that it was a God-incident we were sitting together.

Further I was able to renew old acquaintances with some people I hadn’t seen in a long time from my former church and make new acquaintances - particularly with some key people in my local community. I wasn’t looking to get business immediately - I was simply looking to get my business name into their minds so that next time they, or someone they know, has a need, my name is what comes to mind for them as the solution.

Whilst a lot of business can be conducted virtually these days, it certainly should not dismiss or shove aside the opportunities that surround us on a local level which gets our face in front of others and for a short time, exposure for our businesses that doesn’t have to cost the earth. So, next time you hear of a church related or community event that is coming up why not look to see if there are sponsorships available, or even offer a helping hand - it will be very much appreciated by the organisers and they will come back to you again and again when seeking support. I know, because today’s event I’ve been sponsoring for the past 3 years! KMT

virtual assistants, sponsor, sponsorship, exposure, local business

I heard the above in a conference just recently and it rang a bell with me. How often do we put up with things because it’s comfortable although we know things need to change? It’s not until we actually begin to experience a great deal of discomfort or pain, sometimes of an urgent nature, that we do something about changing the situation. And it’s usually at that point that we reach out to our God.

Our bodies do the same when we ignore the warning signals. And before we know it we’re being rushed off to hospital to undergo some procedure that might have been avoided had we taken notice of the pain. And of course, with pain change is required - a change to lifestyle, a change to diet, a change to all sorts of things in our lives and we rarely can return to our old way of life.

‘Remember that I am made of dust - will you turn me back to dust so soon? You guided my conception and formed me in the womb’ Job 10:9-10 NLT

God brings upon us many things that are designed to help us develop patience. Often we ignore those things until they get crucial and when they do we go through a lot of refining. Our faith is tested, strengthened and deepened and the pain we experience is often deep too. It could be emotional stress, physical pain, anxiety, a number of things, but once we come through it we recognise that we’ve also been experiencing some changes in our lives and those changes were accompanied by pain in various ways. As we get older, hopefully we begin to recognise those signs much quicker, and the change can be accepted with less pain involved. KMT

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. Job 12:13

Recently I’ve attended a business breakfast, a sponsor lunch and participated in a forum at TV show website, all of which have been discussing the topic of Ethics in Business. And then just this week a presentation at the OIVAC about Business Ethics.

The fact that this topic is being discussed in many places recently indicates to me it is something that is at the top of people’s minds of late. It is probably always there but so many things have been raising their heads globally that it’s got people thinking. Not just in business but in politics, in churches, in social networks, on websites. There seems to be so many ’shades of grey’ today that people are lulled into thinking that whatever it is they are doing, or thinking, is ok - because ‘times have changed’ and so many others are doing it. Are ethics really to be considered as ‘old fashioned’? I hope not!

When does it get down to what is right within? Do people truly not have a conscience anymore? Is it more a collective conscience that rules rather than an individual one?

As business operators there are two things we need to have in mind - what is right for our clients and what is right for us as individuals. Sometimes those two things appear to clash. What we do in business reflects on us as a person and that might mean we have to say ‘no’ to a client sometimes, even at the risk of losing their business. I’ve been in that position and I know that others have too and it can go both ways. I heard this morning at a presentation about business ethics of someone, a client, who did the wrong thing by the person providing them a service and moved to a competitor who poached them when actually acting on behalf of the service provider. The competitor also did the wrong thing but the client showed their lack of loyalty and their desire for opportunism. To me it showed they really both deserved each other and the other service provider was better off without this client, but it still leaves bad feeling all round.

There are some decisions that are tough calls and if you cannot make a decision that sits right within then perhaps you need to seek someone to whom you look up to for advice. This could be someone who’s been in business longer, or perhaps a colleague, a mentor, a teacher, a parent, someone in your church, or perhaps even the person who leads the business network of which you are a member. Don’t let it get to the point where it stresses you severely and you get sick as a result. You then stand to lose your health, lose business and not be there for your family as they have need. Your health is important, and dare I say as well, the ‘health of your ethics’. But more importantly you should be looking to God’s Word and find out what He says in the Bible. Because, as it says in Job as listed at the top of this post, ‘To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his’. Holding fast to your ethics and not letting a client waiver them, even if it means you might lose business, in the end is what will help you stay in business and maintain integrity. People do notice, even when you think they are not watching. KMT

business ethics, ethics in business, guidance, seeking counsel, integrity