I Prayed for You Today

I said a prayer for my blog readers today.

That God will surround you with favour and give you divine wisdom. I prayed that your needs will be met and you will thrive inspite of any challenges you may be faced with. I asked God to bless and keep you and your loved ones in good health. I requested that He keep the vision He has planted in you alive and give you the right people, strategy and tools to work with. I pray that this week will be a week of testimonies in your life.

In Jesus name.

Amen

Its a New Day - 2010

May God guide and keep you through this new year. May He keep you in good health and in perfect peace. May you walk in His favour and love. May this year hold lots of great testimonies for you and your loved ones.

I wish you greater success than previous years.

Happy New Year!

The Perfect Gift

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas giving extra thought and focus to the true meaning of Christmas. God so rich in grace and mercy gave us the most precious and perfect gift in His son Jesus Christ.

5 Areas I Want to Work on This Week

Prayer

My prayer life has suffered immensely recently due to distractions resulting from family issues, moving homes and a host of other things. I realize that I am nothing without God and I need to tune in to His Spirit in order to get a grip and deal with all that is before me. We really should never get too busy not to pray. By His grace I want to work on getting back on track and spending more time in prayer as well as in the Bible.

Emotions

I need to stop reacting to everything I experience with an outburst of some kind of emotion or the other and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance. I have been under a lot of pressure lately and I know that the Lord would never give me more than I can bear.

Authenticity

I used to have an approval addiction but thank God that I have been set free to live my life to the fullest according to His purpose and not that of any other.

Focus

I am working on clarifying my personal objectives (you may call it decluttering of objectives) and determining what I ought to be focusing more time on. I want to accomplish what I am here on earth to do.

Kiddy Time

My time just laughing and having fun with my kids has dwindled due to all that I have had going on and I certainly miss reading to them, telling funny stories and conducting experiments.

It is interesting that the last four points are all tied to the first, prayer. Its plain to see that things are a little out of whack because my prayer life is not where it should be. We really are nothing without God.

What Are You Asking For?

On second thought, perhaps I should have titled this post “What are you not asking for?” A lot of us go through life hoping for much yet asking for nothing. We have high expectations yet refuse to initiate contact. Some ask amiss; You want a mansion but are praying for a bungalow.

God knows we have needs even before we ask but why do we refuse to ask? Do you think He is incapable? Do you think you would be bothering the Creator of all things or disrupting His already full schedule?

The bible tells us to “ask that we might receive”.

Go the Extra Mile

In the current economic climate, maintaining a competitive edge is essential to the success of businesses. Why should people spend their hard earned money on your product or your service and not the next guys? Not only do consumers have far more options with price wars amongst businesses owners but letting go of their money means they have to be convinced of the value doing business with you brings.

Having a good product or service with a catchy name just isn’t enough. Having an exceptional product and creating a good customer experience will set you apart.

Fight Like a Girl

Boost your business in 2009

The current economic environment makes people just want to pack it all up, throw their arms in the air and give up. As children of The Most High, let us walk in faith trusting in God’s word, standing on His promises. Apart from prayer (that’s a given) here are a few things to give your business a boost:

Talk to your customers
Find out what they like about your service more importantly find out what they would like you to improve on. Are there additional services that you could provide? Encourage them to talk to you by being accessible and approachable. Ensure that you offer them various ways of contacting you if/when they choose to.

Say thank you

Reward Referrals
Encourage people to send you referrals by offering incentives for recommendations. And as much possible, acknowledge the source of each referral by saying thank you.

Provide Added Value
Educate your clients about new and existing services. Customize your product or services if applicable.

Recycle
Reduce unnecessary spending by re-using office stationery.

Form Partnerships
Join forces with complimentary businesses as this allows for cross referrals. Forming an alliance with a similar business with a different specialty could increase your chances of winning projects as it enables you to tap into diverse skill and resource reservoir.

More coming soon….

Thank you

I have learnt the true value of expressing ones heart felt thanks. Everyone wants to be appreciated, acknowledged and valued; it really is an innate attribute of mankind. On the receiving end, a show of appreciation makes us feel all gooey, and for some reason we are even swept with a renewed feeling of wanting to repeat the cause of thanks or completely going overboard with acts of kindness.

In your business, particularly in your marketing efforts, take the time to thank people who have been supportive, provided you with invaluable information, referred a new client or simply taken the garbage out for you, just so that there was one less thing for you to concern yourself with.

That being said I'd like to thank everyone that stops by to read my posts here. To all that drop me emails with questions and little words of encouragement. And of course all those who have recommended this blog to their friends.

Write the Vision

In trying to move our businesses and personal lives forward, it is important to not only set goals but to put pen to paper and write them down. It makes us accountable to God, ourselves and possibly others and serves as the yard stick by which we can measure our achievements. Writing your plans and goals is an evidence of your commitment towards your goal. Taking the time to write them down takes some soul searching and possibly research; it should be a well thought out process that causes us to define what we are aiming for and critically determine the resources required to get us there.

Praise the Lord, 2009 is here! I stopped making new year resolutions years ago, instead I critically and prayerfully look at things I want to change or achieve in my life at intervals and when/where necessary set a goal.

Irrespective of whether you are for or against new year resolution, take this time to critically assess your business and determine what it is you want to improve on or change and set some defined goals for yourself. When you’re done writing, keep it where you can read and reflect on it every day. This will serve as your motivation, give you some focus and be a constant reminder that you are on your way to bigger and better things.

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” - Habakkuk 2:2 (King James Version)

Wish you success, favour and joy!

What If Starbucks Marketed Like The Church?

My friends (FYI, they are not yet aware of our friendship…lol!) at Inside Work posted this video from Beyond Relevance. I could not resist posting it here. It certainly gets you thinking. It made me consider the church and the way we try to reach out to people in our immediate community and beyond. As a business woman it really makes me question how I am perceived by potential clients. Could i possibly be coming across as trying too hard? Check it out!

What fruit is that?

I walked into a health food store I visit ever so often this morning. When I got to the checkout it was the same guy that had served me several times before. I am always so taken by the way he deals with all visitors to the store. He is always very pleasant to everyone which is probably why he is extremely popular amongst the regular customers. He advises clients about products with such keen interest genuineness and goes well out of his way to ensure that customers are satisfied. He is not the store manager or owner but he always has a happy and helpful countenance and personifies the phrase service with a smile. During a brief chat with him this morning about how well he deals with everyone that comes into the store, I hardly allowed him to complete his final sentence before I interrupted him with my repetition of the words “I knew it”. It turned out that he is a Christian, living his beliefs and ministering by his actions.

This made me take stock of my business practices. What do my clients say about me? As business owners are we able to provide more than a service or product? Do we leave positive lasting impressions in the minds of potential and existing clients? Is it all about the money or are we affecting lives by causing people to wonder why we are the way we are or do the things we do? Do we set good examples? Do we cause people to doubt our integrity? Are we marketplace ministers? Good fruit or bad fruit, what are you producing?

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. - Matthew 7:16-17 (King James Version)

What...Failure Can Be Good?

I love Seth’s blog and books for the simple reason that he gets you thinking and possibly causes a shift in your attitude or actions. This time, he is talking about failure and how such an experience can work in our favour ultimately if we learn from rather than dwelling on it, we can sharpen the saw and emerge better.

"I try hard not to keep a running tally of big-time failures in my head. It gets in the way of creating the next thing. On the other hand, when you see failure as a learning event, not a destination, it makes you smarter, faster.”

Read more

Why do you do what you do?

A friend of mine recently asked me why I created this blog and why I decided to call it Christian Business Woman? My response was that this blog allows me to fully express my interests and the very things that are important to me. For me Christianity is not my religion but my way of life and when speaking to people in the business realm its often quite tricky or considered outright inappropriate to bring up ones spiritual beliefs. I am also a woman (as well as a wife and mother) which means I’m often wearing different hats. Here on this blog, I can express all those different elements without appearing unprofessional or inappropriate. Why do you do what you do?

When the going gets tough – Part I

As though the challenges of starting and running a business aren’t enough, we have everyday personal challenges to further complicate our lives. How do you deal with difficult and serious situations in your various non business relationships, sickness, personal losses etc. and keep your businesses running without your business grinding to a halt under the strain of your personal challenges?

My mother is seriously ill (even though I am thankfully believing God for her complete healing) and it can be pretty challenging updating this blog and keeping up with my other commitments under the strain. But I thank God for encouraging me and keeping me strong. I have drawn so much strength from reading His word and worshipping him. I recently read a comment on a blog (don’t remember the name) that overcoming challenges in life is 95% our reaction and 5% finding a solution, and I find this to be so true. Bearing that in mind, everytime I feel a little discouraged I get into the Word of God (even when I’m not feeling quite like it) to re-align my focus and I find so much strength in this. I encourage you to find scriptures applicable to your personal challenges and meditate upon them even when things look bleak. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19), let His word work in your life

What’s Holding You Back?

Lots of people have great ideas but are unable to bring them into reality. There are inventors that this world hasn’t known, real estate investor’s, retail chain owners, etc. lounging in the hall of mediocrity instead of taking their places in the hall of fame. They’ll give a thousand reasons why they cannot venture out to build their idea and refuse to recount the reasons why they can. Blinded by their own weaknesses they do not see how God wants to use them, how He perceives them or the many gifts and strengths with which He has blessed them.

We all have and will experience “holdbacks” in some form or the other, but we have to be willing to deal with them in order to attain what God has for us in our businesses as well as our personal lives.

1. Like all things, a good place to start is prayer.
2. Study the Bible to learn what Gods says and thinks of you.
3. Consciously think good thoughts and watch what you read, watch on TV, listen to, etc
4. Remember that the bible says that “Faith without works is dead”1, so after you have sought a strategy from God,2 and done the required preparation, take action.
5. Realize that it may not be easy, but hang tough, knowing that God will see you through.
6. Through your victories and challenges, stay focused and continually give God the glory.

I highly recommend Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by Joyce Meyer, it changed my life.

In the words of one of my favourite authors John C. Maxwell, "For most people, it's not what they are that holds them back, it's what they think they are not."

Wishing you great success!

1. James 2:14
2. Jeremiah 33:3

A Business that's Part of His Plan

I see running a business as part of God’s plan as well as part one's purpose and ministry. As such, I think it is important to seek God’s guidance on the type of businesses we should run as well as all the seemingly fine details of our business. And like a pastor or preacher, we need to know where God wants us to take our business as well as how to positively impact the lives of those we come in contact with while conducting business. So my prayer today is, Lord reveal to us how our businesses fit into your master plan. Amen.

Success

I just had to share this article I came across that explores how to be a success based on the word of God.

"A look into God’s Word quickly reveals that material blessings were given because God loved His people, not because His people deserved those blessings. They were withdrawn from those who used them foolishly and transferred to more faithful stewards. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). "

Read How to Be a Success here

Who Needs A Mentor?

Finding a business mentor is great way to jump-start new and seasoned businesses. Having the input and support of one who has walked the path that you intend to, or has accomplished goals similar to the ones you want to achieve can be really beneficial. But finding a willing mentor can be a little tricky. Understandably, there is a time commitment involved and unless your proposed mentor is someone who really wants to sow into the life of another, this may not be top priority for them, amidst a busy schedule. I know of people who have been mentored by people they do not have established personal relationship with; by reading their biographies, books they have authored etc. and learning from their experiences; but that still does not beat having a one-on-one where you have an opportunity to ask pertinent questions and rub minds.

When looking for a mentor, consider the following:

1. You should have a clear idea of what you hope to achieve or benefit from the relationship.
2. Do they possess relevant experience and knowledge in the area in which you require growth?
3. Proposed mentor’s ability to relate to you and communicate effectively and vice versa.
4. Commitment and availability to the mentoring relationship.
5. Objectivity and ability to provide constructive feedback.
6. Their ability to encourage and support when necessary.
7. Find a mentor who is enthusiastic about the mentoring relationship and process.

I am commited to supporting 5 women in getting their small businesses off the ground between now and October 2008. If you are interested, please email me at cbizwoman at yahoo dot co dot uk or leave me a comment.

Christian Business Woman

With the many hats we have to wear and the added demands of everyday life, more women are striding out to create the kind of work life balance that they want by creating their own businesses. Starting out in business takes courage, hardwork and the grace of God. But even for the Christian woman, this is no small feat.

This blog has been created for you and I; for me as an outlet to relay my personal experience from time to time as well as share the knowledge I have acquired; for you, you'll be assured that you are not alone and find ideas as well as encouragement.

My prayer is that through the words here you will find some inspiration, tools and resources that will support you in your endeavours. Should you have specific questions or concerns, please leave me a comment. I encourage everyone to leave me comments to let me know what you would like to see here, your opinions and experiences and how I can further support you.

I am commited to supporting 5 women in getting their small businesses off the ground between now and October 2008. If you are interested, please email me at cbizwoman at yahoo dot co dot uk or leave me a comment.