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An effective prayer could take the format of a court proceeding as an advocate presenting his case
before a judge.
A pastor and a friend shared about the following three ways of praying:
“Come now and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they
shall be as white as snow …” (Isaiah 1:18)
“Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be
acquitted.” (Isaiah 43:25)
We find God encouraging us to reason with Him and give Him reasons for Him to forgive us. Abraham
did that when he pleaded for Sodom(Genesis 18:16-33). Moses did that for his people (Numbers 14:11-
20).
Pro 26:2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does
not alight.
So firstly, we have the good news that we are protected from any curse that does not have any valid
reason to catch hold of us. We can live safely and are protected.
Secondly, we have the danger part implied in the inverse of the verse. The curse can stay if there is any
valid cause. Peter warned us that the devil is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter
5:8). The devil is hunting for any cause to attack us.
While God is love, excessively by man standard. God is also just. God will have to extend that justice to
the devil too. So if the devil can find any legitimate reason such as our sin, he can attack us and block
our prayers from being answered. This is also the reason why Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, has to
become a man to die on the cross to pay for our sins and to arise to give us new lives.
In prayers for healing, unforgiveness is often a cause that blocks the healing from taking place. In the
Lord's prayer, "forgive us our sins as we have forgiven others" (Matthew 6:9-13) and Paul in Eph 4:32
"forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you". Healing usually takes place after the person
concerned had forgiven some particular others.
Thirdly, no matter what was the cause, as we discover it, we can plead the blood of Jesus to cover and
remove it as Jesus had paid the price for our deliverance. The Lord's Prayer Petition#7 is "But deliver us
from evil."
Fourthly, the difficulty lies in the cause, may not be due to us but due to our relatives or people around
us and also to our forefathers who we did not even know at all. Such are known as the generational
curses which could transfer 3 to 4 generations (Exodus 20:4-6). In such cases, our elders may know, and
we can also rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal to us.
Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus has enabled us to confidently go to the throne of grace to receive mercy, not even plead, and to
get the grace empowerment, to get our needs fulfilled.
How does such prayer look like? Below are two posts that give us the details:
Finally, after reading this, please do not be alarmed so that you spend time digging into your past to find
any curses or sins. You should only do the digging when you are led to or when you are finding you are
not getting your answers after some long period of praying.
This blog has been sharing the wisdom of Ancient Chinese and Western Modern Management. But there
is another great source of wisdom which is the Bible. This post will share about building a high-
performance team according to the Paul from the Bible Ephesians 4:14-16. The key ideas are diversified
members with specialized abilities, development of members from infants to maturity, mission,
leadership, modelling of maturity, communications and connection to link up all the members with love
seeking after the truth.
The Text of Ephesians 4:14-16 NIV
We break the sentences into sub-sentences to show the main concepts(in italics) better:
infants,
tossed back and forth by the waves,(unstable, changing all the time)
and blown here and there by every wind of teaching (easily influenced
by others)
15 Instead,
to become in every respect the mature body of him (Jesus/Leader as the Model)
grows and builds itself up in love, (Growth for the members & the team)
Members:
Infants
can be deceived
Maturity
The Glues
Truth
Truth, facing the reality, is the key ingredient for teaming and performance
But the truth could hurt especially for the infant-members, and hence must be done through
Love. Infants must be coached with love else they get discouraged and give up or become
rebellious and destructive
Is the team mission being accomplished or each one fighting for his own?
Model Of Maturity JesusThe leader should set the standards for maturity. He himself being the
model. Then the standards become the yardstick of measurements for good performance.
Every member uses his abilities to work best in his particular function.
grows and builds itself up in love, Love does not mean without discipline. Any good father will
discipline his sons for their good.
By providing answers to question raised above, we can learn how to make improvements to our team.
May you spend the time to discover the true state and the problems that you are facing with your team
and get the improvements that you so desire.
Here is a mind-map:
In a recent overseas mission trip, I have the opportunities to share the "10 Kingdom Laws for Success" to
many young professional and entrepreneurs that are believers on 3 separate meetings. The original
posting Kingdom Laws & Principles is too much to share in a 1-2 hour session. A shortened version in
Chinese is shared and it is available here.
This post is the English version of the "10 Kingdom Laws for Business Success".
2. Work happened before Sin & Curse. Gen 1:28,2:15 comes before the Curse in Gen 3:17-19.
5. The Curse of Work has been removed by Jesus. Work is stress-free & joyful. Gal 3:13, Col 1:20.
Pro 14:23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
Joh 13:17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them
You sow what you have; You get what you sow
Invest in
business
It is also know as the Law of Proportional Returns: the more you give the more you get
Watch the Opportunity & Timing - Ride the Trends - Ecc 3:1-8
Be at the leading edge and not the 1st mover bleeding edge
God provides the Growth and Set the Timing & Man does the Following of the laws of nature,
the seasons & timing established by God.
Serve your staff to serve your customers who repay you with $$$
Leadership is about
Once the goal has been set, it must be pursued with a burning desire. The desire
must be maintained and sustained with discipline - Fred Smith
unless there is character transformation, greater responsibility will show forth greater
weakness
Warren Buffet, "In looking for someone to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity,
intelligence and energy. But the most important is integrity, because if they don't have
that, the other two qualities, intelligence and energy, are going to kill you."
Glory goes to those that are humble - ever learning & contributing. Mat 5:5
Renewal is
Learning
“have it” - resources, ability. If don't have them, there is nothing to be humble about.
“use it”. When the situation calls for it and if you have it, humility requires you to use it
to help and not to hide it!
It is not passive but quiet aggressive actions without drawing attention to self.
1. develop humility
This posting should actually be the first in this whole series of "Business by Jesus". The
earlier postings are BJ#1 The Golden Rule for Business Success, BJ#2 Have a Mission
Statement, BJ#3 Vision Statement.
One of the world most successful organization with the longest history and largest world
wide following would likely to be the Church established by Jesus Christ. The founding
pioneers, the disciples of Jesus, were generally fishermen, (though there was a good
accountant and tax consultant called Matthew). What had Jesus taught them that such a big
and growing organization was possible through average people. One may claimed it was
God. But God works through people and give us the examples where other can follow. What
are the principles and strategies that Jesus taught the Church. The answers are found in the
Bible. Bible is more than just a moral and ethical standards of behavior. I strongly believe
and will show in this series of postings that Bible also teach us the principles and the how-
to, the strategies for building long lasting successful enterprises that contribute to the well
beings of society.
Earlier postings have covered the Golden Rule for Business, Mission and Vision - what are
the important things that make good mission and vision statements. This posting is like a
table of content showing the additional topics that will be covered in future.
3. God's Righteousness - Do Things Right - Walk the Talk. The Execution of Strategies.
Righteousness is not just about knowing the right things but to doing them right - reaching up to
the standards. It is about quality. Jesus not only tells us about God's kingdom rules, he has to
die for us (because we fail to do it!) to accomplish the requirements and obtain righteousness
for us. Integrity is about walking the talk. Business success is not just about the right strategies
but also about executing the strategies.
4. Do it Now.
Mat 6 ends with verse 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be
anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Let us not be paralyzed by fear of
tomorrow. Tomorrow happenings is determined by today actions. Let us starting doing it now -
to know God and to act on it.
6. A famous preacher rephrased this verse roughly as "Economic Success follows Spiritual
Revival". This is definitely supported by the development of Europe and US after the
rediscovery of salvation by faith alone.
The single purpose is "make Jesus' disciples". It is action packed with GO and the extend and
scope of work is "All Nations" or "Globally" in today language.
2Ti 2:2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
The highest calling for all man is "we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one
another, just as he has commanded us 1 Jn 3:23". It is through knowing Jesus that we can truly
know our Father God. It is with Jesus' love that we can love others. This is the NT extension of
"Love God and Love others like oneself".
Man is a created being. Created being does not know the answer as to why he was created. We
need the answer from the Creator rather than the created. As created beings, we can guess at
the answer from the creation, but we will never really and truly know the right answer. Only our
Creator can tell us why he created us for.
It provides us relationship, identity and accountability. No one standalone. Identity and life is
defined from how we relate to others. Knowing who I belong to, or have relationship with, is of
vital importance.
Eph 1:4-5 tells us that God has chosen and predestined to be His sons through Jesus Christ
before the foundation of the world.
The Amplified Bible gives a very clear picture of our mission in Eph 2:10
For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born
anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us
[taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life
which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
God has a different calling or mission for each of us. His plan for us is good life.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God gives us the instructions and ability too.
Jos 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on
it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then
you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Please remember that we are God's children with His attributes - creativity, ability and
productivity.
We are blessed with talents and gifts for a divine purpose that God has created us for. It is up to
us to discover what this is. This discovery process may take time. But, let's start now.
Vision Statement is a visualization, a picture of what it will look like as you accomplished the
milestones in your mission. It is what you become in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. It is adding a time
dimension and a visual dimension to mission. It makes the mission come alive. It gives focus. It
show the benefits of the mission clearly and gives the motivation. Mission gives the purpose,
vision shows the picture.
Hab 2:2 Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets,
That the one who reads it may run.
Vision gives a clear picture that can be easily recorded in the mind and in the heart, so that they
can quickly run to bring it to pass.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.Mark
9:23
We need first to have picture that we can believe in and then it outcome will be certain. Prov
29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish. Or in (ESV) Where there is no
prophetic vision the people cast off restraint. Vision gives the guides.
Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he
Examples of Vision Statements
Follow me and I will make you fishers of men Mt 4:19.
Jesus, when speaking to fishermen, used the picture that they could best understand. 'Making
Disciples' is like having a big catch of fish - net breaking load of fish. They can associate with it
and can feel the joy and excitement of such a catch.
To the woman at the well, he said, "Follow me and you will never be thirsty again". John 4:13
He also said "I am the bread of life;he who comes to Me shall not hunger" John 6:35
When painting a vision, use things that the readers can best understand and be motivated by.
Put them in the context and background of the readers. Use their terms.
Vision must include the benefits to the corporations and to the customers, employees and
owners in the order.
Vision must be as specific as possible so that the reader can have a clear vision in their mind
and in their heart. Most corporate vision speaks of revenues, market ranking, and physical sizes
like number of people and number of countries or cities they will be operating in. These are ok
but there needs to be further illustrations and other areas as well. What do those measures
mean to the customers, the employees and the owners. Listed corporations like to have
measures in terms of the shares-owners values, such as Total Shareholder Return (TSR). But
one should remember that profits is a by-product of providing good value to customers with
good execution by the employees. In painting the vision, one should describe the impacts to the
customers, and to the employees. The corporate cultures, the working environment, the pre-
sale and after-sale, and other things that relate to employees and customers.
The clearer the vision, the easier it will be in deciding the strategies and their execution later.
The measurement of the catch is very obvious - the number or the weight of the fish caught.
The best measurement is one that is very easy to see. You don't need to have an instrument to
tell. A good one is reaching a destination. When you reach a destination, you know you have
arrived.
Putting a man on the moon by end of the decade is a good vision statement.
The measure is obvious - a man landed on the moon (alive and return is implied).
The timing is before the end of the decade (it was by 1970).
Jesus did not specify the targets and timing then. It was up the disciples each to determine for
themselves when they followed Jesus and learned more.
BJ#4 Your Values
This is part 4 of Business by Jesus Series. See BJ#0 for overview.
Your values - what you value and believe in, are important in providing decision making
framework where there are no clear guidelines. It determines the Corporate character
that is the sum total of the individuals working in the corporation.
The 1st and basic value is Commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of the
Corporate. Without this commitment, all other stated values are mere talk and are
useless.
1. Difference (function) is valued and "Respected". All parts cannot be the same.
2. Difference need to be aligned and synchronized toward achieving the mission.
The underlying value to unite the differences is LOVE. But love is such a misunderstood
and misused term that need to be further qualified. The Bible uses another metaphor - A
Family to describe an organization. We are to treat each other as brothers and sisters.
Jesus uses the "Golden Rule" to give substance to love. He said in Mat 7:12 "Therefore
all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for
this is the law and the prophets." or in modern language "Treat others as you want them
to treat you".
Someone is quick to point out that due to difference in personality, cultures or taste,
what you like is not what others may like. But if you study the statement in context, v12
starts with therefore, which means it is the followup of previous verses. The earlier
verse spoke about people asking for things first and the father supplying them. To me,
this verse means the following: (The similar verse Luke 6:31 has a similar context of
request and more than satisfying the request - the spirit of service )
1. Put yourself in their position first- understand them from their point of view.
2. Ask them what they would like.
3. Do for them what they ask.
So, someone has nicely re-phrase it in the Platinum rule as "Do Unto Others as They
Would Have You Do Unto Them".
Living and Healthy Organism grows. The other value that Corporate must have is
"Learning" resulting in "Innovations". Learning is about overcoming limitations, gaining
new knowledge, being innovative, being adaptable to changes, and being agile. One
must be humble to learn and be corrected. Humility is a value to have.
In the midst of performance targets, we may quickly forget the basic rule of love and
hence, adding in "compassionate" and "care" are good values for our reminders. Life is
more than just materials earnings and profits.
Others may want to add "value-adding" but I think this should be or implied in the
mission statement. No corporation can survive without providing value-add.
3. Build Relationships
Develop long term relationships with stakeholders Mat 5:31-32
Stakeholders are customers, staff, suppliers, owners, community & competitors
Before - Select wisely. Choose the right one.
After - Be the right Employer or Partner. Don't 'play-out' partners.
e.g. Toyota vs GM's suppliers relationships. GM pick suppliers that offer
the best pricing and have short-term relationships with their suppliers. Toyota does not
just go on price alone and try to maintain long term relationship with suppliers. Toyota
will involves and help their suppliers to become better.
Honor Your Contracts and Commitments. Mat 5:33-37
Do not over-promise
Do not under-deliver
Strategy is what you do and not what you say. Mat 7:24-27
Hear + Do = Rock Foundation
Hear only or Talk only = Sandy Foundation.
Under fair weather, when things are going well, there seems to be no difference between the
two. However, when difficult times come, the Rock-Foundation ones survive and prosper.
Strategies must be Internalised and Reflected in our decision making process.
Strategies should be so promoted and executed such that they are what we do all the time.
Mark 7:18-23. It is not what you take-in but what come-out, the outcomes of your decisions that
build or destroy a company. External things and events should not affect you badly, They
happen to all. It is your inside, how you run the company that makes you a good or a bad
company.
1. Act 1:8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power.
2. Step 1: Jerusalem - Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem
The Growth :Act 2:47 while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day
the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
The Mission Push: Act 5:42 Every day they spent time in the temple and in one
home after another. They never stopped teaching and telling the good news that Jesus
is the Messiah.
Group & Task for Effectiveness: Act 6:3 My friends, choose seven men who
are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these
things. Act 6:4 We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching."
3. Step 2 in all Judea
God uses Saul to push the Believers to go out of Jerusalem Act 8:1
4. Step 3 in Samaria,
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned
to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
5. Step 4: everywhere in the world
Act 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus (transported by God): and passing through he
preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Conversion of Saul at Demacus Syria Act 9
Peter at Joppa Act 9:39 and Caesarea Act 10 for the Centuriion by God again.
New Customer Segments Acts 11:19-20
Another HQ setup at Antioch Act 11:22,26,24
Barnabas & Saul Sent Out Act 13:2
Paul in Rome Act 28:16
See also: Bible for Business Seminar#7 Designing Strategies
Bible for Business Seminar#7 Designing Strategies
Some who attended the seminars previously felt that as employee, the talks on mission, vision,
values and strategies seem not too relevant to work. As employee, we need to understand how
our work contributes to our company's mission and visions. I wish to encourage that all to think
like your bosses or owners so that one day you will be one. The values covered the previous
and this talk tell us the how to behave so that we will be promoted and be successful in life.
We covered the 2nd point of "Appreciation Situations" that not completed due to lack of time.
That is to understand the trend and be ready all the time and at any time. We covered Porter's
Five Competitive Forces that determines the profitability of a business in the medium & long run.
With the materials given in BJ#6 Strategies the following additional points were added:
1. The Beatitudes of Mat 5 could be seen as the "Commandments" of NT. These
are positive commands - be meek, seek righteousness, be merciful, be pure, be peace-
makers etc. This list is comparable to James 3:17. We should and are able to do all
these because we are rebirthed as children of God with Jesus in us. We gave the
business viewpoints of those virtues.
2. Branding & Communications - we should have strategies to create our brand,
deliver to expectation and to communicate. We are light for the world to see that bring
glory to God. We cited Mat 6:1-4 charity giving, 6:17-19 fasting not as exaltation not to
tell but exaltation not to be hypocrites. We are not to give to charity to gain glory or to
fast to show our piety. Branding is both - telling and fulfilling the expectation. Branding is
a promise. Branding should have consistency of experience, look-and-feel, quality,
differentiation and repeated exposure. All strategies, while described in details, should
have a tagline for ease of communication and memory. e.g. Customer Intimacy, or High
Touch Experience, Operational Excellence etc.
3. Cutting costs uniformly, cutting marketing, training etc are short-term methods
with harms on the future. The better method is to cut wisely. Cut the dead weights either
in offerings or customers. Be innovative to do more with less. Build employees
enthusiam. Outsourcing wisely.
4. In the Globalization Strategy of the Church, we stressed how God used Saul to
get the church to move out of Jerusalem. We sometimes need to have or to create crisis
to move us out of our comfort zone to move into higher plane. God used Paul to address
a wider market segment - from the Jews to the Gentiles and setting up an HQ in Antioch
to address to expanded market.
5. The Strategies Check List is summarized as:
1. Support the Values of Corporations
2. Pursue Differentiation & Excellent / Perfection
3. Building Relationships – Customers, Staff, Suppliers
4. Branding (Authentic Experience) & Communications
5. Be Lean – Cut Losses, Remove Dead weights.
6. Take Positive Initiatives
7. Work with Your Competitors Wisely
8. Do the Talk
9. Internalized by Staff
About 8 of us gathered together for the seminar. We have a good time of sharing after the talk.
Some are reflected in the feedback report below:
The overall score is 84% with the highest score to Speaker Knowledge, Subject Area Coverage,
and the lower scores to length of talk 74% and time of talk 66%.
Like Best
1. Cut loss & stop bleeding, prune the tree so that it bear more fruit
2. Toyota sharing their technology and expertise with competitor & supplier
3. Cut loses & Stop Bleedings It is very practical.
4. Pt 6 take positive initiatives - nuggets of biblical truths which can apply even for
personal working life.
5. Also more examples given this time to explain & expand the various points
Like Least
1. Ending seems a bit hasty, probably due to the shortage of time.
Others
1. Give assignments for completion
2. It will be good to slow down and not to cover too much information in such a
short time
BJ#7 Resources
Before we design and execute our strategies, it is important that we know about the special
resources that Jesus has provided for us.
1. Jesus & Holy Spirit - Our Comforter & Guide
Jesus promised that he would be with us all the time Mt 28:20. He will not leave us as orphans
Jn 14:18. He and His Father, our Heavenly Father will make Their home with us Jn 14:23. He
will send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth from the Father, to us Jn 15:26,16:8. They will give
us the power, wisdom, guidance, help and whatever that is needed to accomplish His purpose
for us when we are willing to abide.
We tend to plan our future according to what we had. God wants us to take our eyes off relying
on ourselves and our resources but to trust Him and see His plan for us. Planning according to
our limited resources keep us where we are. He who called us will also provide to us to
accomplish His purpose for us. In 1Ti 6:17, we are not to set our hopes on the uncertainty of
riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth (Deu
8:18)
2. Word - Bible
The Bible is our "Instruction Manual" for a truly successful life. We need to refer to it and follow it
in all our strategies. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for
every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17)
3. Authority
Believers has Spiritual Authority that non-believers don't have. As Believers, we should exercise
our authorities to command health, wealth, favors, good relationships that we had in the spiritual
world to be realised in this physical world. We can breakthrough the obstacles that the enmey
put on our way. We are given authority when we heed Mat 28:18-20.
In Luk 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all
the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
1Jn 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world.
However, Strategy must be described in a form that is detailed enough to be executable. The
above qualities of a Strategy, like, "build intimate long term relationship with customers" is good
strategic theme to start from but is not an executable strategy. Firstly, it is unclear. What does
intimacy with customers mean? How can you tell whether a relationship is intimate or not. When
will you be satisfied with the intimacy of a relationship ? So, to make a Strategy clear, we must
be able to measure it. We can tend set a target to show the progress and the expectation that
we want.
We would call "Build Intimate Relationship with Customer" as a Strategic Objective. We must
then defined the measures, known loosely, as Strategic Drivers(SD) or Critical Success Factors
(CSF) or Key Performance Indicators(KPI). One measure could be "repeat-business", "contract
renewal rate", etc. It could also defined in rank/phases/steps forms, like 1-open tender bid, 2-
invited bid, 3-closed-bid, 4-pre-tender discussion, 5-joint planning.
The strategy is still incomplete. We need to know how to build the intimate relationship. How do
we engage the customer so that we can be his 'trusted' supplier'. Some may suggest frequent
contacts. We must understand his needs. Others may say we need to have good and innovative
value-proposition to help him be effectiveness. This PROCESS of engaging the customers must
be documented and the procedure & system put in place. The Job description, known
an Strategy Job Role, should be created and is to be filled by a "Sale-Person" who is trained to
do the job well. For the Sales-Person to be effective, you may use computer systems (IT
Application) to keep track of the past, present and future interactions, deliveries and plans of the
customers.
If we have done a good job of knowing customers needs (sometimes thinking ahead of him and
show him how his life can be better is important too) and deliver as our promised to him, he may
be happy to reward us with orders and payments over a long time, giving the revenues and
profits for our business to grow.
The "Stategy Map driven Balanced Scorecard" work of Kaplan & Norton provide a more
complete and concise framework of Strategy Execution. Please refer to it for more details.
The key is that for Strategy to be executable, it be measurable, and must address the 4-6
perspectives of financial, customers, processes, learning & growth (HR job spec, IT infra,
organization change) and others added employees and environmental perspectives.
Once the details are spelled out, we can tie the objectives to owners giving accountability and to
tie them up with person/team rewards & incentives to provide the external motivators.
Mt 6:4b your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Mt 5:12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven
Mt 16:27 "and then He will reward each according to his works.
We then go on to the execution and subsequent monitoring and review of strategy execution.
When things did not turned up as expected (below targets or above targets), we may need to
examine the causes - change the person, the training, process, to job spec, etc and even the
strategy itself ( e.g. It could be that developing long-term intimate relationship is not suitable for
the types of services, or products or the processes and competence of the company. The
company may be better off, due to its existing culture and processes, people, and products or
services, to pursue a different kind of strategy. e.g. lost-cost mass customer supplier)
1. Singleness of Objective:
Mt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
3. Focus by pruning
Step 1 make sure there is fruit.
John 15:2a "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away(lift up from the dirts);
Step 2 optimization
John 15:2b and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
a. channel the energy towards the objective - the fruit
b. cut away non-objective oriented activities - the leaves -good for show but no-value.
4. Get the Priority Right - don't loose Big because of Small things
Mt 5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more
profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Mt 5:30 "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more
profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
See also Bible for Business Seminar#8 Resources & Balanced Scorecards
Bible for Business Seminar#8 Resources & Balanced Scorecards
We covered two key topics in the seminar:
Resources
The Balanced Scorecard
Resources
As Christians, we can draw upon the special resources provided by God. We covered Prov 3:1-
14 showing God's vision for us and the strategies to realize the vision:
We covered the process of learning as given in 2 Tim 3:16-17 Judging Rightly
1. Teaching-Doctrines: learn the truth and put into practice.
2. Reproof - when practices, there could be an error, point out the error.
3. Correction - point out the right way to do.
4. Training in Righteousness - build up the right quality standards of behavior &
habits
Most people need training 1st before counseling. Or put in another way, so-called counseling is
actually very time consuming and effort wasting training - it is training one on one.
We have a good time sharing after the talk. We spoke about 2 main aspect of Corporate
Performance - The Method, such as BSC and The People. Highly passionate and motivated
staff needs to know the method to channel their efforts to achieve excellence. Just having
passion without the right methods will result in fighting, activities without positive outcomes.
Methods alone without passion will result in the achievement of minimum standards. Some
other points are reflected in the feedback report below:
Like Best
1. Strategy Map & Scorecards
2. BSC
3. Prov 3:1-4 Teachings - completeness + God vision + Strategies for us
4. Less is more - 2 miracles in the Bible - Putting our faith in God + obey
5. We are no greater than our belief.
6. Scorecard
7. Introduction of the strategy map & balanced scorecard. Learned new things. It
gives a guideline to running an organization, yet not confusing between the overall
picture & profitability
Like Least
1. The ending seems a bit hasty, probably due to the shortage of time.
Others
1. Please give us the example of BSC
2. Maybe can change the seminar title to Bible for Success so that more people can
attend and benefit
Posted by Liat Lim at 11:21 am
Bible for Business Seminar#10 Performance Measures
Highly recommended books are "Transforming Performance Measurement" by Dean Spitzer
and the books and writings of E W Deming.
In the Strategy Map talk, we stressed much the need to define measure to enhance
understanding about the objective, to help define what success looks like and then to set target.
Measures direct behavior, focus attention, increase objectivity, enable accountability, bring
visibility and enable prediction .... etc.
D Spitzer, in his book, pointed out 4 important aspects about measurement. The Context,
Focus, Integration and Interactivity. The context of measurements is the most important but
often neglected issue. The context involves not just the measures, the measurement process,
but include the most important factor of all - the People. The perceived consequences and
controllability of the measures determine the how people will respond to the measure - either
positively or negatively.
Wrongly defined measures will create dyfunctional behavior. Typical example is measuring the
number of calls handled per hour to try to increase the productivity of the Call-Center. The end
result is unhappy customers with calls being diverted or abruptly ended as operators try to meet
or exceed targets.
The Focus and Integration of Measures correspond to the drawing of the Strategy Map of
Cause and Effect Objectives. By doing the strategy map first, we can bring out focus and
integration. Interactivity of Measures refer to continued review and improvement of measures
and measuring systems to increase learning.
In the Bible, Luk 6:37-42, we discussed judging is finding out the internal intention of the heart.
In context, Jesus was not trying to tell not to judge but to judge wisely. Correct our brothers is
our responsibility and we can't do that without judging. We need to be trained to be like our
Teacher (v40) to judge wisely. SeeJudging Rightly and Judge Not yet Correcting
Target Settings
4 ways
1. According to your Vision - Goals - Where you want to be.
2. According to your Market Standing - Relative Rank or Share of Market
3. Relative to your Competitor - To beat or catch up with your target competitor.
4. Relative to your Past performance - what improvement over last year.
Deming System of Profound Knowledge
Do a google search on the above topic and you will find a lot of good information about it.
It has four main parts
1. Appreciation of System
system exists to accomplish a purpose or aim
made up of interdependent sub-systems
whole greater than the sum of its parts
must optimize for the whole and not of its parts
system does not improve itself - It is manager's responsibility
2. Understanding Variation
understanding probability
variation is to be expected
find out the particular outcome is due to common or special causes.
no tempering or ranking
understand system capability.
See The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable and Fooled by
Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets and
The Halo Effect: ... and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers
3. Theory of Knowledge
Highest form is Prediction
Learning from theory and experience
Operational Definitions (see Measures above)
PDSA for learning and improvement
4. Psychology
Understand People and Behaviour and interactions
Motivation - Intrinsic vs Extrinsic. Deming's Forces of Destruction.
Beliefs and Assumptions
Management is about Accurate Prediction of Good Outcomes.
Like Best
Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation
Traditional vs Positive Measures
Application of Profound Knowledge. Like & Agree with the idea that we are in a world of
systems
Also the fact it that with humans around, there is always psychology involved and there
is variation (random outcomes)
Lk 6:37-42 Understand what is judging
Like Least
nil
Others
Good session. Not too fast and not too much materials in one go.
Good participation from audience.
I would recommend more group discussion.
Sometimes audience can be a little shy or slow to start asking questions.
So may be help with some prepared questions.
As usual, the speaker has good in-depth and practical examples.
Because the participants are regulars and probably those who are really interested,
perhaps small group setting may encourage more interactions.
So, we have a very basic principle, or saying, "Cash is King" or "He who has the cash has the
say".
1. What is the Business Model ? How does the business make profits?
2. What is the Profit&Loss Projection?
3. What is the Cash-Flow ?
4. What is the Balance Sheet?
5. What is the Value of the Business?
The Financial Measures
1. The P&L statements tell us whether is business will make profit to survive. Key measures are
Net Profit After Tax, Net Profit Margin %, Gross Margin%.
But it does not tell us how much resources, or capitals (cash, building, machineries, etc) are
used in making the profits. So other measures are needed like:
2. Returns on Capital Employed (ROCE) , Economic Value Add (EVA) and EVA returns are
measures for capital efficiency.
3. For listed company, the Market Value of the business and Shares Holders returns are
important. A typical good measure used 3-5 year rolling Total Shareholder Return (TSR).
4. Since Cash is most important, cash flow measures are important too. Because profits are
subjected to manipulations, financial analysts recommend the use of FCF Free Cash Flow. FCF
= Net Operating Case - Capital Expenditure. It represents the cash that are in excess of the
operation & capital needs of the company and can be freely used for dividends, shares buy
back etc. Some others proposed used of structural free cash flow = Net income + depreciation +
amortization +/- onetime items - capital expenditures.
Other Key Points
1. Time have value. Watchout for the time value of money. A $1 now is of greater
value than $1 at year end.
2. Options have value. Keeping the decision options opened have value. If two
plans give the same return, go for the one with greater options. A 3% interest rate for a
6-month and a 12-month fixed deposits are not equal in value.
What to do with the Profits
Firstly, we realize that "Lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth Mt 6:20". Hence, the 1st
portion of the profit is for the Lord. Secondly, profits is put back into the business as longer term
investment for the future profits. Lastly, take it out and distribute to the owners (shares-holders)
as returns for their investment.
Customer's Experience
Whether a customer will be your long term client depends on his experience with you. A good
packaging is important in attracting the potential customers for a try. However, you must deliver
the real excellent value in the use of your products or services.
1. Exceeds the Competitor
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
Applying the above in business, the value we deliver must exceed that of our
competitors that we may enter into the heart of our customers to enjoy a long term
relationship.
Mark 4:24-25 (KJV) with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto
you that hear shall more be given. [25] For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he
that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
The value they give to you is proportional to the value you deliver to them. If you don't
deliver real value, you will loose your business soon.
Mt 5:39-42 is all about exceeding the expectation of the customers. Please note also
that giving is based on what you have and can. Don't borrow to give and
4. Do not make promises that you can't deliver. see also Mat 5:37.
Most organization go for ISO certification to gain recognition for quality. In reality, the
spirit of quality is seldom instilled in the staff. They do the necessary to pass the exam
but see extra work as a necessary evil. Mat 5:22, 2:28 shows us that we must embrace
quality in our Heart, Head and the Hand.
As in Mat 5:29-30, face up with realities in our organization and take the bold and tough
steps of cutting off units, departments, teams or even people for not delivering after
attempts to train, change or develop them. The market and technology may have moved
and you have to face up withe realities to cut them out. Don't let the sick part of
department or people destroy the whole company.
7. Branding
Most people think of branding as just telling. Branding is much more than nice packaging
and a catchy message. Branding is acquired after a long series of experience by many
customers. The fastest way to destroy a brand is to tell one thing and deliver another
thing. Branding is "Projecting Right Kind of Image and Making sure the Image is Really
you." It is what comes from the hearts - revealed in what you said and delivered in the
long run that creates the branding of who you are and what you stand for. Mark 7:18-23.
It is your differentiating and consolidated identity . A good brand is reason for
employees, investors and customers to want to do business with you and your asset for
long term survival & profitability.
8. Outcomes vs Output
Outcomes are Customers' purchase orders, goods received in good order and payment
received.
Outputs are the things you do or deliver to the customers. Spending lots of time, output
measures in man-hours, with customers may not leads to the right Outcome - signed
deal.
We also discussed the need for Re-positioning, using Blockbuster (VRC Rental), Netflix (
Internet DVD Rental) , and Video-on-Demand and Apple iPod as an example of how the market
shifted with technology changes.
About 10 people came together for the Seminar. The overall rating was 90% with Length of talk
scoring 100%, followed by Subject area coverage, Tech Level, Speaker Knowledge at 94%, and
lowest Time of Talk at 80%. The feedbacks were:
Like Best
Application and example
About the chart comparison of various circus
Blue Ocean Strategy & Application in real life example eg Google
Red Ocean and Blue Ocean Strategy
Others
should use some pictures or logos to capture our vision while showing so we can enjoy
the session more
Is it possible to take this seminar as a case study - how to market to more people -
through email to other churches, advertisement
In the passage, we have the contrasting teachings of the world and the kingdom of God.
The worldly teaching is
1. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. vs38
2. You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. vs43
In contrast, the Kingdom of God's teaching is:
1. Do not resist the one who is evil - give more than than he needs. v39-42
2. Love your enemies & pray for those who persecute you.
In v39, we must first differentiate the 'one', the person, from his 'evil' deed. The evil deed is
defined in the context of slapping (one has not such right to hit another), suing to take tunic ( he
is using legal means to get something that is probably not his), going the extra mile ( the special
privilege of the Roman soldier) and so forth. The evil is making unreasonable demand on
someone.
Making unexpected reaction will surprise the aggressor (he expected us to fight back) and we
take back the initiative so that we can be in position to influence and change the outcome for
good.
Before we argue with God that it is impossible for us to that, we need to know that God already
know that we could not. That is why God has given us Jesus Christ in us to enable us. Because
we are children of God with God's identity, then we could what God want us to do (v45, 48). We
are to love with the love of Jesus that is in us. I call this the Rhodium Rule (Rodium is about 4-6
times the price of Platinum). As a side track, the three rules of love are:
1. The Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would others do unto you (empathy is
implied)
2. The Platinum Rule - Do Unto Others as They Would Have You Do Unto Them
(Do they know what is best for themselves?)
3. The Rhodium Rule - Do unto others as Jesus would have us do unto them (For
their Good from God's viewpoint).
Applying Them in Our Lives
We can apply the "Going the Extra Mile Rule" in our lives - in our business, family, and friends
tec. In business, it means delighting the customers and differentiating our services from our
competitors. Innovation Rules (BVITS's Intensified/Extremity) operator) tells us to look the
needs and feedback not just from our normal customers, but the extreme ends of our
customers. Those that are extremely happy with us and those that hate us. Digging deeper into
their feedbacks can tell us a lot about our product and services and give us leads on to how to
improve our products and services.
Innovative thinking differs from just creative thinking in that the thinking must result in
providing business value to the users of the methods, services or products.
For the first example, we use a product for illustration. Let take a desktop computer.
Relate
We need not be exhaustive at first. BVITS is a iterative method. We can analyze the system and
its environment more when we reach a jam.
System does not exists alone. It is related to its environment. The boundary and interfaces
between the systems and the environment, and the components in the environment provides
opportunities for new innovations or answers to the problems faced in the system. As proponents
of Triz method like to say "the solution to the problems lies in its environment".
Which operator to start with is not important. We are also encourage to combine the operators.
The generate ideas through the various combinations are to challenge our mind and break our
thinking inertia. Hence it is important not to throw out the ideas immediately as nonsense or
impractical. It is to challenge to think of possible uses and value of the proposed ideas.
Operator + Combine
Combine is to merge two or more parts into one part while still providing the same functions as
before. Other wording for combine is converge, unify or consolidate.
Product ideas:
Computer without CPU .... a modular computer with easy CPU upgrades.
Computer without Storage ... a network Java computer.
Computer without keyboard and mouse monitor... server farm.
Computer less CPU, keyboards etc with only storage.... network storage system or thumb
drive.
Operator / Divide
Operator x Multiply
Create multiple copies of the components and/or change some properties of copies.
Operator → outsource
Replace a component/function from the system by an object in the environment.
Operator ← Adopt
Take a function presently done the Environment and get it done by the System. This is the
opposite of outsource.
Operator ζ irregularize
Make the properties of the system or its components non-uniform or irregular. Symmetry is a
typical psychological inertia of our mind. Making it irregular breaks this inertia. Symmetry
means unchanging with respect to certain axis or property. To break the symmetry, just create a
dependency relationships between properties of the system components or the system and its
environment.
Create a dependency between Computer and Table - furniture tailored made for computer
or vice versa. Make computer a decoration piece of furniture.
Create a dependency between TV and computer. Let the computer control the TV or vice
versa (Invert Operator)
Create a dependency between computer and lights - the LCD panel light is dependent on
the environmental lightings e.g. Acer ambient light sensitive LCD Laptop.
Operator ~ invert
Reverse the relationships between the components of the system or its relationships with the
environment. The relationship can be relative spatial, time or other physical attributes as in the
Dimension described above.
Inversing the Desktop components spatial relationships into all integrated one give rise to
the laptop computer.
We can also split out all the components of the computer into separate single function
standalone portable components e.g. portable drive, thumb-drive. monitor of different
types, keyboards, mouse, etc.
Operator ∞ intensify
Change a parameter of the system or its component and increase it to the extreme value either
positive or negative direction.
Operator v drop-in
Learn from the best practices of other industries, countries & cultures or living organisms and
apply it to the system and its environment.
Learning from the Aircraft industries to ensure secured and reliable software and to make
reliable hardware.
Learning from different languages such as Chinese Input to enhance English input
methods with picking from a list of possible words.
In step 2 when we apply the operator on the system & environment, we tend to think in terms of
physical objects or group of people if we use BVITS for management. Dimension tells us there
are more ways to look at the issue. For those familiar with Triz, this Dimension thing provides of
breaking of contradictions (A Contradiction is a dilemma that requires two conflict attributes to
exist at the same time. See Triz literatures for physical and technical contradictions).
When we can't say Divide an component into physically, we can divide them across the time
dimension, or change its physical state of solid into say liquid or gas and so forth. We could
applies the dimension together say at the beginning it is liquid and later it is solid (e.g. Concrete).
Dimension can be
1. Space:
1. where, location
2. Magnitude
3. 2 D Shape & Area Size
4. 3 D Volume or Another Dimension
5. Relationships between 2 or more objects
1. inside, cover, outside, Nesting
2. left, right, top, bottom
3. upside down
4. tilt at an angle, from horizontal (on table), mount it on wall
5. from vertical relationship to horizontal relationship
6. centralized, decentralized
7. first -> last
6. speed
1. Mobility
2. continuous improvement
3. dynamic teams
4. vibration - resonant frequency
2. Time:
1. start, duration, end
2. pre-action, in-action, post-action
3. stages of a life-cycle
4. frequency
5. time of day, week, seasons,
6. states change
7. sequence, timing
8. concurrent actions
3. Transformation:
1. color and its transparency
2. solid-liquid-gas
3. fixed, joints, multiple joints, flexible
4. smooth, holes, porous
5. gravity, mechanical, thermal, chemical, sonar, electromagnetic
4. Others:
1. optimization, introduce intermediary, self-serve
The Operators can be used in conjunctions to generate many ideas. The ideas can be consolidated
into new innovative product.
The BVITS methods described here can be easily computerized. In fact, it is better for a machine
to generate ideas than for us to manually go through them. It will prevent our bias and inertia
from stopping the seemingly ridiculous ideas.
The program is written with the Axon Idea Processor It is included as a program in the
Generator Demo Section of the Axon software.
You can try it by downloading the trial version and test it out. It is also my pleasure to introduce
Axon Idea Processor to you for your other thinking work.
Firstly, the obvious one, it is about understanding their needs and then creating products and
services that meet their needs - i.e. delivering the value that customers want.
Secondly, by taking a perspective of time , it is about continually create new value for our
customers. This is to be done through dedication, passion and innovativeness.
"Industrial Clock-speed" by Charles H. Fine and "Living on the Fault Line" by Geoffrey A.
Moore teach us that the competitive advantage created by a once great innovation is not
sustainable in the long run. In the long run, the competitors and other industry factors will catch-
up and commoditize the innovation. A continuous innovative culture must be fostered for the
long term success of a company.
Just Do it
Once we have designed the Process, then we must boldly do it accordingly. Go the customers
and deliver your product & services - Mark 1:39 Jesus went to their meeting places to preach
and cast out demons. Do not worry Mat 6:34 (this verse does not tell us not to plan, just not to
worry but trust God). Do those thongs under your control, leave the growing or changes to God.
Mark 4:26-29 (KJV) ... a man should cast seed into the ground; [27] And should sleep,
and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. [28] For
the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the
ear. [29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the
harvest is come.
Operation Excellence
Almost all companies' strategies include the Operation Excellence theme. It involves principles
taught by Jesus.
1. Proper Use of Things.
Mark 2:21 ...is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be
set on a candlestick?
2. Watchout for the Multiplier Effects - Both ways - For Good or Bad
Mark 4:30-32 (KJV) [31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the
earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: [32] But when it is sown, it groweth
up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the
fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
3. Sharing of Best Practices
Mark 5:19 (KJV) Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy
friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had
compassion on thee.
4. Internalize the Practice, not just for show (or to pass ISO certification)
Seeing the practice as a guide for efficiency and effectiveness and not as a necessary
evils improve the performance in the long run. Following them not just to the letters of
the laws but in the spirit is key for productivity.
Fasting Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father
which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Giving Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in
secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Praying Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when
thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth
in secret shall reward thee openly.
For Customer Relationship Management (CRM), the selection, acquiring, retention and
growth.
There is need for Innovation and also to be aware of the Government and other
Regulatory controls. There is a need for Risk Management through out the engagement
process from Customers to the Suppliers.
6. Innovation
This area is the greatest needs for any company to days. With globalization and Internet,
many barriers are broken. Breaking free from commoditized world and markets by
creating your own new differentiated market needs innovations. Innovations is more than
just technology breakthrough. It could be in processes, services, and business models.
There are many companies selling breads but Breadtalk seems to out shine and out run
others. Old Chang Kee used to be just a small shop selling Curry Puff but is now an
internationally business.
Innovation relates to creativity. Most people were taught that Creativity means Breaking
Rules. That is not a correct wording. Breaking Rules should be changed to "Breaking
man made traditions, prejudices, biases, lies and deception" and "Knowing the Real
Truth".
John 8:32 ... know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Lie is an untruth or deception that we thought is the truth and that binds us.
Creativity is not limited by lack resources. Everyone can do more when given more. The
larger companies you are competing with have more resources to outdo you. It takes
creativity to do more with less. Please read my BVITS for systematic break through
innovations and my blog on thinking to become more innovative.
7. Follow Deming - Blame the System not the Trained People
If a process does not deliver the targets, change the process and not blame the people,
especially when they have be trained do the job accordingly. Please read the writings of
E W Deming. The key thoughts are:
All measure has a value and a variation. Take actions only when they are out of
control limits. Don't jump on variation within the limits.
Don't fire the people when the system is at faults
See also Bible for Business Seminar#12 Processes
People who are doing Strategic Map driven Balanced Scorecard tend to be very concern about
the possible effort and need to revamp processes. Processes are the how's to achieve the
Strategic Objective Targets. If the present processes are able to achieve the targets, then there
is no need to change the existing processes. If the existing processes are not delivering the
targeted results, then resources (money and man effort) must be spent, known as Strategic
Initiatives, to improve or re-design the processes.
The typical Inductive Bible Study Method of Observation, Interpretation & Application will not
benefit us if we do not apply what we learned into practice. The Bible teaches us the following
Operation Principles.
1. Just Do it:
Mat 6:34, Mark 4:26-29
2. Go & See:
Mark 1:39
3. Right Usage:
Mark 2:21
Fishbone Chart (5ME/6M, 8P's, 4 S's), Root Cause Analysis.
4. Alignment: Align Processes to deliver the offering to the Customer Segments
served.
5. Butterfly Effect - Attention to Details.
Mark 4:30-32, Luke 16:10.
The 6-Sigma Methodology: control variation, optimize, breakthrough.
Improvement with DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control.
Design with DMADV - Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify.
6. Sharing of Best Practices
Mark 5:19
Knowledge Management
7. Internalize The Practices (Not for Show Only)
Mat 6:18 Fasting
Mat 5:4 Giving
Mat 6:6 Praying
8. Working like Owners - Law of Promotion
Luke 16:11
9. No Waste, Be Lean
Mat 14:20
Lean Methodology - Eliminate Waste All the Time
5 Principles - Value (no waste), Value-Stream, Flow, Pull, Perfection
Waste are: waiting, over-production, rework, motion, processing waste,
inventory, transportation and waste of Talent.
Flow - Have the "Decision Rights" with the right "Information Flow" are
more important than "Motivators" & "Organisation Structure" for successful execution.
10. Innovation
Operation Innovation guides are
set stretched goals - Mat 5:20
look for role models in other industry
identify and eliminate constraining assumptions - John 8:32
rethink the work - purpose, environment, information needs, tools, etc.
See Lean Methodology above.
11. System & People - Sabbath for the People
Mark 2:27
Don’t Attribute System Variation to People and wrongly punish or reward the
people
See E W Deming's Profound Knowledge, Read Beans Experiment.
All working together in unity as members of the body of Christ to build each other up into
maturity and fullness in Christ. Eph 4:13.
In the OT, we can find the proper organization of processes and distribution of Job Roles(Tasks)
towards accomplishing the worship of God and life in God. In the Book of Numbers we have
Distribution of Tasks and The Levi Groups, Processes, Distribution of Work from Moses to 70
Elders 11:6, Trumpets and Signals - Command Control Communications for Orderly Movement
A common misunderstanding about training is to treat it as a rewards. Staff are sent for training
because of some good performance. This creates two problems with training. Firstly, if training
is a rewards, then I do not need to learn well. Secondly, the staff is likely to be sent to a training
that has nothing to do with his job. It is not unusual to hear people attending training saying "I
am not sure why I am sent to this training". Mat 7:6 shows us that your good intentions may not
be appreciated. We have the following 2 principles for training.
1. Training should be planned according to the Strategies of the Company
2. Staff attending the training should be briefed properly on the purposes and
expectations of the training.
Teaching Methods
1. Teaching by Engaging Full Channels
Everyone has their own learning styles. Some prefers listening to lectures while others
prefer reading. Some learn better through pictures. Some prefer watching a movie. We
have the 5 senses - hear, see, feel/touch, taste and smell and one more, motion or
learning by play-acting. See Maximize Learning Channels how Jesus instituted Baptism
and the Holy Communion as wonderful object lessons for us to remember the teachings
well.
2. Teaching by Story-Telling
Jesus frequently taught the people through parables - ie.. stories. A story facilitates a
return to the basics of human connection, inspiration and common purpose. The
power of a story to breakdown fences and get conviction can be seen in the story told by
Prophet Nathan to King David to get David convicted of his act of murder. (2 Sam 12:1-
7)
Watch out for False Prophets (Mat 7:15-20). "by their fruits ye shall know them" teaches us to
select our Trainers, Consultants or Mentors carefully. Ask for references and see their works
and not just hear their speeches and their brochures.
Our Attitudes towards Training & Learning
There is a famous saying - "You can bring the horse to the water but you cannot force the horse
to drink". We can send our staff for training but we cannot be sure he can learned. The word
"Training" put the responsibility of gaining-skill unto the trainers. Some organization prefer to
use the word "Learning" to highlight the responsibility of gaining-skill is with the staff - the
learner. We could say that Company provide Training and Development opportunities and we
the staff must do the learning - acquiring of skills and knowledge. The important guides for
learning are:
1. Learning is a never ending process. If we don't learn, we don't grow. By staying
still, we would be left behind. We should always stay up-to-date.
2. There is no short-cut to life. Mat 7:13-14 read the Message Bible version.
3. By tutoring others we also learned. Mat 7:12.
4. Have courage, confidence and ask, seek, explore and you shall surely find. Mat
7:7-8
5. Going for Excellence - Beyond Normal Expectation. Mat 5:3-12 The Beatitudes.
Your may want to compare it with the teaching from the Ancient Chinese on learning. See Mind
Value: What Ancient Chinese Can Teach Us about Learning
There is another principle in TRIZ, which is relate to the environment (see BVITS for an easier
and wider scoped Innovation Method). The solution to a problem can usually be found in the
environment. We are know that to get rid of the durian taste and smell on our hands or mouths,
we use the water that runs through the durian crust. To get rid of the flies coming to our
exposed foods, we use water stored in transparent plastic bags. See photo below.
This is not to say that we don't want to use technology. On the contrary, we want to use the best
and continually improve to come out with better ones, for our business and to use them share
the Good News. Having the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16 and Christ In You Col 1:27), we can be
creative and innovative in our work and life.
1. Communication
Most common error in corporate performance is lack of communication, resulting in
misunderstanding and subsequent internal in-fighting, unintentional conflicts, duplicated and
wasted resources and so forth. Without clear and constant communication, mission, visions,
values and strategies cannot be shared.
In the Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:3-20), Jesus shared that there were 4 types of listeners,
despite all your good effort in trying to communicate and motivate (it is the same Word that is
shared to the 4 types of listeners) with four very different outcomes.
1. Paths - Indifferent and Disengaged Staff. They are not interested in doing or
improving things. May be they are victims of many initiatives and frequent changes in
strategies that they don't see the good results of anything 'new' initiatives. They are the
depressed and given-up staff. If not motivated and changed, they may degrade to be
actively disengaged staff that will sabotage the work of others. Their bad attitudes and
behaviour may spread and caused others to follow suit. The answer is to change them
or get rid of them.
2. Rocks - Head Only Listeners. They are excited quickly and rush to implement.
They are easily discouraged and give up especially when they do not see short term
results. Very often, their failures are due to misunderstanding, lack of preparation and
unrealistic expectations.
3. Thorns - Own Agendas. They have different agendas than the corporates. They
will do only those corporate objectives that agree with their goals.
4. Soils - Heart, Head, Hand & Habits. The 4 Hs are the terms used in "Lead like
Jesus" for ease of remembering . These people not only understand with their minds, but
have taken them into their hearts. They are committed to achieving the success and will
execute them (Hands). Long term practice makes them good habits that are done
without extra supervision. They produce the fruits.
The key then is to keep and to develop Type-4 Staff; renew the mindset of Type 3, motivate the
Type 2 and may be get rid of Type 1 after giving them 2nd chance. Selecting the right staff,
identifying their talents, putting them in the right fitting jobs, developing their strength (with the
right managers and mentors) may be a good way to develop type 4 staff. "Discipling like Jesus"
is a good way to follow.
Type 4 4H staff , or Actively Engaged Staff, are so important for the success of corporate that
we find in Num 11:17 that God took the spirit of Moses and put upon the other leaders so that all
can share in the same vision and carry the burdens together.
2. Leadership
Leadership is a subject that is extensively covered in business and biblical literatures. I just want
to highlight the following key points:
Servant Leadership : Mt 20:26, Mk 9:35-37, Mk 10:43-45 the Greatest Serve. Leadership
is not measured by the number of people serving you but by the number of people you serve
and influence for the corporate and their good. Leaders are to be role models. Leaders lead
from the front. They do first - showing others how to do. Then they teach others and watch while
others do. Finally, they delegate them to do.
The Heart is more important than the rules. Mt 5:20-22. Go after the heart and just the
head even though you reach the heart through the head and hands (examplified living)
Pursue of Excellence - Better than the Common Norm Mat 5:43-48 Be ye perfect as your
Father in heaven.
3. Team Work & Alignment
Team Work is a synergy of differences and not of the same. Accept another's
differences . Rom 14:1, 15:7.
It is a Body of many and different parts working together. Each part doing its parts
contributing to the well-being of the corporate. Rom 12:4-21. Difference in functions but all equal
in value. Rewards are to be distributed according to the performance and value delivered.
Unity and Love for One-another is a distinguish attribute of Christians (John 13:35).
Divided we fall , United we stand Mark 3:24-26. We are all ONE is Christ and in the Father John
17:21. Organization and its staff should be similar.
Segment into Groups for greater effectiveness Mark 6:39-40.
Be objective in your judgment. Don't fix people. Mat 7:1-5
4. Taking a Break
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and
rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
We need to take regular breaks from our routines of business to rest and reflect. To take stock
of life and re-plan.
BJ#15 Competitors
Does the Bible famous "Love your enemies" (Mat 5:44,Luke 6:27,35) apply to business? The
answer seems to be a resounding yes. Grouping of competitors in a particular location seem to
be a powerful drawing force e.g. Sim Lim Square, Funan Building for the IT people. We have
associations of various professional and interest groups to speak as a force, to unify practices,
to establish common interfaces etc. All these co-operative works of competitors together create
productivity not only for themselves but also for the society as a whole. They key is to work
together and yet create your niche of value-add to serve your customers.
Another main reason is that we really don't know who are our competitors in this fast changing
world. Your staff may start a new company to compete with you. Your customers may decide to
take thing in-house instead of buying from you. With so much merges going on, your
competitors may become your associate. e.g. Peoplesoft and Oracle used to be competitors in
application software business until Oracle bought them. Peoplesoft itself has earlier bought over
his competitor JD Edwards.
What could stand the change of times and events is the unchanging principles of God. We
are to love our enemies (competitors). But we are not to go to the other extreme of being
cheated. Mt 10:16 tells us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. "The Arts of War" tells
us that "war is the last and worse course of action".
Finally, we can differentiate the person and his acts. We are to love the person and to hate his
evil acts. In summary, we need not be afraid of our competitors. We can work with them on
certain areas, compete with them on others areas and we are to create our new blue ocean of
market place. At all times, we keep our integrity with biblical based business practices.
May God bless your business as your try to run your business based on His Words.
(this series of articles on Business by Jesus is just the beginning of a compiling of Biblical
Principles for Business. It is a framework where future contents can be easily added and
shared. There are much to be discovered from the Bible for business.)
We show how Ken Blanchard HPO SCORES model can be mapped to Kaplan Norton's
Strategy-Map and giving us additional insights to how best to run the company for performance.
In a way, it also validates the use of the K&N S-Map framework.
1. Center - Triple Bottom Lines - Investment of Choice is the Financial View of S-
Map.
2. Compelling Vision: Purpose and Values - Same the top Mission-Vision-Values of
S-Map.
3. Relentless Focus on Customer Results - Customer perspective of S-Map.
4. Energizing Systems & Structures - This is the "Internal Process" perspective of
S-Map.
5. Shared-Power & High Involvement - This belongs to the Learning-&-Growth
(Organization Capital) perspective of S-Map.
6. Shared Information & Open Communication - Maps to the Learning&Growth
perspective of IT & Infrastructure.
7. On-going Learning - Maps to the Learning&Growth of Human Capital, Knowledge
Management, and the whole implementation of BSC - continued monitoring, learning
and upgrading of the understanding of how the organization should work for higher
performance.
The Unified Corporate Performance Model(CPM)
Combining from the literature on CPM, the following Unified CPM Model was presented.
Like Best
The correct approach to a good leader/organization. E.g. top of hierarchy must set goal
and follow all they way down.
Lim Liat, excellent sharing tonight! I learnt a lot. I enjoyed very much - driven vs servant
leader, set/create a compelling vision+mission+human sigma.
Sharing of Experience and Insights by trainer
Competition, because it is enlightening to know we should not focus on competitions to
keep us on our feet as they can be way off in reading customers' needs. We should focus on
customers as they are the ones who give us our bacon.
Love your enemies (competitors). Able to see the competitors differently
More interactions between speakers and among participants
Team & structure
High Performance Organization
Like Least
nil
Others
to give us topic related to Human Sigma.
The content presented below is my own learning from what I heard and may not be exactly what
the speaker say. If there be any error, it is due to my perception. We see things with our colored
glasses and may only want to hear what we like. As I am writing on the mind-map while
listening, my notes are incomplete too. With that as a warning, let me share what I learned.