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Are you in business?
I want to authoritatively reveal to you two hard truths that marketers will never tell you if you must succeed in business.
The first truth is centered on the Supreme Being - GOD, whereas the second has something to do with EXPERIENCE. I'm convinced
that this write-up will indeed help you in your business life. The two hard truths I discovered early in life that have kept
me on top, and ahead of other marketers are as follows:-
1. GOD: - God is a supreme being. He has all powers in His
hands and demands obedience from people. You may not be aware of this, but it's a fact. A lot of people do not believe
in God, they simply take everything that happens to them as a result of chance. But God really exists. God has the Power and
the Influence over every Successful Businesses. As a matter of fact, I don't think any marketer would bother telling you
about Him. Doing so would mean sounding too religious since they are being too careful not to mix business with religion.
I've a feeling they would be embarrassed if someone saw their students carrying Bible to the seminar room. The power and
the influence of God in making any business, where He is honored, to grow and prosper is undeniable.
However, it is
a monumental mistake for any business owner to ignore this vital area of knowing and believing God. The Living God is the
only One that can guarantee enduring success in business. Master Jesus said, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he
that abideth in Me, I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" [John 15:5]. Jesus
has every business in mind. He stands to teach and encourage every businessman/woman the ABC of being a success in business.
When an entrepreneur abides in God, and God's words abide in him, he can be rest assured that he will enjoy all the following
benefits and more:
Salvation: Salvation of the soul is most important to God, yet He also has the salvation of our business
in mind. If every business is saved from stiff competition, harsh economic policies, poverty, etc., there will be room for
survival and progress. When this fact was hidden from me, I only based my work on planning and putting extra time, but I had
nothing to show for it until I was saved. When I got saved, my business and way of thinking got saved. This is a hard truth
many can never believe. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16].
Healing: Healing of every business
from harsh policies, poor budget and implementation of policies, keeps it growing and prospering. Every sick business has
hope of survival when the healer surfaces. God is our healer, and our businesses survive when we are healthy and surviving
too. The Bible says, "...if thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is
right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon
thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee" [Exodus 15:26].
Bring forth
Fruits: God wills that everything He made bears fruit, even the work of our hands. No business is a good business without
increase or gain. And that is the will of God for us. When we believe Him and acknowledge His power over all things, then
we'll be rest assured that our businesses too will prosper and produce much gains and profits. The Bible says, "Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of
the scornful". But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His flaw doth he meditate day and night. And he shall
be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" [Psalm 1:1-3].
Steady Supply: God supplies all things good. The raw materials
for every production we make are products of His divine supply. He also wills today that we have a steady supply in our business
and life in general. When we believe in God, He takes charge of everything that pertains to us, even the business we're
into. So, our business receives steady supply of materials, money, etc., when it is in God's programme. The Bible says,
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - [Philippians4:19].
Protection:
Protection from thieves, accident on transit, bad management, etc, are all God's will for us and our business. Nothing
can be farther from the truth; the Lord cares for those who love Him. I have enjoyed this wonderful protection from God many
times in my life and business, so long as I remain in His programme for my life. You may not believe it, but if is a fact.
The Bible says, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give
His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone" [Psalm 91:10-12].
Increase: God is omnipotent. He has all powers - power to save, supply, heal,
protect, empower, bear fruit, etc. My life in GOD has shown me that I can do nothing without Him. Increase in business depends
on how much of God is in you. He gave us a platform that those who sincerely go about their business, without the mind of
cheating on others, are on the path of increase. The wicked and dubious business persons never last long in prosperity. The
hard truth here is: it's the Lord that gives the increase. The Bible says, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but
God gave the increase" [1 Corinthians 3:6].
Sorrow-free Riches: Sincere belief in God casts out fear and sorrow.
Dubious acts and corner-cutting arise the moment God is absent in our lives and business. Those that do know their God operate
a dubious-free business and never try to cut corners. They are prospered and have sorrow-free riches. God-fearing businessmen
live a successful, prosperous, long life - they have sorrow-free riches and enjoy their lives to a ripe old age. The Bible
says, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" [Proverbs 10:22].
Good Success:
Good success here implies all-round prosperity. That's what God gives, and it can never be less. The Bible says, "This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe
to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good
success" [Joshua 1:8].
Dear reader, God does all these things and more to everyone that believes and trusts in
Him. I know it and you should know it too. I'm a living proof of God's goodness. I've an irrefutable evidence
to prove it. And on this write-up, you will discover what the Lord had done [and is doing] for me. For me to be alive and
my business to be where it is today, is the grace of God. Just as Master Jesus said, without my Father in heaven, I could
of my own do nothing.
Each time the enemy comes like the flood to overflow and wash me and my business away, the Spirit
of the Lord is always showing up to deliver me by lifting a standard against him. So, every business owner, and all marketers
all over the world, should consider inculcating in their clients/customers the study of the part that God plays in the sustenance
of businesses. The magnitude of the role God plays in business from start-up to maturity is so enormous that that it cannot
go without acknowledgment. As the Psalmist say, "all glory must be unto God".
2. EXPERIENCE: - There is this
other thing I said I would like to inform you about. The thing is called: EXPERIENCE. The only place you can acquire experience
is in the marketplace. That is where you can lay your hands on the original. No amount of case studies can replace the practical,
hands-on experience that you'll get from the marketplace.
Dear reader, bear it in mind that, the tons of case studies
that you will be loaded with, is not meant to take the place of practical experience. I'm saying this here just to prepare
your mind for the type of things you might encounter when you announce your arrival in the marketplace and take your position
in any of the market segments. As you will discover, your own experience might be totally different from mine, but that doesn't
really matter. What is most important is that you already know what lies ahead of you and you're prepared for it. It's
not going to be a tea party. Be absolutely sure of that. So brace up yourself for hard work.
Today, every business owner
and marketer is concerned with the word: HARD WORK. Well, that is good, but hardwork without God and experience, is true FAILURE!
Ejiogu GCE Vitus is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int'l
Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria. He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by
the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children. You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or, 234 802 8181 829.
Our products are nothing more than the regular farm produce that you see in every day life of a farmer, but this
time, with a great difference, uniquely fashioned to make you rich and richer than you are through making your hands dirty.
a). The Farmland – The farmland is the site which we have chosen and approved for the planting of the seeds
of our choice. A vast majority of land lie untouched yet waiting for you – our farmer colleague – to plant your
own choice seeds. No wise farmer dares to plant on a bad soil. Beware of planting on a land under contention!
Every
good, profit-oriented entrepreneur learns a lot from a farmer. Before he goes into a business, he, first and foremost, secures
a land. He gets a place for his business, chooses a name and registers it before he loses it someone else. In choosing a name,
it advisable to do a routine work, making sure no other organization goes by your choice name. Try as much as you could to
do a proper trademark search on the web before making your business official. See more: http://www.fatcow.com/join/index.bml?AffID=603952
b). The Knife (Machete)/Hoe - A farmer works with both implements and they are very important to him. To
clear the field, a farmer uses the knife or the hoe which are fashioned for the purpose of clearing and loosening the soil.
A wise investor provides a good atmosphere for his business with certain qualities that give his customers a good
sense of belonging.
As a farmer uses the knife and the hoe to clear out the rubbish, so is the wise entrepreneur
clears every obstacle and doubts to forge ahead.
c). The Seed – A wise farmer chooses out viable seeds for
planting, if he must have a good harvest. Often consultations are made from the seed providers, so as to have first-hand information
on how to plant the seeds.
As an entrepreneur, you do not have to go the way of your business alone, when you have
no idea on how to proceed. All you need to do is to get in touch with someone who has accomplished what you want to do and
get the best advice.
d). The Trowel – This is a flat or curved-blade hand-tool that has many uses, which also is beneficial to
the farmer. The farmer uses this tool to lift out plants for transplanting. This is to make sure the plants’ roots are
properly set and not disjointed or destroyed.
Your business as an entrepreneur needs solid roots too. Use your
trowel to dig out ideas, properly packaged ideas, and have them planted on the prepared farmland. Share ideas with people,
interact freely and be sure to learn from their past mistakes. FTI has many friends but few of them are good and resourceful.
Check them out here:
e). The Shears – These implements are scissors-like, with many uses which the farmer often employs
while trying to prune his plants. Pruning helps the farmer to define the future form and structure of the tree.
A
business needs pruning too. That means that you MUST monitor and trim down each branch that grows from your business. Many
times new products and services are introduced into your business, whether they are your own products and services or carefully
selected affiliate products and services, they must be closely monitored to know the ones that are weak and have them removed.
Their removal or trimming down is what the farmer calls pruning, which helps the stronger/lively plants to have a good space to grow well. Better growth equals better yield.
FTI
has built up a good ground through this pruning formula, read more here: http://tinyurl.com/c5tqd2
f). The Water Can/Manure – Every wise farmer knows that water and manure are essential for a steady
growth and high yield of plants. Water and fertilizer (manure) help the plant to reach its full potential and yield fruit.
As a farmer takes care of his farm by watering and fertilizing it, an entrepreneur MUST always feed his business.
When you spend money to promote your business through advertising, you are actually feeding it – watering and manuring!
When a plant lacks water and fertilizer, its fruits will be small and sparse. A business that is not constantly fed
with a dose of marketing and advertising strategies will yield little or no results.
FTI will not be here today
if we have neglected such a critical aspect of entrepreneuring. Click here to find out what we are doing: http://tinyurl.com/cfum9v
g). Patience – Patience is a wonderful implement the farmer uses to pull money into his pocket. A
patient dog, they say, eats the fattest bone. Wise farmers employ the tool of patience as they watch the plants grow to maturity.
This is where a lot of farmers either gain or lose out completely. The seeds must be allowed to mature very well before harvest,
otherwise the loss will be devastating. As an entrepreneur, you should bear in mind that the amount of input you make
determines what you get at the long run. Most fruits do not always come in the first year of planting, but is a joy to the
farmer when they eventually arrive.
Every business needs time to mature, but if you give up too early in attending
to your business as required, the fruits will never come. Your understanding of this fact is very important – make provision
for the period between when you plant your seed and when you’re expecting to harvest it. Follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/cgmsho
h). The Barn – This is a covered building for storing hay, grain, etc., on a farm. A farmer is said
to happy and very successful based on the size of his barn.
Every investment you are making as an entrepreneur
is a target to make profit. The barn is the banker for the farmer. A wise entrepreneur saves a lot of money from his business
which helps him to launch out with a bigger bang! Profits are better recycled than eating them – plough back your profits,
instead of taking them away.
The farmer knows that there is always a lean period in farming and so prepares himself
for it. He does not go to farm with all the proceeds of his last harvest. This helps him to cushion the effect of the lean
period when the seeds have been sown and harvest is on the way. Every business owner should leave behind in the barn
(bank) a standby fund to fall back on as he grows his business. This is very important for both old and new entrepreneurs.
The link below will direct you further: http://tinyurl.com/cfum9v
I have learned overtime
that money is a force, which every man or woman born into this planet earth has to content with and overcome its power. Money
obeys and serves you as king the moment you overcome its power, and you are in-charge.
The issue of money is very sensitive
and complicated. It can bring about misunderstanding, confusion, distrust and hatred among colleagues, brothers, business
associates, friends, family members, even among Church folks. People are excited to hear you talk anything about successful
living, business progress, wealth creation, breakthroughs, etc., but would not like to hear you touching their money.
The
Holy Bible says that money answers all things, and so, without money no single project can be carried out, but with it you
can establish and grow your business into an empire, get good education, train up your children, care for your needs, build
mansions, marry the woman of your choice, build Churches or Mosques and live a very wealthy life. Why should the subject of
money illicit negative responses from people, as if you have stepped on a major nerve?
I used to believe before that
it is only in Church or other religious gatherings that people have taken it to be a taboo, talking about money, because they
never wanted to part with a dime, but I have come to understand that it is offensive, almost irrelevant today to tell people
that they need money, no matter how little, to make more money.
I should not forget that certain excesses on the part
of some so-called businessmen and women in the past have been responsible for this trouble. Indeed, people have been abused,
cheated, duped and extorted in the name of doing business, but this is not the only reason why people are hostile when money
is mentioned, even when it is for their own good. At the head and tail of all these problems is power. Money has power, influence
and it is possessive in all fronts. When you are a captive of money power, you become anything but irresponsible. Your money
tells on you and so a lot of people are either afraid or reluctant to talk about or address the issue of money.
As a
person, money has a way of revealing your true nature. A close look at your relationship with money will quickly and easily
reveal your past, present and future life. The Holy Bible has warned, and is continuously warning us that the love of money
is the root of all evil. You have love for money and that has robbed you of your sense of good reasoning. There are many ways
to find out if you are drawn away by the possessive power of money.
1. Your Family - Whenever you re in-charge or in
control of your life, it quickly tells directly on your family. The activities that go on in your family testify in favour
or against your present lifestyle. For most people their wives are the worst hit. They show no regard, but pay almost every
attention to their money. Raising up the children quickly becomes the responsibility of the mother. When the power of money
is in control, it does not matter whether you are rich or poor; the aim is to bend you to serve money instead of it serving
you as it should be.
2. Your General Conduct - Your general life-style changes abruptly the very moment monthly takes
charge of you. You can hardly think straight rather behaving strangely towards colleagues or workers or relatives, creating
the impression that their presence is not important because it is a distraction to you. You waste all your time destroying
every genuine human relationship to build a new one based on money and what money can buy.
3. Your Communal Life - The
community begins to have fear and accords you a baseless respect, honouring you and praising your name to the high heavens,
simply to squeeze out some money from your stingy hand. You seem to be an authority yet everybody knows where you belong.
4.
Your Personal Business - You just find out that when the power of money is at work, and you have been possessed by it, your
attitude at work changes. Your staff welfare which you never joked with before now becomes a problem to you. Paying salary
to your workers becomes a real bargain - because you must initiate a quarrel before something is done. Before now, you took
your customers as kings, but this time they are objects of money-making, who must sneeze out the last coin before they could
leave your presence.
5. The Government - The government suffers a huge loss, because someone like you is breathing and
eating. You desire good business environment, yet payment of your taxes and rates to the purse of the government must be evaded.
Your interest lies in keeping all monies for selfish use.
Though we cannot do without money, but being controlled by
the power of money is not right. Money is very important, but not the most important thing that you need on earth. Money does
not buy life, neither does it buy wisdom. Wisdom tells us that our life is much bigger than money, even though both of them
are interwoven. Your life is your money because it is the most tangible, physical, quantifiable measure of your life which
you put into work.
As an entrepreneur, you are trading your life for a certain amount of money. The time you spend,
your talent, ability, energy and creativity, are all telling who you are, and you trade them for a certain amount of money.
Without putting the best of your time in your job, you can never get to your peak performance. You only get to that level
when your creativity is at its optimum. That is why you cannot be separated easily from money, because it is the very answer
to all life's problems.
Then, so what? Should we be slaves to money in order to conquer inertia? No way. You are
in-charge and can control money, cage its power and rule your world. For the simple fact that we live in a world that pays
attention only to those who control money, we give out our time, talent, ability, energy and creativity, which are a portion
of our life in exchange for money. The money we are holding in our hands is just a tangible expression of our life - who we
are in reality and what we have put to work.
Understanding this fact clearly will help us see money as our slave, not
the other way round. If I can work to earn you, then you belong to me and must be my servant. Ignorant of this simple fact
is responsible for the unnecessary enslavement of people by the object called money. The devil knows that the moment he enslaves
you with the power of money, whether in wealth or penury, you hardly become useful in life. So, it is time to rise up and
tear down this satanic bastion of resistance against your progress in life, and take up the mantle of leadership, dominion
and power that belongs to you.
Ejiogu GCE Vitus is a writer
and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int'l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria. He is the editor of FOUNDATION
SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children. You can
reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or, 234 802 8181 829. Website: http://www.palmgates.com
