MENTORS ARE A MUST!

Imagine a coach trying to develop a world class soccer (football) team.  Where would he invest most of his time—in the classroom or on the playing field?  Would he have his team studying books about the soccer techniques of Pele?  No!  He would have them out on the soccer field dribbling the ball, passing the ball, making lots of mistakes but receiving his expert correction.  Under his mentoring, the team would make far more progress than if they had studied and received PhDs in Soccerology.

When Jesus called the first disciples he said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)  The disciples entered into a three-and-a-half-year training program with Him to teach them how to fish for men.  Notice He did not simply impart to them spiritual gifts or spiritual power, which He could have done.  Rather he trained them.  He lived life with them.

Jesus did not primarily teach His followers about ministry.  In fact, there is a very little direct lecturing in the Gospels about fishing for men.  Instead, Jesus trained His disciples how to minister. He modeled for them His techniques how to both “be” and “do” the Kingdom of God.  And once they had a basic understanding of who He is, Jesus sent them out to copy what He had done with them. And when they returned, He corrected their mistakes.

The point is, skills are developed through relationship.  Whether that be business skills or EV skills, we need men and women in our lives who can model how to be Jesus, plus; rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness so that we each may grow in the understanding and application of what we observe and learn.  Yes, a few special ones will receive His anointing which He gives as a distinct gift to bear fruit, but for the majority of us, we can learn these abilities and as a result bear fruit.

If we are going to acquire and pass on B4T, EV, discipleship or any kind of skills, we must understand the process of discipling. Developing skills through discipling involves finding a model, copying his example and receiving his rebuke, correction and training.  Blogs, books, seminars and videos can help us (especially if they focus on application instead of theory), however, they cannot provide us with feedback.  Books and videos cannot correct our mistakes or show us where we might improve in our ability to model and share—to be and do Jesus.

Discipling is the Biblical model. If we are to grow in our faith and outreach we must actively seek to apply what Jesus teaches us and have mature, godly people around us speaking truth into our lives. Rebuke (being clearly told what we are doing wrong) and correction (being taught how to correct what we are doing wrong) are keys to maturing in Christ.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   2 Timothy 3:16,17

Such humility, such awareness, takes a tremendous amount of commitment and self-discipline.  All the skills needed to succeed in B4T will only be developed if we are “in the game.”  We can learn a lot by watching from the sidelines, but practice (not watching) does make perfect.  Only as we are doing our B4T skills can a mentor or teammate help apply the truths we need to hear and improve on. In playing sports I have often heard the difference between the winner and loser is “one wants to win more than the other”.

Knowing Jesus and being successful in B4T are the same.  We succeed, if we are hungry enough. Part of that hunger should include having mentors and coaches in our lives who may help us to grow and mature in the assignments He has given us so that we may maximize our abilities and opportunities to serve and glorify Him.

B4T & BALANCE (PART II)

When you are first starting your job overseas or your business, you may need to abandon any idea of balance. That’s a serious statement that warrants strong consideration before moving into the B4T world. You will need to get family, friends, loved ones and especially your leaders on board with your full-court push and be prepared for some backlash at the drive you’ll need to settle into your job or to get your business going.

In starting out, the work-life balance you achieve may be more like 90/10, than 50/50. Know your own contentment level. Strive to understand what that balance is for you personally and be prepared to make the commitment to act upon your decision. As you settle into your job, that balance will change and you’ll be able to invest more time in things and with people away from the office. It’s important to recognize that the fulcrum of balance will be a sliding point on the bar of life.

Sometimes the decisions revolving around balancing the various areas of life and work will be easy, other times they’ll be more difficult. The important thing is that you know yourself. It’s essential to have ways in place to relieve some of the internal pressure you place on yourself. The B4T path is one of constantly assessing and reassessing what are the best long-term decisions you can make at each moment in time.

Regardless of how much your B4T life requires you to devote to your work, knowing your position in Christ and finding meaning in your days is what will ultimately contribute to the best work-life balance. This is why the advice to, “do what you have a passion for,” is so incredibly important.
Each of us is different. So, balance will be different for each of us. A former mentor used to tell me with a smile, “You know what balance is? Balance is where I am at.” To help you manage the work-life balance debate, tune out the opinions of others and start checking in with what the Lord is saying to you. Ultimately, it’s up to you to figure out what balance works best for your own situation, but if you need some help finding that equilibrium point, there are others who have gone before you who can help. Find a mentor or attend a Huddle to gain perspective (you can contact us directly for both of these). Understand that every person is different and just because some people are exhausted having to work 50 hours a week does not mean everybody is. The key is to find the Lord’s equilibrium for His will for you.

When you are walking with God in His will, He will give you a love for your work and a passion for the people you work with—His joy for what you’re doing every day. To achieve balance, keep Jesus front and center in all areas of your life and work, then intertwine Him into your passions and your profession. Realize, everyone is different, so get comfortable with the balance point that works personally for you.

The things that others typically compartmentalize into the “life” box (family, exercise, vacation, leisure activities) are essential to our work too. They serve as a means to recharge and reset our mental and physical health and productivity. So, no more worrying about the work-life balance myth. Stop treating your personal life as something you have to make time for and your work life as something you have to apologize for. By His grace and for His glory we are B4Ters. And what God made us to be and what He’s given us to do transcends both.

THE VALUE OF COACHING

The following is written by one of our coaches. At 60 years of age, he and his wife moved to the Middle East where he coaches B4T businesses around the Arab world. 

Twenty-Four hours ago there was a bombing, the city my wife and I currently call home, as well as a nearby industrial city. A number of Christians were killed as well as Muslim's attempting to subdue the attacker. Since I arrived, over 150 people have been killed by extremists and well over 20 Muslim security personnel attempting to create a safe environment for all of us. Just as with our police in the U.S., I am thankful for these men and women who are standing up for their fellow citizens. 

You might ask why are we here, why did we walk away from incredible friends, a home, community, family and meaningful work to come here? The answer to that question, asked by our Arab friends as well, is simply we listened to what God wanted from us and we obeyed. 

My wife was called to work with children in an International School, owned by Muslims, the school does all of their teaching in English. She is paid a good local wage in this country with a per capita income of $3600 per year. God brought her to this point in her life to use the skills she used back home, overseas. She will gladly say this is the best teaching year she has ever had. 

She is having a significant impact on the students, the parents and the staff, both professionally and in her efforts to breakdown barriers. The removal of distrust between our cultures is key. Letting them get to know her/us, is critical. When I walked with her to school today, her 7 year-old students hugged her and me, thankful to see us. It was amazing, rewarding.  

Similarly, I was called to work with small businesses just like I did in the U.S. I travel around the Arab world consulting with B4T business owners. Where the owners are diligently working, we are seeing real transformation. Last week I spoke to one that I have worked with for a year who reported: In the last week work has been oozing out of our ears and we are now facing this “good” problem. My partner and I are addressing this by moving to a larger commercial space - which we have found. We should double our workforce by summer, too. 

I work with companies that are creating jobs and transforming lives in their sphere of influence. They are bringing hope and love to these wonderful people who seriously are struggling with problems that are very difficult for Westerners to understand, let alone cope with. Additionally, I am a mentor to young men and women – frankly, it has been a wonderful experience. 

My wife and I are thankful to serve in this region. We are not going to solve all the problems here, but we are pleased to have shared our lives with the people we have met. It has sincerely been an honor and a privilege. 

Please pray that the churches here reach out to the Muslim casualties' families and honor them for their sacrifice. 

If you would like to learn more or to find out ways to help in addition to prayer, write services@NexusB4T.com. I know of opportunities for business interns, for engineers, teachers, and others, as well as other ways to help. 

Do you have a job skill? Have you ever dreamed of serving the Lord in an unreached area? There a young business people who could likely learn from you. Do contact us if you’d like to know more about how you may be involved.

THE VALUE OF COACHING

The following is written by one of our coaches who is 64 years of age, moved to the Middle East where he coaches B4T businesses around the Arab world.

"Twenty-Four hours ago there was a bombing in the city my wife and I currently call home, as well as a nearby industrial city. A number of Christians were killed as well as 4 Muslim's attempting to subdue the attacker. Since I arrived, over 150 people have been killed by extremists and well over 20 Muslim security personnel attempting to create a safe environment for all of us. Just as with our police in the US, I am thankful for these men and women who are standing up for their fellow citizens.

You might ask why are we here, why did we walk away from incredible friends, a home, community, family and meaningful work to come here? The answer to that question, asked by our Arab friends as well, is simply we listened to what God wanted from us and we obeyed.

My wife was called to work with children in an International School, owned by Muslims, that does all of their teaching in English. She is paid a good local wage in this country with a per capita income of $3600 per year. God brought her to this point in her life to use the skills she had developed already. She will gladly say this is the best teaching year she has ever had.

Seriously, she is having a significant impact on the students, the parents and the staff, both professionally and in her efforts to break down barriers. The removal of distrust between our cultures is key. Letting them get to know her/us, is critical. When I walked with her to school today, her 7 year-old students hugged her and I, thankful to see us. It was amazing, rewarding.

Similarly, I was called to work with small businesses just like I did in the US. I travel around the Arab world consulting with B4T business owners. Where the owners are diligently working, we are seeing real transformation. Last week I spoke to one in Morocco that I have worked with for a year who reported: "In the last week, work has been oozing out of our ears and we are now facing this 'good' problem. My partner and I are addressing this by moving to a larger commercial space - which we have found. We should double our workforce by summer, too.”

I work with companies that are creating jobs and transforming lives in their sphere of influence. They are bringing hope and love to these wonderful people who seriously are struggling with problems that are very difficult for Westerners to understand, let alone cope with. Additionally, I am a mentor to young men and women – frankly, it has been a wonderful experience.

My wife and I are thankful to serve in this region. We are not going to solve all the problems here, but we are pleased to have shared our lives with the people we have met. It has sincerely been an honor and a privilege.


Please pray that the Churches here reach out to the Muslim casualties' families and honor them for their sacrifice.  If you would like to learn more or to find out ways to help in addition to prayer, write to Services(at)NexusB4T(dot)com. I know of opportunities for business interns, for engineers, teachers, and others, as well as other ways to help."

STUCK? IT'S LIKELY YOUR OWN FAULT

A B4Ter in the Arab world wrote to RPH, one of our coaches and copied me.  Here is his email.

RPH, this is outstanding. I haven't really considered the potential of having a great overseas system of coaching for B4T teams like mine before. I just assumed that untrained unexperienced entrepreneurs like myself will continue to be launched into frontier countries and have to rely on a patchwork of semi-committed business coaches who really just answer our specific questions, but don't have the capacity to be a thorough business coach. 

Your observations about the personal challenges of simply living overseas also resonated with me, and again, I haven't had much hope that there are any solutions for these problems. I really liked your comments and ideas about trying to strengthen team commitment. 

I think your perspective is unique as a seasoned businessman who is living overseas. Most of the B4T policies are being created by non-business people who have never lead a viable business. Not meaning to throw stones at them, but your insights are unique and could be helpful for every organization trying to support B4T efforts. 

My partner and I feel like you're a coach who understands a lot more of the intangibles of B4T, and even being understood in that way goes a long way to decrease our feelings of isolation.

Does this resonate with you?

The wisest man who ever lived wrote; Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without the advice of others. Proverbs 18:22

We are at war.  We need good advice. Our network has nearly twenty coaches who are underutilized. All are experienced business people who have been to 2+ B4T Expos and they have been trained to serve B4Ters.

The model of business people training organizations to coach B4Ters is being tried over and over and it doesn’t work. Mission organizations that wish to keep all their services inside their own walls are going to fail those they serve. The key to success is outsourcing. We all need to recognize where our strengths and weaknesses lay, and then have the humility to seek help where we need it.

Solomon adds, Plans go wrong for lack of advice but many counselors bring success.  Proverbs 15:22

Are you struggling in your job overseas?  There are counselors who wish to bring you success, both with business problems and non-business issues. Just write and ask.

RESPONSES to HARD WORK? or HARDLY WORKING?

Writing blogs is an interesting assignment. Some weeks I struggle for ideas and other weeks they just roll out.  Last week’s blog, “Hard Work, or Hardly Working?” was one I struggled with and did not feel too excited about, yet, I’ve had more positive comments about it than any blog since writing the series on the Parable of the Sower. The following are ideas and comments contributed by various coaches of B4T workers discussing last week’s blog.  I’ve lifted and integrated their input and ideas to make this article flow. There’s some real wisdom here. Thanks guys for your input!

Many on the field think that the hard work is living overseas.  They think that the sacrifice is being away from home; not having conveniences and not having Christmas/Thanksgiving with family.  I hear some field workers talk longingly of leaving for their time back home in the upcoming months. I would think they should dread it.  When I was working back in the USA, I dreaded being away from my business where my co-workers were laboring away. And even now, though a coach yet living on the field, I dread going home leaving others to cast out and pull in the nets alone.  Life, work, is about getting our hands dirty, maybe even torn up, unfortunately, by the work.  I know workers may get a lot more praise, maybe even love at home but that is short lived.  Soldiers are trained to fight, not take vacations. The battlefield is what we are called to, it’s God’s assignment. If people look forward to going home, or prefer speaking to churches back home, then shouldn’t they simply stay there?

Hard work, endurance, logging hours, are all core components of success.  Yes, God gives the growth, (1 Corinthians 3:6) but He expects us to do the plowing, fertilizing, weeding, watering, sowing – meaning we do the work!  Bill Job and I agree that one key to our work was that we simply did not quit.

As one successful coach who has seen 100’s come to faith in India writes…
“Sometimes people have attributed skills, wisdom, intelligence, gifting, special anointing or a myriad of other qualities to me as a result of what they perceive as stories of success that I have somehow been associated with. However, I can think of plenty of times where I wish I would have had all those glowing qualities driving my efforts. In reality, more times than not as I engaged in pioneering initiatives I found myself doing things I’d never done before, nor had anyone I knew. In addition, we didn’t have the internet so there was no one I could ask for counsel and advice. There’s a saying; WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER. While I’d rather work smarter (and presumably, easier and with fewer mistakes) as the adage recommends, there was no “smarter” way available to me.

To get to “working smarter”, I had to first work “work harder”. And, harder didn’t mean “busier”! It was working in ways that required perseverance and discipline and patience and waiting on God and adjusting to doing things that didn’t come naturally or easily to me. Even then, I didn’t always see outward success. Yet, almost always I came away “smarter” for the next time, and hopefully with something worth passing on to others. But even more, whether I was working “harder” or “smarter”, if I did it with Jesus, I came away better acquainted with Him, and hopefully a little more like Him.


If you are B4T worker and do not have a coach, you are missing out!  Write me, and I’ll get you connected.

WISE WORDS from a FIELD COACH

The following is contributed by a B4T coach who retired from business in the USA and is now living in the Middle East to coach B4T businesses.

Being a B4T coach and moving overseas to do that has been a terrific experience. I have had time to think and reflect on the earth that God has created and my responsibility as one of His children. Additionally, I have had time to enjoy being with my wife and to marvel at this region of the world with some wonderful people in it. I am very thankful for this unique opportunity to contemplate while exploring. Having time to ponder while being thrust into a very different culture, I have walked away with 5 things that I feel very passionate about. 

The need for sound, involved parenting. 

My wife teaches in a local school and has a class with 22 amazing 6 and 7 year old’s. Her class is remarkable in many ways but one of the most is the personal sacrifice that the parents are making to provide a solid education to their children. These kids are being taught in English, they study French and their language at home is Arabic. Will they have an advantage in the shrinking world of tomorrow?  Will our kids or grand kids in the USA come home some day and say they lost out on a scholarship or job opportunity to some kid who speaks 3+ languages?  Positive involvement in the school and providing advantages beyond the average is critical to assist our offspring and their kids be competitive. While our kids are out playing sports, these kids are being educated. Arab parents set a high standard.

The need for adult parenting.

Once upon a time I sincerely thought that parenting ended when our kids left home. Boy, not only was I wrong but frankly I was selfish!  Parenting not only never ends but it should not end. However, it does need to change. I reflect on how my wife and I were really struggling with some major financial issues due to business problems during the Great Recession. My dad, who was almost 90, and I spoke by phone. He asked how we were doing and I told him our reality. He sent me a large sum of money the next day which bailed our business out. This was the first time I ever mentioned a need to him, and he responded in the best way that a loving father with the means to help could. Stay in touch with your children and be in tune to their needs as you both age. They likely need your involvement far more now than a large check (or bills) upon your death.

The need for personal responsibility- 

"The devil made me do it."  

"Keep your government hands off my Social Security."  

"Life is not fair." 

Of these three, the only one that I can agree with is that ‘life is not fair”.  I was born in the United States. I was already on base when the game started, all I had to do was steal a base or two to get home. My parents and their three sons were on welfare when I was young. Government surplus food cans and bags filled our cabinets. Powdered milk and eggs were a staple and that was miserable. Seriously, spam was a highlight. In retrospect, we know we had it great compared to the folks that I have met in Kakuma, Kenya who for 25 years have been living as refugees. Life is not fair. Watching the refugees make the best of a very tough situation is frankly inspiring.

Just because we live in the States, for us to assume that means we have the right to or are entitled to being better off than 90% of the world is naive. Looking to improve ourselves, our children, and their children to deal with the technological, cultural, and spiritual forces impacting the world must be something we are vigilant about, and working to be on top of. Do we think this is purely the government’s responsibility? To assist us, yes, but to insure it happens? Sorry, wrong planet. I see a lot of people here who are willing to take advantage of Americans lack of taking personal responsibility. Not in a violent way but through striving to get better through education, working harder and smarter, and having clear goals for themselves and their families. Life is not fair, so it is imperative that we look for and find ways help our families and their children deal with it. 

The need to help others. 

I like the story of the Good Samaritan. The wealthy, religious, right living, pious people skirt around the person they see who is in desperate need. Christ makes us think in a profoundly different way about who our neighbor is. Fortunately, I have not been as desperate as the man on the road at any point in my life. I can say that since moving overseas, there are some folks that have really come to my aid when there was no personal advantage to them. In their mind, it was just the right thing to do. If Christ was to tell that story today, what group would He use to represent people who are not viewed as equal but who might go out of the way to help their neighbor?  From what my wife and I have experienced, He would name the Arab's or the Bedouins, or some other maligned group who have shown both of us, more about being a neighbor than we have experienced (or done) anywhere, including in America. May I be more like the Good Samaritan, or Good Bedouin, or Good Arab, or Good Refugee that we have met. We need to learn to help others that are down when there is no advantage for us to do so. Looking past skin color, language, rituals, ancestry, history, social status, finances, customs, fears and generalizations to what is in the person's heart is so critical for us to find, and then to love our neighbor.

The need for hope.

We live in a region with little, maybe no hope. It is at times frightening to me to see this large number of young men and women who see no way out of the economic situation they have inherited. When you cannot see a way out or you have no one to act as a mentor to help you find another way, the impact upon you can be devastating. In the States, every 2 or 4 years, we have the ability to throw out the bums and start afresh. In all the countries I am currently working in that have Kings and military leaders in power, there is no way to let off the super-heated steam. The pressure grows until it bursts out. Creating systems to allow for economic, political, and class mobility for all segments of our society is critical for all the countries to rise again and for all the people to feel they have a voice and a chance. I am thankful I was raised in a welfare family, yet had the ability to sense and experience hope for a better tomorrow. I sincerely pray that my children’s children and the young Arab men and women have similar chances. Whether in rural brown, white, or black America, huge cities like Cairo or Casablanca, refugee centers across Africa or the inner cities of Europe, I am convinced that the world will be a lot safer and calmer if people know what it feels like to have hope.

RISE UP!–MILLENNIALS

In my study of millennials, one of the more interesting articles I read was written by Stephen Greenwall; it’s titled “There will be Blood, Millennial Blood.”  

Greenwall gives 7 reasons why employers are currently firing Millennials on a broader level. These reasons are:

1. Cannot complete a task

2. Attendance issues

3. Interest always fizzles after the initial phases of projects, or when things get tough

4. Performs well only “in fair weather”

5. Isn’t jiving with the needs of the business

6. Have difficulty dealing with management

7. Coach-ability 

These tendencies are mentioned by other writers and I’ve seen many of these characteristics in millennials myself.  Yet, as B4Ters, the Word of God trumps our age, our generation, our desires even our personality and character. He who said, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it,¹–meant it.

So as a reminder to all but especially to millennial B4Ters, may I offer our Master’s rebuttal to Greenwall’s points. 

1. Cannot complete a task

I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.²  

Work is worship, we don’t do tasks; but in our workmanship and our attitude we worship the King of Kings.

2. Attendance issues 

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them 2.³

We are not only to show up on time, we are commanded to go the second mile.

3. Interest always fizzles after the initial phases of projects, or when things get tough

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.⁴

Our life in Jesus is not about how we start, but how we finish.

4. Performs well only “in fair weather”

Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests…⁵ 

Comfort is not a priority for us, sacrifice, integrity, holiness, a life that models and reflects Jesus is.

5. Isn’t jiving with the needs of the business

I consider my life nothing to me…⁶

A slave is not greater than his master – a man who is dead to himself has no needs.

6. Have difficulty dealing with management 

The Son of Many did not come to be served, but to serve…⁷  

Respecting authority, learning from our elders, serving others – that’s who we want to be.

7. Coach-ability 

Nearly 30 times Jesus tell His followers, “LISTEN”. – We want input. Soft words, harsh words, corrective input helps us mature in Christ.  Solomon adds, …with many counsellors there is safety.⁸

Paul summarizes, 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.⁹

Life, it’s not about us, but about our Master.

Scripture makes clear that non-believers will know God by our lives.¹⁰ 

Rise up millennials!  Show the world Jesus!

1 - Luke 9:23&24

2 - 2 Timothy 4:7

3 - Matthew 5:41

4 - 1 Corinthians 9:24

5 - Matthew 8:20

6 - Acts 20:24

7 - Mark 10:45

8 - Proverbs 11:14

9 - Colossians 3:17&18

10 – Matthew 7:16f, Luke 6:43, John 13:34-35

IS YOUR LIFE AND WORK IN BALANCE?

When you entered the B4T arena you had a vision of what your life and work would look like. So how’s it going?  Is the business working for you? Are you working for the business? Are you in control? Or is the business running or should I say, ruining your life?

Here’s some short questions to help you understand if your life and work is in balance.  Number a piece of paper 1 to 9 and write your answer next to the number.  Wives if you are working, please answer for yourself.  If you are not working, answer for your husband as you perceive things; husbands need your perspective too.


1) I’m clear that my job/business supports and allows me to accomplish my personal goals.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

2) My job/business relies on my expertise for day-to-day technical work. Without me, everything would fall apart.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

3) I believe I am reflecting God’s plan and His values in my workplace.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

4) My work often feels overwhelming and out of my control—I can’t get away from it, even at home.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

5) When I come to work, I’m energized by knowing exactly what I’m personally getting out of work and how my work is positively impacting others.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

6) I struggle with the thought that my job/business is not assisting me in accomplishing my EV/discipleship/CP goals.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

7) I have time and space for strategic thinking at work.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

8) Three or more days a week, when I wake up in the morning, I abhor thinking about going to work.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree

9) I trust my employees/direct reports and I am confident about delegating responsibilities to key people.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Strongly Disagree            Neutral Strongly Agree



Total the scores for questions 1,3,5,7,9  =  ______  Score A

Total the scores for questions, 2,4,6,8    =  ______  Score B

If your A score is 34 or greater, and your B score is 20 or less, you are in a good place.  If either score is not in the “good” range, I’d suggest you get a coach and/or a mentor to walk you through your life and work.

If you need a coach or a mentor, I’d strongly encourage you to attend the B4T conference in Asia we are holding for workers next month, where you’ll be able to meet both coaches and mentors and talk with dozens of other B4T workers who can both encourage and guide you.  You may only attend by invitation, so if you need an invite or if you need info on the B4T conference, write me.

SOME “B” ATTITUDES OF BUSINESS PLANS

Next month at the OPEN Expo will be hosting our second Lions' Den. (The Lion’s Den is the OPEN Network’s version of Dragons' Den or Shark Tank. If you missed the first one, $135,000 was invested in 5 businesses).  At the OPEN Expo in North Carolina, several OPEN workers (we call them the martyrs) will be going into the Lions' Den to sell their businesses to the Lions with the hope of departing alive with a wallet full of investment monies. Whether you are facing the Lions or ordinary investors; writing a business plan is the first step to getting the attention of those with money. A well written plan can raise money, recruit team members, map out your marketing strategy, and perhaps best of all, clarify your own thinking. A plan riddled with errors will certainly lead to martyrdom.

With some help from some OPEN coaches, here are 7 “B Attitudes” for B4Ters when drawing up a business plan.

1. Be Coached.
Invite coaches who know you and/or your product to review your business plan before sharing it with investors. Despite what you think, you do not know it all. Solomon teaches that wisdom comes with many counsellors. Presenting a business plan, even a draft plan, to investors that contains simple errors or gaps in logic is worse than presenting no plan at all. Have others read and edit your plan, including someone who is experienced in vetting business plans, before you begin to share it with potential investors.

2. Be Concise.
Avoid repeating yourself too much. Don’t use catch phrases or restate what’s already been said.  Nobody wants to hear the same thing over and over again. Be sure to keep your plan’s fundamental message consistent throughout, and employ concise yet appealing imagery to flesh out your ideas.

3.  Be Consistent.
Eliminate contradictions. Check that the information in your plan is consistent. For example, make sure that a financial chart deep within the plan does not undermine a fact used earlier in the plan. Make absolutely certain that every fact about your industry, the market, and key competitors is accurate and readily verifiable.

4.  Be Creative.
Successful business plans come in all shapes, sizes and formats, so don’t worry about writing one that looks and reads exactly like all the other plans that are out there. Your goal isn’t to fit in; you want your business plan to stand out. Create a proposal that spotlights your idea and expresses your personality, so that you will be more comfortable and confident when you are called on to present it.

5. Be Focused.
Know your audience. Your business cannot be all things to all people. Know your market and craft your business plan to target that market.  No business plan can appeal to every possible audience. Prayerfully pick one industry or one product or one problem and solve it. Otherwise, you risk spreading yourself too thin.

6. Be Humble.
Exhibit confidence in your product and your ability to take it to market but in your effort to portray confidence, do not ignore the competition your new business will face. Doing so betrays a lack of sophistication. Clearly and objectively point out your business’ weaknesses. Every business has competition, even if it is from overseas. And if your concept is completely original, you still should account for different ways that customers might choose to spend their money, the risks of doing business in your city, and the current business climate in the local marketplace.

7.  Be Real.
Yes, there are some things you must guesstimate in your plan, but be sure your guesses are founded upon some research and logical thinking. Beware of being too optimistic in measuring your margins, the power of your competition and the size of the market. Although it may seem impressive to project big numbers and the potential for earning huge sums of revenue, overstating financial estimates often appears gimmicky to investors. Worse, big numbers can make you sound as if you don’t know what you’re doing or how difficult it will be to take market share from your competitors.

THOUGHTS ON MENTORING

If I simply say the word “coach,” what comes to mind?  A man on the field or a court, whistle blowing, shouting rebukes and making corrections with a finger attacking the air? Coaches encourage, train, exhort, and discipline us.  To many of us they are another father figure. Many of us smile when our high school “coach” filters back into our minds; but for most of us, we know that “Coach” made us a better person. 

Coach was the authority.  You did what s/he said.  You sort of belonged to the coach. If you wanted to play, you did it Coaches’ way. To use today’s terms, there was accountability. It was personal. Coach was investing himself in you. I believe it was this type of relationship, this type of accountability that Jesus modeled to His disciples and the disciples modeled to their own disciples. The Gospels are full of Jesus exhorting His disciples to “follow me” and “abide in me.” Jesus and Paul both speak of being a “father”, and of “loving” their disciples.  That’s no small commitment.

I was recently asked to explain mentoring within the OPEN Network and how a mentor differs in his/her relationship with others.  In my experience, discipling in the mission world rarely approaches the Biblical standard.  I cannot recall one time that I’ve heard a mission field-supervisor refer to a worker as “a son” or someone s/he “loved”.  Our high school coaches cared about our habits off the field knowing our private life impacted our game.  Life and work and play are all integrated.  Each makes up who we are; the various areas of our life and work cannot be compartmentalized or separated.  Just as our high school coaches understood integration and relationship, the OPEN network is growing spiritual disciplers who we call mentors, who combine relational mentoring with professional training. The mentor sets the example of a godly relationship with his wife, his employees, his unbelieving friends, and God.  A mentor models self-control in his habits and devotional practices knowing that each directly affects his ability to lead a business or a team.  Discipling/mentoring in these areas facilitates success not so much in terms of converts or profits, but in finishing well. A mentor is thus, vitally concerned with effectiveness in a holistic way.

Mentoring is different from teaching. Teaching is more concerned with developing skills and sharing knowledge.  It is usually less relational and more a matter of the teacher helping the student to get from point A to point B.  The goal is primarily to provide expertise to help someone succeed with a task.  I realize that teaching can also be relational, but usually it is not.  I say this as rarely does a teacher stay in touch with her/his students following up months or even years later with what a student was taught.

Mentors are drawn to those seeking discipleship. Paid, unpaid, sought out or not, mentors will find people seeking mentoring and discipling. Mentors invest in people and find little joy in supervising people.  Mentors are transparent and expect transparency.  Mentors provide accountability and are accountable themselves. Teachers have students.  Mentors have disciples. Teachers measure a result; mentors measure a life well-lived.

Mentors are acutely aware that they are not coaching “my players” but God’s. For this reason, mentors must listen carefully for what the Holy Spirit is doing in a person’s life and assist him/her in hearing and responding to God.  Mentors want those they work with to first build his/her life before work and ministry.  This emphasis motivates mentors frequently inquire about the specifics of devotional life, marriage, the children, finances, work, and relationships with others. Whether a new believer or a seasoned Christian, mentors always begin behind the scenes in a man’s private life. All too often there is little ongoing help offered to men and women in leadership. 

This is what OPEN mentoring is about.