Heavenly Principles of Trading (Part 6)

 6 Steps to Planning a Successful Business Step 1: Start with an examination of who you are What are the skills, abilities and resources you have to start a small business? Pray and ask God to lead you in the process. Step 2: Decide what type of business YOU WANT TO DO You want to start and what types of products or services you will provide. Decide how much income you will need from that business. Seek God in prayer as to how you can fulfill His purpose for you in business. Step 3: Do your research Gather the facts about the type of business you want to start. Discover who your customers will be and approach some of them with the idea of starting your business. Find out from them what it is they will expect from your business. Discover who your competitors will be and find out how well they are doing in the type of business you want to start. Also, find out what legal obligations you need to fulfill in the business. Be careful not to make assumptions. Confirm that your assumptions are valid. Ask God to lead you to the right people who have the right information that you need. Step 4: Decide how much money will be needed To start the business and what your operating expenses will be. Decide how much you will be able to contribute and how much money you will need to borrow. Research potential friends, family and financial institutions that can finance your business. Expect the unexpected. Ask yourself; "What could go wrong?" and then plan for it. Develop a contingency so that you are prepared Pray that God will provide for your needs. Step 5: Set realistic goals For the number of sales you will make the amount of income you will receive and the overall development of the business. Be sure to take into account the risks of inflation, bad debt, competition and other risks. Your Goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Limited. Break these objectives down into specific tasks in order of their priority. Pray that God will give you a sober mind and will guard your steps. Step 6: Develop a written business plan That covers the information you have discovered after the first five steps. Present your written business plan to your family or friends for their advice and comment. Have them pray with you and commit your plan to God so that He will lead you as you start your business. Do an evaluation of your written plans after a period of time and see whether or not you have accomplished your objectives. If not, why not? "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22).

Heavenly Principles of Trading (Part 6)

 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING A BUSINESS 1. What do I have the resources, ability, interest, and contacts to do? 2. Do I have the necessary commitment needed to succeed in a business undertaking? 3. Am I prepared to work extremely hard, to devote long hours of labour to my business? 4. Do I have the mental stamina and concentration to meet the demands my project will impose on me? 5. Do I accept new ideas easily? 6. Do I treat people with courtesy? Do I have good human relations skills? 7. Am I able to make decisions right away? How do I deal with problem solving: Am I prepared to spend time analyzing a problem and find a solution? Or am I the type who just closes his eyes and hope for the best? 8. Am I ready to commit to the long term, knowing that a company’s success is never an overnight miracle? 9. What back-up resources do I have? Will my family members or friends invest in my company or tide me over during a rough patch? 10. Am I good at concentrating on details? 11. Am I ready to sit down and write a careful analysis of my business prospects? 12. Am I by nature an optimist? Knowing that mistakes and setbacks are bound to occur, am I able to learn from my mistakes without being derailed or discouraged?

Heavenly Principles of Trading (Part 5)

CLIENT SERVICE AND CUSTOMER/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Proverbs 21:6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man accepts a behind the back to pervert the ways of justice. Proverbs 25:26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring, and a polluted well. Proverbs 29:4 The king establishes the land by justice: but he who receives bribes overthrows it. WEALTH CREATION Proverbs 20:21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase. Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings: but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him. Your Personal/Corporate Image Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold. Your Personal Hygiene on the Job Proverbs 23:4: Do not overwork to be rich: because of your own understanding, cease. WRONG REASONS TO GO INTO BUSINESS 1. Because you are sick and tired of being told what to do 2. Because you want more freedom 3. Because you feel unappreciated or undervalued in your present job 4. Because you want to make a lot of money 5. Because you want to improve your standard of living 6. Because your friends or loved ones are going into business 7. Because other people are doing that kind of business and making much money from there 8. Because it is the reigning business in town

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