RECRUITMENT & PERSONNEL ADMIN

Exodus 31:1-6 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee. Staffing answers the question of who will be employed in your business and how will you employ them? Staffing is the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is behind all the other players on the team. So, it is the staff of a business who are behind its success. Being in the right position is very important for the goalkeeper, so it is important that the business have people in the right positions. The goalkeeper puts the ball back into play and can control the pace of the game, slowing it down or speeding it up. The staff of a business who are properly cared for and receive a good wage will keep the business moving and productive. Employer-Employee Relationship Leviticus 19:13 You shall not defraud your neighbour, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. Jeremiah 22:13 Woe unto him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; who uses his neighbour's service without wages, and gives him nothing for his work. Proverbs 22:16: He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. Proverbs 22:22-23: Do not rob the poor, because he is poor: nor oppress the afflicted at the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them. Employee-Employer Relationship Proverbs 27:18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit: so he who waits on his master will be honoured. Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Employee-employee relationship Proverbs 30:10: Do not malign a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty. PRICING Proverbs 15:27: He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates bribes shall live. Proverbs 10:2: Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 16:8: Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without justice. Proverbs 28:8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor. Marketing Proverbs 11:26 He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it. Proverbs 20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel. Marketing answers the question of who is going to buy your product or service and how, where and when are you going to sell it to them? Marketing is like the striker on a soccer team. Marketing scores the goals or makes the sale. Just as a striker must be skilled in handling the ball and in shooting it, so must small businesspeople need to develop skills in handling customers and selling their product or service. Marketing involves knowing the opposition and the playing field and developing strategies to take advantage of team strengths and opposition weaknesses. Just as the striker must finish the play to win the game, so in marketing the businessperson must close the deal and follow through with it for the business to succeed.

BUDGETING & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Luke 16: 10-12 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least in unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? Budgeting answers the question of where will you get the money to operate your business and how you are going to manage that money. Budgeting is the defender on a soccer team. The defender is careful not to be caught out of position lest the opposition gain the advantage. In budgeting, business people must be careful that they have enough financial resources to enable the business to function and to grow. Budgeting involves planning and monitoring financial resources and making the necessary changes so that the team is in position to win the game.

’” THE WORD ON BUSINESS AND CAREER PURPOSE

Proverbs 24:3-4: Through wisdom (insight about self & the market) a house (business) is built; and by understanding (exposures & experience) it is established: By knowledge (information & learning) the rooms (the different arms of the business) are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Compared this with how the first ever and oldest business institution was created: Proverbs 3:19-20 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. Purpose answers the question “what business am I in and why am I in that business?” Purpose is like the centre forward of a football team. He sets the direction of the business. Possession of the ball begins with him. Business people must have a well-defined purpose for their business that includes not only the type of business and market but also the area of ministry that can be done through that business. Planning Proverbs 24:27: Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house. Planning answers the question of ‘where do you want to go and how are you going to get there?’ Planning is like the mid-fielder on a soccer team. Planning involves being on the offensive and developing goals so that the business can win the game. It also involves being on the defensive and anticipating problems and solving them before they happen. Without this position on the team, the game will be lost because there is no game plan. As the saying goes, business people who fail to plan, plan to fail. Timing Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 8: 5-6 (NIV) Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise in heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him” Managing Matthew 25:20-21 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Managing answers the question of how you are going to operate your business and who is going to have control? Managing is like the coach of a soccer team. The coach has to make sure all the details are taken care of for the team to get to the game and be ready to play it. He oversees the play and makes sure the players are healthy and doing what they are all supposed to be doing. The coach has to be familiar with all the positions on the team and recommend what should be done to improve performance.

REASONS FOR FAILURE

10 REASONS WHY PEOPLE FAIL

1. Holding on to the past

2. Fear

 3. Negative Attitudes

 4. Poor People Skills

5. Lack of Focus

6. Sin and Compromise

7. Excuses (Focusing on Who instead of Why)

8. Non-Adaptability to Change

9. Lack of Plan

10. Giving Up Too Soon

PRINCIPLES FOR OVERCOMING FAILURE

1. Do not let fear control you

2. Check your attitudes

3. Do not make excuses

4. Never let failure get inside you

5. Change yourself

6. Learn from your mistakes

7. Let go of the past 8. Never give up

Writing for Professional Development

For those whose vocation is writing-intensive, such as journalists, academics, secretaries, etc the command of a superb language mechanics is a great determinant of their success at the workplace as well as the prestige ascribed to them by their publics. People like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, J.P. Clark, Ayo Banjo, Reuben Abati, Dare Babarinsa, are few among the contemporary people who have attained international prominence through their writing skills.

Students in academic institutions, especially those in the humanities, also need a good command of language to enhance their grades. Therefore, it behoves anyone whose line has anything to do with writing to hone his writing skill by reading and writing regularly.

CONCLUSION

 So far we have considered the various ways we can use the four communication skills to achieve personal development, which is the key to success, excellence and greatness. In the words of Riley, as documented by Tracy (2004):

By engaging in continuous self-improvement, you can put yourself behind the wheel of your own life. By dedicating yourself to enhancing your earning ability, you will automatically be engaging in the continuous process of personal development. By learning more, you prepare yourself to earn more. You position yourself for tomorrow by developing the knowledge and skills that you need to be a valuable and productive part of …(the) economy, no matter which direction it goes.

This is a final word to underscore the role of personal development in attaining your dreams in life. There is no shortcut to earning more, becoming more and achieving greatness except to follow the route of disciplined and sustained investment in the self. Any attempt to go it otherwise will only be like trying to beat the devil to his own game. And this reminds me of the story of the man who did just that.

Some time ago, the devil compiled a list of one thousand people who were due for death because of their nefarious activities on earth. The number one person on that list happened to be a notorious Nigerian fraudster (popularly known as 419), whose fraudulent records had no rival under heaven. After getting God’s approval to execute the sinners, the devil went to the house of his first victim and announced his mission there without much ado.

To his utmost surprise, this fraudster did not betray any sign of fear nor plead for mercy. Instead, he welcomed the devil most cheerfully and invited him to sit down so that he could entertain him, as the august visitor that he was, before he carries out his mission. Then the man served the devil several bottles of beer and large portions of barbecues (suya), which he gulped down so ravenously till he fell into a long sleep.

While he was fast asleep, this fraudster quickly erased his name from the number one position on the devil’s list and wrote it as the last name. Then he anxiously waited for his visitor to wake up and discover his mistake.

After several hours, the devil finally woke up and groggily looked around him in confusion.  Then his eyes centred on the man standing beside him, and he smiled with pleasure. He said:

“My friend, you surprised me a lot. I never knew human beings are capable of the hospitality and generosity you have shown me today”. He placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and gave him a friendly pat.

“Guess what? I’m going to do you a big favour in return. I’ll give you enough time to prepare yourself and put your house in order before I come for you.  So I wont kill you now, instead I will start my killing from the last name on my list” (Oladele, unpublished).

Writing for Social Integration

An effective writing skill can be a great source of prestige in the society for anyone who possesses it. As stated earlier, few people possess the writing skill to a commendable extent.  And those who do usually enjoy considerable credibility in the society because most people believe the written word (and a writer) more than they do the spoken words (and a public speaker).

Another way to use written communication to enhance your social integration is by cultivating the habit of writing letters or short notes to compliment or encourage people; your family members, friends, colleagues, or even people who do not know you but whom you admire and desire to be friendly with. In the words of Benson (undated:183), ‘we live by encouragement, and die without it –  slowly, sadly and angrily’. Therefore, the man who looks beyond himself to sincerely appreciate others in long or short writings will not just be adding a memorable value to them, but will also earn himself an impressive collection of allies. And the more people you have around you, the easier you are able to perform tasks and achieve your aims in life.     

Writing for Emotional Development

One way writing helps one emotionally is in the area of catharsis which the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (1998:176) defines as “the process of releasing strong feelings, e.g. through drama or other artistic activities, as a way of providing relief from anger, suffering, etc.”

When in an emotional state that disturbs your equanimity, picking up a pen to write exactly how you feel is a sure way of tranquilizing the storms in your mind. No matter the gibberish you may write or how incoherent your thought-flow may be, simply pouring out your heart on paper is able to sufficiently calm you down and prevent you from acting out of place.

Another way you can use writing to achieve an emotional end is by documenting your feelings of attraction or affection for another person, usually the opposite sex. Such writings are usually a better and more accurate representation of the depth of one’s feeling than words of mouth can express. The rhythmical quality of such lettered emotions are also poetic.  That is why Wordsworth describes poetry as ‘the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling recollected in tranquility’.