603 Developing balanced Goals by Kingdom Site Ministries

MODULE 603 DEVELOPING BALANCED GOALS AND PLANS Dr. Mario Denton Crown Financial Ministries Marketplace Programme Director for Africa Africa Director for FCCI (The Fellowship for Companies for Christ International) CEO STRONG MESSAGE BUSINESS CONSULTANT Let's keep the good marketplace vibes alive. Let's network. Tel (w) + 27(0) 82 88 29903. E-mail address: mario@crown.org.za Website: www.crown.org.za and click on marketplace E-mail address: marden@mweb.co.za website: www.strongmessage.co.za Skype: mario.denton

Table of Contents 1. Developing Balanced Goals and Biblical Foundation 2. The Balanced Planning process 3. Application assignment 4. Appendix

Developing Balanced Developing Balanced Goals and Plans

s stewards of our businesses, we are entrusted by God to carefully guide and

manage them. Prudent stewards develop long- and short-range plans to set and achieve their vision for the business.

DEVELOPING BALANCED GOALS AND PLANS Establish a Balanced Focus & Goals Establish the Leadership & Direction

Objectives: In this module, you will:

1. Learn the first five steps of an eight-step Balanced Planning Approach to develop long-range goals, objectives, strategies, plans and actions for the organisation. (Steps six through eight will be learned in future modules.)

2. Learn the GOSPEL model for long-range plans. 3. Complete the first five steps of the Balanced Planning Approach.

1. Biblical Foundation

he practice of developing goals and plans derives from the principle of Godly

stewardship.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:1-2)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:6-7)

So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. (Nehemiah 2:11-18)

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28)

Group Discussion: 4

1. Read and discuss the Scripture verses above. What principles can you derive from these verses that apply to the concept of planning?

2 The Balanced Planning Process The Balanced Planning Process provides a simple approach to follow for long-range business planning.

Put a diagram or illustration together with the following words: Where are we now? • Vision (Top) Goal • Top Objectives Where do we want to be? DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES OFFENSIVE STRATEGIES Positives that will help us Negatives that will hinder us

The Balanced Planning Process helps us develop the GOSPEL plan for our business: • Goals – Top-level goal (Vision) with a three- to five-year outlook • Objectives – Measurable top objectives relative to Vision (Top Goal) • Strategies – Approaches that can be taken to achieve goals (Defensive and Offensive) • Plans – Identifiable projects to achieve the strategies • Executable Tasks – Specific step-by-step tasks to carry out the plans • Lead for Results – An accountability process for assigning and tracking results

There are eight steps in the Balanced Planning Process: Step One: Define where we want to be – the Vision (Top Goal) Step Two: Define the top objectives Step Three: Assess where we are now Step Four: Identify Positives that will help us Step Five: Identify Negatives that will hinder Step Six: Identify Strategies that will achieve our goals Step Seven: Develop plans to achieve the strategies Step Eight: Lead for Results

Step One: Define where we want to be - the Vision (Top Goal) In this step, we review the Vision (Top Goal) we established for our business in the application module.

Developing a God-honouring Vision and Mission.

Discussion: 1. What Vision did you establish for your organisation? (Note: Transfer your Vision to the GOSPEL worksheet in the appendix of this study guide.)

For example, the Jeremiah Manufacturing Co. has established the Vision (Top Goal) of being “recognised as the industry leader in built-in home appliances”.

2. If you have not established a Vision (Top Goal), consider the following questions: a) What is it that you are best at? b) What drives your economic engine (i.e. produces your revenue)? c) About what are you most passionate?

3. Test your Vision by asking the following questions:

a) Is it a larger-than-life goal? Will it honour God? Is it the vision He has given you for the business?

Best Passion

b) Will it be difficult or impossible to achieve without reliance on God? When God works a Vision, His purpose is not simply to accomplish the stated goal. His purpose is also to transform the people, the organisation and its leaders into something that honours Him and achieves His purposes.

c) Will it attract the undivided attention of leaders and followers in your organisation? Though they may be skeptical, they too must be moved by the enthusiasm of the Vision.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d) Will it hold the attention of people in your organisation? Those implementing the Vision must be steadfast.

Step Two: Define the top objectives Establish the top objectives that support the Vision (Top Goal) in the key focus areas of: • Customers • Employees • Ministry • Operations • Business Results

The objectives you establish should be measurable and should be added to your Balanced Scorecard.

For example, Jeremiah Manufacturing established the following top objectives:

Focus Area:

Objective:

Measured By:

Customer

Zero customers lost

Customer Retention %

Employee

Best organisation to work “Best Places to Work” index for in our industry

Ministry

Give a tithe to support Giving as a percentage of evangelistic missions

net income

Operations

Zero defects

% Returns

Business Results

Fair return to shareholder

% Net Profit after Taxes

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

Discussion: What are your top objectives in the key focus areas?

Focus Area:

Objective:

Measured By:

Customer Employee Ministry Operations Business Results (Note: Transfer your top objectives to the GOSPEL worksheet in the Appendix of this study guide.)

Step Three: Assess where you are now Discuss and rate your current position against your top objectives.

Discussion: 1. Rate your current position against your objective in each focus area on a scale of 110, where 1 = low and 10 = high. Customer: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Employee: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ministry: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Operations: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Business Results: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2. As a group, compare and discuss your individual assessments. Develop a consensus rating and transfer that to the GOSPEL worksheet in the Appendix of this study guide.

Step Four: Identify positives that will help us

Make a list of your organisation’s strengths, competencies and opportunities. Wherever possible, include factual data from sources such as: • Customer and market surveys • Employee surveys • Operational measurements • Financial results

For

example,

Jeremiah

Manufacturing

identified

the

following

strengths

and

opportunities:

Strengths: • High customer satisfaction – 89% from last survey • Good high-end product technology • Strong leadership team • Good at business acquisitions

Opportunities: • Additional acquisitions • Convert competitive customers • Builder partnerships • Use of offshore component manufacturing

Discussion:

List your organisation’s strengths, competencies and opportunities. Transfer your consensus results to the GOSPEL worksheet in the appendix of this study guide.

Step Five: Indentify Negatives” that will hinder us Make a list of your organisation’s weaknesses, constraints and threats that you know about. Again, include factual data as available.

For example, Jeremiah Manufacturing identified the following negatives:

Weaknesses and Constraints: • Weak second layer of management • Unresolved philosophical approach to sales (team vs. personal incentives) • Significant manufacturing waste and scrap

• Low-end manufacturing technology

Threats: • Margin pressure • Customer concentration (80% of business comes from top 3 customers) • No succession plan

Discussion: List your organisation’s weaknesses, constraints and threats. Transfer your consensus results to the GOSPEL worksheet in the appendix of this study guide.

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28)

ASSIGNMENT 1. Complete your discussions for steps one through five. Transfer your results to the GOSPEL worksheet in the Appendix of this study guide.

2. Be prepared to present a summary of your results to your coach or mentor.

Appendix: Gospel Worksheet (Example) COMPANY NAME: Jeremiah Manufacturing Company

Step One: Vision (Top Goal) To be recognised as the industry leader in built-in home appliances.

Step Two: Top Objectives Focus Area

Objective

Measured by

Current Position

Customer

Zero lost customers

Customer Retention

Employee

Best

company

work

for

to “Best

Places

to 7

the Work”

industry index Ministry

Tithe

evangelistic

support Give a % of Net

Income

missions

Operations

Zero Defects

Business Results

Fair

return

% Returns

to % Net Profit after 3

shareholders

Taxes

Step Three: Assess where you are now (your current position) Customer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Employee 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ministry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Operations 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Business Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Step Four: Positives that will help us

Strengths: • High customer satisfaction – 89% from last survey • Good high-end product technology • Strong leadership team • Good at business acquisitions

Opportunities: • Additional acquisitions • Convert competitive customers • Builder partnerships

• Use of offshore component manufacturing

Step Five: Negatives that will hinder Weaknesses and Constraints: • Weak second layer of management • Unresolved philosophical approach to sales • Significant manufacturing waste and scrap • Low-end manufacturing technology

Threats: • Margin pressure • Customer concentration (team vs. person incentives) (80% of business from top 3 customers) • No succession plan

COMPANY NAME: Step One: Vision (Top Goal) To be recognised as the industry leader in built-in home appliances.

Step Two: Top Objectives Focus Area

Objective

Measured by

Current Position

Customer Employee Ministry

Operations Business Results

Strengths: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opportunities: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Step Five: Negatives that will hinder Weaknesses and Constraints: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Threats: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d 19

Developing Balanced Goals and Plans: Part 2 Chapter Title Page Foundation The Balanced Planning Process - Part II Process Steps Application Assignment Appendix

s stewards of our businesses, we are entrusted by God to carefully guide and

manage them. Prudent stewards develop long- and short-range plans to set and achieve their vision for the business.

1. Foundation Objectives 20

This module continues the process begun in Developing Balanced Goals and Plans – Part I. In this module you will:

1. Learn steps six and seven of the eight-step Balanced Planning Approach to develop long-range goals, objectives, strategies, plans and actions for the enterprise. (Steps one through five were learned in an earlier module.)

2. Undertake an application assignment to complete steps six and seven of the Balanced Planning Approach.

2. The Balanced Planning Process- Part 2 The Balanced Planning Process provides a simple approach to follow for long-range business planning.

• Strategies – Approaches that can be taken to achieve goals (Defensive and Offensive) • Plans – Identifiable projects to achieve the strategies • Executable Tasks – Specific step-by-step tasks to carry out the plans • Lead for Results – An accountability process for assigning and tracking results

There are eight steps in the Balanced Planning Process:

Step One: Define where we want to be – the Vision Step Two: Define the top objectives Step Three: Assess where we are now Step Four: Identify Positives that will help us Step Five: Identify Negatives that will hinder us Step Six: Identify Strategies that will achieve our objectives Step Seven: Identify projects to carry out the strategies Step Eight: Manage strategic projects

Additional Biblical Principles for Planning In Developing Balanced Goals and Plans – Part 1, we examined selected Scripture passages for planning principles. The following passages will help us identify additional principles: Nehemiah 1:1-11 5 And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and

night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You." Nehemiah 1:5-6 (NKJV)

Daniel 9:20-27 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand."

Daniel 9:22 (MKJV) Ephesians 3:20 – 4:6 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20

Group Discussion: Read and discuss the preceding Scripture passages (read the full reference, not just the excerpt). What principles can you derive from these verses that apply to the concept of developing business strategies and plans?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Process steps Step Six: Identify Strategies to Achieve the Objectives One definition of strategy is “the science and art of conducting a plan on a broad scale”. The “science” comes from following a methodical approach for strategy development, which we will learn here. The “art” in a Christian-led organisation comes from creative thinking and innovation as guided by the Holy Spirit through prayer and Scripture. As a Kingdom Business we will combine both method and Divine guidance.

Strategies are the different approaches you can take to achieve your top objectives. Strategies are courses of action, or concepts, rather than detailed project plans.

Developing strategies involves creative thinking and innovation.

Identification of strategies is an intermediate step between the development of goals and top objectives and the development and execution of detailed project plans.

Multiple strategies may be identified to achieve a top objective, and each strategy often requires multiple projects for its implementation. For this reason, it’s best to limit the number of strategies.

Strategy examples: To achieve an objective of “growing sales” we might employ an Internet sales strategy.

To achieve an objective of “increasing customer retention” we might use a competitive pricing strategy.

The basic steps for strategy development are:

1. Examine positives or negatives developed in steps four and five. 2. Ask analytical questions and pray for guidance. 3. Create strategies. Strategies might be either Offensive or Defensive.

Offensive Strategies - take advantage of existing strengths, those areas where God has blessed our organisation, and where things have worked well in the past. They also seek to take advantage of new opportunities that are available to us.

Key analytical questions to ask as you pray for God’s wisdom and direction in preparing offensive strategies:

1. What has worked well in the past? Why? What should we continue doing? Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

2. What things have we done that have glorified God? Where do we believe we have experienced His blessing? What things should we do to glorify God in our business?

3. What other market trends or opportunities should we pursue? Who else can we serve that would benefit from our business? Consider new customers, markets or partnerships.

4. Are there other business approaches we should consider to build upon our strengths, such as ISO 9001, Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, Lean Enterprise, or Six Sigma?

JEREMIAH MANUFACTURING COMPANY case study example: After reviewing the organisation’s positives from Step Four, the leadership team developed the following offensive strategies:

• Expansion Through Acquisition – because we have been good at acquisitions, we will acquire several companies over the next few years.

• Competitive Conversions - because we have good high-end product technology and high customer satisfaction, we will market to customers of competitors who may be looking to change suppliers.

• Customer Retention and Growth – we will capitalise on the relationship ability of our strong leadership team to retain existing customers and grow our business volumes.

Exercise 1. Examine the positives you identified in Step Four. 2. Ask the key analytical questions (above) and pray for guidance.

3. Create 2-3 offensive strategies that use positives to: • Build upon your strengths • Open new opportunities

Defensive Strategies - guard our business by addressing internal weakness or defending us against other challenges we face.

Key analytical questions to ask as you pray for God’s wisdom and direction in preparing defensive strategies:

1. Why have we failed in the past? What must we do to prevent similar failures? 2. How can we use strengths to overcome weaknesses? 3. How can we use customers, suppliers or other partners to overcome weaknesses? 4. What should we do to defend ourselves against challenges that we currently face and are likely to face in the future?

JEREMIAH MANUFACTURING COMPANY case study example:

After reviewing the organisation’s negatives from Step Five, the leadership team developed the following defensive strategies: • Leadership Development – because we have a weaker second level of management, we will improve our management selection process, and develop a training and development programme for second-level managers.

• Upgrade Manufacturing Equipment - because our current manufacturing equipment is inefficient and near obsolescence, we will upgrade our manufacturing equipment over the next few years.

• Lean Manufacturing – to reduce scrap and waste and to increase margins, we will seek outside expertise to develop a Lean Manufacturing system.

Exercise 1. Examine the negatives you identified in Step Five. 2. Ask the key analytical questions (above) and pray for guidance. 3. Create 2-3 defensive strategies that: • Build upon your strengths to overcome a weakness or constraint • Guard against threats or potential threats

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strategy Relevance and Impact – Once you have identified a set of strategies, be sure to test them for overall relevance to and impact on your top objectives. Ask the following questions:

1. Relevance – Do these strategies address our top objectives? Is there at least one strategy for each top objective?

2. Impact –Will the strategies significantly impact top objectives? How much will they contribute to accomplishing the objective?

3. Missing Objectives – Do we feel a strong leading from the Holy Spirit to add a strategy does not appear to address an existing top objective? Are we missing a top objective?

JEREMIAH MANUFACTURING COMPANY case study example:

Strategy

Relevance to Objectives

Impact

Expansion through

Fair return to shareholders

High

Zero lost customers

Medium

Acquisition Competitive Conversions Customer

Retention

and Zero lost customers

High

Growth Leadership Development

Best company to work for

High

Upgrade Manufacturing

Zero defects

High

Equipment

Lean Manufacturing

Zero defects

High

After discussing the low to medium impact on the objective of “zero lost customers,” the leadership team decided to delay the Competitive Conversion strategy until more work could be done on the Customer Retention and Growth strategy.

Exercise: 1. Review each offensive and defensive strategy you created for relevance and impact. 2. Add or delete strategies as necessary.

Caution: Try to select no more than four to six strategies overall to avoid creating too heavy a burden of strategic projects.

Strategy

Relevance to Objectives

Impact

Step Seven: Identify Projects to Carry Out the Strategies In this step we will translate each of our selected strategies into projects required to implement the strategy.

A project is a plan combining resources and tasks to achieve a desired result. In the context of the Balanced Planning Process, a project is aimed at implementing a key part of a strategy. Strategies frequently require many activities in order to be implemented and are usually divided into multiple projects.

Each project is then assigned to an owner who will further define the project scope and identify resources (people, materials, etc.) and tasks required to complete the project. Owners should be leadership team members who will be accountable to the team for completion of the strategic projects. While owners may complete some project activities, they will usually delegate projects to other individuals or teams.

JEREMIAH MANUFACTURING COMPANY case study example:

Top Objective:

Be the “best company to work for” in our industry.

Strategies (Offensive/Defensive) Employ our strong senior leaders to strengthen our ability to select, train and develop mid-level managers (defensive strategy).

Projects

Owner

1. Develop selection process and interview criteria for selecting mid-

Ed Wilson, COO

level managers. 2. Identify and initiate development of a mid-level manager training

Jan Talbot, CFO

curriculum. 3. Develop a development planning process for senior leaders to use

Michael T. Crans, CEO

with mid-level managers.

Exercise: For each top objective and it’s related strategies:

1. Identify an initial list of projects required to implement the strategy. 2. Assign owners for each project.

Top Objective: Strategies

Projects

Owner

(Offensive/Defensi ve)

4. Dig deeper and learn more (Optional) This section includes various support material for further inspiration and encouragement and relates to the material covered in this section -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nr

Name

603 A 603 B

DECISION MAKING PROBLEM SOLVING

Date of completion

Progress Report James 1:22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.” (NIV)

Name and Number of Module ________________________________________ Participant’s Name: ________________________________________ The Biblical Truths (Principles) I learned from this module: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I intend to apply this Truth (Principle) in my business by: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------________________________

_______________________

Participant

Date

The Bible makes it clear that we have to do something to accept the gift that God offers. This is an act of faith. The Disciple John writes, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Believing involves an act of faith based on all that we know about Jesus. It is not blind faith. It is putting our trust in a Person. In some ways, it is like the step of faith taken by a bride and a bridegroom when they say, “I will,” on their wedding day. The key is three things: Sorry... Thank you... Please...

Sorry 35

You have to ask God to forgive you for all the things you have done wrong and turn from everything that you know is wrong in your life. That is what the Bible means by “repentance.”

Thank you You believe that Jesus died for you on the cross. You need to thank Him for dying for you and for the offer of His free gifts of forgiveness, freedom and His Spirit.

Please God never forces His way into our lives. You need to accept His gift and invite Him to come and live within you by His Spirit. If you would like to have a relationship with God and you are ready to say these three things, then here is a very simple prayer you can pray that will be the start of that relationship:

Dear God - I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that Jesus died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Please come into my life by Your Holy Spirit to be with me forever. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Now what? If you have prayed this prayer, it is important to tell someone! This may be your Group Director, a fellow member of the group, perhaps a boss or co-worker who accepted this great gift of life at an earlier time. Then, find a way to get connected in a local church that loves Jesus and has a heart for the new believer.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Victor Sassone, a recognised Consultant and Coach, with nearly forty years of business leadership and organisational development experience. Vic retired from the IBM Corporation where he learned the principles of business excellence while serving in various management, senior educational and technical positions and helping organisations employ the principles of the Malcolm Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence. A number of Vic’s clients have been recognised for performance excellence at both the state and national levels. Vic’s aim is to honour God in all he does as he serves in ministry to men and in the marketplace.

Material adapted by Dr. Mario Denton Mario is the International Field Continental Programme Director – Market-place for Crown Africa, the Africa Director for FCCI (The Fellowship for Companies for Christ International) and the CEO of Strong Message Business Consultancy. He is an international teacher and industrial psychologist and uses his strong academic and corporate background and his uniquely effective coaching to help people tap into their inner being; to utilise their strengths and expand their skills to make a difference in the workplace. He and his wife, Mariene, are based in Cape Town, South Africa, and are blessed with three grown sons.

Servant Copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission. Regarding permission to reprint material from this material, please write to Dr Mario Denton:

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Crown Companies Legacy Leaders Providing mature business leaders an opportunity to continue to use their skills productively for the Glory of God. Do you desire to pass on the baton to business leaders to transform their business? Legacy leaders are business leaders who have a desire to continue to use their skills productively to mentor, coach and train the other business leaders, as well as train the next generation of business leaders for the glory of God. Crown Companies exists to equip and encourage business leaders to operate their business and conduct their personal lives in accordance with Biblical principles. Legacy leaders •

Are experienced in business

•

Understand and are committed to the vision of CROWN Companies

•

Have implemented biblical principles in their own personal life and business

•

Are mature in the Christian faith and are of proven character 38

•

Have a passion to see other business leaders succeed as determined by God’s standards

Legacy leaders may possess: •

The capability to be an encourager, coach, mentor and disciple.

•

The ability to provide wise business counsel to other business leaders

•

The time and or resources to come alongside other business leaders

"Teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:1. Legacy leaders serve in a wide variety of capacities, including: •

Mentoring individual business leaders

•

Working with groups of business leaders

•

Serving as an ambassador for CROWN Companies in your church and community

•

Travelling abroad to assist business leaders in other countries

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others for eternity? How can you serve the Lord as a legacy leader and begin sharing all that the Lord has entrusted to you? 1. Pray now where the Lord will use you in the lives of other business leaders to impact the Kingdom of God for His glory. 2. Contact Crown Companies at mario@crown.org.za or the Crown companies office at +27 21 975 0226 3. Visit our website at www.crown.org.za for more information, tools and resources and become a member to enjoy the support, counsel and fellowship of other members and the extensive material available.

Crown Companies: Reclaim the workplace for Christ Is the vision of your church also to bring the people of your community into a lifetransforming encounter with the Kingdom of God? The workplace is a key battle ground for achieving the above vision. Mature and equipped believers should live their faith in the workplace. But many need help in understanding what that means, as well as support in carrying it out. If you want to live your faith in the workplace, helping to make it more effective of God’s Kingdom on earth, then we at Crown Companies want to come alongside you to support and equip you. Our mission and intention are to develop flexible training programmes and processes to assist you in this regard. Imagine a workplace where ….. •

There were biblically based, explicitly defined values

•

Ethics and integrity are paramount

•

Love and servant leadership governed relationships

•

Pursuit of excellence was the norm

•

Collaboration was sought but obedience and commitment to final decisions were followed

•

Selfish ambition was non-existent

•

Accountability was enforced – in a supportive manner

START WITH A WORKPLACE MINISTRY IN YOUR CHURCH 40

Equip your workplace leaders to become ministers. Help them to become sensitive to the lost. Help the workplace leaders of your church get a vision for joining God in the workplace ministry.

Crown Companies: Become the business leaders God intended you to be Sometimes it is a matter of survival, but you have to become the business leaders God intended you to be. The purpose of Crown Companies is to help business leaders: •

Draw closer to God

•

Establish a committed and vibrant relationship with the Lord

•

Develop deep, meaningful relationships with like-minded peers

•

Learn what it means to run a company for Christ

•

Help other workplace leaders to do the same

This is accomplished through •

Monthly leadership groups

•

Workplace conferences

•

Materials, resources and training on our website

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31.

Search the untold riches of the Bible to find scriptural perspective for operating a company as a steward of Christ with like-minded peers and colleagues. Join a small group and facilitate discussions relevant to: •

Sales and marketing strategies

•

Effective time management

•

Cash flow and profit

•

Planning goals and implementation

•

Motivating people

•

Problems solving

"For my thought are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8-9. START WITH A SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION IN YOU AREA Do you need someone to pray with you – someone who understands the pressures of running a company, someone who cares? Do you desire to integrate your Christian faith into the daily operations of the business God has entrusted to you? For more information on a small group in you area contact Dr Mario Denton at mario@crown.org.za. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.". Luke 11: 910.

Crown Companies: Every believer a minister in the workplace Common dilemmas in the workplace •

Isolation: Feeling the pressure of being responsible for many people

•

Need encouragement but rarely receive it

•

Need people with whom they can communicate honestly

Equipping the workplace You have an opportunity to make a difference in the workplace to which God has called you. Meet monthly with other business leaders to receive instruction and training from other top business speakers on how to integrate your Christian life into your business. Form a small group of leaders who serve one another in a well-informed, support group where burning issues like the following can be discussed: •

Develop a strategic plan tailored for each member’s business

•

Developing an action plan for ministry

•

Developing your company’s mission and vision

•

Product and service excellence

•

Giving back to the Lord

•

Long-term financial planning

•

Building a high-performance team

•

Hiring smart

•

Sharing your faith in the workplace

•

Problem solving

•

Customer service

START WITH A LIFE-CHANGING SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION IN YOU AREA. Do you desire to integrate your Christian faith into the daily operations of the business God has entrusted to you? For more information on a small group in you area contact Dr Mario Denton at mario@crown.org.za.