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Christian Business
Development
Series Part 2 of 3
The Salesman
He that walketh with wise
men
shall be wise...
Proverbs 13: 20
Introduction:
Salesmen play an important role in the success of any business.They are the ones (in addition to a good advertising program) who make a corporation's products and services available to the general public and potential customers.
In this study we will focus attention on the subject of Christian business, selling, and salesmen from the perspective of our Corporation's Chief Executive Officer (God), and highlight some of the important elements for success as they relate to the various branches of Missionary Service.
What is selling? ___________________________________
____________________________________________________
Selling is a means of bringing all of your personal resources to bear upon a single situation.
What percentage of the world's population
do you think are salesmen? ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Everyone is a salesman.
What do people sell? ________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Ideas
Products
Services
Values
Themselves
... and other things ...
Some Biblical Principles For Success
Be kindly affectioned one
to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful
in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
Romans 12: 10, 11
...Provide things honest
in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:17
A man that hath friends
must show himself friendly.
Proverbs 18:24
Seest thou a man diligent
in his business? he shall stand before kings ...
Proverbs 22:29
Whatsoever ye would that
men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
Matthew 7:12.
Everything that is to be done in the work of God should be handled in an organized, ethical, and business-like way.
Fear: a problem most salesmen experience
Have you encountered any fear in your work for God? What did you do to overcome it?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
The best medicine for fear, and a lack of confidence, is action.
If you are afraid... ask yourself :
What am I afraid of? ___________________________
____________________________________________________
Why am I afraid? ______________________________
____________________________________________________
Once your fears have been identified,
you can begin working on ways to resolve them. There are always
reasons for the fears people have. Fear paralyzes action. If positive action is to take place, fear must not be allowed to control the life or work.
The Bible tells us:
Fear thou not; for I am
with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
Be strong therefore and
let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7
...God shall supply all
your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 19
Counsels and Guidelines
for God's Salesmen
A good character is the greatest asset in your work. There can be no lasting achievement without it.
Be reliable and trustworthy... If you say you are going to do something... do it.
If you say that you will be in a certain place at a certain time, be there...unless, of course, something unforeseen happens... in which case you should apologize, and strive to be on schedule next time.
Don't entertain ideas related to failure.
Thomas Edison performed some 2,000 experiments before he discovered the laws governing electricity. Someone is reported to have walked up to him and ask, "How could you stand failing so many times?" His reply was, "I didn't fail, I simply discovered some 2,000 ways that electricity didn't work."
People expect something from those they do business with. They expect: honesty, integrity, understanding, and respect. We must also reflect these things in our life if we want people to receive what we have to offer.
A good Christian salesman
has Enthusiasm:
It is conviction on fire. It's one great motivating force. It's contagious.
Once you have it, others will get it too.
Be aware! Silent messages are often sent to those
we communicate with. They tell if we are nervous,
relaxed, interested, bored, distracted, sincere,
defensive or unsocial. Watch for these signs in others also.
Professional Appearance: Know that what you are doing is important and worth your time and your client's time. Christians are ambassadors for a King, and everything that is said and done, as well as what we wear should reflect that.
Christian Salesmen must learn to be be adaptable: ...able to make adjustments and sometimes compromises, as long as they do not sacrifice principles of truth.
Attitudes: Positive attitudes are a real blessing, and need to be cultivated on a daily basis.
Ask yourself : Am I just representing an organization or am I really an ambassador for Christ and a member of His royal family?
Christian Maturity: When disappointments and setbacks come, mature people face their problems, look for solutions, handle their disappointments without becoming permanently defeated, realizing the problems won't last forever, and press on. They are responsible for their actions and have a respect for themselves, as well as for God and the work that they are doing.
Everyone has areas of their character which are not completely developed. In a crisis or during stressful moments these weak areas are revealed. It is then to begin working on these areas and strengthen them so that your character can continue growing.
Ability: Christian salesmen must have some ability for their work and also have confidence in that ability. The confidence comes from God...actually, so does the ability...every need will be supplied.
Confidence comes with time, knowledge, and experience.Be sure leave room for its development.
There are no short cuts to success!
How to prepare for God's Service
People need to be trained to fill places of responsibility and importance in God's work. Such workers can radiate courage, optimism, faith, enthusiasm and true leadership abilities if these played a part in their educational preparations.
Much money is often spent to send people out to do the Lord's work, but very little, by comparison, is spent to prepare them beforehand to do it successfully. As a result many fail to continue, and instead, go in search of other employment.
If this has been your experience, why
do you think such a problem exists?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Our Lord said, "I must be about
My Father's business." When we follow His footsteps, we must copy His
example. Jesus trained His disciples when He was on earth, and so should we adequately train new ones today.
Expand your horizons... try to see farther than you can now see... look higher... Read magazines, listen to local and world news, scan newspapers... etc.. Other people are keeping their eyes on current events. You will have much more to talk about if you know what's
happening in the world.
Anything worthwhile takes effort.
The Importance of goals
Have a definite direction to travel in:
"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."
"Most people aim at nothing in life and hit it with amazing accuracy. "
Define your goals:
In order to be effective, your goals must be personal, positive, specific, challenging, realistic and written. Don't forget to write down your goals and refer back to, and update them, often.
How can achievement be reached in life
?
______________________________________________________
Refer to the table below and follow the steps from the bottom to the top.
Achievement |
Action |
Plans |
Goals |
Beliefs |
Awareness |
Everything begins with awareness. Once you have this your beliefs can be formed and goals set. Plans come next, followed by actions. Achievement will eventually be reached. Think about it...
What do you know about your God-given
gifts, talents, abilities, and potential ? Would you like to know more?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Have you filled out the Visda Point Personal Abilities Evaluation yet? Use this link to find it.
Well directed efforts to prepare Christian missionaries are greatly needed today. Let's work together and make it happen... for the salvation of souls... and the glory of God.
If you have thoughts and ideas regarding how Christian service training can progress, we would like to hear from you. Why not contact us and let us know what you think about this important need. All suggestions are appreciated.
Use this link to go on to study part
3 in this series entitled: Christian
Business Development - The Market.
