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Nothing New Under the Sun
Nothing New Under the Sun
Extensive business research inadvertently confirms the teachings of Jesus.
Two groups, Chicago GSB's Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and the Market Strategy Group collaborated in research. Their objective was to determine if there are certain business practices that are common to companies that have managed to rise above the "growth plateau" and into sustaining success. Their initial research has shown that there are four entrepreneurial practices that are key to continued growth: refreshing leadership, selective recruiting, bias for action and customer centricity. Should anyone be surprised?
These practices for continued growth are nothing new, and in fact every one of the practices can be traced to a book over two thousand years old. What follows are the four practices identified in the research with their origins in Jesus' teaching.
1) Refreshing Leadership
The best leaders today are still imitating Jesus' radical style with such concepts as "the last will be first," "be shrewd as snakes and gentle as doves," "love one another as I have loved you" and many others.
2) Selective Recruiting
Jesus certainly wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, but there is a selectivity to true Christianity that most do not have a clue about. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18-20 that his followers are to "...make disciples, baptizing them..." This shows that not just anyone is a Christian just because they say they are. Rather, only those who are willing to be made into a disciple, which involves training and commitment. In other words, only people who want to be taught and held accountable to Jesus' words should be baptized and thus become true members of God's church.
3) Bias for Action
The book of James bluntly explains that faith without deeds (action) is comparable to death. "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17
4) Customer Centricity
This is a fancy way of saying love and serve, something you see Jesus do and preach throughout the gospels.
These findings confirm the statement from Eccesiastes 1:9, "...there is nothing new under the sun." For those that really want to get down to business, the challenge is to make and sustain Jesus as the Lord (master) of your life. Christ Jesus is that cornerstone. He is the true "growth plateau" that everyone must personally take their stand upon.
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