100 Businesses Repurposed over the Last Five Years
Recently back from Switzerland, England, Cape Town and Chennai, Brett Johnson and the team at Rep (http://www.repurposing.biz/) reports that God is doing amazing things in and through the businesses that they are repurposing. In Cape Town they finished their first phase where they have repurposed 100 businesses in five years. They are calling this phase rēp1.0.They are now focusing on rēp2.0 which involves driving the implementation further into the companies. They have added a series of follow on products and are actively pursuing the work of “repurposing business”® here in the US too. They have worked with about 220 companies in various nations thus far and the opportunities continue to grow.
To continue their growth, they are looking for additional consultants to help them in their ministry. Have you ever wished you could serve God’s Kingdom using your business skills? Have you ever wondered when God is going to pluck you out of your job and call you to “full-time” ministry? Have you been praying that God would introduce you to like-minded Christian businesspeople who desire to make a difference in the world?
If you answered, “yes” to any of the questions above, then rēp may be an answer to your prayers. rēp is seeking experienced, Kingdom-minded business professionals to “go to the nations,” by serving on two-week missions to repurpose businesses in India, Indonesia and South Africa.
Consultations to your business client will include:
- Realignment of business parameters to God’s perspective using proven assessments & tools,
- Integration of business and ministry,
- A new lens to view career based on Convergence (Career, Call, Community & Creativity),
- A strategic roadmap called The 10-P Scorecard™ which includes strategies, action items & performance indicators that are measurable and implementable,
- Professionalism and world class consulting services.
Upcoming Venture Dates are as follows:
- Gauteng, South Africa: 5 - 20 April, 2008
- Chennai, India: 26 April - 11 May, 2008
- Jakarta, Indonesia: 3 - 18 May, 2008
Consultants will receive in-depth training over a 10-week period (part-time, approximately 10-15 hours per week) in preparation for the venture. Training locations are located in the San Francisco Bay Area and remote / on-line training via conference call is also available. Training will take place between mid-January to late-March on a specific night of the week (varies by location) as well as three Saturdays. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area the training will be in person; if you live elsewhere the training will be by Webinar/Conferencing facilities.
For more information, please contact us using information below or visit our website at http://www.repurposing.biz/.
Labels: Brett Johnson, Business as Mission News and Notes, Equip, Rep
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Experience it up Close, Business as Mission Vision Trips with Hope International :: Chris Horst
Microfinance, when practiced by committed Christ-followers, can be thought of as the quintessential combination of business and missions.Microfinance institutions offer small loans to the entrepreneurial poor,empowering them to start or expand businesses that provide for their families. Christ-centered microfinance institutions, such as HOPE International, have the privilege of ministering to not only physical poverty but also spiritual poverty. Now, HOPE International (HOPE) is offering a unique opportunity for those who want to see what business as mission looks like on the ground in a developing country.
From April 3-5, HOPE will be hosting a "Vision Trip" to the Dominican Republic. Participants will interact with HOPE's staff - local Dominicans who are both bankers and missionaries - and attend community bank meetings. They will meet recipients of microloans, see their businesses, and learn how their lives have been changed through the resource of a loan and the love of Jesus Christ.
HOPE's partner in the Dominican Republic has grown substantially since its formation in 1995 with current client numbers well over 12,000 and net portfolio outstanding of $1.2 million while still maintaining a repayment rate over 98%. To learn more about HOPE's ministry or for more information on this trip, please visit www.hopeinternational.org or email chorst@hopeinternational.org.
Labels: Chris Horst, Hope International, Peter Greer, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Vision Trips
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The Brill’s share their experience, Asia :: YWAM
In 2002 Jan Brill moved to Asia with his family desiring to get involved in a local community and integrate into society. With a strong background in business and engineering design, they came looking for business opportunities. In their minds and hearts was the desire to create employment for less privileged, to stand against corruption, to take up global market opportunities, and to become a strong presence in product development. In their journey of establishing a business they have learned many lessons about the realities of embracing a new culture, the challenges of doing business and holding to righteousness. In this article Jan shares personally some of these lessons*.After 6 months of market research in 2002 we gained a little understanding about the national market in this very hectic part of the world. We selected the following as potential starting products: Dutch Syrup Waffles, Cheese or Candles. Far from great business models we took up the idea to start making candles in the kitchen as a try out. It was a great adventure finding our suppliers for raw materials and establishing a genuine need-driven relationship in buying and selling.
Many visitors in our house loved the candles they saw and smelled. We were soon able to move our “production” from the kitchen to a close by workshop we rented. My wife was obviously very happy about that! We took part in an exhibition which was a hit and helped us make our presence known in the city. The local newspaper wrote about us and our sales doubled, which they have done each year to date. Well, that’s the simple story but behind the scenes lessons were learned and often hard ones. In order to succeed as a company anywhere in the world one needs perseverance and faith. Being in Asia you need to add a deeply rooted love for righteousness, flexibility in management, and a lot of humour in order to make it.
First employees…
One of our first employees had never seen decorative candles in her life, she was amazed and full excitement seeing all the bright colors, perfectly matching the colors of life she knows. On her first day she thought the candles were made in Heaven and delivered to the workshop, for us to sell. After explaining that she could make a living by making them, the process of education started. We learnt valuable lessons here.
The heart is often too good and ready to provide every person in need of help. The mission’s call that turns the compassionate heart into willingness to serve people is something beautiful. The mistake we made (often) is having too high expectations of people with no or very little education, which is very disappointing for both parties. Everyone needs training and education in order to manufacture a quality product anywhere in the world. For someone who has spent her life on the streets, for example, quality has obviously a different meaning than it does for me. This has been a very frustrating process, but we can’t expect that someone’s view of the world will change in a few weeks or even a few months. We have learned that development and modelling takes a LOT of time. With time we have come to understand the people around us more and more, and how to work with them – being more realistic but moving forward! Just five years later one of these ladies, who we worked with early on, is running the production of candles in the peak-season.
Find the Difference…
Have you ever reflected on what a blessing it was to play games as a kid? One of the games is where you have two drawings on one page, looking very similar, but having 5 differences! Find the differences! Today, this game has become the “ground-roots of quality-control systems”, ISO-9000, DNV, REACH, or any order quality control system that is in place. My kids love these games too, but even qualified engineers in our company have never played this as a kid. Quality control is very similar in basically “finding the difference” in checking if a candle meets the customer requirements or not. So you are continually looking for differences. When you see differences you reject the product.
This transpired to be very difficult in Asian culture. Where we were excited about rejecting products in order to improve the quality, our staff and workers were very upset and felt rejected when some of the candles were rejected because the wick was not placed in the center. This presented itself as a perfect opportunity to teach when our lives are not in line with the Father, they will go waste, just as the candle goes to waste when the wick is not centered. (For the “un-candalized” among us: a candle leaks terribly, when the wick is not centered).
A story like this is great for the heart of missions, but very difficult for the business mind, which has to come up with the right words to explain to the local customer why his delivery is late.
Our challenge is to keep the fine line of walking in spirit and in truth. On the one hand we need orders and a quality product delivered on time, all the time to make your business succeed. But since Bible believing businessmen also go bankrupt; a faithful company is a testimony in itself since we have principles that work in truth and in spirit. The business is the mission, making use of every opportunity to share the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven in action. It sounds good, but when we have to spend another night of hard work in rectifying mistakes, we often wonder ‘why did we ever move overseas?’. Other days we see such a power change in the lives of the people we relate to on a day-to-day basis, and if it was only for that moment I would take the whole journey again. I’m very glad we counted the cost before we left for this mission.
In counting the cost we had to leave our Dutch ‘New Amsterdam’ trading mentality at Schiphol Airport in order to soak up the Asian business culture. Making appointments, planning ahead, what you see is what you get, contracts, trademarks, legal bindings, etc all of it works differently in Asia. We learnt to filter the truth behind values and it empowered us to practice business guided by the Book even when most of the society functions differently. Even our chartered accountant is amazed by the stuff that’s happening and gets really concerned about our zero-bribe policy. The power of the gospel will fill every area of life as long as we dare to believe it. Selling candles has placed us in an endless number of challenging situations, but time after time, it comes down to living by faith and letting our light shine to see the ways of darkness removed. What a cool God we serve!
Our challenge is to keep the fine line of walking in spirit and in truth. On the one hand we need orders and a quality product delivered on time, all the time to make your business succeed. But since Bible believing businessmen also go bankrupt; a faithful company is a testimony in itself since we have principles that work in truth and in spirit. The business is the mission, making use of every opportunity to share the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven in action. It sounds good, but when we have to spend another night of hard work in rectifying mistakes, we often wonder ‘why did we ever move overseas?’. Other days we see such a power change in the lives of the people we relate to on a day-to-day basis, and if it was only for that moment I would take the whole journey again. I’m very glad we counted the cost before we left for this mission.
In counting the cost we had to leave our Dutch ‘New Amsterdam’ trading mentality at Schiphol Airport in order to soak up the Asian business culture. Making appointments, planning ahead, what you see is what you get, contracts, trademarks, legal bindings, etc all of it works differently in Asia. We learnt to filter the truth behind values and it empowered us to practice business guided by the Book even when most of the society functions differently. Even our chartered accountant is amazed by the stuff that’s happening and gets really concerned about our zero-bribe policy. The power of the gospel will fill every area of life as long as we dare to believe it. Selling candles has placed us in an endless number of challenging situations, but time after time, it comes down to living by faith and letting our light shine to see the ways of darkness removed. What a cool God we serve!
Challenges
The challenges of doing business are a daily reality. One of these challenges of doing business was with bargaining. Bargaining is a very common practice in Asia, whether you are trying to buy your vegetables or one ton of paraffin wax. The prices will easily go down by 30% if you have the guts and the time! Being in the position of a seller was the strangest experience when we sold our first candles. Customers were deducting our carefully calculated prices by up to 50%! If felt as if we were cheating him. What a shock! It took us a while to come up with the right response, but we never changed the righteousness behind thorough product calculations. We did not change the product price by adding with the so called “negotiation margins”. I took that leap of faith saying: “I would rather go bankrupt by a lack of customers than negating our values”. Now we laugh about it, but at that time we had to learn the customer is king, but Jesus is the King of kings.
Treating people with equal weights as business by the Book is done, to us means the same price, for the same product for everybody in the same area. One of our local directors responded saying that “nobody here calculates products like this!” Today, however, he is blessed by being able to project profitability more accurately based on transparent and detailed product calculations. So we learned that even the cost calculations have to get out of the darkness into the light, so that all and everything will bring glory to the Father who is in Heaven.
What freedom…
We really enjoy being here, and that especially when people ask us “What are you doing here?”, or “Why are you here?”. Many Asians want to move west, not so many Westerners want to move to Asia. Many foreigners in our city do not like this question, but here the reality knocks on the door of our hearts. Our work gives us the freedom to invite people to our house, to visit the company, to exhibitions, or to simply show them what we are doing is life changing for us and for them. With complete freedom we are able to share our life story and how we are commissioned to be a blessing to the nations. This witness as well as seeing the sales figures increase and the direct affect of greater buying power and better overall life of those working with us makes us realize that it is true that Jesus came to bring life and abundantly. The people can see the works and will glorify the Father who is in Heaven.
*The views stated in this article were not written to be representative of all Business as Mission practitioners. For more information on getting involved like the Brill's, please visit the YWAM, Business as Mission site, http://businessasmission.com/requestQ.html.
*The views stated in this article were not written to be representative of all Business as Mission practitioners. For more information on getting involved like the Brill's, please visit the YWAM, Business as Mission site, http://businessasmission.com/requestQ.html.
Labels: Case Studies, YWAM
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A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey :: Case Study #4 - Home Furnishings
Just like those three wise men so long ago, we seek to discern the times and follow His leading for the future! The purpose of this note is to share observations, reflections and lessons learned as we visit and interact with different BAM practitioners. We hope this sharing will spark your imagination, intercession and action to grow in wisdom and understanding and love and good deeds.Sector: Home furnishings
Market: Export B2B market. Source home furnishings to service a niche market in the U.S. Sell only to qualified retailers and wholesalers of home furnishings by the container.
Structure: Wholly foreign owned enterprise with corporate headquarters located in-country. Presently staffed with four expats in two locations and national salesmen/collectors strategically located in remote, unreached parts of the country. All expats are in-country for heart reasons, many of whom have no formal business education or background. National employees are on the payroll and carry out administrative, sales/product collection, warehouse management or participate in small-scale manufacturing processes. Present overall structure includes corporate office that coordinates all activities, three workshops located in different provinces (two which are partnerships with independent ventures) and a large warehouse in a major city. Product is sourced from remote areas by trained nationals who use the product sourcing as their primary contact to unreached communities. Company has one part-time sales person in the U.S, however, sales orders are placed via web, where the entire inventory is available for viewing.
Champion: Cross-cultural worker with love for remote areas for ministry reasons. No formal business education. Received some formal language study in-country. Self-learned salesman and has become an ‘expert’ in this niche home furnishings market through seven years of effort. Initially came to this country more than 15-years ago as an English teacher. Started this home furnishings company after a number of different business failures but perceived potential of sales of artifacts and handicrafts from remote areas. His role is the chief executive officer, sales representative/manager and sole owner.
Business formation: Champion gained in-country business experience as a broker of raw materials, and later a sales agent of jewelry. Passion of the champion is to facilitate in the mobilization of people to remote unreached areas to for ministry. In his testing and trying he discovered a niche market in the home furnishings industry. He used personal credit for the initial start-up capital. The champion then sourced home furnishings, prepared them for export, and personally invested time in developing the sales and marketing relationships in this niche market. Company has now been in existence for 7 years.
Vision: Facilitation of expats to live in-community in various remote and unreached places in this country and others in the 10-40 window to be used to catalyze church planting movements. Business model is the interconnecting of many small workshops in a loose network with the champion providing the marketing/sales connection for the product. In reality it is a trading company. Business provides a legitimate business visa and presence without many work obligations thus freeing up the expat(s) to focus on ministry efforts. Use the workshop also as a venue, in partnership with local like-minded networks, to train like-minded nationals to effectively share the Message. Facilitate mobilizing like-minded nationals and expats to remote areas as part of business expansion.
Story: Started by exporting jewelry through unorthodox means. After several years of sales experience in the U.S. home furnishings industry, the champion saw an opportunity to source home furnishings to service a niche market. Formation catalyzed after season of prayer through a providential meeting with a national pastor with carpentry and business background. Together they pulled together the concept. Using personal credit, he sourced home furnishings from remote areas. Champion created the business, local partner brought the carpentry know-how and connection to a local, like-minded network. Initially established a B2B and B2C hybrid company. Transitioned into solely a B2C company. Currently export 1-2 containers a month.
Lessons learned: Trial and error. Originally, the champion traveled back and forth between the U.S. and this country to manage all company sales. Developed a need for a sales and marketing agent State-side, but quickly realized a need for the company to generate revenue to support a sales and marketing agent’s salary. Difficulty in balancing focus on business activities and heart activities. Intentionally siding on emphasizing ministry activities, decisions are often counterintuitive to sound business strategies. Currently, problems with cash flow are affecting business activities.
Future plans: The champion does not wish to increase the scope of the business because it would take away from ministry emphasis, since an increase in scope and size requires an increase of inputs to operate the business. Wishes to source related products that fit within the vision of facilitating placing workers in remote areas in the 10-40 window. Unsure if the particular niche market they are servicing is sustainable in the long-term. Already considering creating new home furnishing products using the same raw materials. Future vision includes trading beads, jewelry, semi-precious stones, rugs, gifts/handicraft items and raw materials/commodities all to put thousands of 2-10 person low-tech workshops all over the 10-40 window.
Results:
Market: Export B2B market. Source home furnishings to service a niche market in the U.S. Sell only to qualified retailers and wholesalers of home furnishings by the container.
Structure: Wholly foreign owned enterprise with corporate headquarters located in-country. Presently staffed with four expats in two locations and national salesmen/collectors strategically located in remote, unreached parts of the country. All expats are in-country for heart reasons, many of whom have no formal business education or background. National employees are on the payroll and carry out administrative, sales/product collection, warehouse management or participate in small-scale manufacturing processes. Present overall structure includes corporate office that coordinates all activities, three workshops located in different provinces (two which are partnerships with independent ventures) and a large warehouse in a major city. Product is sourced from remote areas by trained nationals who use the product sourcing as their primary contact to unreached communities. Company has one part-time sales person in the U.S, however, sales orders are placed via web, where the entire inventory is available for viewing.
Champion: Cross-cultural worker with love for remote areas for ministry reasons. No formal business education. Received some formal language study in-country. Self-learned salesman and has become an ‘expert’ in this niche home furnishings market through seven years of effort. Initially came to this country more than 15-years ago as an English teacher. Started this home furnishings company after a number of different business failures but perceived potential of sales of artifacts and handicrafts from remote areas. His role is the chief executive officer, sales representative/manager and sole owner.
Business formation: Champion gained in-country business experience as a broker of raw materials, and later a sales agent of jewelry. Passion of the champion is to facilitate in the mobilization of people to remote unreached areas to for ministry. In his testing and trying he discovered a niche market in the home furnishings industry. He used personal credit for the initial start-up capital. The champion then sourced home furnishings, prepared them for export, and personally invested time in developing the sales and marketing relationships in this niche market. Company has now been in existence for 7 years.
Vision: Facilitation of expats to live in-community in various remote and unreached places in this country and others in the 10-40 window to be used to catalyze church planting movements. Business model is the interconnecting of many small workshops in a loose network with the champion providing the marketing/sales connection for the product. In reality it is a trading company. Business provides a legitimate business visa and presence without many work obligations thus freeing up the expat(s) to focus on ministry efforts. Use the workshop also as a venue, in partnership with local like-minded networks, to train like-minded nationals to effectively share the Message. Facilitate mobilizing like-minded nationals and expats to remote areas as part of business expansion.
Story: Started by exporting jewelry through unorthodox means. After several years of sales experience in the U.S. home furnishings industry, the champion saw an opportunity to source home furnishings to service a niche market. Formation catalyzed after season of prayer through a providential meeting with a national pastor with carpentry and business background. Together they pulled together the concept. Using personal credit, he sourced home furnishings from remote areas. Champion created the business, local partner brought the carpentry know-how and connection to a local, like-minded network. Initially established a B2B and B2C hybrid company. Transitioned into solely a B2C company. Currently export 1-2 containers a month.
Lessons learned: Trial and error. Originally, the champion traveled back and forth between the U.S. and this country to manage all company sales. Developed a need for a sales and marketing agent State-side, but quickly realized a need for the company to generate revenue to support a sales and marketing agent’s salary. Difficulty in balancing focus on business activities and heart activities. Intentionally siding on emphasizing ministry activities, decisions are often counterintuitive to sound business strategies. Currently, problems with cash flow are affecting business activities.
Future plans: The champion does not wish to increase the scope of the business because it would take away from ministry emphasis, since an increase in scope and size requires an increase of inputs to operate the business. Wishes to source related products that fit within the vision of facilitating placing workers in remote areas in the 10-40 window. Unsure if the particular niche market they are servicing is sustainable in the long-term. Already considering creating new home furnishing products using the same raw materials. Future vision includes trading beads, jewelry, semi-precious stones, rugs, gifts/handicraft items and raw materials/commodities all to put thousands of 2-10 person low-tech workshops all over the 10-40 window.
Results:
- Accomplishing his goal of facilitation
- Providing visas for two other families and one single (expat)
- Workshop has facilitated cross-cultural training school for local workers
- Has trained and placed three local families in remote areas as sales/product collectors
- Market connections has led to partnerships with two other workshops (independent) who produce product while also running training schools
Seems to have a sustainable volume of business with a product ‘release-valve’ (source which he can access at will to generate more product) so that each workshop area and salesman does not have significant market/production pressure
Observations:
- Champion seems to have hit on the key issue for sustaining small businesses in remote areas – market. The concept of him taking ownership and making sure there is a market for the product allows the small business idea to be feasible.
- Champion has set up essentially a non-profit for-profit business. The driving force is not profit but ministry. His stated goal is break-even or just a little profit. He consistently is asking people (both expat and national) ‘is this (meaning business activity) taking too much time?’
- Champion seems to view the business primarily as a placement vehicle instead of a means for ministry (tentmaking). While the workshops have simultaneous ministry impact (training schools) they use the business more as a cover than as an integral part of the ministry. As noted above, all workers are encouraged to minimize their business-related responsibilities and activities. Even in his vision for creating opportunities for other remote areas, the emphasis is small businesses that facilitate an expat visa, but are small enough to not require a lot of the expat’s time to manage.
- Champion feels that in-country expat staff should not be supported by the business, only the local staff should be paid by the business revenue. However, on the US side, he realizes you must pay a competitive salary.
- Champion is a strong advocate for not getting into manufacturing and/or creating your own product (market push). Rather to find existing crafts that only require minor adjustments (quality, style) to become marketable and work with existing small workshops so that employment, cash flow, inventory, etc are not your worry.
- When asked about his vision and values, the champion could not clearly articulate it. When asking the other expat workers their visions for the future, they shared a wide range of ministry visions – all unrelated to the present core business.
- Since the profit motive is discouraged, there is no driving motive to produce. However, the company is able to source home furnishings from sources (release valve) to meet demand or make-up for lower outputs.
Labels: A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey, Case Studies
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C12 Group Starting in Dallas in 2008
The C12 Group has been a longtime partner of the Business as Mission Network. I've always appreciated the ministry of the group and hearing the updates from their President, Don Barefoot.I think one of the things I appreciate most about the group is the heavy emphasis on the practical things. There's always a time for thinking big and looking way outside the box but after those brainstorming sessions are over, we often leave searching for simple next step. The accountability and fellowship through the group can be a huge boost for Christian CEO's and business leaders who are looking for some peers in this search to combine business and ministry.
I'm thrilled to see a local group start here in our backyard of the Dallas metroplex. The group is going to be lead by Jamie Hawley, Robin Blakely, Tom O'Dwyer and Joe Galindo. If you're a christian businessman in the Dallas area looking for counsel and coaching from other businesses leaders, I'd encourage you to check out one of their upcoming meetings.
January 22, 2008 @ Gleneagles Country Club C12 Chair: Jamie Hawley
January 23, 2008 @ Prestonwood Country Club C12 Chairs: Joe Galindo and Robin Blakeley
January 24, 2008 @ Dallas Country Club C12 Chair: Tom O’Dwyer
January 23, 2008 @ Prestonwood Country Club C12 Chairs: Joe Galindo and Robin Blakeley
January 24, 2008 @ Dallas Country Club C12 Chair: Tom O’Dwyer
For information visit http://www.c12group.com/ or contact Jamie Hawley (click here).
Labels: Buck Jacobs, Business as Mission News and Notes, C12 Group, Dallas, Don Barefoot
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Doug Hunter Named President and CEO of Christ@Work
The Board of Directors has named Doug Hunter CEO and President of Christ @ Work, effective January 1, 2008.According to Chairman of the Board, Bobby Mitchell, Doug has been "a long time friend to many of us, having been involved in FCCI as a member, Board member, and senior staff member of the ministry for many years."
Previously Doug will have served from 2003 through the end of the year as President and Managing Director of Business Partners International, a global "Business as Missions" outreach.
Kent Humphreys, current CEO and President went on to say "I want to join our Chairman, Bobby Mitchell, in welcoming Doug Hunter as the new President of Fellowship of Companies for Christ, International (Christ@Work). Doug has been a long time friend and has the same passion as I have for this move of God in the marketplace. I am going to enjoy serving under his leadership as we move forward...
In recent years our ministry has moved from staff led to a Volunteer led movement. At our recent Fall Conference the City Leaders have volunteered to mentor leaders in other cities to expand this movement ... They have enabled us to open up the ministry in about twenty nations in the last 3 or 4 years. Our continental leaders have attracted leaders in other nations who want to see their workplaces transformed for Christ...
Please understand that I am NOT leaving the ministry. Our FCCI board of directors is allowing me to turn over all the tough responsibilities of leading and administration over to Doug as we are expanding rapidly around t! he globe. He has much experience both in groups in the U.S. and serving internationally. I will concentrate on speaking, writing, mentoring, and work with some key alliance partners (His Church at Work, Global Advance, etc.). I will continue to travel both in the U.S. and globally. At your invitation, I look forward to being in your city!"
Previously Doug will have served from 2003 through the end of the year as President and Managing Director of Business Partners International, a global "Business as Missions" outreach.
Kent Humphreys, current CEO and President went on to say "I want to join our Chairman, Bobby Mitchell, in welcoming Doug Hunter as the new President of Fellowship of Companies for Christ, International (Christ@Work). Doug has been a long time friend and has the same passion as I have for this move of God in the marketplace. I am going to enjoy serving under his leadership as we move forward...
In recent years our ministry has moved from staff led to a Volunteer led movement. At our recent Fall Conference the City Leaders have volunteered to mentor leaders in other cities to expand this movement ... They have enabled us to open up the ministry in about twenty nations in the last 3 or 4 years. Our continental leaders have attracted leaders in other nations who want to see their workplaces transformed for Christ...
Please understand that I am NOT leaving the ministry. Our FCCI board of directors is allowing me to turn over all the tough responsibilities of leading and administration over to Doug as we are expanding rapidly around t! he globe. He has much experience both in groups in the U.S. and serving internationally. I will concentrate on speaking, writing, mentoring, and work with some key alliance partners (His Church at Work, Global Advance, etc.). I will continue to travel both in the U.S. and globally. At your invitation, I look forward to being in your city!"
Labels: Christ at Work, Doug Hunter, Kent Humphreys
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A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey :: Outsourcing IT
The purpose of this note is to share observations, reflections and lessons learned as we visit and interact with different BAM practitioners. We hope this sharing will spark your imagination, intercession and action to grow in wisdom and understanding and love and good deeds!Sector: Outsourcing IT services for re-sale of household products for consumption Market: Primary – Western online consumers Structure: Foreign representative office of a foreign registered for–profit organization. Presently are three representative offices in-country. As rep offices they are not allowed to make money. This particular office employs two local staff; one full-time and one half-time employee. The corporate office provides financial subsidy for 1 ½ staff and office rent at this location. Three rep offices do all the IT work (data entry, repricing) for the business. Corporate office in the US and includes general manager, storage warehouses and shipping resources. They receive and sort donated products, provide overall administration and business direction and also shipping services. Supported by approximately 20 employees who volunteer 10-20 hours per week.
Champion: Corporate founder is a pastor/cross-cultural worker with small amount of business background. Came to country in 2000 and during second year of language study developed this concept. Makes decisions for 3 rep offices and home office location. Facilitates home office, retail site and 3 rep sites as GM. This rep office champion is a cross-cultural worker with seminary training and pastoral experience. Grew up interacting with small food service business. Has passion and vision to see indigenous churches planted among this least-reached people group.
Business formation: Founder looked for a legitimate reason to be in a community. Successfully opened the first branch in 2003, hired one staff, got it up and running but as business grew, he was forced to move back to the US to facilitate and manage the business growth. Business concept was to encourage churches to donate product and then resell them on the internet. Response was greater than anticipated! Goal now is to provide others with platform to work in business at other locations. This branch was the second rep office to open and began in 2005. Because the business was not yet generating sufficient funds, the first year of this rep office was without corporate subsidy – so the branch manager raised the funds. This branch was set up specifically to complement a church planting effort among a minority people in a least-reached area. Manager found office space close to their community and their first employee was from the minority people group. However, present employees are from the majority people. Third rep office opened in 2007.
Vision: Corporate vision is to facilitate placing cross-cultural workers in least-reached communities through creating a viable platform that subsidizes the creation and sustaining of representative offices. This branch office vision is to bless the community through competitive pricing, product research and cultural exchange. Initial idea was to bless and be part of transformation through employing some minority people. However, this is not always feasible due to the minority people being out-competed by the majority. The office gives them a presence in the community and allows them to be involved in their least-reached community by facilitating and funding cultural exchange programs. These programs give them more contacts in the communities. Since the rep office manager was already living in-community before establishing this rep office, they do not need the office to be a catalyst for more relationships, so the primary purpose of the office right now is to give the manager a reason to be in-community and do heart work. Corporate office manages IT work-load (divided between rep offices), sets work standard for visa provided expat workers (rep office managers) at 27 hours/week and sets overall vision and direction. Rep office managers have freedom to use educational platform to create other business and outreach opportunities.
Story: Each rep office has its own story. Original rep office started by founder emphasized training and equipping local pastors. This rep office is primarily to establish presence in the community but also has successfully done educational initiatives with a local minority school – including sponsoring a summer English camp. The third office is also working with a minority people and seeking to leverage the educational emphasis to work with libraries and schools among the minority people group.
Lessons learned: Rep office manager shared the challenges of cultural bookkeeping and contract issues (including salary issues with donor support), the difficulty in employing minority people in a majority world (and the relational fall-out that happens when staff leave), operational inconsistencies with internet/software and the present challenge of local like-minded staff being on the same page theologically as the Rep Office manager. Results: Successfully received two expat work visas and a legitimate reason for living and working in- community.
Their long-term presence in community has facilitated a lot of relationship building and outreach. Rep office has successfully sponsored two summer English camps that have blessed a community school and opened up many ministry opportunities. Presently provides jobs (1-1/2) for local believers (majority people). Have done small amount of training of employees and integrating transformational issues. Provides flexible work schedule for rep office manager to allow him to stay active in ministry efforts
Observations: Verbally stated profit motive of founder is to make 1 cent profit. Along with needing to specify a minimum weekly work amount indicate a more non-profit work culture. Seems to be some accountability as to how much IT work each rep office does and some accounting as to what income each office generates. However, other overall impression is that this is all about platform and flexibility to do things outside the office.
Challenge at the rep office level is that the IT work is mind-numbing – data entry. Low skill level and training required, but an office of one staff and a manager is its own unique management challenge.
Market is more competitive than originally imagined. Even with donated product, volunteer staff on both sides of the ocean and low cost IT labor, platform unable to financially subsidize the third office. Not sure how sustainable it will be if the model does not seek out other market areas. Limited work has been done to train current staff and help inspire them to work with minority people group (possible opportunity).
Rep office manager had little training or experience in the business sector at hand or in running an office. At this particular rep office location, there does not seem to be much push to use this platform to create more contacts and bless the local community (already have wide web of relationships)
The consensus among those on this BAM Journey is to not refer to this initiative as a BAM company. This is due to the lack of integration of business and ministry on the job, and goals that didn’t include employment of its people and profit-making goals. It is better described as a tentmaking venture that facilitates presence for church planting in these communities. This categorization does not aim to undermine its strategy or ability to do kingdom work, but to clarify the definition of a BAM company.
Labels: A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey, Case Studies
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One Day Business as Mission Conference in Albany, NY
Business As Mission (BAM) aims to assist individuals with an interest in exploring the possibilities and discovering the practicalities of becoming a kingdom-minded business professional in a cross-cultural context. Mission practitioners will give a general overview of the BAM paradigm for ministry while providing practical advice, case studies and stories of their own experience.Join other BAM workers from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Loudonville Community Church in Albany, NY. To receive a brochure with all the details please contact Jamie at 603.525.4219 or northeast@ludlow.net. Sponsored by Interserve USA and Loudonville Community Church. Note: We are unable to extend invitations to those outside North America.
Labels: Events and Conferences, Interserve
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High Tech Business in Asia :: YWAM
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Sam Wilson (not his real name) is a YWAMer. He’s also a businessman who has been in business in India for three years. "We felt called to an affluent business community in India," Sam explains, "and it was important to us to be business people to be part of that community." Sam started out three years ago with a low-scale business but quickly found out that wouldn’t work."The expectation of our neighbours and peers was that we should do ‘real’ business." Sam’s missionary purpose has led him straight into an office in a city in India. He’s in business. He’s in missions.
He said that, for him, doing a "real business" hasn’t been easy. Sam’s company provides database upgrading for large businesses. "We employ a dozen people, almost all of whom are Indian non-YWAMers. We’re also apprenticing an Indian YWAMer who wants to start a similar business in the Middle East."
For companies like Sam’s, the business accomplishes many ministry goals; a legitimate community role, access to a people group, and even support raising.
Business also requires a long-term commitment. Sam Wilson has both business and kingdom goals for his company, goals he believes it will take five to seven years to reach. He would like the company to generate $30-$50 million per year in revenue and own a call center with a thousand employees, and eventually sell the business to a client. His kingdom goals are multiple:
- To have a Godly influence on individuals and the society he is part of. (As a direct result of his business involvement, Sam recently spent time with the governor of the state in which he lives in India.)
- Become part of his community as a peer. Create access for people into the region, providing visas and giving them a legitimate role in the community.
- Create wealth and jobs.
- Create capital to reinvest into Business as Mission endeavors.
- Create expertise; apprentice, consult and train others interested in business as mission.
- Be able to offer start-up capital to others.
Sam wants to see his business provide support for church planters. "We hope to start a people movement by raising up expats and locals as strategy coordinators for specific people groups;the perfect way to resource this is through business people."
Running a business is a lot of work and a financial challenge—Sam and his business partner have had to raise US$400,000 in capital thus far—but they are creating jobs, becoming part of a community and working toward a people movement.
Labels: Case Studies, India, YWAM
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Business on the Frontiers :: Getting down to Business in Asia (YWAM)
(All names in this article have been changed) For the Jones’, a call to missions on the frontiers began when God gave them a burden to reach the Sepupu people of Asia…. Having previously worked on the missionary field, they came to work among the Sepupu with a fairly ‘traditional’ model in mind. As they researched and prayed, however, they were lead towards a strategy of church planting that was very different from what they were used to.The Sepupu are a Muslim people who are largely uneducated and are very poor. Few venture down the maze of narrow gullies which make up their communities. Those who do either belong from birth, have family, or have come to do business. So, despite their initial generous hospitality, it is very hard to establish deeper relationships in their communities without a purpose beyond the first visit. It was this realisation that lead the Jones’ to believe that they could best reach the Sepupu through business.
Getting down to business
Having had no prior experience or training in business, the Jones’ connected with some experienced Christian business people. These were people who trusted their calling to the Sepupu and understood their objectives: to plan and develop a business with the focus of church planting among the Sepupu.
In this densely populated area of Asia, the Sepupu people have a strong artisan culture. The Jones recognised that working in a craft-based business would give them natural inroads to build relationships and connect into the communities of the local Sepupu.
Before starting a manufacturing plant, they decided to first establish themselves in the North American market by importing existing handicrafts made by the Sepupu. Therefore, the first step was to get input and help to start an import company.
Back in Asia, the Jones’ contracted a company to start making their product designs. They did not want to invest capital into a factory until they were confident there was a demand for their products from markets in the West.
This approach allowed them to establish themselves in Asia without attracting too much immediate attention or requiring a large amount of seed money. The result was a less risky and less pressurised initial period as the Jones’ settled into the business and learned to work with the Sepupu.
The products sold well and the western import company grew quickly – it is now spun off as a partner business run by a like-minded couple. Once a substantial market was established for the handicrafts, the Jones’ started a manufacturing company in the Sepupu community. The company started by hiring 3 local people and together they learned how to manufacture the products. They slowly developed the lines for their different designs, replacing those initially contracted out. This enabled them to grow steadily and to simultaneously establish their presence amongst the Sepupu.
On the journey…
How do church planting and business work together? This has been the journey of discovery the Jones’ have been on for the past 7 years as their work with the Sepupu has developed. Out of their experience, the Jones’ have identified some important values and practices:
The business and their role must be understood and respectable. Among the Sepupu people the handicraft industry provides an acceptable role in the community.
The business and their role must be understood and respectable. Among the Sepupu people the handicraft industry provides an acceptable role in the community.
The business must provide a context for natural relationship with the people. The majority of employees are Sepupu, which makes everyday an opportunity to share the Kingdom of God with them, through word or deed.. Crucially, once relationships are built, it is the daily attitudes and actions conveyed that determine whether the message carried is appealing or not. Thus business practices which are unethical are unacceptable. The Jones’ motto is: “First we must show them around the Kingdom, then we can introduce them to the King”.
The business must bless the community. The Sepupu men and women who are connected with the business have experienced great blessings, such as financial stability, dignified jobs and proper medical care to name just a few.
The Jones’ lives in business are a model to new and non-believers. The Jones’ are able to model life as a believer to the emerging church in both the work and church context. Work is important in the life of the disciple, as is the ministry of the church – and the bible contains principles for both. Ongoing, everyday evangelism and discipleship are the natural outflows of a new found relationship with Jesus.
The importance of setting up accountability. The Jones’ have developed lines of accountability to help keep them focused on their church planting goals and not become absorbed by simply growing the business. The overall goal, for the business and for the Sepupu church is for both to become sustainable in the long-term.
The Jones’ and their team have a purposeful vision for seeing a church planting movement multiply among the Sepupu people. The business context has provided the environment for lifestyle evangelism and discipleship to take place. Business at it’s core is about the exchange of goods and services through relationships. These relationships start within a business but they extend outside, from supplier to customers, as well as the authorities and neighbouring businesses and community. As people hear and experience the good news, discipleship continues on a deeper level and groups begin to gather and study the bible, growing together in their walk with God.
The Jones’ and their team have a purposeful vision for seeing a church planting movement multiply among the Sepupu people. The business context has provided the environment for lifestyle evangelism and discipleship to take place. Business at it’s core is about the exchange of goods and services through relationships. These relationships start within a business but they extend outside, from supplier to customers, as well as the authorities and neighbouring businesses and community. As people hear and experience the good news, discipleship continues on a deeper level and groups begin to gather and study the bible, growing together in their walk with God.
There have been many positive impacts in the community through the Jones’ and their team living out their lives in business, and through the business itself as it has operated in a Christ-centred way.
Bearing fruit
The team has experienced miracle after miracle as God has provided in ways they never expected. The business currently supplies products to five main importers in the USA, Canada and Australia. They also supply to one exporter in-country and some retail outlets.
Additionally, they have become a member of the Fair Trade Federation, which helps them differentiate themselves and access specialized markets.
The partnerships they have been involved in have provided an excellent foundation for the company.
The partnerships they have been involved in have provided an excellent foundation for the company.
There are nine full-time Sepupu men working in the factory. Additionally, twelve women work from home on a piece-rate basis doing various artistic work, for which they have been specially trained. Mrs. Jones and her team-mates work among the women to help them set up small businesses allowing them to build relationships with the Muslim women who are traditionally very hard to mix with. In this way the business has provided a platform to relate not just to men, but also to the women hidden behind their veils.
A small contextualised church has been started with two of the six attendees confessing Jesus as the one who died for their sins. The business has also resulted in the forming of a small community of friends among the women who are now asking if they can study the Bible like the men do.
The economic impact on the workers has been one of the most significant developments. The workers are paid regularly and fairly – for some of them it is the first time in their lives they have experienced such stability. Both men and women have been helped to start their own spin-off companies, giving greater financial empowerment. The Jones’ have also been able to start a program to help finance employees children to go to school and to receive medical care.
Two satellite businesses have been started among other unreached Muslim people groups, one produces handmade soap and another beeswax candles. In the future, the Jones’ hope to be able to focus on multiplying the model into other Sepupu cities. In each new city there will be a representative branch of the company and a church planting team made up of both national and foreign workers.
Two satellite businesses have been started among other unreached Muslim people groups, one produces handmade soap and another beeswax candles. In the future, the Jones’ hope to be able to focus on multiplying the model into other Sepupu cities. In each new city there will be a representative branch of the company and a church planting team made up of both national and foreign workers.
Since the start of the company, the Jones' have seen God's amazing blessing through the business among the Sepupu people. In the hands of God, what seemed impossible has become possible.
Used from the YWAM Business as Mission site. To learn more about how you can get involved in the Busienss as Mission movement and read more about the Jones's story visit https://www.ywamconnect.com/ubasicpage.jsp?.siteid=29315&pageid=439693
Labels: Case Studies, Getting Down to Business in Asia, YWAM
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A Priceless Christmas Gift :: Gerald Chester
Frank called to ask if I knew of any job openings. During the course of the conversation, he also asked if I would review and critique his resume. But more importantly, he wanted to know if any of my clients or business contacts needed someone with his skills. After all, for Frank the bottom line was that he needed a paycheck and to receive a paycheck he needed a job.For most of us, a job is simply a way to earn a living. A job is a chore—a task that is frequently laborious and often not enjoyable. One survey concluded that 84 percent of workers do not have their dream jobs.* This suggests that they do not like their jobs, or at the very least, would be happier doing something else. Why is this?
One possible explanation is that we have the wrong view of work. The common view of work is that it has little purpose other than to make money; hence, work is simply a utilitarian function of life. There is therefore no transcendent meaning—no redeeming purpose and no eternal value to work.
The concept of purpose in life implies a God who establishes that purpose. Atheists reject the concept of purpose because they reject the concept of God. Life and work, therefore, have no purpose or meaning.
There are some theists—those who believe in God—who also reject the idea of purpose in the workplace. While they don't reject the idea of purpose in life, they believe that God does not value the workplace; hence, there is no significance to work. But is this true?
For this to be true, one must conclude that God does not value His physical universe. But such a view would be contrary to Scripture. For example, in the creation account in Genesis 1, at the end of each day God declared that His work was good. At the end of the sixth day, He declared that the physical universe was very good. Clearly, God valued His physical universe.
Furthermore, Genesis 1:26–28 tells us why God made man—to rule God's physical creation. Man's rulership is to be expressed by multiplying (growing) and subduing (mastering) the creation. Hence, human dignity and man's purpose as a created being are inseparable. God so valued His physical universe that He created man to manage and master it.
A biblical view of work is that it is a divinely ordained activity. Work is not simply a utilitarian activity that facilitates making money, but it is an assignment given by God to man.
Since God creates each of us individually, it follows that each of us has a divinely ordained work assignment. Furthermore, each of us was created for our individual work assignment. Our assignment is specific to each of us. And since God is intentional and strategic, our gifts, talents, personalities—indeed all that defines who we are—were given to enable us to fulfill our divinely ordained work assignments. This means that the challenge for each of us in life is to discern that work assignment.
A key concept for each of us is to view our work, not in utilitarian terms as simply a job, but rather as a divinely ordained assignment. Our life work should be a means by which we contribute to the plan and purpose of God. This is what gives work meaning and significance.
If the surveys are correct, there is an 84 percent probability that you are not on your divinely ordained work assignment. My experience leads me to believe that the surveys are optimistic. Anecdotally, I think that the probability that you are not on your divinely ordained work assignment is actually much greater than the survey indicates. Perhaps this is why workers are preoccupied with retirement and generally frustrated and discouraged with their work.
If you feel that you are part of the 84 percent, what should you do? May I suggest that you begin by changing your view of work? Stop thinking of it as simply a job. Embrace the biblical reality that work is a divinely ordained activity that is valued by God.
Consider the words of the psalmist when speaking to God about God's creative work and God's purpose for man:
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: Psalm 8:6 (NIV)
And consider how the psalmist delighted in God's physical universe:
Great are the works of the L ord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 (NIV)
Work that is consistent with the plan and purpose of God has redeeming eternal value because God made man to do this work. This means that no matter what you do in life, if it is consistent with the plan and purpose of God, your work is valuable.
So give yourself—and God—a priceless Christmas gift. Start viewing work as God does. Recognize the truth about who you are and why you were created. The apostle Paul eloquently stated this reality:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
If you view your work as simply a job, stop—ask God to reveal your assignment. And if you are not in your assignment, start praying and seeking God about your assignment. And until you find your assignment, be faithful to work as unto the Lord in whatever you are doing. But give yourself a great gift and make it a priority to find your divinely ordained work.
Just a quick footnote: don't let money determine your life work. All too often people make work choices based on money. Instead, allow God to reveal the work that you were uniquely created to do and accept the income that goes with that assignment as God's provision for you.
My Christmas wish for you is that you find your divinely ordained work assignment. Then your heart will sing Merry Christmas every day!
Labels: Christmas, Editorials, Gerald Chester
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Starting a Business as Mission Company in India?
Starting an international company is a difficult, time consuming and risky initiative. The Global CEO Network has determined that facilitating start-ups within existing BAM companies is a strategic way to move the Business as Mission movement forward – and we agree!EC Group International is therefore seeking companies who would like to start a Business as Mission operation in Chennai, India. EC Group’s subsidiary, Sudyk Datasoft, has space available in its 10,000 square foot facility, high speed internet, human resource specialists, administrative and financial personnel available to help you get your company started. Current business of the company is Information Technology enabled services including: software development, medical transcription and business process outsourcing.
If you would like further information please contact Tom Sudyk at EC Group International, tsudyk@ecgroup-intl.com.
Labels: EC Group, Recruitment and Job Opportunities, Tom Sudyk
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A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey :: Case Studies, Round Two
The Business as Mission journey continues! We just returned from a week-long trip to another region where we got a much more in-depth interaction with two very different BAM strategies.But, it's also come to my attention that there is confusion as to how you, as a recipient of this note, can interact with what we're sharing. So, wanted to briefly give some ideas here before we send out any more of our case study write-ups. As we said, the purpose of this note is to share observations, reflections and lessons learned as I and others journey in our learning and application of BAM. It is hoped that this sharing will spark your imagination, intercession and action to grow in wisdom and understanding and love and good deeds.
Case Study Background
For many of these BAM businesses we are allowed to interact and/or interview, our view of them is far from complete. We try our best to do research before we meet with people and ask a wide range of questions. But, for some, we are unable to obtain answers to all we ask. And, our time is limited, so our understanding of the breadth of their operations is limited to what we hear and observe. So, what we present to you here is our understanding of what we have seen and heard - presented in such a way as to not compromise any security concerns.
Interacting
Some of you have posted some questions on the case study and also asking just how you can interact with these notes. First, we'd love to have you ask questions and put in your two cents! However, our role in visiting these different people and operations is not as consultants - rather as learners. After our visits, we try to sift through all the information to provide a relatively objective look at the effort, and then among ourselves ask more subjective questions. In this area we welcome your input and ideas - realizing it is more for our internal dialogue than 'consulting' for these practitioners. If you want more specifics about a certain issue, we will gladly share. If we get a lot of feedback, we will try to share it as a follow-up to a given case study - keeping consistent with our desire that this exercise of sharing stirs up many more BAM efforts! If you have ideas on other questions and/or topics to enquire about, please let us know!
Future opportunity
David and Diane have been having a fantastic time here! They both have said how critical the timing of this year has been for them. (They both just graduated in May with undergraduate business degrees) They have been diligent in their language studies, and the weekly interaction with BAM issues and practitioners has been a practical way to work through what they've learned in school. Both feel that the language, culture and business interaction is a win-win for wherever they might go in the future.
So... with their recommendation, I'm encouraging them to spread the word to their schools and colleagues that we will do this BAM internship again next year! It's a one-year (with an option to come earlier and participate in a summer program) program that will run from late August '08 to July '09. Full-time language and culture study with a weekly (sometimes twice per week) time together to discuss Biblical foundations, core BAM principles and issues and then visit BAM practitioners to see how these foundations and principles are being worked out. If you are interested, please contact Liz Miller liz@imi.org and start the application process!
Security Issues
We seek to learn from others, but not to compromise their situation. So you will notice that we aspire to use careful wording in what we write. We ask you to do the same when you write to us. We are not ashamed of BAM but seek to avoid certain words that have other negative baggage associated with them. Thank you for your sensitivity in this matter.
Labels: A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey, Case Studies
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A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey :: Case Study #1
We've started! We've been meeting weekly, have already met with two different companies and next week will interact with three more! Now we'll seek to capture what we feel are some key elements of one of these places to share with you.As we said, the purpose of this note is to share observations, reflections and lessons learned as I and others journey in our learning and application of Business as Mission. It is hoped that this sharing will spark your imagination, intercession and action to grow in wisdom and understanding and love and good deeds. Domestic market case study (case study #1)
Sector: Resources for infrastructure
Market: Primary - Domestic public works agencies; Secondary - export of product and sourcing for manufacturing of small quantities of small tools for corporate office
Structure: Wholly foreign-owned enterprise, working independently but supporting the corporate headquarters. Business registered in 1996, now has 50 employees with 3 expats.
Champion: Mechanical Engineering background, 10-years work experience, came to the region for heart reasons, 2-years language learning, 4-years working for trading company. Informal (on-the-job) business training. Role is company General Manager (GM).
Business formation: Prayer/desire of champion, providential meeting with like-minded corporate leaders of North American company. Initial concept to use processing equipment that was to be scrapped and import product from South American to open the market and establish business relationship network. Ultimate goal was to be on the front edge of the wave in manufacturing and selling corporate products.
Vision: Create an environment that encourages and develops long-term relationships. Primary goal is not to reach the workers, rather to develop relationships with them that allow access to their relationship and family networks and seek to influence these networks with the Gospel. Company culture encourages caring for people and their family's needs.
Story: Quickly learned the importance of marketing and sales. Domestic market very difficult to penetrate. Original business plan had to be adjusted multiple times. Actual plan turned out to be manufacturing (not importing) the product and selling it domestically. By the time the infrastructure environment shifted, the market for the corporate products was already lost. Through developing sales agents and demonstration projects, they have turned a profit almost every year. They now export 10-15% of their product.
Lessons learned: Sales are the most important thing. Business plans must change with changing environments. Deal with ethical conundrums of kick-back environment in domestic sales through sales agents and bonus' for sales staff with guidance but not micro-management. Importance of modeling what you want to get things started and then finding capable managers as things grow.
Observations: Perseverance, rolling with the changes, hard work, long hours, sticking to the vision, being a jack-of-all trades have all allowed this GM to keep this company going. Appears to be commercially successful and sustainable and poised to keep growing which is amazing considering this is in the domestic market. However, unclear on how successful the heart vision has been. At least one staff has come to faith and the champion (GM) has brought in another expat (of another nationality) who is gifted in evangelism - however, unsure if the vision is know by or held by any others at the factory besides these two.
Future plans: (and how you can get your two-cents in!) We have plans to interact with 8-10 other BAM enterprises over the next couple of months! We are exciting about these opportunities to observe, ask questions, see and interact with courageous entrepreneurs. And, we welcome your input! Please feel free to provide your ideas, input, questions, etc simply by hitting 'comment' on the site. If you have ideas on what types of questions we should ask, how we might create a standard 'template' on information gathering and sharing, other books we ought to read or even contact info for people we should interact with - please let us know!
Want to get Involved? This is a one-year (with an option to come earlier and participate in a summer program) program that will run from late August '08 to July '09. Full-time language and culture study with a weekly (sometimes twice per week) time together to discuss Biblical foundations, core BAM principles and issues and then visit BAM practitioners to see how these foundations and principles are being worked out. If you are interested, please contact Liz Miller liz@imi.org and start the application process!
Labels: A Twenty Something's Business as Mission Journey, Case Studies
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Joining the Conversation? E-Zine Archives Available!
Over 4000 people from around the world have subscribed to the Business as Mssion E-Zine in the past two years. That means that a lot of people are just joining in on the conversation. Now you have the opportunity to go back and catch up on the conversation through the E-Zine archives.On the far right column you can scroll down towards the bottom of the home page and see a list of all the email campaigns by their subject line. If you have any questions, add a comment and we would be happy to help.
Labels: Archives, E-Zine and Blog Updates
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