Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
Commence (www.commence.com) is the leading CRM system for manufacturing and distribution recently became a member of the ISA. Larry Caretsky, President of Commence Corporation suggested, "ISA provides its members with unparalleled access to technical information, professional development resources, and opportunities to network with other automation professionals. In addition to these unique benefits, membership supports a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancement of the state-of-the-art and recognition of the automation profession. Commence fully supports these goals and objectives."
Commence offers industrial companies complete "Freedom Of Choice" to select the solutions and platform that best meets the business requirements of manufacturers and distributors. The comprehensive CRM Industrial application suite is available for use on premise or on-demand as a hosted service. Industrial leaders often build departmental CRM solutions with the award winning Commence Industrial CRM Framework. These choices are why so many industrial companies choose Commence as the solution for managing customer relationships. All Commence Industrial solutions support mobile or wireless connectivity and integration to back-office accounting and ERP systems.
Commence Corporation www.commence.com Larry Caretsky Marketing@commence.com 732-380-9100
About the Author
Professional Marketing Firm for the Manufacturing Community and Manufacturing Journalist to most manufacturing magazines
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Bridging the Gap Between Stay-at-Home Moms and Employed Moms
The time has come to call a truce in the so-called "mommy wars." Everywhere you look these days there are stories about hard feelings and judgments between stay-at-home moms and employed moms. Fortunately, in the real world, I perceive much less conflict than the media portrays. I have several strategies for healing the mommy wars. First and foremost is to decide that it's time to work together. Any effort that women spend judging each other is wasted energy that could be used instead to work together for common goals. If you think about it, there is really no "us" versus "them," only "us." Nearly eight of 10 American women return to work by the time their first child reaches five years of age. Despite the stereotypes you see in the headlines, becoming a stay-at-home mom is not a one-way trip out of the paid workforce for most women. Perhaps more importantly, it's time we realize that even when women take very different career paths, most of us experience similar pressures. The search for quality childcare, family-friendly employment and financial security can play out in very different ways. One mom may stay home because her employer could not accommodate her request for part-time work, while another woman goes back to work because she secured a job-share. Some women can afford to stay at home, others can't. Some women can't afford to go back to their jobs because the cost of day care is more than their take-home pay. We need to work together to increase family-friendly career options for all women, because very few of us can truly count on being stay-at-home moms forever, and many of us would like to resume careers when our children get older. Every woman needs a back-up plan that will enable her to go back to work when necessary. This is good planning for our families as well as ourselves. It is difficult to think about, but any of us could find ourselves in a situation that requires us to become the primary breadwinner. In my own life I have seen women close to me suffer serious financial blows when faced with one of life's unexpected curve balls of divorce, widowhood, spousal unemployment, or disability. Keep an eye on emergency employment options, and ask yourself, "what would I do if I needed to get a job tomorrow?" Consider long-term strategies as well, asking "what is my ideal life-long career path?" Time at home with young children can provide an opportunity to plant the seeds for a future career path. Here are five practical strategies to help you stay at the top of your game and ease your transition back into the work world after taking time off:
1. Maintain and build networks. Keep in touch with old colleagues in your professional persona, and cultivate relationships in all the groups you belong to.
2. Update marketable skills. Take classes and consider going back to school part time to get a certificate or degree that will help advance your career later.
3. Keep up with new developments. Read relevant publications and maintain continuing education requirements needed to keep your professional licenses current.
4. Volunteer. Volunteering will keep your intellect sharp and can introduce you to influential people within your community. In addition to traditional volunteering such as field trip chaperoning or class clean-up, seek out opportunities that let you use your professional talents and could tie in to future employment.
5. Build your resume. Writing journal publications or articles, giving conference talks, making presentations to local community organizations, or becoming involved in the local Chamber of Commerce all offer ways to show continued involvement.
For all mothers, the day will come when our youngest child grows up and moves on to pursue his or her own dreams. Thanks to our increased life spans, most of us moms can count on decades of productive living, working, and creating during our empty-nest years. It's more important than ever to take a lifelong view of our careers. Let's join forces now to lay the groundwork that will maximize our current work options, as well as pave the way for the exciting "next act" in our lives.
About the Author
About Amy Tiemann: Before becoming a mom, Amy Tiemann earned her Ph.D. in Neurosciences from Stanford University. Today, her work helps women regain their "mojo" when entering motherhood. See why women are joining the revolution visit http://www.mojomom.com or email amy@mojomom.com.
1. Maintain and build networks. Keep in touch with old colleagues in your professional persona, and cultivate relationships in all the groups you belong to.
2. Update marketable skills. Take classes and consider going back to school part time to get a certificate or degree that will help advance your career later.
3. Keep up with new developments. Read relevant publications and maintain continuing education requirements needed to keep your professional licenses current.
4. Volunteer. Volunteering will keep your intellect sharp and can introduce you to influential people within your community. In addition to traditional volunteering such as field trip chaperoning or class clean-up, seek out opportunities that let you use your professional talents and could tie in to future employment.
5. Build your resume. Writing journal publications or articles, giving conference talks, making presentations to local community organizations, or becoming involved in the local Chamber of Commerce all offer ways to show continued involvement.
For all mothers, the day will come when our youngest child grows up and moves on to pursue his or her own dreams. Thanks to our increased life spans, most of us moms can count on decades of productive living, working, and creating during our empty-nest years. It's more important than ever to take a lifelong view of our careers. Let's join forces now to lay the groundwork that will maximize our current work options, as well as pave the way for the exciting "next act" in our lives.
About the Author
About Amy Tiemann: Before becoming a mom, Amy Tiemann earned her Ph.D. in Neurosciences from Stanford University. Today, her work helps women regain their "mojo" when entering motherhood. See why women are joining the revolution visit http://www.mojomom.com or email amy@mojomom.com.
How to make a living doing what you love
Work is an essential part of life. For starters we are judged by our careers. Go to a party sometime and the first thing people ask after an introduction is 'so what do you do?' If your job is prestigious they admire you, if it's lucrative they resent you and if it's satisfying they respect you a lot. We sometimes hate to get out of bed on a Monday morning but deep down inside we are grateful. Work pays the bills, keeps us busy and gives us a sense of security. Sometimes a false sense of security...
Our ancestors worked hard. Civilisations have been built by bare hardworking hands. Work shouldn't define us and yet it tells a part of the story. It's what grown-ups do; what respectable individuals should aspire to. However, nowadays more and more people crave to make a living doing what they genuinely enjoy. It's not the preserve of singers and dancers only. It's a birthright. As loving relationships satisfy our desire to be loved, fulfilling work meets the need we all have- the need to express ourselves; to make a difference.
If you're fed up with meaningless routine, you have the right to forge a different path. For instance, 'movie stars' did not really exist until after 1910. Centuries ago actors were one of the most poorly paid professionals on the face of the earth. An actor was the equivalent of a clown, not the sort of person you could take very seriously. A lot of these talented people lived in debt, worked without pay and endured ridicule. Gradually a handful of pioneers began to change our perception of the industry. Although many actors still struggle today, a good number are extremely wealthy. Some have even gone on to become political leaders and entrepreneurs. They influence what we wear, what we eat, how we live.
I'm going to share with you 5 steps to making a living doing work that doesn't seem like work for the most part. You can take the word 'starving' out of starving artist, you can turn any hobby, habit, skill or craft into a decent livelihood. Bored with your day job? You can change that. Perhaps you've got children and want flexible work that allows you to be the best parent you can be? Create it. Want some extra income on the side? Go for it. There's no better motivator than satisfying work. With a bit of courage and these 5 steps, you can have the best of both worlds.
1. Find what makes you tick- On a sheet of paper list your talents, hobbies, unique life experiences, educational background and practical skills. What does your dream career look like? What sort of work would make you truly happy? How can your life experiences, education and practical skills contribute toward creating your desired lifestyle? Thoughtfully write down the answers to these questions. If you require further insight, get some feedback from family and friends as well. Work with what you've got. For instance, if you love gardening, consider setting up shop as a florist. If you are a lover of the outdoors and don't like the idea of being stuck behind the counter, you can do without a shop altogether. How? Invest in land, seeds, gardening equipment and a decent website. Do some marketing- perhaps positioning yourself as an organic farmer who supplies flora straight from the source. When you receive orders via cyberspace, ship the plants off. With proper planning and execution, anything can be achieved.
2. Get refined- When crude oil is drilled out of the earth's crust is it supplied to gas stations right away? No one shells out their hard earned money to amateurs. Work on your skills so that you can compete with other professionals. Better still, aim to offer the best value to your customers. For instance, if you dream of making a living as a fashion designer, learn from the best in the industry. At the very least, go on a refresher course or practice devotedly.
3. Find a need- Sometimes people assume that there is an instant market for the products and services they offer. Okay, so you really enjoy folk singing or writing poetry. Is there a sizeable demand or at least growing appetite for your craft? If you have faith in your work, press on by all means. The world needs pioneers alright but be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices and accept the fact that change may come in another era. Vincent Van Gogh's paintings are worth a fortune today but he died a pauper in the year 1890. On the contrary, Picasso lived a life of affluence- perhaps walking a path paved by prior artists. If you plan to pay your mortgage in the mean time, be willing to think outside the box. For instance, greeting card companies are always on the look out for verse; consider supplying lyrics to bespoke card makers whilst you write your literary masterpiece. Are you an aspiring musician? TV and movie studios are always in need of royalty free intro music. Consider catering to such hungry markets whilst you put finishing touches to your debut album.
4. Sell to that need- Take time to study trends and assess potential markets. You don't want to invest precious time and money crafting a product, only to find out that demand isn't steady. You want the need (for whatever you plan to sell) to be as regular as your utility bill. One can't go wrong in the food industry for instance because whatever happens people have to eat. In order to serve their customers, cooks have to buy crockery from the manufacturing industry. People who eat also have to defecate at some point and that's where toilet roll production comes in. Think strategically. Seek to meet a genuinely pressing need or at least have the ability to convince your target audience that they can't do without your offering. Again, determine the need and sell to it.
5. Stay focused- Always remember that your primary objective was to 'make a living doing what you love'. Don't get so caught up in red tape or profit making that you forget to enjoy yourself. Of course running a business of your own will never be all fun and games but if you are in the right line of work, you should feel passion and fulfilment despite the hassle. Having said that, life is a journey. People grow; circumstances and needs change. Time may come when you have to move on to yet another challenge. We live in the age of diversity and opportunity, don't be afraid of trying something new but strive for excellence in all that you do.
So that's it- 5 steps to making your dreams come true. But whilst self help articles make for excellent reading, it's extremely vital that you 'take action right away'. Good things no longer come to those who wait around.
About the Author
Ọgọ Ọgbata is a writer, speaker and founder of the inspirational website http://www.creativityandsense.com . A lifestyle expert, she empowers people to create more fulfilling lives by discovering, developing and harnessing their many talents. A variety of helpful articles, FREE resources and specialist business tools are available on her site. Respond to this article by sending a brief email to: ogo-ogbata@aweber.com.
Our ancestors worked hard. Civilisations have been built by bare hardworking hands. Work shouldn't define us and yet it tells a part of the story. It's what grown-ups do; what respectable individuals should aspire to. However, nowadays more and more people crave to make a living doing what they genuinely enjoy. It's not the preserve of singers and dancers only. It's a birthright. As loving relationships satisfy our desire to be loved, fulfilling work meets the need we all have- the need to express ourselves; to make a difference.
If you're fed up with meaningless routine, you have the right to forge a different path. For instance, 'movie stars' did not really exist until after 1910. Centuries ago actors were one of the most poorly paid professionals on the face of the earth. An actor was the equivalent of a clown, not the sort of person you could take very seriously. A lot of these talented people lived in debt, worked without pay and endured ridicule. Gradually a handful of pioneers began to change our perception of the industry. Although many actors still struggle today, a good number are extremely wealthy. Some have even gone on to become political leaders and entrepreneurs. They influence what we wear, what we eat, how we live.
I'm going to share with you 5 steps to making a living doing work that doesn't seem like work for the most part. You can take the word 'starving' out of starving artist, you can turn any hobby, habit, skill or craft into a decent livelihood. Bored with your day job? You can change that. Perhaps you've got children and want flexible work that allows you to be the best parent you can be? Create it. Want some extra income on the side? Go for it. There's no better motivator than satisfying work. With a bit of courage and these 5 steps, you can have the best of both worlds.
1. Find what makes you tick- On a sheet of paper list your talents, hobbies, unique life experiences, educational background and practical skills. What does your dream career look like? What sort of work would make you truly happy? How can your life experiences, education and practical skills contribute toward creating your desired lifestyle? Thoughtfully write down the answers to these questions. If you require further insight, get some feedback from family and friends as well. Work with what you've got. For instance, if you love gardening, consider setting up shop as a florist. If you are a lover of the outdoors and don't like the idea of being stuck behind the counter, you can do without a shop altogether. How? Invest in land, seeds, gardening equipment and a decent website. Do some marketing- perhaps positioning yourself as an organic farmer who supplies flora straight from the source. When you receive orders via cyberspace, ship the plants off. With proper planning and execution, anything can be achieved.
2. Get refined- When crude oil is drilled out of the earth's crust is it supplied to gas stations right away? No one shells out their hard earned money to amateurs. Work on your skills so that you can compete with other professionals. Better still, aim to offer the best value to your customers. For instance, if you dream of making a living as a fashion designer, learn from the best in the industry. At the very least, go on a refresher course or practice devotedly.
3. Find a need- Sometimes people assume that there is an instant market for the products and services they offer. Okay, so you really enjoy folk singing or writing poetry. Is there a sizeable demand or at least growing appetite for your craft? If you have faith in your work, press on by all means. The world needs pioneers alright but be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices and accept the fact that change may come in another era. Vincent Van Gogh's paintings are worth a fortune today but he died a pauper in the year 1890. On the contrary, Picasso lived a life of affluence- perhaps walking a path paved by prior artists. If you plan to pay your mortgage in the mean time, be willing to think outside the box. For instance, greeting card companies are always on the look out for verse; consider supplying lyrics to bespoke card makers whilst you write your literary masterpiece. Are you an aspiring musician? TV and movie studios are always in need of royalty free intro music. Consider catering to such hungry markets whilst you put finishing touches to your debut album.
4. Sell to that need- Take time to study trends and assess potential markets. You don't want to invest precious time and money crafting a product, only to find out that demand isn't steady. You want the need (for whatever you plan to sell) to be as regular as your utility bill. One can't go wrong in the food industry for instance because whatever happens people have to eat. In order to serve their customers, cooks have to buy crockery from the manufacturing industry. People who eat also have to defecate at some point and that's where toilet roll production comes in. Think strategically. Seek to meet a genuinely pressing need or at least have the ability to convince your target audience that they can't do without your offering. Again, determine the need and sell to it.
5. Stay focused- Always remember that your primary objective was to 'make a living doing what you love'. Don't get so caught up in red tape or profit making that you forget to enjoy yourself. Of course running a business of your own will never be all fun and games but if you are in the right line of work, you should feel passion and fulfilment despite the hassle. Having said that, life is a journey. People grow; circumstances and needs change. Time may come when you have to move on to yet another challenge. We live in the age of diversity and opportunity, don't be afraid of trying something new but strive for excellence in all that you do.
So that's it- 5 steps to making your dreams come true. But whilst self help articles make for excellent reading, it's extremely vital that you 'take action right away'. Good things no longer come to those who wait around.
About the Author
Ọgọ Ọgbata is a writer, speaker and founder of the inspirational website http://www.creativityandsense.com . A lifestyle expert, she empowers people to create more fulfilling lives by discovering, developing and harnessing their many talents. A variety of helpful articles, FREE resources and specialist business tools are available on her site. Respond to this article by sending a brief email to: ogo-ogbata@aweber.com.
How Multivitamins Can help
The following article is one of a series of articles which focus on Self Improvement, Motivation and Empowerment.
It is based on research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. This self improvement article was written in response to questions which have been asked on losing weight and long term weight loss as well as address common challenges that people have with this subject. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.
It's better to eat right, but if you find it difficult, multivitamins can help
It's absolutely important that our body gets the nutrients it needs to function effectively and efficiently. However in this modern time it has become more distinct that we tend to supercede health with convenience and instant gratification. In this fast paced world where career and education demands all our time, we learn to favor what's quick and easy to obtain especially when it comes to food.
We turn to fast foods and junk foods instead of the good old balance daily diet. The lack of balanced diet in addition to the daily stress of pollution depletes our body of nutrients. Is it any wonder why cancer and other chronic diseases became rampant during the turn of the century? It's up to us to replace these nutrients. We can do this through healthy nutrition, or better yet, through healthy nutrition and proper supplementation.
For the average person, it's difficult to get the proper amount of nutrients needed from food alone. Have you ever wondered how many people actually eat five to ten vegetables and fruits a day? Or who drinks seven to nine glasses of water each day?
Even the healthiest of eaters cannot be assured that they are getting the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals. Mainly because it's hard to judge exactly how much nutrients you are getting from the food you are eating.
========SIDEBAR========
When it comes to the subject of self improvement, I fully understand (through my own experiences) that it is a lot easier said than done. However, you are here, right now, because you have a desire to improve your self or you are at least interested in this subject. Perhaps you are reading this to help a friend or colleague - great. If this article helps you or you help a friend, paying it forward is what lif'e all about so we all win.
======END SIDEBAR======
In a report printed in 1940 regarding the nutrient content of spinach, it laments the high depletion percentage of iron and other minerals found in the plant mostly due to soil depletion, mono-cropping, artificial fertilization, and lack of varieties.
Since that period, nutrients in both fruits and vegetables persistently depleted, not to mention that certain forms of cooking in fact destroy the vitamins and minerals in the food. This is why taking a multivitamin supplement would be so advantageous.
Eating a balanced diet and then supplementing it with a quality multivitamin will be the most logical and sound decision to make. We'll be able to get the nutrients that our body needs from the food and then back it up with the multivitamin for a powerful effect. There are four forms of mulivitamins available in the market today, that's capsule, tablet, soft gel, and liquid.
Liquid multivitamins will be the easiest for our body to absorb because there's literally nothing for our digestive system to breakdown. Capsules and soft gels are also a good choice when it comes to the forms of multivitamins with regards to absorption rate. While tablets on the other hand, will be the hardest for our body to breakdown and absorb.
Remember, that no two individuals will respond similarly from taking any type of vitamin or mineral supplement, because each individual have different metabolisms, eating habits, exercise regiment, or sleeping habits, and are under different amount of stress or even take their supplements differently.
I often heard it say that supplements are expensive, and many feel they cannot afford them. I find it ironic though that those same people who cannot afford to take supplements can afford to buy soda, latte, cigarettes, alcohol, or coffee, why not save your money for your health?
There are cheap supermarket multivitamins that are inexpensive however they cannot compare to a quality, more expensive ones. The best way is to decide how much you can afford to spend and then do a research on the net on the multivitamins that fall within your price range.
Multivitamins are probably the single most important supplement you can take. If you aren't taking one, you really should start doing so.
NOW is the time!
O.K. you have read the article. Now is the time for action. Without action, this article adds no value whatsoever to your self improvement. But remember, without action, you cannot blame this self improvement article or any article for that matter. So, take action NOW.
Even if only one piece of advice, one piece of information, one tip makes a difference, then the whole article has been worth it for all of us. NOW is the time!
Be the person you want to be, you deserve it!
About the Author
Even If You've Been Overweight And Out Of Shape For Years, Andrew Gee has done extensive research into weight loss and what works. Find out valuable information about our free and dedicated customer support and our online health, fitness and weight loss program.
It is based on research done over twenty years as a personal and business coach. This self improvement article was written in response to questions which have been asked on losing weight and long term weight loss as well as address common challenges that people have with this subject. I sincerely hope that you find the following information of value.
It's better to eat right, but if you find it difficult, multivitamins can help
It's absolutely important that our body gets the nutrients it needs to function effectively and efficiently. However in this modern time it has become more distinct that we tend to supercede health with convenience and instant gratification. In this fast paced world where career and education demands all our time, we learn to favor what's quick and easy to obtain especially when it comes to food.
We turn to fast foods and junk foods instead of the good old balance daily diet. The lack of balanced diet in addition to the daily stress of pollution depletes our body of nutrients. Is it any wonder why cancer and other chronic diseases became rampant during the turn of the century? It's up to us to replace these nutrients. We can do this through healthy nutrition, or better yet, through healthy nutrition and proper supplementation.
For the average person, it's difficult to get the proper amount of nutrients needed from food alone. Have you ever wondered how many people actually eat five to ten vegetables and fruits a day? Or who drinks seven to nine glasses of water each day?
Even the healthiest of eaters cannot be assured that they are getting the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals. Mainly because it's hard to judge exactly how much nutrients you are getting from the food you are eating.
========SIDEBAR========
When it comes to the subject of self improvement, I fully understand (through my own experiences) that it is a lot easier said than done. However, you are here, right now, because you have a desire to improve your self or you are at least interested in this subject. Perhaps you are reading this to help a friend or colleague - great. If this article helps you or you help a friend, paying it forward is what lif'e all about so we all win.
======END SIDEBAR======
In a report printed in 1940 regarding the nutrient content of spinach, it laments the high depletion percentage of iron and other minerals found in the plant mostly due to soil depletion, mono-cropping, artificial fertilization, and lack of varieties.
Since that period, nutrients in both fruits and vegetables persistently depleted, not to mention that certain forms of cooking in fact destroy the vitamins and minerals in the food. This is why taking a multivitamin supplement would be so advantageous.
Eating a balanced diet and then supplementing it with a quality multivitamin will be the most logical and sound decision to make. We'll be able to get the nutrients that our body needs from the food and then back it up with the multivitamin for a powerful effect. There are four forms of mulivitamins available in the market today, that's capsule, tablet, soft gel, and liquid.
Liquid multivitamins will be the easiest for our body to absorb because there's literally nothing for our digestive system to breakdown. Capsules and soft gels are also a good choice when it comes to the forms of multivitamins with regards to absorption rate. While tablets on the other hand, will be the hardest for our body to breakdown and absorb.
Remember, that no two individuals will respond similarly from taking any type of vitamin or mineral supplement, because each individual have different metabolisms, eating habits, exercise regiment, or sleeping habits, and are under different amount of stress or even take their supplements differently.
I often heard it say that supplements are expensive, and many feel they cannot afford them. I find it ironic though that those same people who cannot afford to take supplements can afford to buy soda, latte, cigarettes, alcohol, or coffee, why not save your money for your health?
There are cheap supermarket multivitamins that are inexpensive however they cannot compare to a quality, more expensive ones. The best way is to decide how much you can afford to spend and then do a research on the net on the multivitamins that fall within your price range.
Multivitamins are probably the single most important supplement you can take. If you aren't taking one, you really should start doing so.
NOW is the time!
O.K. you have read the article. Now is the time for action. Without action, this article adds no value whatsoever to your self improvement. But remember, without action, you cannot blame this self improvement article or any article for that matter. So, take action NOW.
Even if only one piece of advice, one piece of information, one tip makes a difference, then the whole article has been worth it for all of us. NOW is the time!
Be the person you want to be, you deserve it!
About the Author
Even If You've Been Overweight And Out Of Shape For Years, Andrew Gee has done extensive research into weight loss and what works. Find out valuable information about our free and dedicated customer support and our online health, fitness and weight loss program.
Seven Points of Sacrifice for Increasing Sales
Perhaps the most important business model found in Scripture is found in the Old Testament in the pattern established with the Tabernacle of Moses, the place where God promised to conduct His business with man. You see, God has an enterprise. He is taking it where He wants it to go. He has competition from a ruthless, inferior competitor, yet He is not threatened or worried. He has a great plan with wonderful strategies which have been hidden in plain sight in Scripture, but only revealed to the spiritually discerning (1 Cor 2:14). The tabernacle God had Moses build reveals much about the way God does business with us, and the lessons we can derive from that are far reaching for sales and business in general.
I know the Tabernacle of Moses is a type or shadow of the true tabernacle of God in Heaven (Heb 8:2-5), but it is very important to note that God laid out the precise design of that earthly tabernacle which Moses built. Every aspect of that tabernacle is extremely important, highly significant and the things you can observe from God's attention to detail are profoundly practical in business. The central theme I want to look at in this article is the concept of "sacrifice" and I will identify seven sacrifices you can make that will cost you dearly but reward you greatly!
1. Give up the couch
The first station of service you see when you approach the tabernacle is the altar of sacrifice. There were six sacrifices offered on the altar (one short of the perfect seven), and it was needful that Christ come and fulfill what was lacking and be sacrificed once and for all for our redemption. Too often we are content to stay in our comfort zone and become lazy, even if we look busy.
Succeeding in sales is not about being busy, it is about being effective. It's not about our comfort; it's about the needs of our customers and putting them at ease with us so we can earn the right to serve them. In order to serve them well, we will need at times to sacrifice our own comfort and idleness (or false busyness) to accommodate those needs. How many sales have you lost because a competitor was prepared to make a greater sacrifice than you? Sacrifice in sales is not a one time event; it is an ongoing position of service we choose to take for the customers higher good.
2. Give up complacency
The next principle of sacrifice is represented in what was called the "burnt" offering. It was the one offering where the total animal was sacrificed. None was to be eaten or shared with anyone. It was completely burned up. In sales this speaks of sacrificing complacency or half-heartedness. To win in sales, we must give our best, our all, and do that every time we interact with customers. This will mean that you will work with fewer prospects in any given time frame but your conversion rate to customers will go through the roof.
3. Give up your spare time
The next principle of sacrifice is represented by the grain offering. In the Old Testament, they would bring a sacrifice of grain but only a handful was actually burned. The rest went to the priests who had the responsibility of feeding the people spiritual food. This grain came from a renewable resource and I believe it represented giving of their cash flow or income to invest in their own spiritual and intellectual growth. In short, they sacrificed stinginess and invested in the ones who were making their knowledge and guidance available. To me this speaks of investing in your own training. Most sales people I know spend more time perfecting their golf swing so they can entertain potential customers than they do investing in their own personal and professional growth which will pay them much bigger dividends! When was the last time you turned your car into an education center, listening to tapes or CD's that will teach you Biblical truth applied to the sales profession? Who do you know that is currently accomplishing what you want to accomplish and is a person you admire that you can invest in to glean some of their wisdom? Call them up and invite them to a nice lunch or a steak dinner. Break bread with them at your expense and you will be surprised at the dividends that will pay.
4. Give up the complaint box
The next sacrifice was called a peace offering. It was a voluntary, festive sacrifice of thanks given to God when one wanted to express gratitude for the blessings one had received. Family and friends shared in the offering because only part was consumed on the altar and the rest was enjoyed by their guests. This was an opportunity to sacrifice complaints, to give up negative talk and to use this occasion to build their network of relationships. When is the last time you decided to quit griping about things that aren't working out well and focus on the good things that abound around you and share that joy with others? If you want to limit your network, just hold on to your right to complain, but if you want to attract a strong support network, be sure to share your gratitude with others. Consider a customer appreciation day where you grill out hamburgers or put out a spread for your customers. Invite a few prospects as well. They will interact with your satisfied customers and be quick to proselytize on your behalf.
5. Sacrifice your ignorance
Next, it's time to sacrifice your ignorance. I am speaking of the sin offering which was typically sacrificed for inadvertent sin or sins of omission. We all fall short in serving our customers and many times it's because we don't know a better way. Take customer surveys. Listen to the feedback you receive. Don't tolerate ignorance and don't accept "average"! When you find an area needing improvement, don't plead ignorance any longer. Basically, be teachable. Don't justify your mistakes. Admit them and learn from them. Learn from others who are succeeding where you are not. Practice continuous improvement in yourself first, and then in your processes.
6. Give up your pride
Don't forget to sacrifice your pride. I am referring to the trespass offering which was usually offered for known sin like breach of trust, fraud or concealing a crime and always involved restitution. When you drop the ball with your customers, don't make excuses. Make it right. Take responsibility. Experts say when you make a mistake with a customer, they will repeat it to several others, but when you sacrifice to make that mistake right to the customers satisfaction or beyond, they will tell twice as many people.
Restitution in the Old Testament usually involved a multiple of the original amount involved, depending on the circumstance. Consider what you can do to "wow" your customer when you drop the ball. Turn that negative situation into an opportunity to shine. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has lapses in judgment. How you respond to yours will greatly impact the reception you receive in the marketplace. Years ago when the new Saturn car line was introduced, a defect was found and the affected cars were recalled much to the shagrin of the new Saturn owners. To their surprise however, instead of repairing the glitch, Saturn destroyed the cars and gave all the owners brand new automobiles! That story was headline news and did more to favorably impact Saturn sales than much of their paid advertising.
7. Give up your mistakes
Lastly, there was one more offering that was optional and was called a "drink offering". This would typically be an offering of wine and offered with the grain offering, only it was entirely poured out or "wasted". The idea of pouring out a drink offering is that there is no turning back. Once it has been poured out, it is gone for good. What's done is done. I believe this can speak of sacrificing your regrets. Yes, we have all made our mistakes, but let's choose to leave them behind. Don't carry them forward. Make restitution where possible and then press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don't get bogged down in your failures. Bring closure to them and look to a brighter future. God's mercies are new every morning (Lev 3:22-23) and He daily loads us with benefits. (Psa 68:19). Practice these seven sacrifices in your sales or business career and you will reap a harvest of return that confound your competitors while rewarding you richly.
This article provided by ChristianBusinessDaily.com -- The Online Network for Christians in Business. Your source for news, articles, and commentary from a biblical perspective.
About the Author
Michael Pink is a contributing author of ChristianBusinessDaily.com
I know the Tabernacle of Moses is a type or shadow of the true tabernacle of God in Heaven (Heb 8:2-5), but it is very important to note that God laid out the precise design of that earthly tabernacle which Moses built. Every aspect of that tabernacle is extremely important, highly significant and the things you can observe from God's attention to detail are profoundly practical in business. The central theme I want to look at in this article is the concept of "sacrifice" and I will identify seven sacrifices you can make that will cost you dearly but reward you greatly!
1. Give up the couch
The first station of service you see when you approach the tabernacle is the altar of sacrifice. There were six sacrifices offered on the altar (one short of the perfect seven), and it was needful that Christ come and fulfill what was lacking and be sacrificed once and for all for our redemption. Too often we are content to stay in our comfort zone and become lazy, even if we look busy.
Succeeding in sales is not about being busy, it is about being effective. It's not about our comfort; it's about the needs of our customers and putting them at ease with us so we can earn the right to serve them. In order to serve them well, we will need at times to sacrifice our own comfort and idleness (or false busyness) to accommodate those needs. How many sales have you lost because a competitor was prepared to make a greater sacrifice than you? Sacrifice in sales is not a one time event; it is an ongoing position of service we choose to take for the customers higher good.
2. Give up complacency
The next principle of sacrifice is represented in what was called the "burnt" offering. It was the one offering where the total animal was sacrificed. None was to be eaten or shared with anyone. It was completely burned up. In sales this speaks of sacrificing complacency or half-heartedness. To win in sales, we must give our best, our all, and do that every time we interact with customers. This will mean that you will work with fewer prospects in any given time frame but your conversion rate to customers will go through the roof.
3. Give up your spare time
The next principle of sacrifice is represented by the grain offering. In the Old Testament, they would bring a sacrifice of grain but only a handful was actually burned. The rest went to the priests who had the responsibility of feeding the people spiritual food. This grain came from a renewable resource and I believe it represented giving of their cash flow or income to invest in their own spiritual and intellectual growth. In short, they sacrificed stinginess and invested in the ones who were making their knowledge and guidance available. To me this speaks of investing in your own training. Most sales people I know spend more time perfecting their golf swing so they can entertain potential customers than they do investing in their own personal and professional growth which will pay them much bigger dividends! When was the last time you turned your car into an education center, listening to tapes or CD's that will teach you Biblical truth applied to the sales profession? Who do you know that is currently accomplishing what you want to accomplish and is a person you admire that you can invest in to glean some of their wisdom? Call them up and invite them to a nice lunch or a steak dinner. Break bread with them at your expense and you will be surprised at the dividends that will pay.
4. Give up the complaint box
The next sacrifice was called a peace offering. It was a voluntary, festive sacrifice of thanks given to God when one wanted to express gratitude for the blessings one had received. Family and friends shared in the offering because only part was consumed on the altar and the rest was enjoyed by their guests. This was an opportunity to sacrifice complaints, to give up negative talk and to use this occasion to build their network of relationships. When is the last time you decided to quit griping about things that aren't working out well and focus on the good things that abound around you and share that joy with others? If you want to limit your network, just hold on to your right to complain, but if you want to attract a strong support network, be sure to share your gratitude with others. Consider a customer appreciation day where you grill out hamburgers or put out a spread for your customers. Invite a few prospects as well. They will interact with your satisfied customers and be quick to proselytize on your behalf.
5. Sacrifice your ignorance
Next, it's time to sacrifice your ignorance. I am speaking of the sin offering which was typically sacrificed for inadvertent sin or sins of omission. We all fall short in serving our customers and many times it's because we don't know a better way. Take customer surveys. Listen to the feedback you receive. Don't tolerate ignorance and don't accept "average"! When you find an area needing improvement, don't plead ignorance any longer. Basically, be teachable. Don't justify your mistakes. Admit them and learn from them. Learn from others who are succeeding where you are not. Practice continuous improvement in yourself first, and then in your processes.
6. Give up your pride
Don't forget to sacrifice your pride. I am referring to the trespass offering which was usually offered for known sin like breach of trust, fraud or concealing a crime and always involved restitution. When you drop the ball with your customers, don't make excuses. Make it right. Take responsibility. Experts say when you make a mistake with a customer, they will repeat it to several others, but when you sacrifice to make that mistake right to the customers satisfaction or beyond, they will tell twice as many people.
Restitution in the Old Testament usually involved a multiple of the original amount involved, depending on the circumstance. Consider what you can do to "wow" your customer when you drop the ball. Turn that negative situation into an opportunity to shine. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has lapses in judgment. How you respond to yours will greatly impact the reception you receive in the marketplace. Years ago when the new Saturn car line was introduced, a defect was found and the affected cars were recalled much to the shagrin of the new Saturn owners. To their surprise however, instead of repairing the glitch, Saturn destroyed the cars and gave all the owners brand new automobiles! That story was headline news and did more to favorably impact Saturn sales than much of their paid advertising.
7. Give up your mistakes
Lastly, there was one more offering that was optional and was called a "drink offering". This would typically be an offering of wine and offered with the grain offering, only it was entirely poured out or "wasted". The idea of pouring out a drink offering is that there is no turning back. Once it has been poured out, it is gone for good. What's done is done. I believe this can speak of sacrificing your regrets. Yes, we have all made our mistakes, but let's choose to leave them behind. Don't carry them forward. Make restitution where possible and then press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don't get bogged down in your failures. Bring closure to them and look to a brighter future. God's mercies are new every morning (Lev 3:22-23) and He daily loads us with benefits. (Psa 68:19). Practice these seven sacrifices in your sales or business career and you will reap a harvest of return that confound your competitors while rewarding you richly.
This article provided by ChristianBusinessDaily.com -- The Online Network for Christians in Business. Your source for news, articles, and commentary from a biblical perspective.
About the Author
Michael Pink is a contributing author of ChristianBusinessDaily.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)