BJ#6 Strategies

While Vision gives the Mission a more concrete picture in some future time, Strategies are how to realize the Vision. Strategies are not just some broad statements of direction. Strategies must be executable... walk the talk. In the future posting on "The Balanced Scorecard Methodology," we will share how to execute the strategies. In this posting, we concentrate on the attributes of good strategies.

What Makes Good Strategies?

1. Must be shaped by Values.
   Strategies must be defined within the framework set by the values of the organization. Or in more positive terms, Strategies should be so constructed that they reflect or highlight the values held. Some good values are in Mat 5 The Beatitudes. These values are reflected in James 3:17 The Wisdom from above is...
   
   • Poor in Spirit Mat 5:3 - Face up with the realities and know your needs (Recall the earlier stop of SWOT analysis?).
   • Mourn - or Compassionate & Empathy Mat 5:4
   • Peacemakers Mat 5:5. Try to resolve issues with customers, suppliers, or staff amicably and maintain good and close relationships.
   • Pure Mat 5:8. Ensure practices are legal, ethical & above reproach. Keep things transparent and open.
   • Merciful Mat 5:7
   • Righteousness Mat 5:6
   • Meek or Humility Mat 5:5
   • Willing to suffer loss for Righteousness Mat 5:10-12.
     
     
2. Pursue Perfection Mat 5:48
   
   • Salt - Must create differentiated values for customers Mat 5:15
   • Exceeds the Standard Requirements Mat 5:41,42
   • Exceeds the Expectations of Customers, Staff, and Competitors. Mat 5:40, Mat 5:20
     
   • Set New Standards of Performance Mat 5:21-22, Mat 5:27-28
     
     
3. Build Relationships
   
   • Develop long-term relationships with stakeholders Mat 5:31-32
     Stakeholders are customers, staff, suppliers, owners, community & competitors
     
     • Before - Select wisely. Choose the right one.
     • After - Be the right Employer or Partner. Don't 'play out' partners.
     • e.g. Toyota vs GM's suppliers relationships. GM picks suppliers that offer the best pricing and have short-term relationships with their suppliers. Toyota does not just go on price alone and tries to maintain long-term relationships with suppliers. Toyota will involve and help their suppliers to become better.
   • Honor Your Contracts and Commitments. Mat 5:33-37
     
     • Do not over-promise
     • Do not under-deliver
       
   
   
4. Brand & Communications
   
   • Show and Tell and Deliver the Value-add you are providing to customers Mat 5:14-16
   • Do not do things just for appearance sake (hypocrites) - forms without substance. Do it out of the heart with passion and sincerity. Project the right Image and Branding. Do not seek sympathy nor be boastful Mat 6:1-4 Charity Mat 6:17-19 Fasting... Tell the right thing at the right time.
     
     
5. Cut Losses & Stop Bleedings
   
   • When surgery is needed, don't postpone it. Mat 5:29-30
     
     
6. Take Positive Initiatives and never react negatively against problems.
   
   • Never react negatively to 'bad' events. You have the choice to choose your reactions. Take back the initiatives. Mat 5:39
7. Work with Your Competitors Wisely Mat 5:43-57
• For e.g. Toyota shared the hybrid technology that became the standard and created greater efficiencies
• e.g. Sun license Java for free can become a standard.
  

Strategy is what you do and not what you say. Mat 7:24-27

• Hear + Do = Rock Foundation
  
• Hear only or Talk only = Sandy Foundation.
  Under fair weather, when things are going well, there seems to be no difference between the two. However, when difficult times come, the Rock-Foundation ones survive and prosper.

Strategies must be Internalised and Reflected in our decision-making process.
Strategies should be so promoted and executed such that they are what we do all the time. Mark 7:18-23. It is not what you take in but what comes out, the outcomes of your decisions that build or destroy a company. External things and events should not affect you badly, They happen to all. It is your inside, how you run the company that makes you a good or a bad company.

The Globalization Strategy of the Church

1. Act 1:8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power.
   
2. Step 1: Jerusalem - Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem
• The Growth: Act 2:47 while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
• The Mission Push: Act 5:42 Every day they spent time in the temple and in one home after another. They never stopped teaching and telling the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
• Group & Task for Effectiveness: Act 6:3 My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. Act 6:4 We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching."

3. Step 2 in all Judea
God uses Saul to push the Believers to go out of Jerusalem Act 8:1

4. Step 3 in Samaria

• Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them.
• Act 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

5. Step 4: everywhere in the world

• Act 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus (transported by God): and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
• Conversion of Saul at Damascus Syria Act 9
• Peter at Joppa Act 9:39 and Caesarea Act 10 for the Centurion by God again.
• New Customer Segments Acts 11:19-20
• Another HQ setup at Antioch Act 11:22,26,24
• Barnabas & Saul Sent Out Act 13:2
  
• Paul in Rome Act 28:16

See also: Bible for Business Seminar#7 Designing Strategies

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BJ#0 Business According to Jesus TOC --|--BJ#7 Resources