Articles

A Christian in business has many opportunities to apply Biblical fundamentals that run counter to the prevailing “worldly wisdom” of generally accepted business practices. Our businesses are an...

Often we are unsure how extensively our faith should impact our businesses.

Our values shape our goals, and our goals drive our businesses. For values to be conveyed effectively, they must be defined in the minds of leaders and then demonstrated for others to follow.

What are the core Kingdom values that you want to have incorporated into the everyday practices of your business or organization? How do you communicate these values to your employees?

How did we as Anabaptist people go from being persecuted refugees, and pilgrims and strangers on the earth, to being in the top 10% of the world’s most wealthy people? What does God, our Heavenly...

All business owners face challenges, particularly the small business owner, who is of necessity more self-reliant, with fewer safety nets, and less support than might be present in a larger...

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”. Humility is not bashful and shy. Instead, humble leaders reach out and invite feedback.

Strategic leaders start with what is known and strategically think through how things could unfold. They use well-rounded research, gather the facts and solicit feedback to build a plan.

Creating a budget does not need to be tough, but it does need to be done! Without it, how will you determine if you are on track to achieve the result you desire?

When Jacob Nisley started JN Pallet, located in Conneautville, Pennsylvania, in 1985, he did so with the purpose of growing a family business that would provide not just a means of livelihood but...

If you are among those who are striving to create a culture of entrepreneurship for your family, consider carefully how you shape that culture in order to nurture and encourage entrepreneurial...

God needs somebody with enough internal motivation to get up at dawn, spend time in prayer, unlock the plant, work all day in production, lock up the plant, eat supper, and then go to a school...

By using a methodical process of starting a business—and with God’s guidance—you will hopefully develop a high-quality business idea that can be pursued with confidence and enthusiasm.

It is now time to decide the method of launch, which includes starting up from scratch, buying into a franchise, or buying a business, which may not be as far out of reach as some assume.

All investments have a degree of risk. Have you lost money to scams? A godly investor avoids all speculations and seeks to use his Master’s money with wisdom and diligence.

Owning a business is a popular goal. But most business ventures fail within a few years.

How much should we budget for marketing? What type of advertising works the best? We need more sales but nothing seems to work very well. How do you get people to open their wallets?

Young aspiring entrepreneurs should prepare themselves by creating their own roadmap to equip themselves for entrepreneurship.

In addition to wealth generation and Kingdom impact, a family business can also reform the family economy and relationships.

This topic explores the What, Why, and How of Strategic Planning.

Getting ready to start a business? Not quite there yet, but preparing? Want to? Wonder if business ownership is for you? Does small business fit your Anabaptist lifestyle?

As men family leaders, we are constantly concerned about our ability to provide adequately.

Every business needs a plan! While this is a given for startups, many established businesses are missing the opportunity to raise the bar.

We resist change—sometimes even when we can see imminent danger—because finding a new approach or a new method is too much work, too hard on our pride, or too risky.

To everything there is a season, and business is no different. Business owners and managers must learn about those various seasons and the need for diligent preparation.

What determines the success of a business venture? Wade Myers suggests the following formula: Entrepreneur + Business Model + Resources + God’s Providence = Success.

Business taxation is complex, and many business owners choose to rely on tax professionals to prepare and file their business tax returns.

Farmers are not exempt from Christ’s command to render unto Caesar the taxes owed him. Farmers have their own unique set of rules and advantages in the federal tax code. Jacob Dietz looks briefly...

Financial statements provide insight and financial data from which informed decisions, crucial to profitable financial activity, can be made by management. A thorough understanding of the balance...

What does it take to qualify for a loan?

You think it would never happen in your company. After all, your employees are from the church and might even spend time at your house.

The purpose of a cash flow statement is to show changes over a period of time, including how paying bills, buying inventory, and other things changes your assets and liabilities and impacts your...

Financial Statements are the report card of your business. Understanding what the numbers represent and where they come from are essential to analyzing and improving your financial position.

You need engaged and happy employees if your business is going to be truly successful. Employees are a critical part of your business’s foundation.

Whether it is direct, indirect, or non-monetary, fair compensation and benefits are a key attraction that will keep your employees with your company for a long time.

The effects of our investment in employees go far beyond our businesses.

How many times has an employee been “cut down” when all he or she really needed was a little care to help them succeed?

Fully engaged employees look forward to the day and love their job. They come to work with a positive feeling. They enter a friendly and supportive workplace.

Training a new employee is an expensive and time-consuming process.

A daily dose of preventive medicine can go a long way towards avoiding frequent employee conflicts.

Telling and showing is not enough to prepare employees to master new skills. Training Within Industry is a sure and dependable way that works every time if it is simply applied. 

When you hire employees, you are subject to numerous labor laws and fair hiring practices. You also open the door to federal regulators into your business.

Do you appreciate and value the people who come to work for you every day? How do you demonstrate that you appreciate and value that resource?

We know that a fully-engaged workforce is the differentiator for organizational performance.

What does the Bible say about communication? What are you communicating to the people around you? Communication is an important aspect of all relationships.

Christ is glorified when men live out His commandments in their everyday working lives, and professing Christians who fail to do so bring swift reproach to Christ’s name.

Family business relationships are the most important part of business structure. Maintaining good relationships must be a planned process.

The need for clear family‐business governance may seem a bit unnecessary. However, effective governance is essential to a healthy and enduring business.

An interview with the four Zimmerman brothers from Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc.

A good business transition plan only works if properly implemented.

Avoid transition woes and family strife by early planning. Think realistically about your successor. Review considerations for a peaceful retirement. Smooth the difficult path for your family.

Whether you plan for the next generation to take over when you retire, or you expect to sell your business to an outside person, Richard Shank recommends teaching someone who can successfully...

Continuous Improvement is the way to deal with obstacles in your business, but where to begin? You must first determine if you are trying to solve a problem or simply improve a process or ...

Does God give guidance for believers trying to conduct business operations in our complex, modern economy? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Business meetings are essential to making quality decisions. Employees should help provide insights, cut through confusion, and get the truth on the table.

How can we uphold kingdom values and turn a customer complaint into an opportunity to witness for Christ?  Actual experiences will illustrate how addressing complaints redemptively helps avoid...

Everyone knows the classic American poem about a girl and her lamb, "Mary Had a Little Lamb." What can explain this poem's longevity and effectiveness?

A customer’s attitude about your business will directly influence how much he is willing to pay you—and whether he will even pay you at all. You can influence how your customers feel by giving...

An effective salesperson is one of the key forces behind every successful business. Before a purchase is completed, your customers will speak to an employee—a salesperson.

For many of us, the title "salesman" conjures up an image of someone who is smooth-talking, calculating, and deceitful.

You cannot create customer service by opening up floor space and installing a desk with an employee behind it. Customer service is an attitude within the company, and it speaks for itself.

Do you know if your advertising dollars are paying off? Or like John Wanamaker said, do you know that half of your advertising dollars are wasted, but you don't know which half?

Getting an effective marketing program rolling can be bumpy, but Roy Herr demonstrates a well-rounded approach. When all three parts of the marketing wheel—branding, lead generation, and lead...

Marketing today is more complicated than simply putting out a sign and displaying fruit or vegetables on a table at the end of the lane or at a farmers’ market. As Christians, we find ourselves in...

Our people have always been innovators: improving their tools, their techniques, and their situations.

Caring for your customers and letting them know that you appreciate their business is simply good manners.

Your marketing people should have an organized, functional toolbox from which they can pull the appropriate tools they need to get the message to the marketplace.

Clear messaging is the very heart and soul of effective marketing.

Sometimes the same strengths that help build a thriving family business can also become its weakness. One of the best ways to make certain that a family’s strengths do not become the business’...

Mixing family and business finances often creates a range of problems and stress.

Few scriptural principles are clearer than that of keeping our vows—literally keeping our word both to God and to others.

Leaders are exposed to levels of hostile scrutiny and attack that most people know little or nothing about.

In our business, as in all areas of our lives, we want to be known as people who believe and practice kingdom principles.