2020-08-30
1 Chronicles 29:12 NKJV
To negotiate well, you should do these three things: (1) Talk to God before you talk to others. Involve Him in all your decisions. The Bible says, “Both riches and honour come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” “Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God [to him]” (Ecclesiastes 5:19 AMPC). If God can negotiate the price of our salvation at the cross, don’t you think He’s qualified to help you negotiate successfully in business? (2) Think long-term. When someone feels “burned” in their business dealings with you, you may make a sale but you’ll lose a repeat customer. Billionaire Sam Walton said he rarely invested in a company because of where it would be in eighteen months. Instead he invested in companies that would still be successful ten years down the road. You may be irreplaceable today – but you won’t always be. And if you pressure your boss for a raise by threatening to quit, your short-term gain may result in long-term loss. (3) Don’t be pressured into anything. Run from the salesperson who insists, “This is the last day of this sale!” Generally speaking, when you return a month later they’ll still deal! In many instances they need your purchase more than you need their product. Your opinion deserves to be heard and respected. Just make sure it’s at the right time, in the right atmosphere, and with the right attitude.
Soul food: Dan 1:1-20; Dan 6:1-28
2020-08-29
Prediker 3:1 NLV
Dit help om te verstaan wat aan beide kante van die tafel aan die gebeur is as jy goed wil onderhandel. Mense koop selde ‘n produk vir die rede wat jy dit wil verkoop. As jy meer geïnteresseerd daarin is om ‘n wins te maak as om aan hulle behoeftes te voldoen, sal jy misluk. Hier is dus ‘n paar dinge wat jy in gedagte moet hou wanneer jy met iemand onderhandel: 1) Die regte houding. Niemand hou daarvan om as vanselfsprekend aanvaar te word, gedwing of in ‘n blik gedruk te word nie. 2) Die koste verbonde vir die ander persoon. Daar is ‘n wêreld se verskil tussen iemand wat soveel geld het dat hulle enigiets kan bekostig en iemand wat opofferings maak omdat hulle regtig jou produk nodig het. As jy ‘n langtermyn kliënt eerder as ‘n korttermyn transaksie wil hê, moet jy die Goue Reël uitoefen: ‘Doen vir ander alles wat julle graag wil hê hulle vir julle sal doen…’ (Matteus 7:12 NLV). 3) Die regte tydsberekening. Salomo sê vir ons daar is: “‘n Tyd om te soek en ‘n tyd om te verloor…” (Prediker 3:6 NLV). Of jy nou vir ‘n verhoging vra of ‘n produk aan ‘n klant probeer verkoop, tydsberekening is allerbelangrik. Wanneer iemand honger, eensaam, kwaad, moeg, gestres of in ‘n krisis is, neem jy die risiko om te verloor, terwyl die kans goed is dat jy sal wen as jy vir die regte tyd wag. Gee God regtig oor dinge soos dié om? Ja. ‘Winkeleienaars en kafeebase moenie mense uitbuit nie. Die Here haat ‘n kullery’ (Spreuke 16:11 DB). As volgeling van Christus, wil jy hê dat altwee partye moet voel dat hulle regverdig behandel is.
Sielskos: Klaag 3:40-5:22; Luk 18:31-43; Ps 84; Spr 19:11
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
For some, negotiation is part of their job. For a lot of us, it’s not, but it happens in our day-to-day life more than we recognise. Whether it’s haggling at a market, buying a car, or dealing with standoffish children, we have to know how to work with others to meet their needs, while fulfilling the task we set out to complete. It’s important to remember three Biblical truths when dealing with others to achieve a positive outcome. 1) Consider the other person’s feelings. Matthew 7:12 reminds us to ‘do to others what you would have them do to you’ (NIV). Nobody likes being taken for granted or pressured. We have to put ourselves into their shoes. However, you have to negotiate the situation, do it with love. 2) Consider the cost to the other person. ‘When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honour to others than to yourselves’ (Philippians 2:3 NCV). If you can be generous with your payment, your time, or your patience, then do. Don’t push for more than is necessary. 3) Watch your timing. Circumstances matter. The Message paraphrases Ecclesiastes 3:6 like this: ‘A right time to search and another to count your losses, a right time to hold on and another to let go’ (MSG). Sometimes, there’s no choice but to push through. Sometimes, you should try again later. Sometimes, you have to let it go entirely. So, whether you’re trying to close a business deal, or trying to get a little one to go to eat their breakfast, remember that we have to value God and others above the outcome. Always act with care, love, and fairness. Be resolute when the situation calls for it. But when softness is needed, be ready to let it all go for the greater good.
Lam 3:40-5:22; Luke 18:31-43; Ps 84; Prov 19:11
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
In order to negotiate well, it helps to understand what’s happening on both sides of the table. People seldom buy a product for the reason you want to sell it. If you show more interest in making a profit than meeting their need, you’ll fail. So here are a few things to keep in mind when negotiating with someone: (1) The right attitude. Nobody likes being taken for granted, coerced, and pressured. (2) The cost involved for others. There’s a world of difference between negotiating with someone who has so much money that whatever the cost they can afford it, and someone who is sacrificing because they really need your product. If you want a long-term customer rather than a short-term sale, practice the Golden Rule: “Whatever you want others to do for you, do for them” (See Matthew 7:12). (3) The proper timing. Solomon tells us there’s “a time to gain, and a time to lose” (Ecclesiastes 3:6 NKJV). Whether you’re asking for a raise or trying to sell a product to a customer, timing is all-important. When someone is hungry, lonely, angry, tired, stressed, or in a crisis, you risk losing out, whereas if you’d waited for the right time, chances are you’d have won. Does God really care about stuff like that? Yes. “God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business” (Proverbs 16:11 MSG). As a follower of Christ, you want both sides to walk away feeling they were treated fairly.
Soul food: Lam 3:40-5:22; Luke 18:31-43; Ps 84; Prov 19:11
2020-08-28
Lukas 18:40 DB
Is daar spasie in jou skedule vir onderbrekings? Een skrywer sê: ‘Jesus het gestop wanneer mense hulp nodig gehad het. Hy het onderbrekings as geleenthede om God se liefde te wys, gesien. Soos die Goeie Samaritaan, moet ons gereed wees om te stop vir iemand wat seer het. ‘Iemand wat… sy broers en susters sien gebrek ly, maar weier om ‘n helpende hand uit te steek – hoe is dit moontlik dat die liefde van God in daardie persoon woon?’ (1 Johannes 3:17 NLV). Wanneer Jesus uit liefde opgetree het, het die mense ‘…die hand van God gesien werk’ (Lukas 7:16 NLV). Chuck Swindoll skryf: ‘Die Een wie gesê het: ‘Wees stil en weet Ek is God!..’ (Psalm 46:11 NLV), moet seerkry wanneer Hy ons waansinnige, kompulsiewe, angstige bewegings aanskou. Jy kan egter verander. Hier is hoe jy dit doen. Erken dit. Erken dat jy te besig is en dat jy iets NOU daaraan moet doen. Ek het dit onlangs gedoen, en deur trane het my familie en ek brûe wat deur dorings oorgroei was, skoongemaak. Stop dit. Begin vandag om elke aktiwiteit wat nie absoluut noodsaaklik is nie, te weier. Klink dit genadeloos? Die horlosie is ook genadeloos. So ook jou gesondheid. Hou op om so belangrik te voel. Hulle sal iemand anders kry om op die komitee te sit. Handhaaf dit. Dis maklik om vinnig te begin en vinnig te vervaag. Paulus het vir die Galasiërs gesê: ‘Julle het so goed gevorder. Wie het julle gekeer om die waarheid te bly gehoorsaam? Die idee kom nie van Hom wat julle geroep het nie!’ (Galasiërs 5:7-8 NLV). Deel dit. Sodra jy begin om die voordele te geniet wanneer jy jou prioriteite herorden, vertel ander ‘aktiwiteit-verslaafdes’ daarvan.’ Hulle sal graag wil stop – as hulle net geweet het hoe.’
Sielskos: Klaag 1:1-3:39; Luk 18:18-30; Ps 119:169-176; Spr 19:9-10
