An Ethical Mind: Integrating Business and Christian Concepts
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Introduction
Ethics plays an extremely vital role in life, and it also applies to those who engage in business practices. The need to ensure that businesses are run and managed from a Christian view point is also extremely beneficial. This means that Christian concepts have to be integrated into a business, in order to ensure that it succeeds. The business owner should have an ethical mind so that they do not engage in activities that are unscrupulous (Ferrel & Hartline, 2007). The book ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins gives rise to factors, which must be, considered in order to bring success to any company and business. On the other hand, the author Richard Chewning in the book ‘Business through the eyes of Faith’ provides information on how to apply Christian concepts into a business.
This paper seeks to give a critical analysis of how various Christian concepts can be integrated into a business. Also, it seeks to find out the impact of applying the concepts into business practices.
Critical analysis of applying Christian concepts into a business using an ethical approach
The first concept concerns the matter related to ‘A Culture of Discipline, Not a Tyrant’. This means that issues and other procedures should be handled in a standard manner. If this is the case, there will not be any incidents of misconduct in running and managing the business. The latter will help the business in attaining the much needed freedom and responsibility, which are extremely powerful combinations (Collin, 2001). Also, the business will benefit as it will be celebrated in many aspects. In the many known companies all over the world, discipline is an integral part of their culture. This is because they are known to engage in actions that are disciplined, employ people who are disciplined, as well as ensuring that disciplined thoughts are rewarded. Upon joining such companies, the employees are aware of what it entails to be disciplined. They will not engage in undisciplined acts or bureaucracy, as they have already been well oriented. It must be known that in order to achieve greatness, there should be a commitment to discipline. Those in leadership positions should be excellent examples to those who follow them. This means that the top to bottom approach on management should be focused on promoting discipline (Csikszenthihalyi, 2003).
While working at a restaurant some few years back, I noticed that the waiters were rude when they were dealing with guests. The reason why I think the waiters behave in this manner is because the restaurant’s owner was extremely rude to them. In turn, the waiters took it out on the guests and this led to slow business and diminishing profits. The lack of discipline is what was affecting the running of the restaurant. In order to solve this situation, while assuming the owner’s role, I would change my attitude and communicate well with my employees. This would make their work experience satisfying, and in turn would lead to customer satisfaction.
The second concept is concerning ‘Unwavering Faith amid the Brutal Facts.’ This means that faith and facts are essential aspects of any company or business, which wants to do well. Unwavering faith relates to a means that there is confidence and belief to succeed. On the other hand, brutal facts refer to a certain reality that exists and cannot be easily assumed. Effective and ethical decision making it what leads to the success of a company (Collin, 2001). The need to achieve a breakthrough is what ensures that, as time progresses, people engage in making decisions. It is vital that during the process of making decisions that the brutal facts are presented for everyone to know. In turn, it will be easy for self evidence to appear as a result of making the right decisions.
The concept of being aware of brutal facts related to that of being disciplined is essential. This is because they both contribute to the realization of what the business is all about. As a result of knowing the brutal facts, businesses become exhilarated and energized to make the result rewarding. Through having this attitude, employees are motivated to be stronger both collectively and individually as human beings. Businesses that are to succeed should have adversity, and they must persevere. This means that the business should have its unwavering faith maintained, and the reality of the brutal facts accepted. There is no need to engage in optimism that is self defeating and unrealistic (Csikszenthihalyi, 2003).
My neighbor owns a car dealership business and sells mostly second hand vehicles. His main competitor is another car dealer, who sells new and expensive vehicles. The problem that I witnessed was that my neighbor tried to sabotage the competitors business by spreading false rumors concerning the former’s vehicles. He claims that the vehicles are not road worthy, are faulty, among other issues. My neighbor ought to know that the target market for the both of them is entirely different, which is believed is a brutal fact. He needs to realize this and have an unwavering faith that his business will succeed. More should be done by him to find a strategy that can help his business to succeed, using only an ethical and Christian approach. My neighbor should ensure that he is honest and shrewd, so that he can know how to attract customers to his car dealership business.
The third concept is provided by Richard Chewning concerning ‘What does the Lord God require of you’. This concept means that Christians, who own businesses, should run them based upon what is demanded by God, and this information is found in the Holy Bible. According to Chewning, the world view on Christianity is applicable to many businesses. The Bible provides the needed information for ensuring that decision making is effective. Justice, integrity, and ethics, are possible to be achieved in any business, and this is what is commanded of Christians. Jesus Christ demands that people engaged in business practices are disciplined, just as Collins seems to believe. This is because when people are disciplined they will have everything in the right order. It will be difficult for them to diverge from their business dealings and engage in others issues, which are sinful. Every Christian is requested to behave in the same manner that Jesus would have when he was still on earth. From the bible teachings, it is evident that Jesus Christ is a role model who only has positive aspects (Chewning, 1990).
Justice is the main theme in doing what God commands, and this is in the Book of Micah chapter six versus eight. It says that “He has told you O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Holy Bible, 2011). The concept by Chewning is applicable to Christians who have businesses. They should conduct their businesses while being well informed about the Christian concepts that Chewning provides in his book. This will help them in making sure that they maintain a healthy environment while working. Christians should attempt to make sure that they are disciplined and have faith that their business will succeed and flourish (Chewning, 1990). I have witnessed many Christians trying to run their businesses without being informed about what God requires of them. In turn, they end up making losses and some of them even become bankrupt. This is because they are not ethical in their business dealings and often just hope to succeed. As Christians, they ought to pray and read the Bible, in order to obtain guidance on how to run their business. They should seek to ensure that their businesses are conducted based on Christian principles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is vital that businesses are conducted in an ethical and Christian manner. The latter includes incorporating elements such as justice, discipline, and faith into the business. Businesses that are run by Christians are often differentiated from those that are not, and this is due to the issues involved. Jim Collins has provided elements that are accepted by Christians and are similar to those provided by Richard Chewning. The concepts of discipline, the requirements provided by God as well as knowing facts and faith are extremely vital. It is then that I conclude that integrating Christian concepts into a business is key, and more should be done to create awareness about this matter.
References
Chewning, Robert. (1990). Business through the Eyes of Faith 1st Ed. New York: HarperOne.
Collin, Jim. (2001). Good to Great: Why some companies make the leap and others don’t. New York: HarperBusiness.
Csikszenthihalyi, Mihaly. (2003). Good Business: Leadership. Flow, and the Making of Meaning. Colorado: Viking Adult.
Ferrel, O. & Hartline, Michael. (2007). Marketing Strategy. Colorado: South western pub.
Holy Bible. (2011). New King James Version. . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
