December 2008 Newsletter (How to Survive 2009)

From the Editor... Trouble Ahead??
by Bill Gaffney

First of all let me take this time to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Christian Marketplace Network. May we all be filled with the true spirit of the season.

We are already hearing it:

We are headed into the greatest recession since the Great Depression
Things are terrible
Our businesses are going to fail
Our country is headed towards the abyss because we elected the new president

You all know the routine. But stop right there. Who is our boss and who is in charge? I think you know.

The next year, or few years, could be the greatest years in the modern history of Christianity. But we have to set the standard and the example. We can either run around bemoaning the situation or we can continue to believe God is in control

So if you are one of those moaners stop right now, or resign your Christianity. If you are going to pray why worry and if you are going to worry why pray.

This might well be the greatest time since the founding of our nation to evangelize. I don't mean evangelize by standing on street corners, passing out tracks, sending fear filled e-mails, etc. It is not about those things. It is about maintaining a positive attitude and witnessing to others through our belief,trust and faith in God. "Spread the Gospel and if necessary use words"!!

Enjoy this month's newsletter.

Bill

TROUBLE AHEAD - DEUX
by Bill Gaffney

This morning I was sitting in a counselor's office (Yes, I am not perfect,) He was talking about the economic situation and remarking how peaceful and serene I was. I said to him that first of all there was nothing I could do about it. It was out of my direct control. I also told him because of my trust and faith in God and my consistent working on that I had very little fear.

The operative word might be working. I just can't sit back, or else the fear will easily overtake me.

As I mentioned previously we have probably the greatest opportunity in our lifetime to witness to others by showing fortitude, faith, trust, compassion, etc and not reacting. We can also incorporate all of these into our businesses.

As marketplace ministry people we influence far more individuals on a daily basis than any pastor or evangelist.

So we need to get training and be equipped as well. Part of that is understanding how to be the best managers and owners, exuding calm and confidence. Here are links to a few articles I have read recently on this subject:

We Can Choose to Reverse A Negative Mindset
Leading Through Uncertainty
and other articles in McKinsey Quarterly
Three Tips for Leading in Anxious Times - Nov Newsletter
Confront, Overcome Fear to Reach Success

CHRISTIAN MARKETPLACE NETWORK DAYTON CHAPLAIN
By Rev Thomas Wise

Too many times we forget the importance of a spiritual grounding in our business and marketplace. The following is a piece written by my friend Reverend Thomas Wise titled, "You didn't ask so I am going to tell you anyway!"

Every time I meet a Christian Marketplace Network visitor, I am asked, "What do you do?" I usually tell them that I am an Associate Pastor, Chairman of Greater Dayton Promise Keepers and Chaplain of Christian Marketplace Network Dayton Region. The visitor usually asks something about the first two things. Rarely am I asked about the third. If you were wondering what I do as Chaplain, here are some of my goals:

   1. Be a role model of who Christ would be if He was a member of Christian Marketplace Network.
   2. To remind the leaders and members of Christian Marketplace Network who they really work for.
   3. To be God's hands and feet in places that few minister.
   4. To provide a prayer covering to Christians in the business world of Dayton .
   5. To guard the spiritual integrity of the Dayton Region.

What I do is a lot of praying with and for our members. I prayed with a member last February because he was about to close his business. I went to his office and prayed over him and his checkbook. Every month I called him to see how he was doing. He called me last week and asked me to stop praying for him. He has so much work that he couldn't get it all done. I told him that he needed to be careful what he prayed for because my God answers prayer. Over the years I have had several Christian Marketplace Network members that I have prayed specific things for. Some, it turned out, did go out of business. God does say no, sometimes! Others, the problem turned out to be a lack of spiritual accountability which I was able to minister to.

Thanks Thomas for your unwavering commitment and example.

Could you use a chaplain or pastor in your business? Can you afford not to have one?

	DO THE RIGHT THING - 10 Rules for Leading Ethically From Center for Creative Leadership
It's been all too easy to criticize the unethical behaviors of business and political leaders these days. But if your company isn't among those generating scandal and scorn, consider yourself warned. MORE

LEARN MORE TO EARN MORE - Dec 8th Newsletter
By Dr Wayne Essex

Most business people pay lip service to education and obtaining tax advice.

One thing I've learned is that most successful business professionals embrace a "culture of learning." This is especially true during difficult financial times.

Personal and professional self-development is a journey-not a destination. It is something that is always a work-in-progress. Often, business people get so caught up working "in" their business that they forget to spend time working "on" their business. Part of working "on" a business is devoting time to professional development, education and obtaining tax advice.

Wayne Essex is a long time Christian Marketplace Network member and leader both locally and nationally.

LET QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY, GUIDE YOUR NETWORKING
By Hal Becker

I find that so many salespeople think the key to selling is networking and constantly searching for new business in addition to the business that they already have.

I have no problem with that concept, if it works, and I mean that if it truly works for them. This method is not restricted to one certain business or even an industry.

Networking is an effective way to increase business if the salesperson stays focused and is consistent in his or her approach.

I just don't always agree with this concept, nor will I teach it in my seminars.

I have always believed in being more focused and spending more top-quality time with people who make a difference in your life and your career.

This article is taken from Biz Journals Business Solutions. Hal Becker is an author and trainer in sales and customer service. Hal Becker's Web Site

IMPORTANT
Please remember to use Christian Marketplace Network in all of your correspondence, ads. signs, etc. By now we should have dropped any reference to Christian Business Network or CBN-USA Also CMN-USA should not be used for external purposes as we are not currently trademarking that. Don't forget that we also have a new logo. If you need the logo please contact our administrator, Paula Goodnight.

Sincerely,

Bill Gaffney

Newsletter Editor
Christian Marketplace Network

Mission: To provide a forum where Marketplace Christians can connect and support one another on a consistent basis.