True Blue

This week was a great week for studying! I had a chance to really think about ethics and honesty in business, and what I will and won't do. It's probably best to think about this and decide what kind of businesswoman I'm going to be before I get there. Kind of like the lessons I had in YW's where they taught me to decide whether or not to smoke or drink before I get to the situation, so I already know the right answer.

I also had a chance to read a case study about a really interesting woman, Magdalena Yesil. This one particularly struck me because she was a woman. She was highly intelligent and motivated, and not afraid to make changes or try something new. She was a successful entrepreneur in a time period where there probably weren't a lot of women entrepreneurs, not to mention ones in the tech industry. I've saved the case study on my computer to re-read, so that when I need an example or reminder of how there will always be an opportunity, so there's no reason to compromise on what's important to me.

Most of what I want to remember are direct quotes from the material. For example, from "Making a Living and a Life:"

• The motives that drive people are the hinges upon which major outcomes swing.

• What you do to make a living, or how many dollars you earn, aren’t nearly as important to the Lord as whether you:  

1. Are building His kingdom including strong and valiant families.
2. Are honest in your dealings with your fellowmen and using your God-given talents in their service;
3. and if you are filling your life with good works, that positively impact your community and world
   

• We know that money iteself is not evil; in fact, it represents "the sweat of our face" -- a commandment of the Lord.

• If a love of God and fellowmen is the primary motivation, then the working man or woman will be a kingdom builder and a full-tithe payer. They will have a “zeal towards their fellow men . . . and will be perfectly honest and upright in all things” (Alma27:27). As a laborer they will be “worthy of their hire” (Luke 10:7). As an employer they will give a “just recompense of wages,” (D&C 124:121). They will be a beloved employer and endeavor to help, not only their customers, but also their employees and community. They will have a baker’s dozen mentality with superior customer service. Sometimes this person will even render service at no charge to help someone in need, such as those doctors who travel to Third-world countries to help the disadvantaged. Their products and services are of the highest quality.

"True Blue, Through and Through"

• President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of integrity this way: “Men and women of integrity understand intrinsically that theirs is the precious right to hold their heads in the sunlight of truth, unashamed before anyone” (Standing for Something, 29).

1. Decide today, once and for all, that you will be worthy of trust

2. Have faith that the Lord can and will help you, and then diligently seek His help.
3. Make covenants and keep them.
4. Stand up for what you believe.
5. Expect your integrity to be challenged.
6. Don’t give up.
7. Covenant–or perhaps I should say, renew your covenant–with our Father and His Son to do what you came here to do.


"Top 10 Things to Start a Business"

10. Comfortable, cheap furniture
     -It doesn't matter how you look, it matters what you focus on
9. A sign
8. Too little money
     -Will have to innovate instead of spend
7. Common sense
     -A business must have: customers, products, sales, profits, taxes to be paid
     -Businesses need not have: CFO's, VPs (of anything), market studies, ad campaigns, website, business plan, forecast
6. The pride of a fat baby
     -do whatever it takes to do business
5. A supportive family
4. Like surfing real waves
     -Do not try to make your own waves; serve broad groups of customers
3. Confidence you will have 1000s of ideas
     -Don't hold ideas too quickly
     -Develop culture that new ideas are encouraged and expected
2. Sales
     -Get them started early; love tough customers; always listen to what customers say
     -A customer is someone who pays!
1. A great partner
     -Choose carefully -- a partner is not the same as you, but complementary
     -Be loyal

And last, but probably most important: The Formula for Happiness

1. Get up early
2. Work hard
3. Get your education
4. Find oil
5. Make your mark
6. Prepare to give back


Questions I still need to ask myself:

What is my plan to serve for after I make the money?