Tuesday, April 26
(Dr John Mulford)
Had some interesting discussions with our South African visiting exec and a Rwandan businessman about the differences between traditional African worldviews and Western worldviews. Even though many Rwandan business people have been educated in Western models, they still retain subtle influences that predispose them to focus on the present and greatly discount or not even consider the future. Thus they resist sacrificing and investing today for a return in the future—the very essence of business.
It is so easy to fall into the trap that everyone thinks like I think. It is a wake-up call and a challenge to realize that isn’t the case. Without trampling on valued traditions, we want to help people resolve conflicts between their stated goals, such as growing a successful business, and their underlying assumptions, such as only the present is important.
We had another discussion with a Rwandan businessman about a problem he was facing in his family’s business. As the eldest son (his father died several years ago), he is expected to take care of the family and provide leadership. As a Christian, he wants the business to glorify God through its excellence and integrity. Others in the family believe that such a “naïve” approach costs them money. They don’t want to come under his leadership and authority. He is struggling with the decision to divide the business among the siblings. He is concerned that they will squander their share and then be jealous and angry when his part prospers. He wants to lead them in righteous business, but they don’t want to follow.
Then it was time for class. The class responded extremely well to our visiting exec, Eben Nel, both in their one-on-one meetings during the day and in class. Eben told his life story about leaving his job as a government lawyer to pursue business, because opportunities to advance were closed in government. He was fearful leaving a secure job, but he jumped into business with both feet. As a neophyte in business, he tried many small businesses. They all failed, which consumed his life’s savings. Then he met the Lord and realized that he had a calling to business, but he hadn’t listened for God’s direction.
It hasn’t been a smooth path. He has had highs and lows as he learned to listen. As he looks back, he can see God’s supernatural leading in many business situations. Since many in the class currently work in government or other salaried jobs, they could identify with the fear of leaving that security. They could also identify with starting small. They were encouraged to hear of God’s faithfulness.
We used tonight’s class to practice the presentations that every student will do as the final exam in the course. Pascal and Mathilde volunteered to be the practice cases. They each presented their business in 15 minutes. Then we spent about 45 minutes on each, taking it apart and examining how to improve it. The class got the idea of what is required for a compelling, polished presentation. I will hear all 30 of them in five 3-hour sessions Wed, Thur, Friday.
(Dr John Mulford)
Had some interesting discussions with our South African visiting exec and a Rwandan businessman about the differences between traditional African worldviews and Western worldviews. Even though many Rwandan business people have been educated in Western models, they still retain subtle influences that predispose them to focus on the present and greatly discount or not even consider the future. Thus they resist sacrificing and investing today for a return in the future—the very essence of business.
It is so easy to fall into the trap that everyone thinks like I think. It is a wake-up call and a challenge to realize that isn’t the case. Without trampling on valued traditions, we want to help people resolve conflicts between their stated goals, such as growing a successful business, and their underlying assumptions, such as only the present is important.
We had another discussion with a Rwandan businessman about a problem he was facing in his family’s business. As the eldest son (his father died several years ago), he is expected to take care of the family and provide leadership. As a Christian, he wants the business to glorify God through its excellence and integrity. Others in the family believe that such a “naïve” approach costs them money. They don’t want to come under his leadership and authority. He is struggling with the decision to divide the business among the siblings. He is concerned that they will squander their share and then be jealous and angry when his part prospers. He wants to lead them in righteous business, but they don’t want to follow.
Then it was time for class. The class responded extremely well to our visiting exec, Eben Nel, both in their one-on-one meetings during the day and in class. Eben told his life story about leaving his job as a government lawyer to pursue business, because opportunities to advance were closed in government. He was fearful leaving a secure job, but he jumped into business with both feet. As a neophyte in business, he tried many small businesses. They all failed, which consumed his life’s savings. Then he met the Lord and realized that he had a calling to business, but he hadn’t listened for God’s direction.
It hasn’t been a smooth path. He has had highs and lows as he learned to listen. As he looks back, he can see God’s supernatural leading in many business situations. Since many in the class currently work in government or other salaried jobs, they could identify with the fear of leaving that security. They could also identify with starting small. They were encouraged to hear of God’s faithfulness.
We used tonight’s class to practice the presentations that every student will do as the final exam in the course. Pascal and Mathilde volunteered to be the practice cases. They each presented their business in 15 minutes. Then we spent about 45 minutes on each, taking it apart and examining how to improve it. The class got the idea of what is required for a compelling, polished presentation. I will hear all 30 of them in five 3-hour sessions Wed, Thur, Friday.
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