Spirituality and Business

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Spirituality and business is a modern day way of thinking about business. We often look at using the best management style to manage our business or identifying the best business strategies we can use, as well as our best customer service strategies — but we only think about them from the perspective of the bottom line of our business.

What drives the business and management approach that we use has not been given full thought. They are however driven by how we value and treat others. Our attitude and attributes play a large part in how we perceive others and threat them. Our love for others also play a great part in how we relate to others and facilitate our customer service, the relationships we formed with our clients and the other personnel that we relate to on a daily basis to keep our business going.

When I talk about spirituality, I am not talking about religion, I am not talking about belonging to a particular religion. It is about a way of doing business. It is a way of leading and managing your business. It is a way of managing your business from a human-centered perspective with love and respect at the core. It is a value system that you can ingrain in to your business. In addition, it can become a part of your business culture and be held by your employees and transcend your customers.  Here are some questions that you can ask your self if you have been able to integrate spirituality into your business:

1. What are some of the attributes or characteristics that one must have to acquire this stage of development? 
2. In what ways has my business benefited as a result of it and 
3. When your business has spirituality how does it affect your customer relations?

Research shows that a company, an organization or small business can integrate spirituality into their environment; and it is not difficult. Research also shows that if one uses an approach to business leadership that focuses on the human aspects of the organization or business, spirituality will be integrated into it. The research also suggests that a "transformational leadership style" will serve to achieve it. Further a decision-making model that looks at the business objectives, the people that your serve (customers) and employees, your profit, and a social/environmental /community contribution, is a design plan that can best meet one's need in bringing spirituality into one's business. 

As a system analyst and an expert in the adoption of a change program into organizations (companies & small businesses), a design plan that includes all four areas will facilitate the integration of spirituality into any business type. The customers and employees must also be included, therefore using a humanistic approach to decision making would facilitate it. In this model, all the areas has to be given the same weight in the decision making phase and through the implementation phase. In making a decision that this is what I want or this is where I want my business to go, all four must be assessed and given equal weight; and the decision making around them must also be done in a proactive methodology. 

Included is a pod cast from the discussion with Dr. Cottle's interview and Donya Zimmerman on Women in Business Radio on the topic of "The importance of spirituality and business: How important is it?.

Check Out Business Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Dr Cheryl Cottle on BlogTalkRadio

How to Succeed in Business: Have a Business Plan

Author: Donya Zimmerman

The Business Plan is the road map for operating one’s business. The business plan is made up of a set of objectives and goals to implement so that you can start and operate a business. The Business Plan can be used as a management tool to measure your progress once the business is started. 

The main components of the Business Plan are:

• Description of your business.
• The Marketing Plan.
• The Management Plan.
• The Financial Management Plan.

The Business Plan is used as a way for one to get financing for the development and growth of their business. The Business Plan is used to obtain the proper permits, licenses, and certifications to conduct business in a certain state per their laws. The Business Plan is the essential document one needs to assist them with thinking through all the aspects of the business and to help you properly plan for the business success.

One has to put a lot of research, thought, and consideration into preparing and drafting their business plan. The more time and attention you put into writing the Business Plan the more time you spend on running the business smoothly and avoiding certain problems. The Business Plan can be used as a guide that will assist one with fixing problems that may come up in the daily operation of the business.

Here are a few questions that can be answered by a well-written and thought out Business Plan, when it comes to potential financial investors:

• Is this a solid business idea?
• Is there a proper market for the product or service being offered to customers?
• Can management run the business efficiently?
• Does the plan clearly state how the investors will get a return on their investment?

Normally, a Business Plan will cover between three years to five years of the business being in operation. When doing your business plan, you must have realistic expectations for the growth and development of your business. You must maintain an open mind when it comes to drafting and writing the Business Plan for your business. You have to be objective when it comes to looking at the strengths and weaknesses of your business idea.

How to Succeed in Business: Have everything in writing

Author: Donya Zimmerman

As a business consultant, I assist individuals with starting and setting up their own businesses. One common problem that I have discovered, among small business owners is failure to put everything into writing. Many business owners have the old common belief “my word is my bond.” Many small business owners will make business deals with just a handshake without putting the deal in writing. It was time in life when people would keep their word and do what they said they would do. But, in the 21st Century, that is no longer the case because many business deals go wrong because of misunderstandings and lack of communication. What a person says may mean one thing to them and may mean another thing to another person. With my clients, I always advise them to ensure that every business deal is in writing to protect their interests and the interests of the other party. 

Here are a few reasons why it is important to get all business deals in writing:

1. The written contract will spell out the terms of the agreement. 
2. The contract will ensure that there are no misunderstandings to the terms of the deal.
3. The written contract will ensure that all parties involved in the business deal are satisfied. 
4. The written agreement will help to avoid unnecessary court litigation. The written contract will ensure that the business deal goes smoothly without a hitch. 

It is always advisable to have every business deal or business transaction in writing to protect yourself, your business, personal assets, and business assets. Sometimes not having contracts in writing can cause unnecessary stress and wreak havoc on one’s business and personal life. So, my advice to small business owners is ensure to have every business deal, business transaction, and business contract in writing. This will ensure that your business avoids unnecessary court costs, loss of revenue, loss of customers, and loss of valuable time.

Advice to small business owners: Create a Marketing Plan

 Author: Donya Zimmerman

This is the time of the year when as a small business owner you start to prepare for the new business year. The best way to prepare your business for the incoming year of 2015 is to update your “Marketing Plan”. The Business Plan is the road map for operating one’s business. The business plan is made up of a set of objectives and goals to implement so that you can start and operate a business. The Business Plan can be used as a management tool to measure your progress once the business is started. 

The main components of the Business Plan are: (1) Description of your business, (2) The Marketing Plan, (3), (4) The Management Plan, and (5) The Financial Management Plan. 


The main portion of the Business Plan that needs to be checked, reviewed, and revised on a yearly basis is the Marketing Plan. It is always advisable to take a look at your “Marketing Plan” at the end of each year to see how you can improve on the selling, the marketing, and the promotion of the products and services offered by your business. 

The main components of the Marketing Plan are: 

•  Description of Products and Services
• Industry Trend Analysis 
• Target Market Analysis-Customers
• Competitive Analysis. 
• Pricing Strategy. Packaging (Optional because does not apply to every business)
• Distribution Strategy (Optional because does not apply to every business)
• Marketing and Sales Strategy: Business Image Media Plan Selling Strategy 
• Customer Service Strategy 

The Marketing Plan section of the Business Plan is where you describe the services or products offered by your business. It provides information on how your products or services will meet the needs of your clients and solve their problems. Also, in the Marketing Plan, you will describe your competition and how you differ from the competition. Another main point of the Marketing Plan is to explain how you outshine and stand out from your competition. 

With the Marketing Plan, it is always good to update it on a yearly basis because things are always changing and improving in any field of business. It is always good to take a look at how you can improve on the products or services that you provide to your customers. On a yearly basis, can look at how your business can attract more of the right customers to buy one’s products or services. Sometimes as a small business owner, you may have to stop doing business a certain way and learn how to do business another way in order to attract the right customers to your business. 

For example, I had to take a step back and figure out a way how I could attract more customers or clients who wanted to start their own businesses. I realized in September 2014 that it was not feasible for me to go after one client at a time. I had to figure out a way to present my products and services to a group of potential clients. By presenting my products or services in a group setting, I realized I had a better chance of getting the right customers or clients who would want to buy my products and services. I am in the process of re-doing my “Marketing Plan” for the year of 2015 to find methods and techniques to present my products and services to groups of potential clients, instead of, going after clients one at a time. 

So, now is the time to re-vamp or create a Marketing Plan for 2015 to better present your products or services to your ideal customers. It is always good to create a new “Marketing Plan” for each coming year to improve on how you attract ideal customers who would want to buy your products or services. Now it is time for you to get busy with drafting your “Marketing Plan” for 2015. 

How to Succeed, Unemployed, Now What

Author: Donya Zimmerman

When I had to give up my law practice in 2012, I was lost and confused because I did not know what I was going to do for work and income. It took me about 3 months to figure out what I could do next in my life. As soon as, I closed my law practice, I began to take courses on how to do a resume, dress for an interview, and prepare for an interview. I think I took three courses on looking for and obtaining employment. 

When I started to apply for jobs in August of 2012, I came to realize that there are more individuals unemployed than available jobs. Also, I was getting pressure from family members that stated I needed to find a job, but they failed to realize that I had been my own boss since 2001 and had not worked for anyone else since 2006. I felt that I needed to find a 9 to 5 job to please my family, so for about 4 months I was applying for jobs and attending courses and workshops on how to apply for jobs. But after that 4 month period, God made me realize that I was not cut-out for the 9 to 5 job and I was more of an entrepreneur and small business owner.

In February 2013, I began to attend seminars and workshops offered by Small Business Administration (SBA) teaching individuals how to start their own business. Also, during February 2013, I was accepted into the Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore, Inc. (WEB) course that taught individuals how to start their own business. The key to the WEB program was that they taught you how to write your business plan for the business you would like to start. I completed the course in June of 2013 and I was very glad that I took the course because it provided me with the tools I needed to start my second business.

If you are unemployed and have been looking for a job for at least 6 months, it is time to take an inventory of all the skills and talents you have right now. Once you have made a list of all the skills and talents you have, it is time to sit down and create a plan on how to start a business, and earn an income with your skills and talents. In today’s job market, there are less jobs for individuals. That is why the federal government, state governments, and local governments are setting up programs to assist individuals with learning new job skills and starting their own businesses. One thing you must remember is that “can’t” is not an option and should not be included in your vocabulary. What should be included in your vocabulary is “can” because you can achieve anything your heart desires. 

If you cannot find a job, here are few options you can do to supplement your income: 

• See if any of your family or friends’ jobs are hiring and ask them to put in a good word for you. 
• If there is a job that you desire to have and you don’t have the necessary skills for the job, go back to school and take the necessary courses needed to get the skills required for that particular job. 
• Volunteering for certain organizations or companies is good way to get noticed by the hiring manager when there are openings for jobs within the organization or company. 
• If need be, go back to school to improve, enhance, and upgrade your jobs skills to compete in today’s job market. For example, if you are not good at working on computers, take a computer class. 
• Always attend classes and courses that teach you how to write a resume, dress for a job interview, and prepare for the job interview. 
• Also, if you have some skills and talents, start working on your own business to increase your income. 
• Never ever be afraid to ask someone for assistance with seeking a job.