Lost1million

Narratives and Common Problems

Dale Suslick — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 11:44:07 +0000

A Biblical narrative is like any powerful narrative story with one notable exception. Each Biblical narrative contains characters, plot and plot resolution. The combinations of scenes make up a story that is intended to give meaning and direction. The key difference in a Biblical narrative is that “God is the … supreme hero of the story” (Page 98 Fee and Stuart; How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth). These narratives are “not allegories filled with hidden meaning,” “not intended to teach moral lessons” and “often illustrate what is taught explicitly and categorically elsewhere” in the Bible (Fee and Stuart page 92).

When one reads narratives there is ‘The tendency to “flatten” everything God has said in his Word because you assume that everything God has said in his Word is thereby a direct word to you’ (paraphrased from Fee and Stuart page 103). For example, there are days where I find myself questioning the value of spending time in my current work situation. Then, that same day, I read the Biblical story of Moses in the Book of Exodus. Then I come home and tell my wife, Robin, and five children that we are selling our home, quitting my job and moving to Florida. After all, I feel like a slave at work and when you live in a cold-weather climate the weather in Florida is like the Promised Land!

My story illustrates examples of errors of interpretation. Some of these errors are called allegorizing, moralizing and personalizing. I pray that you, our classmates and I can effectively read God’s story. “Narratives are precious to us because they so vividly demonstrate God’s involvement in the world and illustrate His principles and calling” (Fee and Stuart page 105).

What is a Biblical Narrative?

Dale Suslick — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 10:09:40 +0000

When one reads narratives there is “The tendency to “flatten” everything God has said in his Word because you assume that everything God has said in his Word is thereby a direct word to you” (paraphrased from Fee and Stuart page 103). For example, there are days where I find myself questioning the value of spending time in my current work situation. Then, that same day, I read the Biblical story of Moses in the Book of Exodus. Then I come home and tell my wife, Robin, and five children that we are selling our home, quitting my job and moving to Florida. After all, I feel like a slave at work and when you live in a cold-weather climate the weather in Florida is like the Promised Land!

Where Do You Find Meaning?

Dale Suslick — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:40:32 +0000

Where do you go to find meaning, direction and inspiration? The Old Testament is filled with stories called narratives that make up “over forty percent of the Old Testament” (Fee and Stuart page 89; How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth). If you are a believer, a Christian, then these narrative stories are your history, promises and calling. Before you’re done reading this post you’ll know what a narrative is and what some of the common mistakes you can make when you read these stories.

A Biblical narrative is like any other story with one notable exception. Each Biblical narrative contains characters, plot and plot resolution. There are the protagonist, antagonist and one or more agonist(s). The key difference in a Biblical narrative is that “God is the … supreme hero of the story” (Page 98 Fee and Stuart). These narratives are not allegories filled with hidden meaning, not intended to teach moral lessons and often illustrate what is taught explicitly and categorically elsewhere in the Bible (Fee and Stuart page 92).

Have you ever heard of someone taking the Bible out of context? Of picking and choosing verses in order to serve a personal motive? Yes, I am that person. I read through the pages 103 to 105 as well as the summary on page 106 to find myself checking off each common pitfall of reading Biblical narratives as something I have or continue to do. “Moralizing” passages to a current life situation. “Selectivity” where you pick and choose instead of paying attention to the overall point of the narrative under study. “False Appropriation” where I tend to read into ideas from contemporary culture that are contradictory to His point of view. I told my wife of sixteen years that I owed her an apology for all the years of false prophecy in our home!!! Perhaps you can relate?

As you read the Biblical narratives you can find true meaning, direction and inspiration provided you avoid the common pitfalls I found myself making. Thank God He allows us to fall forward into Jesus’s arms. Where He can teach us how to live by the stories that are “God’s Story-and it becomes ours as He “writes” us into it” (Fee and Stuart page 90). These “narratives are precious to us because they so vividly demonstrate God’s involvement in the world and illustrate His principles and calling” (Fee and Stuart page 105).

How to Sell: Overcoming Objections

Dale Suslick — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:27:47 +0000

Objections are one challenge that salespeople encounter. You need to overcome objections to turn prospects into customers. Objections are simple to overcome. Hard work yet simple.

Objections are a normal part of sales process.

Think about yourself. It’s understandable that when you are making a decision to buy you will often take a step back and ask “Am I doing the right thing? Am I comfortable with what’s being offered?” You ask questions like these and your clients ask the same questions.

Increasing your skill in overcoming objections can allow you sell more in less time. When you encounter objections think of them as questions. When you frame the questions as a positive buying signal you can start focusing on serving and filling your clients needs. You can develop answers that ease concerns, resolve doubts and make your clients day by getting your clients what they want. In other words you’ll see sales as dialogue—-a real conversation—rather than a monologue.

This is where the importance of doing nothing comes into play.

People who earn a living asking probing questions will tell you that silence is the most powerful tool you can use in a conversation. It’s impossible to over-emphasize the importance of silence. Count at four seconds silently to yourself.

One one thousand.

Two one thousand.

Three one thousand.

Four one thousand.

Caution! Don’t over-do it. No longer than two, three or four second long silences. Any longer and the silence can get counter-productive. Watch out for short answers. That’s a sign you need to do something to get your client to open up again.

When you encounter objections shut up!!! You talk too much. Stay quiet. Wait with questions. Let your client talk it out. People simply want to get heard.

Stay calm if your prospect signals to you “Your price is too high,” “I’m not the decision-maker” or “We need more time”. The sale is yours. You have what it takes. Give the client room to talk. Listen with empathy. Listen for the problem that your product can fix. The client can feel compelled or think they need to jump in and give you more information. In many cases, they’ll even answer their own objection within that little vacuum of silence!

Want one last bit of advice? Prepare in advance with answers to the most common objections. Write down your six most common objections and develop six answers that are really solid. Make a convincing case for why the client should buy from you. Field test those answers and make revisions where necessary. Practice in your mirror.

Practice with your partner.

Practice with your dog or cat. Goldfish work too.

Here is my challenge to you:

Handle objections skillfully by learning when to say nothing. Zero-in on the most common objections in your business and have answers that communicate clearly the benefits that matter to person you’re speaking with.

Your confidence in successfully closing the sale will grow, your client is more at ease to buy and you’ll are going to hit your target.

Knock it down.

Written by Maribeth Jermyn; Edited by Dale Suslick

Who or What Do You Worship?

Dale Suslick — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 01:24:18 +0000

We will all worship something. Whether we are atheists, agnostics, or believers in some religion, we are all worshipers.

Where do you turn your mind and heart to gain meaning, fulfillment, control, protection, and significance in your life?

What has your affection? What do you meditate upon? When you lay your head on your pillow at night, what do you think about?

Who or what is your God?

3 Proverbs on the Value of Discipline

Dale Suslick — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:58:52 +0000

3 Proverbs on the Value of Discipline

Proverbs 1:1-3
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel. For attaining wisdom and discipline. For understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life. Doing what is just, right and fair.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Big Boss is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 5:11-13
At the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and body are spent. You will say “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurred correction. I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.”

Can I Tell You a Secret?

Dale Suslick — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:31:18 +0000

There are No Secrets:

If you think you can keep something quiet in your organization,
you’re kidding yourself. What everybody is talking about
is what’s not being said. Everybody knows already!

The one associate or friend that you felt you could tell has probably told someone else whom they trusted… and so on. If you try to keep secrets, others lose respect for you because you show you don’t trust them.

Action ›› Tell everybody everything. Forward every e-mail you
get to all of your team…automatically. Don’t go off the record. Via Manager Tools!

Is Your Way the Highway?

Dale Suslick — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:20:47 +0000

The River is Wide, the Currents are Messy, but all the Water Ends up in the Ocean:

Watch water flow down river sometime. It doesn’t march in nice straight lines.It meanders.It’s messy. Scientists say 20% of it is actually going up river. Your organization is organic–it’s made up of people–just like a river.

Your projects and timelines are going to be messy and defy control. Stop fighting it.

Action ›› Don’t worry about or punish every missed deadline–wait
for a pattern. Think about a chinese finger puzzle.

Sometimes a light touch is the way out. Let go–flow–to get ahead. Via Manager Tools.

Who Do You Control?

Dale Suslick — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:22:37 +0000

Control is an Illusion:

There is not a single person whom you think you “control” who would agree with you.

If you really think you’re so good as to control another, then who in your organization thinks that way about
you? Stop trying to control. You’re wasting your time.

Build relationships that allow you to influence.

Action ›› Build relationships based on trust. Say, “I trust you.”

Let your team choose their path at times, even when you disagree. Via Manager Tools.

You’re Not that Smart; They’re Not that Dumb

Dale Suslick — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:25:18 +0000

You’re Not that Smart; They’re Not that Dumb

You can’t fool people. Ever. The fact is, people know when you mislead them. Yes, they might go along with you, but they know that it doesn’t feel right.

That you don’t Feel right. After all, didn’t you used to be “them?”

Action ›› Tell the whole truth. Don’t leave anything out.

When in doubt, tell everyone. Use candor as advantage, rather than seeing it as weakness.

Via Manager Tools.