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Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie · Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie-A Proverb Per Day Keeps Stinking Thinking At Bay

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  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever done business with someone or an entity who looked perfect on paper,
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  SPEAKER_00: but deep down something didn't feel right?
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  SPEAKER_00: Well, today our focus is Proverbs 24.1 because it's the 24th day of the month.
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  [music]
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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie,
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  SPEAKER_00: where a proverb a day keeps stinking thinking at bay.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'm Ernie Lansford,
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  SPEAKER_00: and each day we open the book of Proverbs that corresponds with the day of
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  SPEAKER_00: the month, and we just ask a simple question.
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  SPEAKER_00: What are the verses telling us?
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  SPEAKER_00: What are the verses saying to us as marketplace leaders,
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  SPEAKER_00: coworkers, friends, spouses, and occasional influencers of culture?
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  SPEAKER_00: We'll examine that a little deeper each day.
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  SPEAKER_00: So grab your cup of coffee or whatever it is you like to enjoy when you're listening
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  SPEAKER_00: to this podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today, Proverbs 24, verse 1 from the NIV, quote,
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  SPEAKER_00: For their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about making trouble.
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  SPEAKER_00: Proverbs 24, 1 from the NIV.
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  SPEAKER_00: I share an experience that my friend and co-author John Cluter had,
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  SPEAKER_00: one that frankly taught us both what we now call gut check wisdom.
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  SPEAKER_00: John inherited a product line along with a few clients that came with that product line.
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  SPEAKER_00: In one of those, the clients appeared to be the perfect partnership.
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  SPEAKER_00: A prime retail location, strong sell-through numbers, and on the surface, a great opportunity.
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  SPEAKER_00: But almost immediately, John felt uneasy.
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  SPEAKER_00: You know that feeling when you walk away from a conversation
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  SPEAKER_00: and something just didn't sit right, even if you can't quite pinpoint it?
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  SPEAKER_00: Well, then COVID hit.
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  SPEAKER_00: And their sales tanked, like most retail shops did.
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  SPEAKER_00: And they started ghosting meetings.
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  SPEAKER_00: And soon after, they introduced a competitor's line.
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  SPEAKER_00: There was no warning and no discussions with John.
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  SPEAKER_00: John was just blindsided.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, let's go back a bit.
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  SPEAKER_00: John had known this market for over 20 years.
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  SPEAKER_00: He always saw this retailer as what we call an A-list candidate.
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  SPEAKER_00: But after stepping back into that business and that territory and partnering through
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  SPEAKER_00: a different key line,
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  SPEAKER_00: he quickly realized this wasn't the kind of business he or his company wanted
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  SPEAKER_00: to be involved with.
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  SPEAKER_00: The leadership had a reputation of being difficult, and it turned out that wasn't just gossip.
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  SPEAKER_00: The environment was toxic.
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  SPEAKER_00: And eventually, John made the tough decision to move the line to another store.
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  SPEAKER_00: And that's when the fireworks started as it usually does.
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  SPEAKER_00: John was slandered.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was accused of being dishonest.
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  SPEAKER_00: His integrity was questioned.
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  SPEAKER_00: But here's the real truth.
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  SPEAKER_00: When you uphold integrity and stay true to your values, God is the one that honors all of that.
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  SPEAKER_00: And the new store John partnered with?
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  SPEAKER_00: It is more than double his year-over-year sales from the previous retail shop.
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  SPEAKER_00: You know,
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  SPEAKER_00: we work with business people whose belief systems align with ours,
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  SPEAKER_00: and the relationship has been not just successful, but peaceful.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, what about that first store?
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  SPEAKER_00: Well, they've since closed, per John.
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  SPEAKER_00: A series of health and business struggles forced them to sell out.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, hear me clearly.
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  SPEAKER_00: We don't celebrate anyone's downfall, but we do learn from it.
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  SPEAKER_00: And this lesson isn't about sales figures.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's about discernment.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's about trusting that still, small voice when something feels off.
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  SPEAKER_00: Even if the spreadsheets say, hey,
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  SPEAKER_00: it's a win,
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  SPEAKER_00: you don't have to seek out the company of someone just because they're successful.
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  SPEAKER_00: Proverbs 24 reminds us, don't envy the wicked.
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  SPEAKER_00: Don't desire their company.
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  SPEAKER_00: Surround yourself with people whose values match yours
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  SPEAKER_00: because peace is more valuable than chaos ever will.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today's customer success code.
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  SPEAKER_00: If peace isn't part of the partnership, you're probably partnering with the wrong entity.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today's action points.
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  SPEAKER_00: Action point number one, gut check your partnerships.
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  SPEAKER_00: Is there a business relationship where your values do not align?
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  SPEAKER_00: Well, take a moment to reflect.
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  SPEAKER_00: Are you tolerating toxicity just because the numbers look good?
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  SPEAKER_00: Action point number two, revisit past experiences.
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  SPEAKER_00: Have you partnered with someone whose personal constitution clashed with yours?
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  SPEAKER_00: What did you learn from that?
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  SPEAKER_00: Action point number three, define red flags.
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  SPEAKER_00: Make a list of warning signs you've learned to recognize in business.
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  SPEAKER_00: Use them to guide your future partnerships.
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  SPEAKER_00: And action point number four, pray for discernment.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before entering any new agreement, ask God through His Holy Spirit to give you clarity.
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  SPEAKER_00: Peace is often His confirmation.
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  SPEAKER_00: Father, Lord God, thank you for the wisdom that comes through experience.
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  SPEAKER_00: Well,
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  SPEAKER_00: thank you for joining me for today's episode of Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee
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  SPEAKER_00: with Ernie.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'm sharing real-life marketplace leadership wisdom gained from and earned
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  SPEAKER_00: from six decades of experience.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's what I call customer success mastery, using the book of Proverbs as our guiding compass.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'm not teacher of doctrine,
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  SPEAKER_00: so if you hear me say something that doesn't sound right,
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  SPEAKER_00: well, email me directly, ernie at ernie.coach.
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  SPEAKER_00: I welcome your input.
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  SPEAKER_00: I bless you today as all days with the words from Numbers 624-26.
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  SPEAKER_00: May the Lord bless you and protect you.
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  SPEAKER_00: May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
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  SPEAKER_00: May the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.
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  SPEAKER_00: Remember, success is temporal, but adding significance to others is infinite.
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  SPEAKER_00: I look forward to our next episode.
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  SPEAKER_00: Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie.