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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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  [music]
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  SPEAKER_00: Hi, I'm Ernie Lansford, and this is Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie.
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  SPEAKER_00: A proverb each day keeps stinking thinking away.
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  SPEAKER_00: This podcast is about bringing timeless biblical wisdom into the marketplace
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  SPEAKER_00: where influence is real,
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  SPEAKER_00: choices are constant, and relationships matter more than results.
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  SPEAKER_00: So grab your coffee, tea, latte, soda, water, whatever, and let's get started.
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  SPEAKER_00: So, this is the fifth day of the month,
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  SPEAKER_00: and today I'm reading from Chapter 5 from the Marketplace Proverbs,
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  SPEAKER_00: Volume 2,
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  SPEAKER_00: Micro to Macro,
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  SPEAKER_00: The Ripple Effect of Influence, written by me and co-author John Cluter.
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  SPEAKER_00: So, I'm reading Proverbs 5, verses 21 through 23 from the NIV.
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  SPEAKER_00: Quote, For your ways are in full view of the Lord.
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  SPEAKER_00: End quote.
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  SPEAKER_00: That's Proverbs 5, verses 21 through 23 from the NIV translation.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Marketplace reflects human decisions.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Proverbs 5,
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  SPEAKER_00: these verses remind us that the Lord sees our paths every step we take in full view.
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  SPEAKER_00: He examines not only our outcomes, but also the heart behind our decisions.
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  SPEAKER_00: This truth applies not only to individuals, but also to businesses.
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  SPEAKER_00: You know, the world of commerce is littered.
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  SPEAKER_00: With stories of companies that rose rapidly to great success only to collapse under
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  SPEAKER_00: the weight of their hubris.
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  SPEAKER_00: These stories are cautionary tales of what happens when discipline,
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  SPEAKER_00: humility,
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  SPEAKER_00: and integrity are replaced by pride,
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  SPEAKER_00: impulsiveness, or the desire to prove others wrong.
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  SPEAKER_00: I'd like to share with you a real-life experience that involved
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  SPEAKER_00: a successful office supply retailer.
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  SPEAKER_00: The founder CEO built a really thriving national business
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  SPEAKER_00: that was consistently growing and profitable.
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  SPEAKER_00: But after a negative buying experience in a completely unrelated retail industry,
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  SPEAKER_00: the musical instrument product Pro Audio space, he decided to enter that space.
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  SPEAKER_00: Not out of a desire to serve customers better,
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  SPEAKER_00: but to prove how inept others were in the industry.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, the new venture started with bold ambition, immense, beautiful stores in multiple states.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, the owner's lack of understanding of the latest industry soon became evident.
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  SPEAKER_00: Most of HR's hires were people with scant experience in musical instrument products,
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  SPEAKER_00: In a sense,
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  SPEAKER_00: and totally my opinion based on my interactions,
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  SPEAKER_00: they were the anti-Musical Instrument Products Pro Audio industry company.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, their business started to struggle to the point that cash flow was drying up
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  SPEAKER_00: and creditors refused a new purchase orders.
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  SPEAKER_00: They call that credit stop.
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  SPEAKER_00: The operations unraveled quickly and stores were shuttered,
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  SPEAKER_00: merchandise liquidated for pennies on the dollar.
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  SPEAKER_00: And unfortunately, the damage rippled throughout the industry.
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  SPEAKER_00: The liquidation process alone devalued hundreds of thousands,
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  SPEAKER_00: if not millions,
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  SPEAKER_00: a couple of million of dollars of existing inventory
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  SPEAKER_00: of reputable stores working diligently to serve those communities.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, this is a true story,
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  SPEAKER_00: and it could just as easily be retold with countless other names and industries.
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  SPEAKER_00: The common thread is a lack of respect, humility, and discipline.
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  SPEAKER_00: Rather than focusing on mutually beneficial relationships and customer success,
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  SPEAKER_00: the failed business owner was driven by pride,
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  SPEAKER_00: a desire to, quote, show everyone, end quote, how it should be done.
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  SPEAKER_00: This cautionary tale starkly contrasts companies that succeed
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  SPEAKER_00: by building relationships, delivering consistent quality, and maintaining integrity.
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  SPEAKER_00: One such example is Chick-fil-A.
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  SPEAKER_00: And as a side point here,
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  SPEAKER_00: this podcast,
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  SPEAKER_00: nor am I sponsored by Chick-fil-A,
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  SPEAKER_00: nor do I know anyone that works at Chick-fil-A,
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  SPEAKER_00: but I have admired the business of And the integrity and the character of
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  SPEAKER_00: the leadership and even the individuals at every store location that I visit.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their approach demonstrates the power of micro decisions in every interaction,
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  SPEAKER_00: every meal, and every customer experience.
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  SPEAKER_00: These small acts of care and consistency ripple outward,
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  SPEAKER_00: creating a macro impact beyond financial success.
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  SPEAKER_00: But what sets Chick-fil-A apart?
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  SPEAKER_00: Well, from my perspective, it's their relentless focus on serving others with excellence.
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  SPEAKER_00: Rarely do customers leave their restaurants with a negative experience.
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  SPEAKER_00: But when something goes wrong,
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  SPEAKER_00: well, they address it with humility and a sincere desire to make things right.
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  SPEAKER_00: This approach has enabled them to scale nationally and While staying true
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  SPEAKER_00: to their core values and still being family owned and under family leadership.
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  SPEAKER_00: This culture doesn't happen by accident.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's rooted in intentionality.
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  SPEAKER_00: Chick-fil-A's mission statement, quote,
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  SPEAKER_00: to be America's best quick service restaurant at winning and keeping customers,
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  SPEAKER_00: end quote.
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  SPEAKER_00: The lesson here is simple but profound.
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  SPEAKER_00: Success in the marketplace isn't about proving others wrong or chasing growth at all costs.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's about serving others well,
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  SPEAKER_00: making disciplined decisions and aligning the business practices with values
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  SPEAKER_00: that honor God.
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  SPEAKER_00: So here's some action points for you.
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  SPEAKER_00: I want you to take some time to reflect on these questions.
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  SPEAKER_00: Number one,
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  SPEAKER_00: what differentiates a company like Chick-fil-A
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  SPEAKER_00: from other national brands selling similar products or services?
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  SPEAKER_00: Do you have similar experiences with businesses that have achieved financial success
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  SPEAKER_00: while maintaining their integrity?
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  SPEAKER_00: How can you apply those principles to create lasting impact and honor God
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  SPEAKER_00: in all you do Father God,
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  SPEAKER_00: thank you for the examples of businesses led by people that love you,
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  SPEAKER_00: that succeeded by staying true to their values and honoring you.
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  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for the opportunity to learn from both successes and failures.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help me to stay focused on your kingdom, your marketplace, allowing it to guide my decisions.
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  SPEAKER_00: Teach me to measure success in new ways,
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  SPEAKER_00: ways that prioritize helping people and trusting you as my ultimate provider.
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  SPEAKER_00: Please allow my work to reflect your love and integrity.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Jesus' name, amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Well, thank you for joining me on this episode of Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie.
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  SPEAKER_00: If this episode has been meaningful to you or added significance to you,
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  SPEAKER_00: please consider sharing it.
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  SPEAKER_00: That's how we influence the marketplace for God.
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  SPEAKER_00: We truly do.
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  SPEAKER_00: And remember, chasing personal success is temporal.
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  SPEAKER_00: Adding significance to others is infinite.