Many consider Jamaica’s coffee some of the finest in the world, bringing $40 a pound or more in world markets. Japan has been the major customer, snapping up supplies in past years. Now the Jamaican industry is in a slump due to economic problems in Japan. Other buyers aren’t coming forward to fill their market void.

Prices are down 50%, while production, fertilizer, and insecticide costs are up. The result is a depression in the Jamaican coffee industry. Jamaicans must abandon their coffee fields and that puts many farmers out of work.

A business that relies on one customer is in a risky position. Big purchasers will either put the squeeze on or go away.  Both are disastrous paths.

King Solomon advised, “Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” (Ecclesiastes 11:2, NIV)  Solomon’s advice is good:  diversify and lessen the impact of losing one customer.

Jamaica shows us that if we simply enjoy prosperity from a big customer, we may be planning for our own demise. The time to diversify is not when business is bad after losing the big customer; but when business is good.

Allocate some time to develop new customers. Recruit, qualify, and close new business. King Solomon also said “Riches don't last forever.” (Proverbs 27:24, NLT) Customers, no matter how large, won’t last forever either.

Steve Marr, Your Christian Business Coach

Online business forums provide a plethora of information you can use to help your business. The Business Proverbs’ site provides articles geared toward general Christian Business.  In addition to our site, look for blogs or forums on issues helpful to your business.

Many people routinely lie.  They make promises they don’t intend to keep. The Lord spoke through Hosea and said, “They spout empty words and make covenants they don't intend to keep. So injustice springs up among them like poisonous weeds in a farmer's field.” (Hosea 10:4, NLT) Unfortunately, some Christians also fail to keep their word.  They may even become angry when someone holds them accountable.  Here are examples from my experience.

More employers are asking prospective and current employees for access to their Facebook accounts. While many believe this is an invasion of privacy, employers have the right to ask. Likewise, employees have the right to decline. The question is should you?

Jamie Dimon, Chairman of J P Morgan, announced last week that the bank suffered a $2 billion dollar trading loss, with a possible additional $1 billion in losses to be reported next quarter. News media announced that the stock plunged 10%.  We need to take a close look at this and address the following lessons to apply to our businesses.