We all have employees who come to us and share personal problems and information. My experience has taught me not to become overly involved in an employee’s personal challenges. I listen and endeavor to triage the situation when somebody is venting legitimately. For example, if a spouse has a cancer diagnosis, I allow them an opportunity to express their pain and suffering. We need to be good listeners.

When customers buy, usually they are interested in convenience, value, and service. However, an increasing number of customers are also buying based on a cause.

Many advertisements market a cause. For example, a sock manufacturer touts that they gave away 60 million pairs of socks to homeless shelters, one pair for each pair sold. Their tagline boasts of “the greatest sock never sold.”

When I was shopping for socks a while ago, I went to their website.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find what I needed.  However, their advertisement was successful in getting me to visit their site.

Earning a college degree usually provides an advantage in future earning power. However, without pursuing wise financial counsel, it can also create debt that becomes an albatross around a student’s neck. Currently, the average student graduates with $35,000 in student loan debt. This debt cannot be discharged through bankruptcy.  Effective planning provides excellent options for students and parents to avoid the consequences of student debt. 

Here are some ideas to help you:

1. Make a debt-free plan.

We have heard the rhetorical question, how do you eat an elephant?  Of course the answer is one bite at a time.  That’s how Wycliffe Bible Translators tackled translating the Bible.  It has now been translated into 700 languages! This project has consumed 75 years and countless numbers of volunteers around the world.  Scripture tells us, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”. (Isaiah 55: 1, NIV)

At times, like many of us, I have lost my temper never with a good result. King David taught “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath do not fret—it leads only to evil”. (Psalm 37:8 NIV)

Often, the results of our expressed anger are not immediate, other times with  immediate serious consequences. Novak Djokovic was favored to win the U.S. Open this weekend. But became angry after losing a game. In an act frustration he smacked the ball very strongly backwards, without looking, striking a referee in the throat.