An orderly process is important in every business. Some people think that just by working hard, they will do OK. However, to achieve quality and consistency of delivery, we need to think through the process of developing a business model. The Lord told Moses, “And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40 NASB).

At first, this may seem like an absurd question. However, we need to consider narrowing the focus and therefore the business by determining what we will, and will not, do.

In our business environments the winds of change are always blowing, requiring that we make adjustments. King Solomon wrote that there is always “a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend” (Ecclesiastes 3:6-7 NIV). At different times, we will need to take different actions, and in taking those actions we will need to change how we do business. Part of that change will be to adjust the rules with your staff.

In today's ever-tightening labor market, businesses are struggling to hire and keep key managers. Often, companies will recruit outside talent, paying expensive agency fees in the process, while overlooking current staff members who could have been groomed, developed and promoted. In a highly competitive economy, businesses cannot afford not to develop and utilize every employee to his or her maximum potential.

How to motivate employees for peak performance is one of the most important-and often elusive-aspects of managing a business. It may spell the difference between staff loyalty and a high turnover rate, enthusiastic or lukewarm customer service, and, ultimately, the success or failure of your business. The most effective motivational tools will correspond to a natural drive within your employees-either monetary or non-monetary-and will generally fall into one of three categories: salary or bonus, fringe benefits, and non-monetary compensation. As King Solomon aptly observed, "A worker's appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on" (Proverbs 16:26 NASB). The key is to understand the hunger that every worker has and apply the proper motivation to create an effective workforce.