非傳統型的策略
By Rick Boxx
在1880年時，企業家亨利．克羅威爾（Henry Crowell）買了一家燕麥碾磨廠來生產馬飼料。雖然他一開始對這個碾磨場的期望很高，但是業務方面還是很辛苦，因為他已經用盡了一切的方法，希望能夠擴展生意。他決定在禱告中轉向上帝，為他的生意的困境尋求創造性的解決方案！
上帝回應了亨利的祈禱，帶領他走上了一個沒有人想到的道路：把燕麥的銷售對象，從「馬」擴大到「人」。他開始向人們出售燕麥，作為早餐麥片。這是一個非傳統的策略，因為以前燕麥是放在一般商店裏昆蟲出沒的桶子，當馬飼料出售的，沒有一個正常人會想要買都是蟲子的燕麥來做為食物！
「出售燕麥給人吃」這個想法聽起來很笨，近乎瘋狂，克勞威爾的批評者更是大肆嘲笑他的努力。然而，上帝再次回應他的祈禱，給了他另一個想法：設計一個紙盒，裡面可以裝滿燕麥片放在雜貨店的貨架上。當紙盒被密封時，想要吃燕麥的昆蟲就進不去了。
如今，克勞威爾的企業在食品零售領域非常突出，它就是廣為人知的桂格燕麥片。這個公司現在不僅銷售燕麥和燕麥片，還銷售其他種類穀物和食品。這些都是因為他沒有僅僅出售燕麥來餵馬！
我們常常試著要單獨面業務挑戰，決心依靠自己的獨特性的創意。但聖經告訴我們，我們可以呼求造物主上帝的智慧和幫助。正如箴言16章9節所說：「人心籌算自己的道路；惟耶和華指引他的腳步。」換句話說，我們常常自己忖度：「我知道我應該要怎麼做或做甚麼。」但是上帝其實在等我們問祂，所以祂可以回應說：「我有一個更好的主意。」以下是來自聖經中更多的智慧：
不要堅持搞清楚一切。有時候，在我們的驕傲，傲慢或頑固的想法中，我們覺得自己必須完全理解要做什麼以及為什麼。然而，上帝有不同的觀點：「你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。」（箴言3章5-6節）。
把你的工作交給上帝並相信祂會引導你。當我們試圖「劃分」信仰，把它限制在敬拜、主日或虔誠、閱讀等宗教環境中時，我們應該記住上帝希望參與我們生活的每個方面，包括我們所做的工作。「你當倚靠耶和華而行善，住在地上，以他的信實為糧；又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裏所求的賜給你。當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠他，他就必成全。他要使你的公義如光發出，使你的公平明如正午。」（詩篇37篇3-6節）。
這個故事給我們帶來的啟示就是：在職場上，如果你需要新的想法或非傳統的策略時，禱告、傾聽，讓上帝指導你的腳步。
版權所有2018 非傳統商業網路(前身為純全資源中心)。節錄自和Rick Boxx的純全時刻，這本刊物主要是從基督徒的角度來探討職場上正直這個主題。如果希望知道更多關於這個事工或是想訂閱每日純全時刻，請上這個網站: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. Rick Boxx最新出版的書提供用五個關鍵的神的方法來建立企業。
反省與問題討論
你以前聽過亨利．克羅威爾和他的燕麥公司嗎？如果你是他，你會考慮轉移重心 ，例如銷售對象 從馬匹到人，這樣的非傳統的策略嗎？分享你的看法。 你是否曾遇見過某人 ，或是你自己，用非常規的策略來重振失敗的業務，或解決重大的業務困境？你認為這個策略的想法來自哪裡？ 你怎麼解釋箴言16：9「人心籌算自己的道路；惟耶和華指引他的腳步。」你如何將它應用到你工作的環境中？ 在尋求做出重大決定時 ，特別是時間是過程中的重要的因素時，我們似乎很難做到「信靠主」？為什麼，請分享你的理由。
備註: 如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多相關的經文，請參考:
耶利米書29章11-13節
29:11 耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。
29:12 你們要呼求我，禱告我，我就應允你們。
29:13 你們尋求我，若專心尋求我，就必尋見。
以弗所書2章10節
2:10 我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裏造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是 神所預備叫我們行的。
歌羅西書3章17節、 23-24節
3:17 無論做甚麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父 神。
3:23 無論做甚麼，都要從心裏做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，
3:24 因你們知道從主那裏必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。
提摩太後書3章16-17節
3:16 聖經都是 神所默示的（或譯：凡 神所默示的聖經），於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，
3:17 叫屬 神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。
UNCONVENTIONAL STRATEGIES
By Rick Boxx
In the 1880s, entrepreneur Henry Crowell bought an oat mill to produce feed for horses. Even though Crowell had high expectations when he started, the business was struggling and he resolved to turn to God in prayer, seeking a creative solution for his business woes. He had run out of ideas for expanding his horse feed enterprise.
In answer to his prayers, God led Henry to embark of an concept that few people, if any, had ever imagined. Crowell would change his “market” for oats, beginning to sell his oats to people – as a breakfast cereal. This was an unconventional strategy, because oats were traditionally sold from insect-infested barrels in general stores as horse feed. No reasonable human being would want to buy oats infested with bugs!
Selling oats for human consumption seemed foolish at best, crazy at worst, and Crowell”s critics were having a good laugh at his expense. However, again in response to his prayers, God gave him another idea: He would design a cardboard box that could be filled with rolled oats to place on grocery store shelves. The cardboard boxes would be sealed, impenetrable to the insects that would desire to devour the oats as food.
Today, Crowell”s enterprise has become prominent in the food retailing world and is widely known as Quaker Oats. The company now sells not only oats and oatmeal, but a variety of other cereals and food products. All because he was unable to sell enough oats for horse feed!
Too often, we try to face our business challenges alone, determined to rely on our own innovation and ingenuity. This, the Bible tells us, is true foolishness when we can call on the wisdom and resources of the Creator God. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” To state it another way, many times we find ourselves inclined to think, “I know what I need to do. I”ve got this,” while God is waiting for us to ask so He can respond, “I have a much better idea.” Here is some more wisdom from the Scriptures:
Do not insist on figuring everything out. Sometimes in our pride, arrogance or stubbornness, we feel we must understand exactly what we must do and why. God, however, has a different perspective: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Commit your work to God and trust He will guide you. When tempted to “compartmentalize” our faith, restricting it to spiritual settings like a worship service or private devotional reading, we should remember God wants to be involved in every area of our lives, including the work we do. “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:3-6).
Moral of this story: If you need fresh ideas or an unconventional strategy for your workplace, pray, listen, and let God guide your steps.
Copyright 2018, Unconventional Business Network Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more or to sign up for Rick”s Integrity Moments emails, visitwww.unconventionalbusiness.org. His latest book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Had you previously heard about Henry Crowell and his oat manufacturing business? Would you consider the shift in focus – from horses to people – an unconventional strategy? Why or why not? When, if ever, have you seen someone – perhaps even yourself – adopt an unconventional strategy to revive a failing business, or to resolve a major business dilemma? Where do you think the idea for that strategy came from? How would you restate or paraphrase Proverbs 16:9, which says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps”? How can you apply this teaching to your circumstances where you work? Why, in seeking to make a major decision – especially if time seems to be an important factor in the process – does it seem so difficult to “trust in the Lord,” as Proverbs 37 instructs us to do?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Jeremiah 29:11-13; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:17, 23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
