THE WASTE OF WELL-ROUNDED
September 9, 2020

In our organization, each of us has pledged to practice “Stewardship” in an effort to “obsessively eliminate waste and maximize our God-given resources.” I would like to address one wasteful habit that many of us practice without even thinking about it.



We all have certain natural talents or “strengths” as well as “weaknesses.” God has made each of us in a wonderfully unique way. I like to think of our abilities as “Gifts.” We have been gifted in amazing ways by our Creator, and we honor Him greatly when we offer those gifts in service to others.


As we mature, we ought to become aware of our individual strengths and weaknesses…those things that we are “good at” and those things we are not. At some point, we may believe that it would be advantageous for us to work on our weaknesses to become more “well-rounded.” 


Before you begin such an endeavor, please consider this example. Imagine that you are a professional basketball player. You are naturally right-handed, and normally make 7 of 10 free throws when you shoot this way. Your coach tells you that you need to improve on your free throws and asks you to work on them for an hour per day for the next 30 days.


As you head to the gym the next morning, you wonder whether it would be better for you to practice shooting free throws right-handed or left-handed. When you shoot free throws left-handed, you only make 1 of 10 shots, so you think you could become more “well-rounded” if you would work on this weakness.


Furthermore, after 30 days of practicing left-handed, you suppose that you could make 3 of 10 shots, a 200% improvement. On the other hand (pun intended☺), you suppose that you would improve to making 8 of 10 shots right-handed with a month of practice, only a 14% improvement.


In this example, we all see how wasteful it would be to practice left-handed for a month. There are several reasons we could discuss, but here is how I would describe the biggest waste: Practicing left-handed will help YOU perform better, but practicing right-handed will help YOUR TEAM perform better.


When the game is on the line (another pun intended), you will be shooting right-handed, and the time you spent practicing left-handed will do nothing to help your team…it was wasted.


There are probably other people on your team who shoot free throws left-handed, but that is not your job. The beauty of being well-rounded applies only to the skillset of the team, and not to any individual.


Sometimes, each of us will need to do things that we are not particularly good at. When this time comes, we owe it to our team to give our best effort. But when we can develop our skills, let’s practice what we are good at in order to get better. This is how we eliminate waste and maximize our potential.

 

--- Julian Coblentz, COO, VP of Distribution and Business Development, Walnut Creek Foods

Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change

By Elizabeth Rivas • March 14, 2023
Faith-driven entrepreneurs, like our Branches Worldwide Leaders, can play a significant role in positively impacting their communities through their businesses. These individuals have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world, which can drive them to create innovative solutions to community problems and to lead with integrity and compassion. One way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by creating jobs and economic opportunities (like AJ in South Africa ). By starting and growing successful businesses, they can provide employment for local residents and stimulate economic growth. This can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community. Additionally, faith-driven entrepreneurs may choose to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions, which can help to improve the lives of their employees and their families. Another way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by addressing social issues through their businesses. For example, they may choose to start a non-profit organization that provides services to those in need, as Alice has done for girls and women in Kenya. Such entrepreneurs may also choose to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into their for-profit business models. This can include implementing sustainable practices, fair trade policies and supporting local charities, which can help to improve the lives of people in their communities. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as role models for others in their communities, particularly for young people. By demonstrating the importance of hard work, perseverance, and integrity, they can inspire others to pursue their own business dreams and to strive for success in their own lives. Furthermore, their demonstration of faith in action through their businesses can serve as a powerful example of how one can live out one's values and beliefs in the world. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as leaders in their communities. They use their influence and resources to bring about positive change through various initiatives, such as supporting local schools, promoting environmental conservation, and working to improve the overall quality of life for their community members. Our Leader, David , is doing exactly this in his international school in India. Our Branches Worldwide Leaders are proving the multitude of positive effects that faith-driven entrepreneurs can have in their communities. From providing direct assistance through jobs or providing services to those in need to being a source of inspiration for others, these entrepreneurs are creating change that will reverberate across geography and generations. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .

Merging Business Mentorship and Christian Mentorship

By Elizabeth Rivas • January 30, 2023
Business mentorship can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to grow and succeed in their careers. A business mentor is an experienced individual who can provide guidance, support, and advice to help you navigate the often complex and unpredictable world of business. Meanwhile, Christian mentorship is a type of mentorship that involves a Christian mentor providing guidance, support, and advice to a mentee, with a focus on spiritual and moral development. Branches Worldwide Mentors serve as both business and Christian Mentors. We believe that faith and business can not only coexist, but that they can mutually strengthen each other. Our Mentors not only guide our Leaders in pragmatic elements of business, but also in their spiritual journeys. One of the key benefits of business mentorship is the opportunity to learn from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the field. Our Mentors share their own experiences, insights, and lessons learned, helping our Leaders avoid common pitfalls and to make better decisions. This can be especially useful for those who are just starting out in their career, as they may not have the same level of experience or knowledge as more seasoned professionals. Our Mentors also serve as role models, offering guidance and support as the Leader navigates their own faith journey. They may provide biblical teaching and encouragement, as well as offer practical advice and application of the scriptures. Another benefit of merging Christian and business mentorship is the opportunity to network and build professional relationships with other entrepreneurs of faith. Mentors can introduce Leaders to other like-minded industry professionals, giving Leaders the chance to expand their network and strengthen their spiritual development. Overall, mentorship is an invaluable resource for Christians looking to grow in their faith and navigate the challenges of life and business. We at Branches Worldwide are honored to work with a number of such individuals. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .
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