Week 3

This week we discussed 'Honesty and Divine Guidance.'

My group, (group 1) did a presentation and activity having to do with this assignment. We shared the story of Nephi when he was commanded to build a boat; a task he had never attempted before. His brothers mocked him, telling him he couldn't do it. This story is relevant to the entrepreneurial world. As entrepreneurs, we take risks, and we often think outside the box. We may even be swayed by divine guidance. People will see these things and try to tell us we cannot accomplish our mission. As we know, Nephi did build a boat and that boat brought Nephi and his family safely to America. Nephi chose to listen to divine guidance and he succeeded.

Honesty in business is essential to a successful, respectful, thriving environment. Honest communication between a business and its customers, or an employer and their employees creates trustworthy relationships. Those relationships make all the difference when it comes to competing companies. If you are not honest in your dealings with customers, they are gonna go to the other guy. It is just that simple.

I think it is also important to remember that money is not everything. Most dishonest behavior in business has to do with personal gain. What is your motivation? Why do you do what you do? If money is your primary answer, you may want to rethink things.

We read a couple of great talks, one in particular was Sheri Dew's 'True Blue, Through and Through.' She related the story of Joseph F. Smith standing up for his religion. He had the confidence and integrity to do what was right. I think in business this is important. Let people know who you are and what you are all about.

A couple of quotes about honesty in business that we used in our presentation and that I enjoyed very much:

“I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” - George Washington.

‘If people like you they will listen to you, but if they trust you they will do business with you.” - Zig Zigler.