Friday, December 28, 2012

Let Me Tell You How It Will Be...

We survived the end of the world last week, oddly enough Yaakov in this week's parsha says he will tell his children about the end of days.
 Chapter 49
1. Jacob called for his sons and said, "Gather and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days.   א. וַיִּקְרָא יַעֲקֹב אֶל בָּנָיו וַיֹּאמֶר הֵאָסְפוּ וְאַגִּידָה לָכֶם אֵת אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָא אֶתְכֶם בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים:

Impressive thinking here by Yaakov. He is dying any day now and in order to get all of his children to visit he decides to lay the "I can see the future" line? Must be more to it than this, otherwise we would end up with all types of people saying the end is nigh.

Could it be Yaakov was trying to say that dying is not the end? Maybe he was trying to bring closure to some of the projects that got lost along the way? He brings up Simeon and Levi's problems with authority and anger management, he compares numerous kids to animals and shows his obvious liking for certain children.

All in all, not much different than most people's end of year reviews. You get the good, the bad and the ugly sometimes to come out. Contrary to how it seems, many people have a very long memory, especially when slighted however harmlessly it may have been meant at the time or circumstances.

If however we go through life always harping on the things people did wrong, one may never have any friends, or employees. Perhaps it is this inability to forgive and forget that prevents world peace or at least some peace. 

Sometimes in the "bad" reviewed items there is another side to the story and there are more possibilities to move along. Just because someone else has fewer items to dwell on does not make them better people or employees. 

You love your children, no matter what they do or say or how they act, even at the worst of times. They however truly never understand this until they themselves have children. This was part of what Yaakov was saying, as a parent to his kids and how employers should think about their employees.

=======================================================================
Parsha Vayechi in the book of Bereishit, 47:28-50:26 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, December 21, 2012

Tactical Pre-Meeting Planning

Did you ever go on a sales call and let the other people in your team know they should not say anything? Or be more specific and say to them to only mention X not Y? Naturally we all do, this is how we set expectations, control our meetings and staff and also train junior employees.

The most common reasons are because you are running the meeting but also because sometimes other leaders should not be afraid to talk to you or do business with you. It happens, really.

One of the earliest references for this comes in this week's parsha when Yaakov and his whole family, all 70 people plus their households, go to Egypt. Yosef tells his brothers to say they are shepherds so they would stay away from the Egyptians who hated shepherds. 
46:31-34
31. Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and I will say to him, 'My brothers and my father's household who were in the land of Canaan have come to me. לא. וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל אֶחָיו וְאֶל בֵּית אָבִיו אֶעֱלֶה וְאַגִּידָה לְפַרְעֹה וְאֹמְרָה אֵלָיו אַחַי וּבֵית אָבִי אֲשֶׁר בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן בָּאוּ אֵלָי:
32. The men are shepherds, for they were [always] owners of livestock, and their flocks and their cattle and all they have they have brought.' לב. וְהָאֲנָשִׁים רֹעֵי צֹאן כִּי אַנְשֵׁי מִקְנֶה הָיוּ וְצֹאנָם וּבְקָרָם וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם הֵבִיאוּ:
33. And if it comes to pass that Pharaoh calls you and asks, 'What is your occupation?' לג. וְהָיָה כִּי יִקְרָא לָכֶם פַּרְעֹה וְאָמַר מַה מַּעֲשֵׂיכֶם:
34. You shall say, 'Your servants have been owners of livestock from our youth until now, both we and our ancestors,' so that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, because all shepherds are abhorrent to the Egyptians." לד. וַאֲמַרְתֶּם אַנְשֵׁי מִקְנֶה הָיוּ עֲבָדֶיךָ מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ וְעַד עַתָּה גַּם אֲנַחְנוּ גַּם אֲבֹתֵינוּ בַּעֲבוּר תֵּשְׁבוּ בְּאֶרֶץ גּשֶׁן כִּי תוֹעֲבַת מִצְרַיִם כָּל רֹעֵה צֹא

Yosef maybe was afraid Pharoah would think his brothers were army like men and be afraid of them. In fact Pharoah says if you have some stronger brothers, make them managers over the cattle and shepherds. Yosef maybe had no reason to worry, but he wanted to play it safe and make sure all went according to plan.

Either way, this was not lying. they were shepherds all along. But since yosef had not seen his family in 20+ years it was possible they were no longer shepherds but traders or merchants which would imply different information. 

If you never think ahead of your meetings, you may end up in the wrong end of the discussions and that never helps anyone.
=======================================================================
Parsha Vayigash in the book of Bereishit, 44:18-47:27 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, December 14, 2012

The Earliest Referral Marketing?

Do you have visions? Do you need help seeing the future? Struggling to picture what or how to get control of your organization? 

If this sounds like you, then you probably need a consultant, an adviser or someone that can interpret the ideas you have and turn them into reality.

This parsha is one of the first examples of not only referral marketing, but the consulting market at it's best.

In 41:9-13 the Wine Steward of Pharaoh remembers Yosef who is still in prison 2 years later. Evidently the right time to remember Yosef was now. As the steward relates what Yosef did, he also denigrates him somewhat because if he failed, the steward would be blamed. Setting expectations started early in the world.

After convincing Pharoah to try out Yosef, Yosef succeeds beyond Pharoah's expectations and assigns him to be his right hand man.
:
37. The matter pleased Pharaoh and all his servants.לז. וַיִּיטַב הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי פַרְעֹה וּבְעֵינֵי כָּל עֲבָדָיו:
38. So Pharaoh said to his servants, "Will we find [anyone] like this, a man in whom there is the spirit of God?"לח. וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל עֲבָדָיו הֲנִמְצָא כָזֶה אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים בּוֹ:



39. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has let you know all this, there is no one as understanding and wise as you.לט. וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל יוֹסֵף אַחֲרֵי הוֹדִיעַ אֱלֹהִים אוֹתְךָ אֶת כָּל זֹאת אֵין נָבוֹן וְחָכָם כָּמוֹךָ:
40. You shall be [appointed] over my household, and through your command all my people shall be nourished; only [with] the throne will I be greater than you."מ. אַתָּה תִּהְיֶה עַל בֵּיתִי וְעַל פִּיךָ יִשַּׁק כָּל עַמִּי רַק הַכִּסֵּא אֶגְדַּל מִמֶּךָּ:
41. So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Look, I have appointed you over the entire land of Egypt."מא. וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל יוֹסֵף רְאֵה נָתַתִּי אֹתְךָ עַל כָּל אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם:


That was a great pitch and it set up Yosef for the next 14 years! A huge contract if ever one was granted.

Have faith in your ability to interpret your client's dreams and as Pharaoh and Yosef said, God should be on your side. How can you lose?

=======================================================================
Parsha Mikeitz in the book of Bereishit, 41:1-44:17 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, December 7, 2012

Do your own Marketing not via proxy

You can not solve a problem and get credit for it usually when working with clients. They expect the most from you and you should in turn provide it. But at what point do they recognize in you more than you provide?

Often times during a project there are points of failure that become success stories later. Sometimes it's a group effort and other times it is because one person could do what no one else could accomplish.

Many times the one person would like credit for their effort but it is a team effort and their benefit comes later, hopefully.

This week's Parsha Yosef, Joseph, finds himself in an Egyptian prison performing dream interpretations for the baker and wine steward of Pharoah. While he explains each man's dreams he also asks of the wine steward to remember him when he is set free. The common discussion is around why did he not have faith that Hashem would protect him and take him out of prison. 

Chapter 40:14
14. But remember me when things go well with you, and please do me a favor and mention me to Pharaoh, and you will get me out of this house. יד. כִּי אִם זְכַרְתַּנִי אִתְּךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לָךְ וְעָשִׂיתָ נָּא עִמָּדִי חָסֶד וְהִזְכַּרְתַּנִי אֶל פַּרְעֹה וְהוֹצֵאתַנִי מִן הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה:

However, if you understand business you see the nature of people is not to bring up their failures to their leadership. Thus the wine steward would not remind Pharoah of his time in prison for Yosef's benefit because it may lead to bad tidings for himself. Put your trust in others when warranted but think about the situation and if it would help you or hurt you to ask for the help.

Instead look to help yourself in your own way. Produce a document with your name on it,send an email explaining what you did, in your weekly meeting raise the awareness of how you tackled the issue. It will get noticed more often in this way than if you rely on others to do your marketing for you.
=======================================================================
Parsha Vayeishev in the book of Bereishit, 37:1-40:23 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, November 23, 2012

Going Out on Your Own

There is nothing worse than trying to leave your company to start a new one and you run into the fighting about what you are doing.

In this parsha Laban exemplifies all the downside and Yaakov portrayed all the best ways to do it.

Lavan accuses and Yaacov explains how he took all the bad animals, the broken ones and pleads his case. You could read it all in there, it is done very well, I could not add to it.

Laban doesn't buy into it and he tells Yaakov he could hurt him but God came to him and told him not to do so.

Chapter 31, 29. I have the power to inflict harm upon you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Beware of speaking with Jacob either good or bad.'   כט. יֶשׁ לְאֵל יָדִי לַעֲשׂוֹת עִמָּכֶם רָע וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבִיכֶם אֶמֶשׁ | אָמַר אֵלַי לֵאמֹר הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ מִדַּבֵּר עִם יַעֲקֹב מִטּוֹב עַד רָע:

Granted most of us do not have God talking to us or protecting us in the same way Yaakov did although it would be nice.

Enjoy Black Friday and keep your honesty above board and be nice to the people working.
=======================================================================
Parsha Vayeitzei in the book of Bereishit, 28:10-32:3 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, November 9, 2012

Negotiations and Contracts

Sometimes we are the customer, sometimes we are the supplier. It is always amazing how people can react one way when they are the supplier and do the opposite when they are the buyer.

In this week's parsha we see two different perspectives on negotiations. One from Abraham and one from Laban and Bethuel, Rebekah's father and brother.

Abraham is looking for a place to bury his wife Sarah and he wants a specific place, the Cave of Machpelah and as it turns out he is willing to pay any price. It was a seller's market. Abraham wanted to make it clear which cave and in which plot of land he wanted. And the owner offered a set price and it was agreed. No argument, just respectful dealings, even if possibly a steep price was involved. You could also say he saw a bargain and was willing to jump on it. Either way  there was not much of any negotiation.

Laban in contrast was looking for the upper edge, trying to get as much as he could in advance before giving away his daughter in marriage. Trying to buy some time by delaying for almost a year, in the hope of obtaining more jewelry or gold or whatever he thought he could gain.

Pretty similar to how clients act at times. And in return how we act sometimes to our contractors. Delay tactics in the hope someone becomes desperate and will grant more concessions. Perhaps to agree to a set fee that is fair or all inclusive. Either way they both ended in a respectful way, even if how they got there was rather diverse.

Sometimes we learn the good and the bad traits from the Torah, it is one of the unique aspects of it to show not everyone was perfect and there were not just great people being written about.
=======================================================================
Parsha Chayei Sarah in the book of Bereishit, 23:1-25:18 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, November 2, 2012

Helping Someone Unknown

A lesson in futility or genius? How often do you go to bat for the people or staff which are not even known to you? Do you ever try to redirect people's anger, complaints or hatred from their intended direction?

I have a sympathy for support people, I have been on both ends and trained the support staff, yet many people hate support staff. Sometimes you get some new staff member or maybe your issue is above them but there are ways to work it out so no one gets upset. Emergencies aside as most people become different in an emergency situation.

One would think people would be nicer to each other, but the truth is not so clear especially in these times of instant satisfaction.

In this week's parsha, Avraham goes on the defense for the original Sin Cities, Sodom and Gomorrah ( I Wonder why it is translated this way, the Hebrew says Amorah). Why would someone so nice try to defend these places?

Avraham tries to save them for 50 people, then 45 and eventually gets down to 10 before giving up. A famous story of course and ends with this exchange:

32. And he said, "Please, let the Lord's wrath not be kindled, and I will speak yet this time, perhaps ten will be found there." And He said, "I will not destroy for the sake of the ten."   לב. וַיֹּאמֶר אַלנָא יִחַר לַאדֹנָי וַאֲדַבְּרָה אַךְהַפַּעַם אוּלַי יִמָּצְאוּן שָׁם עֲשָׂרָה וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא אַשְׁחִית בַּעֲבוּר הָעֲשָׂרָה:
33. And the Lord departed when He finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.   לג. וַיֵּלֶךְ יְהֹוָה כַּאֲשֶׁר כִּלָּה לְדַבֵּר אֶלאַבְרָהָם וְאַבְרָהָם שָׁב לִמְקֹמוֹ:

Avraham or God gives up since they can not even find a minyan or quorom of 10 righteous people. A city with no righteous people can not exist as a city and so as we are told God destroys the cities.

Saving your skin is one thing but trying to save other people along the way is something which unfortunately gets lost in modern times too often. Did you really need to fire everyone or could you have come up with some plan to make it not as bad? They have families too.

Due to circumstances in the last week many people have once again found the ability to trust in others is what is really important at the root of society. So the next time you are in a similar situation where people are being ignored or maybe a division is being let go for whatever the reason, think of Avraham and how he tried to help those he had no allegiance or knowledge. Every little bit goes a long way.

Hope everyone gets their water, heat, power back and lives in their homes again soon and you are spared from future catastrophes such as this going forward.
=======================================================================
Parsha Vayeira in the book of Bereishit, 18:1-22:24 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, October 26, 2012

Is Notoriety worth it?

Often times we are faced with a situation which sounds too good to be true. We all know you get what you pay for, but what about when someone offers you a deal that on the outside looks good?

Is it in your best interest or is there a different angle to view it in?

Abraham, before his name was amended so here is called Abram, recognizes that a bounty coming his way may not go down so well in history. He would rather not have his name besmirched with the King of Sodom, and knowing what happened to Sodom, can you be surprised? Sodom's reputation was well known and evidently what happened in Sodom did not stay in Sodom.


21. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the souls, and the possessions take for yourself."   כא. וַיֹּאמֶר מֶלֶךְסְדֹם אֶלאַבְרָם תֶּןלִי הַנֶּפֶשׁ וְהָרְכֻשׁ קַחלָךְ:
22. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I raise my hand to the Lord, the Most High God, Who possesses heaven and earth.   כב. וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם אֶלמֶלֶךְ סְדֹם הֲרִמֹתִי יָדִי אֶליְהֹוָה אֵל עֶלְיוֹן קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ:
23. Neither from a thread to a shoe strap, nor will I take from whatever is yours, that you should not say, 'I have made Abram wealthy.'   כג. אִםמִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרוֹךְנַעַל וְאִםאֶקַּח מִכָּלאֲשֶׁרלָךְ וְלֹא תֹאמַר אֲנִי הֶעֱשַׁרְתִּי אֶתאַבְרָם:
24. Exclusive of what the lads ate, and the share of the men who went with me; Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre they shall take their share."   כד. בִּלְעָדַי רַק אֲשֶׁר אָכְלוּ הַנְּעָרִים וְחֵלֶק הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ אִתִּי עָנֵר אֶשְׁכֹּל וּמַמְרֵא הֵם יִקְחוּ חֶלְקָם:

Do not be in a hurry for any deal that comes to you without thinking it over pretty well. You may not have the stature of Abraham,but you certainly don't want to have the notoriety of Sodom associated with you and your teams.

=================================================================
Parsha Lech Lecha in the book of Bereishit, 12:1-17:27 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, October 19, 2012

Finishing Projects Early

Most of us learned long ago not to wait until the last minute to complete a task. Usually because more things get in the way unexpectedly the longer we procrastinate.

Planning as they say is everything. But what if you just go through the motions never expecting to really need to finish your project? Doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy does it?

But what if you knew the world was coming to an end? Everything you saw, people you knew would soon be wiped out by a flood. What would you do? What if you had a hundred years to think about it and prepare for it? Would it make you feel any better?

This week's parsha has the story of Noach or Noah as most peple know him. Most people know the basics but did you realize he had over 100 years to build the ark and prepare himself and others?

Yet even after all of that he still only getst into the ark he built on THE day the rain began. How did he know that day was THE day and not just normal rain? Because the water started flooding and some stories say it was up to his neck when he decided to get inside finally. As the Hebrew says on that day during the day if you follow the Hebrew.

13. On this very day, Noah came, and Shem and Ham and Japheth, Noah's sons, and Noah's wife and his sons' three wives with them, into the ark. יג. בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה בָּא נֹחַ וְשֵׁם וְחָם וָיֶפֶת בְּנֵי נֹחַ וְאֵשֶׁת נֹחַ וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת נְשֵׁי בָנָיו אִתָּם אֶל הַתֵּבָה

And so if we learn nothing else in life, try not to put off what will become inevitable. Your client is waiting at the other end and making them wait is not in your best interest or theirs. Do your best to finish your projects early and not wait until it is too late.
=================================================================
Parsha Noach in the book of Bereishit, 6:9-11:32 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, October 12, 2012

Impress Yourself Every Week


Every project starts at the beginning. Every customer visit has a starting point.
In better businesses, you have a guideline or timeline for your efforts.

Get a lead, enter the lead in your CRM, start the sales team on calling, emailing, tweeting, track everything, and if all goes well, get through and then have a meeting. And on and on.

There are parts of the sales plan that are really great and exciting and there are parts that are not so exciting.
Your boss makes it a big deal when you accomplish something such as signing a new client, other times it is not so exciting and just part of business.

When God created the world, the intention was of course to set in motion a grand plan. A long range plan. And as God created the different pieces required, some of it was good, some of it was very good.

People and land animals were very good and were created on the sixth day. The last day of the work week, just prior to Shabbat when God rested on the seventh day, God impressed himself.

Every item created from day one leading up to the sixth day built upon itself, just as we do in business. And once the project or deal is done, you can breath a sigh of relief, take a quick vacation or a day off and then get ready to do it all over again next week.

Every week Shabbat comes, no matter if we are ready for it or not. Everything we do all week should prepare us for it. Sometimes, just like business, you have things happen which are beyond your control. By the end of your week, accept what was done, see it as very good in some way and gather yourself together to start again afresh next week.

=================================================================
Parsha Bereishit in the book of Bereishit, Genesis 1:1-6:8 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring  business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, September 28, 2012

The Bragging Demons of Business

When you look around in business and want to emulate others, how do you decide who to emulate? Is it a business tycoon? Sports coach? Movie or TV star (their real life or portrayed character)? Author? Politician?

Do you emulate the good and the bad parts? We try not to, but as an example take Steve Jobs. He could only accomplish what he wanted by being very demanding in a way few people would accept from anyone. Yet he is one of the people most influential on other s in life and business.

But what if all of this is wasted? Maybe it's a great idea today, but not tomorrow, to emulate these people.

In the parsha this week, which is the song of Haazinu, Moshe elaborates on what leads people astray. He put it very well in 32:17-18:
17. They sacrificed to demons, which have no power, deities they did not know, new things that only recently came, which your forefathers did not fear.   יז. יִזְבְּחוּ לַשֵּׁדִים לֹא אֱלֹהַּ אֱלֹהִים לֹא יְדָעוּם חֲדָשִׁים מִקָּרֹב בָּאוּ לֹא שְׂעָרוּם אֲבֹתֵיכֶם:
18. You forgot the [Mighty] Rock Who bore you; you forgot the God Who delivered you.   יח. צוּר יְלָדְךָ תֶּשִׁי וַתִּשְׁכַּח אֵל מְחֹלְלֶךָ:

The idea that following other gods or demons and be in love with the newest "thing" was not a good trait to have in a person. Forgetting your God or your parents and family, is not the best way.

Who would think that 3,000 years ago the problem of people chasing after the latest thing already existed? Can you imagine someone in a tent or make shift building saying they were going out to buy the newest idol because their old one was still okay just not new?

Often times I wonder what brilliance people think they will gain by getting the haircut of a movie star or the latest gadget. When I was younger we wanted to get bragging rights over our friends for somethings we did but as I got older that seemed pretty pointless. Evidently, not everyone came to the same conclusion that i did or the Torah did.

Aspire to greatness, acquire knowledge so you are not ignorant, share what you learn so others may benefit.
Shana Tova and Leshana Haba Beyerushalayim
=================================================================
Parsha Haazinu in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring  business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, September 21, 2012

When Sales and Management Collide

It happens quite often in business. The sales people do their job, get the client interested, come close to sealing the deal, maybe even get it signed...then management knocks on the door.

Management comes along and asks how could we complete the project in such a short time or at such a low cost. Maybe they brought this up earlier and the sales person brushed off these ideas in favor of the sale.

Will it become a "I told you so" deal or not, who knows. Management is supposed to prevent these situations from occurring, but somethings are beyond their control.

And so we are reminded in this week's Parsha by Moshe who admits he is on his last day on Earth and if Bnai Israel follow in the ways of God all will be good for them. Unfortunately, God had a different view of the future. Here in 31:16-18:

16. And the Lord said to Moses: Behold, you are [about to] lie with your forefathers, and this nation will rise up and stray after the deities of the nations of the land, into which they are coming. And they will forsake Me and violate My covenant which I made with them.   טז. וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל מֹשֶׁה הִנְּךָ שֹׁכֵב עִם אֲבֹתֶיךָ וְקָם הָעָם הַזֶּה וְזָנָה אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהֵי נֵכַר הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר הוּא בָא שָׁמָּה בְּקִרְבּוֹ וַעֲזָבַנִי וְהֵפֵר אֶת בְּרִיתִי אֲשֶׁר כָּרַתִּי אִתּוֹ:
17. And My fury will rage against them on that day, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will befall them, and they will say on that day, 'Is it not because our God is no longer among us, that these evils have befallen us?'   יז. וְחָרָה אַפִּי בוֹ בַיּוֹם הַהוּא וַעֲזַבְתִּים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי מֵהֶם וְהָיָה לֶאֱכֹל וּמְצָאֻהוּ רָעוֹת רַבּוֹת וְצָרוֹת וְאָמַר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא הֲלֹא עַל כִּי אֵין אֱלֹהַי בְּקִרְבִּי מְצָאוּנִי הָרָעוֹת הָאֵלֶּה:
18. And I will hide My face on that day, because of all the evil they have committed, when they turned to other deities.   יח. וְאָנֹכִי הַסְתֵּר אַסְתִּיר פָּנַי בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא עַל כָּל הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה כִּי פָנָה אֶל אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים:
This is God telling Moshe the future and that the last 40 years of Moshe's life have been for nothing.

If you ever were a teacher or a presenter at a conference you know this feeling quite well. No matter how you explain the subject, there will always be those who can not follow directions. In this case, it led to many problems for Israel then and through the millenia.

Sometimes you will sell a client on a product or solution only to find your company has decided to end the products life and how do you feel as that sales person? Moshe accepted this loss and wrote it all down for us to read today. The Torah shows the good and bad of many people, we know they were not all saintly but they believed in God. Knowing you did your job well even if management seemed to go in a different direction later sometimes is all you have left. Move on to the next sale, it's going to be huge.
==============================================================
Parsha Vayelech in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, September 14, 2012

Hidden vs. Revealed Information

Oh the things we think about when we are with clients. All types of things, pricing, location, commissions, dates and more but what we really are trying to do is keep listening to them.

In return they are listening to us, extremely carefully. they want to hear certain ideas or phrases to either make them feel better or provide them a reason to disengage from us. they also want to believe we are their savior.

What we reveal is for the the clients benefit. What we do not say, is for our benefit. The magic that one does, whether it is a travel agent, a copy printer, technical consultant or a sales leader is your own magic. You expect to get rewarded for knowing the right person place or thing to complete the task.

And so it was in this week's parsha. Moshe is on his last day on Earth and he asks for the Heavens and the Earth to pay witness to the decisions of the Israelites. He mentions this in 29:28:

28. The hidden things belong to the Lord, our God, but the revealed things apply to us and to our children forever: that we must fulfill all the words of this Torah.   כח. הַנִּסְתָּרֹת לַיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְהַנִּגְלֹת לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ עַד עוֹלָם לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת:
What we say is our word and as Heaven and Earth are not going anywhere, neither is anything we say at the time in front of our clients.

What is kept hidden is for us alone to use and let others wonder.

Stand by your words and all will be good for you we are told and you can't go wrong.

=========================================================
Parsha Nitzavim in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, September 7, 2012

Passion Selling

When you go into your clients offices, what do you look for? Naturally, if you are in sales you may look for something to discuss with them, an award, an interesting choice of sculpture or painting or maybe you just want to understand how they got to where they are today.

I was speaking to someone today that is in kiruv, outreach, about the 30 seconds to 2 minutes one has to size up someone in order to work with them on sales. He was fascinated by the ideas I expressed and was wondering how to do all of it in 2 minutes. I pointed out to him that his natural tendency to be jovial and excited by everything he does, and represents, grows on people. It is this exuberance that allows him to not need to know people so well because one can not help but become involved in anything he discusses as it relates to his outreach program.

Passion sells. Just like in social media and business, culture rules, but one can learn to change their viewpoint and in turn others viewpoint, by being vigilant to one's boundaries.

Find your passion, and you will find your success usually.

This week's parsha Moshe shows Israel the benefits and the downside of not being passionate and loving to Hashem.  There are many curses in this parsha, but there are also many items which lead to a better outlook. It depends on your viewpoint.

Moshe reminds everyone about all the miracles performed on their behalf over the 40 years in the desert because he knows his passion can instill in the people to follow the ways of Hashem. Their clothes never wore out, nor their shoes, drank new wine or old, as described in 29:3-5

3. Yet until this day, the Lord has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see and ears to hear.   ג. וְלֹא נָתַן יְ־הֹוָ־ה לָכֶם לֵב לָדַעַת וְעֵינַיִם לִרְאוֹת וְאָזְנַיִם לִשְׁמֹעַ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה:
4. I led you through the desert for forty years [during which time] your garments did not wear out from upon you, nor did your shoes wear out from upon your feet.   ד. וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה בַּמִּדְבָּר לֹא בָלוּ שַׂלְמֹתֵיכֶם מֵעֲלֵיכֶם וְנַעַלְךָ לֹא בָלְתָה מֵעַל רַגְלֶךָ:

5. You neither ate bread, nor drank new wine or old wine, in order that you would know that I am the Lord, your God.   ה. לֶחֶם לֹא אֲכַלְתֶּם וְיַיִן וְשֵׁכָר לֹא שְׁתִיתֶם לְמַעַן תֵּדְעוּ כִּי אֲנִי יְ־הֹוָ־ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם:
All this to bring a passion to a people that probably took much for granted. Moshe knew who he was dealing with and he had to hit them where it mattered to them. Their heart, their head and their stomach.

If you can do this with your clients, your sales should increase as well.
=========================================================
Parsha Ki Tavo in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, August 31, 2012

Your Word is Your Honor

We live in a consulting/advisory world. My words to clients, within my power of ability, is sacrosanct.

I don't lie to them nor do I promise what I can not in good faith deliver. Many times delays occur, as this past week with the storm called Isaac, some projects and efforts were delayed.

When you go out to visit your customers, if you are in sales, do you feel the need to say yes to anything and everything the customer asks, wants or thinks about? Hopefully not, but if you do, here is something to think about.

23:24 says: Observe and do what is emitted from your lips just as you have pledged to the Lord, your God, as a donation, which you have spoken with your mouth.   כד. מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיךָ תִּשְׁמֹר וְעָשִׂיתָ כַּאֲשֶׁר נָדַרְתָּ לַי־הֹוָ־ה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נְדָבָה אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּפִיךָ:

This is talking about donations, not tzedaka or charity pledges. A nidava in Hebrew is similar to a swearing to do something. As in, I swear to bring a sacrifice. But I have been in many meetings where, especially sales people, will swear to the client everything they want will be done or is in the product.

Your customer is just as important as a promise you make to God and in some ways for you possibly even more so. Think about this the next time you get into the same situation. Your clients may not be as forgiving as God is to to us.
=========================================================
Parsha Ki Teitzei in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, August 24, 2012

Is that cab ride a bribe?

We all take it for granted that no one accepts or offers bribes. Yet when it comes to business, where do you draw the line?

Is a lunch meeting or drinks after work a bribe? How about a ride to/from the airport? Money is easy to figure out, everything else is murky. It shouldn't be, but it is in most cases.

We all do it, we ask our boss to have lunch with us, or meet a client after hours at a bar or restaurant, or at a baseball game and few think about it.

In the medical field, drug company sales people take doctors out all the time in an effort to get their product in their hands and prescribed. Does it work? You be the judge, ask your doctor friends how often they get asked taken out by their reps? I guarantee it is more than the IT sales people I know.

I hear from people all the time on the sales rep sides, "we can't spend over (or under in some case) $XXX" on "gifts" be they material, meals or whatever.One could kit out an entire office with the stuff these reps drop off as gifts.

Probably the hardest thing to do, but once again the Torah 3,000 years ago knew what we would face today and probably every day. Doesn't make it any easier, but if you take it to heart, good for you.
16:19 and you shall not take a bribe, for bribery blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts just words.
Yes it does. Like to think we can not be so easily turned but it is human nature.

=========================================================
Parsha Shoftim in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 It is said that the Torah or Bible
could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, August 17, 2012

Do you include everyone for your company parties?

I have been to many corporate events. Opening nights for Broadway theater shows, album launches, holiday parties, merger parties, office parties and of course conference parties.

Over the years I saw a noticeable change in who was invited. It seems that budgets were more important than some of the staff. Not the employees of course, but the interns, the peripheral staff maybe even contractors started falling off the list.

Truly a wasted opportunity to improve these fringe players relationships to the organization over a few dollars. I understand it, but do not necessarily agree with it.

In this parsha we find out everyone should be invited for festivals, which is how I am viewing corporate events. See 16:14 below

14. And you shall rejoice in your Festival-you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are within your cities.   יד. וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ אַתָּה וּבִנְךָ וּבִתֶּךָ וְעַבְדְּךָ וַאֲמָתֶךָ וְהַלֵּוִי וְהַגֵּר וְהַיָּתוֹם וְהָאַלְמָנָה אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ:

Yes it includes everyone in the city but it shows that one must make the effort to include everyone when celebrating. When this happens there is a larger sense of community and family like atmosphere.

Oddly enough the world has been growing more social lately, allowing others to share their happiness and events. The downside, for those who choose not to invite the others, is those non-invitees will see or hear many references through social media thus providing discord potentially.

As part of my day job we work with executives to understand the good and bad side of their social media decisions. Maybe next time I will lean on this idea as a different example.
==================================================
Parsha Re'eh in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, August 10, 2012

You Are Not the Only One Responsible For Every Success

Win a new deal? Gain a new customer? Find something that fixed whatever was broken? And you feel great about yourself don't you?

Depending on your personality type you may spread the word any number of ways.
Do you also thank your team? Anyone else who helped you get to this point?

And if you are religous, do you thank God, as so many of the Olympic medalists have done or do you forget about God?

This week's parsha provides the benefits that come from following and respecting God's wishes but also lay out when God would take those benefits away.

8:17. and you will say to yourself, "My strength and the might of my hand that has accumulated this wealth for me." יז. וְאָמַרְתָּ בִּלְבָבֶךָ כֹּחִי וְעֹצֶם יָדִי עָשָׂה לִי אֶת הַחַיִל הַזֶּה

Hubris strikes and it is at that moment when you forget it is not all about you.

This is not to say you will be punished then and there but your efforts need to be swayed to remember unless you are a one person office, it takes an army of people to make a deal come together...and one deity.

==================================================
Parsha Eikev in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, August 3, 2012

Training? Continuing Education? LOL

Working with corporations is always interesting. They have the best intentions, but as we know, once money comes into the picture, out goes some intentions.

The number one item that gets purged or at best scaled down is training.

Putting in a new CRM system? Finance package? Shipping system?
No training? You get what you put in.

Time after time companies that continue to invest in their employees get far greater returns than those that do not.

In a recent Training Magazine article (I am a subscriber) the main article, I Want to Work There!
“We have conducted studies on Return on Engagement (ROE) and have found that there is a distinct positive difference in business outcomes (i.e., revenue, operating margin, customer satisfaction, etc.) from higher engaged organizations versus organizations that score lower on engagement,” points out Chris Dustin, senior vice president of Organizational Development at Avatar HR Solutions.
The firm’s research has found that the top three factors critical to employee engagement relate to recognition (see sidebar below), career development, and the direct supervisor’s relationship with employees. “Managers and supervisors are the key enabler of their employees’ commitment to their job, organization, and workgroup,” Dustin says. “And recognition and career development are directly linked to the manager.”

Not to be left out of this discussion is the Torah's original line from this week's parsha:

7. And you shall teach them to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk on the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.   ז. וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ
 This sentence is of course talking about The 10 Commandments and other mitzva's which were just described and the next sentences go on to discuss wearing Tefillin, but also some not so nice rebukes.

It is this sentence which is the key to learning and continued opportunities not just as a parent, but as an employer or an employee as well.

No matter how you work or manage or where you do it, there is always an opportunity to grow and educate. It is not just a once in a while effort or a "go online and take a class". It is also not a daily routine, although one could do something like this, the Daf Yomi (link from my Alma Matter) which is about learning one page, double sided, of the Gemara a day for 7 years. This past week was the Siyum or party to close the completion of the series. Requires great dedication but almost unheard of in corporate life.

Imagine if you could establish a training cycle for the whole company that covered one topic a day and everyone listened to it or liked it/commented about it? Your daily update to the comapny website probably does not get a high click through rate.

But it could

Do you teach your kids or rely on a teacher? Same at work? Do you use internal people to perform training or get outside people? Making that effort, for your kids or your employees may not pay off today or tomorrow but it will and when it does it will have been well worth it.


==================================================
Parsha Vaetchanan in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, July 27, 2012

No There is Too Much, Let me Sum Up

As a fan of The Princess Bride, I encourage you to read it if you never have before, not just watch it, which is where the Title comes from.

At the end of the year the public companies produce an Annual Report of their activities. An executive summary of all that happenned.

This week was the executive summary of not just 4 quarters, but 3 books and 40 years. Quite a bit to fit into 105 sentences.

While Moshe is reminding the people of everything God did for them, he is also reminding them of the bad things they did as well. In order to start a fresh, one needs to clear up the past.

And so as the entire book of Devarim is spent on Moshe saying his peace before he dies.

Why bring up the past, again? It always helps to know what came before you so you do not repeat the same mistakes. We have some more details of some of the past exploits, including that Og, King of Bashan, who was said to be a giant and live for a very long time, some say since the time of Noah, had a bed 9 cubits long. A cubit being about 18 inches, would make that a 13 and a half foot bed.

Why would anyone care about this? Was it just tossed in as a Red Herring? Or was it there to remind us that indeed at one time, giants walked the Earth?

When you provide a summary or history of a project it helps to sprinkle in some details which maybe have not seen the light of day to bring better interest into the information. It is this reason which pundits read into every nuance of reports or financial statements or press releases.

Next time you need to present the information, sum it up, don't drag it out and find one or two nuggets that will keep people interested in the sound bites of your details.

===========================================================================
Parsha Devarim in the book of Devarim, Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, July 20, 2012

Recognizing When Enough is Enough

Stop keeping up with the neighbors and be happy with your lot in life.


Evidently Apple doesn't see it that way and they have legions of fans to fill this empty need of theirs with some new shiny device.

It is not always so, many people are very happy with what they have and why not?

People are funny, what works for one person rarely works for another or vice versa.

When the tribes of Reuben and Gad approach Moshe and ask that they keep the land on the other (East) side of the Jordan for their livestock is because in 32:4-5 they say:

4.The land that the Lord struck down before the congregation of Israel is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock."
5. They said, "If it pleases you, let this land be given to your servants as a heritage; do not take us across the Jordan."
Now you could also read this as they had the wealth (livestock) and  were lazy and wanted to stay put and figured their wealth and influence would help in their favor.

Moshe wasn't swayed and while he did agree to their request, he required them to take arms and help their brethren to conquer the land of Israel first and then return home. They were allowed to build their forts and protect their families but then go forward and lead.

It is only after this discussion that suddenly Moshe says you can do it but he includes half of the tribe of Menashe. Whoa! Where did this come from? As it turns out the other half of Menashe would have their inherited lands on the West side of the Jordan. In this way the tribe would be considered whole.

So what does this mean for Reuben and Gad? Moshe realized they may be swayed by being outside of the holy land and would need some grounding thus half of the tribe of Menashe was put there. Menashe was one of the sons of Yosef (Joseph) and it was this spirit which Moshe hoped would prevail. In addition to ensuring Reuben and Gad kept their promise to go to battle.

So in the end was enough enough or was it just more greed by the capitalists? We do not know, but we do know that in time it would not matter for all two and a half would be lost during the great exile.

What is modern business to learn from this discussion? Depends on if you believe Reuben and Gad were happy with their place in life or looking for the better deal. Either way you look at it, you need to keep focused on the purpose or plan, just as Moshe reminded them to complete the battles before returning and deciding if they chose wisely.
===========================================================================
Parsha Mattot-Massei in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers 30:2-32:42 and 32:1-36:13
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, July 13, 2012

Succession Planning

Never easy to follow in the footsteps of someone who looms so large they are almost mythical. Look at Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Jack Welch, various heads of state among others.

The person who follows them has to find their own path, sometimes they do, sometimes they do not. In some cases the executive or the entity has prepared others to step in, which is why in the US we have a Vice President and they have had to fill in under difficult circumstances usually. But we live in hope that they can keep it together.

And so it was in the desert for Moshe who after being told how and where he will die, then asked for a replacement. Interesting that moshe asked, did he really care about Israel that much? In 27:15-17:

15. Moses spoke to the Lord, saying:  
16. "Let the Lord, the God of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,  
17. who will go forth before them and come before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd."  
18. The Lord said to Moses, "Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun, a man of spirit, and you shall lay your hand upon him."
A man of spirit. Indeed, taking someone that is infused with the Ruach as the Hebrew says which is a word that can be explained as the spirit of God or a very vibrant person.  Moshe knew that leading the not so small (in this Parsha it says they had over 600,000 people) nation into Israel would take someone strong willed and backed by Hashem.

Your average company does not need a God fearing person leading them, although some may argue it helps, but rather someone with the convictions and beliefs in themselves and the company in question to lead them into the next stages of their (business) life. Unfortunately it is not very common or easy, according to this CareerBuilder survey as referenced here:
Nearly one-third (31 percent) of companies with more than 1,000 employees say they don’t currently have a succession planning program at their organization, according to a new CareerBuilder survey. In addition, 50 percent of senior management (e.g., CEO, CFO, senior VP, etc.) and 52 percent of those in a vice president position say they do not have a successor for their current role. The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder from February 21 through March 10, 2011, among more than 1,000 employers with 1,001 or more employees.
So take the time to think about who will run your business after you, you never know what tomorrow brings.
==================================================
Parsha Pichas in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers 25:10-30:1
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, July 6, 2012

A Talking Donkey is Smarter

A talking donkey? What is this Shrek? How did this get here? What can a talking donkey tell us about business?

If you don't know the story, Balak and the Moabites decided they needed to thwart Israel's attempt of conquering the land by hiring a priest that performed curses. now this priest, Balaam, was a true man of God. In fact he says to Balak's army that was sent to bring him to wait a night and see what God would tell him. God of course says do not do this. yet again Balak sends emissaries and this time knowing they would not take no for an answer, God sends Balaam with them. It is then, at 22:22-35 the episode takes place:
28. The Lord opened the mouth of the she-donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?" 

30. The she-donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your she-donkey on which you have ridden since you first started until now? Have I been accustomed to do this to you?" He said, "No."
So this donkey is minding her own business when an angel, a Malach, not a Seraph, was blocking their way. The donkey tried three timers to avert the angel, but no luck as God was trying to let Balaam know he had done something wrong.

Three times, not once or twice but three times. And yet the wise priest, and owner, ignored the warning signs even though he had known this donkey for quite some time if you want to read it as though this was his donkey from his early days of riding.

How many times have we seen executives make decisions only to be warned by their underlings or lawyers or PR people not to do something. Probably they get warned more than three times but suffice it to say, three strikes and you are out.

The moral of the story, be the donkey and watch out for the realities around you that you can see and those you can not see and not be oblivious as Balaam about what is in front of you.

34. Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing on the road before me. Now, if it displeases you, I will return."
==================================================
Parsha Balak in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers 22:2-25:9
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom

Friday, June 29, 2012

Blame Never Works

Why is it always me? She/he did it, why do I get punished too? It's not fair?

Sound familiar? It should if you have kids.

At what point do we stop acting that way and accept our punishments? Looking around the world, the answer seems to be never. In fact many times reality is not as biased as our parents. Thus nowadays someone is the scapegoat while the rest are free to go about as they please.

Also not the best way to live life or manage. When you reach management your job is to keep order and happiness among the ranks. It's not an easy task. But as usual this week's parsha has a few words of wisdom for management to consider.

One incident in particular stands out this week, the infamous Moshe hits the rock story. God tells Moshe and Aaron to talk to a rock in an anthropomorphism way in 20:7-11.
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
8. "Take the staff and assemble the congregation, you and your brother Aaron, and speak to the rock in their presence so that it will give forth its water. You shall bring forth water for them from the rock and give the congregation and their livestock to drink."
9. Moses took the staff from before the Lord as He had commanded him.
10. Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation in front of the rock, and he said to them, "Now listen, you rebels, can we draw water for you from this rock?"
11. Moses raised his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, when an abundance of water gushed forth, and the congregation and their livestock drank.

And immediately God says Aaron you will die for this. WHAT!? And Aaron says nothing, takes off his priestly clothes and goes gently into that good night. WHAT!? My brother doesn't listen and I get punished? Yes sir.

You see Aaron was the older brother, he should have been either quicker to stop Moshe from hitting the rock or should have tried to discuss with him why that would not suffice. And so God blamed Aaron and this left Moshe all alone as the last standing leader. Perhaps for Moshe to ask for forgiveness. But Moshe really was not looking to outlast hi stay, but he really did want to get into Israel. That never happenned, God's punishment was equal for both brothers but performed in different ways.

There are times in business when we need to accept the customers decisions and no matter how they arrived at their punishment for us, we have to accept it. You can use this in business as a manager on your employees to gauge their abilities but that is not a fair test for them. In fact it may come back to hurt you. Instead recognize that although Moshe and Aaron were punished equally, in the end, they were not punished at the same moment.

Do not punish the whole team on a failure all at once or equally. the team as a whole is punished, it may get disbanded or split into new teams but the individuals get a reprieve.

==================================================
Parsha Chukat in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers 19:1-22:1
It is said that the Torah or Bible could be interpreted in over 70 ways. More likely these days 100's of ways. In light of this idea, I am writing some posts that bring a business sense to what we can learn on a weekly basis. Enjoy, Shabbat Shalom