Bulletproof Your Business with the Proverbs Principle

The book of Proverbs is one of my personal favorites for tidbits of profound wisdom. It never fails to provide me with bite-sized, easy to digest advice that I can apply almost immediately to everything from running my business to leading my family.

There is one principle that I found within the book of Proverbs years ago that, in my opinion, has made my business bulletproof. The only times I have had serious problems within my business were in seasons where I ignored this principle and threw caution to the wind.

The Proverbs Principle comes from two verses very close to together that as I was reading through the book the first time they seemed almost like an echo. It seemed like God was slapping me upside the back of the head just like Gibbs and DiNozzo in an episode of NCIS.

Anytime I hear the same thing over and over again it makes my listening antennae go up and pay closer attention especially when it’s scripture. It’s like a teacher telling you that something will be on the test. Write it down, memorize it, use it!

I’ve kept you in suspense long enough so here are the two verses that make up the Proverbs Principle.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” -Proverbs 15:22

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” -Proverbs 11:14

Together these two verses have instilled in me a burning desire to get as much information as I possibly can about the challenges I face as a business owner. If Solomon says twice how important it is to have “many advisers” then I need to have “many advisers”.

If I could sum up those two verses into my Proverbs Principle it would be this:

Seek out as much knowledge, advice, and counsel as you can about any situation you come up against.

We all know how valuable education is, but I’m not talking about a 4 year degree here. What I’m talking about is real world, nuts and bolts wisdom. Someone once told me that the definition of wisdom is knowledge + experience, and I strongly believe that today.

There are a lot of ways you can get “many advisers” even on a shoestring budget, and I’ll breakdown some of my favorite ways to get my advisers in tow. The bottom line is that if you want your business to flourish you need to learn from those who have gone before you.

#1 Read More

It’s trite but true that leaders and readers and readers are leaders. There are very few of us that can bend the ear of great business or political leaders of the past and of today. I don’t have Warren Buffets cell phone number do you? Many of the greatest lessons to be learned are from the lives of people who have long since passed away, but their autobiographies and biographies can teach you invaluable information that you need as an aspiring leader.

I know we’re all busy with our companies, families and just life in general, but you need to carve out time to do what is important and reading is one of those things. If you don’t have time to read then you don’t have time build a business. It’s that simple.

Maybe you can’t sit down to read a book that often and if that is the case sign up for an audible membership. That’s a great way to fly through books while in the car, in the shower, or doing any number of things we can’t hold a book while doing.

My audible membership has been an invaluable tool to up my leadership skills and grow my knowledge base. Information truly is power and books are the cheapest and easiest way to get that knowledge.

#2 Get a SCORE Counselor

If you haven’t tried checking out SCORE counseling through the SBA you should absolutely consider it. This is a free service where experienced business execs who have retired and are wanting to give back take young business owners under their wing and help them meet the challenges of business ownership.

You can find counselors with lots of different backgrounds in different industries so there is usually someone who can provide incredible insight into your challenges. The best part is that this is all completely FREE!

#3 Ask For Referrals

Maybe none of your friends are high powered business execs that can help you decipher your balance sheet, but chances are good that if there are only six degrees of separation between you and Kevin Bacon then there is probably someone who can help advise you only a couple levels removed from your friends and family.

Early in my business, my father-in-law hooked me up with a church member who owned a large remodeling company and the two hours I was able to sit down with him have proven to be invaluable even years later.

Offer to buy them lunch and pick their brain and I guarantee you’ll get some good advice. I don’t know many people who will say no to a free meal and to teach others what they have learned for a couple hours. It’s a win-win.

#4 Hire a Coach

If you come up dry with friends and family then perhaps you may need to hire a business coach. They are everywhere, and finding referrals is always the way to go. See if other CEO’s and business owners in your area are a part of a mastermind group that has room for a new member.

There are online influencers in the business niche that can have some affordable coaching available and that may be a good place to start. I would recommend you find what it is you specifically want to help with and find out who the movers and shakers are in that world.

For example, if you are looking for how to improve your website’s SEO then maybe Neil Patel is a great coach, or if you are looking for help with general leadership you may want to check out Michael Hyatt for coaching. Or if it is creative entrepreneurship and marketing then Seth Godin is the guy you need.

Most of these on-line coaches have lots of free content to learn from, but also have premium courses and content you pay for to really go deeper.

If you have the money you can also hire a one-on-one business coach, but that can get very expensive. Of course, you are getting advice that is custom tailored to your business and unique situation so you do get what you pay for.

#5 Ask Loved Ones

There are a few people in our lives that though they may not be business professionals they have a unique perspective on what you are trying to do with your business. I always recommend running major decisions or issues by your spouse or parents if you are unsure of what to do.

They will not blow smoke up your skirt like other friends. These are the people who will shoot you straight no matter if it hurts your feelings and that’s a very good thing.

Richard Branson of Virgin Group fame once had the idea to start selling condoms to help fight the AIDS epidemic until his wife pointed out the awkwardness of Virgin Condoms. He quickly dropped the idea and saved his business from what would likely been an expensive PR nightmare.

Trust the discernment of those closest to you.

I hope these different ways to adopt the Proverbs Principle will help you find new and creative ways to get those “many advisers” that Solomon speaks of. The Proverbs Principle will protect you and your business. It will grow your business. And ultimately, it will cause your business to thrive because you have invested in its most valuable asset…you!