Book: 10 Best Practices for Business and Life (Ingredients for Success)
Author: Joseph James Slawek
The Book
Written by Joseph James Slawek, CEO of FONA International and an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, this book explores the business practices found in the parables of Matthew 25 (the parable of the ten virgins, the parable of the talents, and the sheep and the goats), ranging from “boldly yet compassionately tell the truth” to “use your talents responsibly or you’ll lose them.” Slawek’s business experience as the leader of an international company, and his belief that the Bible has a lot to say about business, answers the question: how can a Christian business leader live out his faith in the workplace?
About Joe
Joseph James Slawek is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of FONA International. He founded FONA International in 1987 with a desire to be both high tech and high touch, and it’s the difference that makes FONA special and successful. Joe’s unwavering focus on FONA’s customers, employees and stakeholders, and his commitment to operating a values-based organization are driving factors in the success of FONA. In 1999 Joe was inducted into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in recognition of the unique corporate culture he established and the dramatic year over year growth it was driving−five times the industry standard. Over the last several years (2007-2011), Joe has led FONA to be the only full service flavor company on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States. In his personal life, Joe is actively committed to his family, his church and community service. He is a private pilot who enjoys recreational aviation and outdoor pastimes.
My Thoughts:
In this book Joseph writes about lessons in life and business and how we can apply these 10 best practices to our lives while finding our purpose. Each chapter expands and explains how the 10 best practices can be implemented in the workplace and in other areas of our home and business. A few of the 10 best practices based on the Matthew 25 parables are:
- Plan ahead
- Develop and use your unique abilities
- Use your talents responsibility
- Express gratitude to God and others
I was pleasantly surprised when I read this book. By reading the title alone, I thought that this book was only for business minded individuals, how wrong I was. By reading the book, the author uses Biblical examples, scripture references and personal stories and applies them to our present day and age. When I read the book, I thought how does this book apply to me? I am not officially in the business environment, however I do run and operate within my household. As a Christian wife and homeschooling family it is my responsibility to run my household efficiently. Does this always happen, you might ask? No, but we are doing our best to stay on a consistent schedule and use our time wisely. I enjoyed reading the book and I believe you will too. God cares about our faithfulness, willingness, obedience, accountability, being good stewards of our time and using our gifts and talents responsibly and wisely. My questions to you are:
Do you know what your gifts and talents are? How are you using them? Are they sitting on a shelf waiting to be taken down and dusted off or are you using the gifts and talents that have been placed inside you. What will you do with them?
For more information about the book or to purchase your copy visit Amazon.com
Follow Joseph Slawek and FONA on Facebook
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book courtesy of Handlebar Publishing for the purposes of a review providing my honest opinion. Book excerpts courtesy of Handlebar Publishing. I was not compensated in any way for this review. Any and all thoughts expressed were solely my own.
Sounds like a really good book. I’d love to read it. Thanks.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the review and thoughts. Best Regards, Wendy #sitsgirls
Your welcome. I enjoyed reading the book and I learned new information along the way. Thanks for visiting!
This book reminds me of some of John Maxwell’s books. Very nice. I love to read business and personal growth books.
Tosin AK via SITSBlogging
I haven’t ever heard of this book before. I’m not a religious person, but it seems interesting. Do you think a non-religious person could enjoy a this book? #SITSblogging
Hi Tiffany,
I think anyone in the business and personal arena would benefit from reading this book. It is applicable to everyone, the author used scripture and Biblical references to show God’s purpose and design for using our gifts and talents responsibly. Everyone can apply these principles in every area of their lives. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the book, I thought it would be mostly about business and a challenge to read, but it wasn’t. Hope that helps. Thanks for visiting!
This was super helpful. I love personal development books and I am glad you shared this book with me. Visiting from SITS
Sounds like an interesting read. I believe God has blessed us all with unique gifts and talents. It is a matter of tapping into them. I am going to download this book. Thanks for sharing,
Thanks for this book review. I need to get some more Personal Development books to help grow my business.
Thanks for the book review. I love reading & may have to check this book out for future reading. I am still working on what my talents really are & I always express gratitude even through rough times.
Thanks – stopping by from The SITS Girls challenge
This sounds like a great book! I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing! Visiting from #Sits.
I don’t usually read business related books but this sounds like it would be a good read!
I should read more books like this! I’ll have to keep this book in mind going forward.
Stopping by from #SITSBlogging!
I love to read, and especially to read a nonfiction. And yes, definitely talents and gifts are nothing without the practice. Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers states a 10,000-Hour Rule. He claims that the key to success in any field is a matter of practicing a particular task for at least 10,000 hours. I kind of agree.
Glad to find your blog through SITS comment marathon!
So true. I feel like the older I get and the more I focus on what is true and important the more I see all of my strengths and weaknesses.
L,
Vicky
http://www.themummychronicles.com
#CommentLove #SITSBlogging
This book sounds fantastic. I love that they talk about planning ahead and getting things done.
Hi Tammilee,
Planning is key and helps us stay focused and organized. I need help in this area a lot. One of my resolutions for this year was to be more organized and I have been making and implementing changes already. I have noticed a big difference in the flow of my day when I plan and organize, it works better that way. I fought against it for so many years-I don’t know what I was thinking! Thanks for your comment and visiting!
And…the more you practice your talents and gifts, the better you are at using them and the more productive they will be. This is true in service, family and business.
Hi Val,
Yes, that is key in any area of our lives. We are to strive for perfection and to give our best, do our best and be the best at whatever it is that we are trying to accomplish at that given time. Practice makes perfect as they say. The more we practice and operate within our gifts and talents, we become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses and we can perfect or fine tune any areas that may need additional refining. Thanks for stopping by!