Joseph — from poverty to prosperity
In this week's Bible reading, let’s look at how Joseph rises from being a prisoner to becoming viceroy.
Let’s ask this question differently — What is the secret to being successful in life, in your business?
Timing, luck, persistence — Joseph’s life was hard — sold as a slave, put in prison. He was tested to the extreme of the University of hard knocks in life. Yet, he kept dreaming of a better future. Timing is an important factor when launching a business or buying a property.
Faith — Joseph was not ashamed to use the G-word — God. We need to acknowledge that we are not in control and there is a higher force in play. We also need to thank God for both the good and the bad.
Mazal- Luck — we like to say that business was lucky. I had the same idea, but how come he is successful? In the story of Joseph, many other people interpreted the dream in a similar way. So, how come Joseph succeeded in convincing Pharaoh-king of Egypt?
And here comes the knockout punch. Joseph recognized the GAP.
In a best-selling book — GAP Selling —he proposes that in order to sell or influence your idea or product; you need to understand the needs or motivation of the investor or customer.
The author highlights 3 key sales principles “truths of selling.”
1. If the customer doesn’t have a problem that your product can solve, you won’t make a sale.
2. It’s your job, not the customer’s, to define this gap accurately.
3. Customers likely don’t understand the extent of their problem and often underestimate how serious it is,
https://www.allencheng.com/gap-selling-book-summary-keenan/#1-Page_Summary_of_Gap_Selling
This is what Joseph did so eloquently. He identified the coming problem. He highlighted the seriousness of the coming famine would be very severe. He proposed that Pharaoh needs to act now to avoid the problem, he suggested an action plan and suggested that including the punchline “let Pharaoh look for an insightful person”. In short, Joseph hit all the spots of the GAP sale. Pharaoh was convinced, the sale was done. And indeed, Pharaoh asks:
בראשית מא׃לח
Genesis 41:38
וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל־עֲבָדָיו הֲנִמְצָא כָזֶה אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים בּֽוֹ׃
And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is?
Now let us look at what happens after the sale was concluded.
Joseph received power and money. Our startup has received money to carry out the vision and the mission. How do we use that money correctly? What the Torah writes may not be politically correct, but let’s explore a few more passages.
1. Business Plan — Joseph prepared a plan and executed the plan to perfection. Not only that he had the power and money to carry this out. He empowered a strong Government system and rule.
2. Monopoly — “Superior Brand/Offering”– Joseph amassed fortune of grain , and both local and foreign buyers who had no choice but to buy the grain — He had the product that sold — just like google or Facebook. There are no real alternatives so we ‘use” the services.
3. Exploitation — Joseph used the power of economic strength to benefit his backer — Pharoah. The people essentially lost their land and became Serfs who occupied a plot of land and were required to work for the government (and their cronies) that owned the land. Similar today, where big business can exploit their suppliers and customers. We need to be conscious of the excesses here.
And here lies the problem — Government vs people. Governments, Kings have exploited the people. There were no equal rights. There was no concern for the citizen. War — demanded the lives of the subjects. Let’s be clear — most wars were economic gain or power for the country. People were taxed — even the wise King Shlomo overtaxed the people, and his son went even further leading to a rebellion and the defection of the 10 tribes. Colonialism, Slavery, Serfdom, Kingship, Dictatorship were not kind to the people. Today, we like to think that Democracy is just and fair. We have Capitalism which Joseph used to strengthen the Government. Yes, Governments benefit from Economic strength and taxes.
We, the average Joe feel overtaxed. Can we rebel? If I paid less taxes, then maybe I could balance my income and expenses, and not be in continual debt.
But there are deeper questions — Does Government act in the bests interests of its citizens? Why is there so much poverty today? Why are so many areas so run down? Who is to blame? What is the ideal economic system?
Today, I am encouraged and actively promoting ESG — Environment, Social, Governance in Business. This is now becoming mainstream and is based on UN SDGs. There is a coming together of Government, Business, and the Individual to correct the wrongs of the past, work together for a better world. While there is a lot of hot air about the Environment — Climate Change — damage caused by Big businesses exploiting the Environment and limited resources for economic gain. Yes — it is time for Governments and Businesses to make amendments, correct their past exploitations. There is a much-needed Tikkun Olam — repair of the world. The real focus should be on social — Government and business need to be sensitive to the people — and in this case the Poor. And especially extreme Poverty and Hunger and UN SDG’s 1 and 2.
Is there an answer to this GAP? In a blog written by Israeli Farmer and Entrepreneur Dr. Nimrod Israely titled — Global challenges, simple solutions? He answers YES and shows how.
http://messages.responder.co.il/6156583/468817239/157a0420df1a9420d5003dc8a85c35d3
I encourage you to read this and join his efforts to make the world a better place — We have the ability to transform poverty into prosperity and it does not have to be like the old way — I win — you lose, but in a situation, I win, you win — an economic solution where Governments, Businesses (Investors) and the People all benefit.
It is time for us, the world to correct the mistakes of the past.
So, to answer the question — How to be successful in life? -It is not only you and the wealth amassed. It is about sharing that knowledge, wealth, or your talents to make the world a fairer and better place.
We are only in this world for a short time and we need to consider what legacy, impact did I make in this world. What message do I want to impart to my children and what footprint however small can we contribute to making the world a fairer and better place.