Doing Business by the Good Book: Fifty-Two Lessons on Success Sraight from the Bible [Hardcover]

David Steward (Author), Robert L. Shook (Author), George H. W. Bush (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2004

An indispensable volume that shows how to succeed in business by using the Bible and its lessons as a source of inspiration and guidance n 1990, David L. Steward founded his company, Worldwide Technology, Inc., on a shoestring budget and borrowed money, well aware of the high-risk nature of the venture he was undertaking. Despite the fact that he was a novice entrepreneur, he was certain he would succeed. Steward believed intensely that God wouldn't let him down. Doing Business by the Good Book shares the inspiring lessons culled straight from the Bible, that Steward used to build his privately held billion-dollar company into a global information technology enterprise.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jesus' teachings were not meant to be spoken only on Sunday, writes Steward, CEO of World Wide Technology Inc., the world's largest African-American-owned company. Rather, those teachings were meant to be implemented everywhere, including the workplace. In this book, Steward shares 52 biblical principles in short, easy-to-read chapters that can be digested once a week for a full year or devoured in one sitting. Steward draws heavily on his own knowledge of building a high-tech company from the ground up, and also his corporate experiences at FedEx and Union Pacific. He has a real knack for helping readers see how biblical principles relate to those experiences and to contemporary business issues. Even the trendy notion of "branding" is placed thoughtfully with a relevant Scripture (Matthew 12:33: "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit."). Christian businesspeople who want a solid introduction to biblical ethics in the workplace will particularly enjoy his fine chapters on accountability, enthusiasm, customer satisfaction and networking.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Dick Lyles is CEO of Leadership Legacies, a global consulting company that serves business leaders with a comprehensive and integrated line of products and services for improving organizational and individual performance. He is former President and COO of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, where he worked alongside Ken Blanchard to help foster a deeper understanding of the issues driving today's workplace. For more than 30 years, Lyles has consulted with the leaders of organizations ranging from Pfizer and Ericsson to The San Diego Zoo. His most recent book, Winning Ways: Four Secrets for Getting Great Results by Working Well with People, was an Amazon.com best seller, published in nine countries within two months of its release. During 2002, he delivered more than 100 keynote speeches and appeared on more than 60 radio and TV talk shows. With his wife, Martha, he founded Maric College in San Diego, CA, where he served as President for three and a half years and Chairman of the Board for another eight. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has a master's degree in human behavior and a Ph.D. in business administration.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (January 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401300626
• ISBN-13: 978-1401300623
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful business book using thebible as a guide, December 31, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doing Business by the Good Book: Fifty-Two Lessons on Success Sraight from the Bible (Hardcover)

Perhaps if someone less successful in business than David L. Steward and Robert L. Shook wrote this guide book, readers would chuckle over the concept that the Bible offers sage advice on business practices. Business ethics seems an oxymoron as the Golden Rule of Wall St. seems that them with the gold makes the rule (look at who has access to Mr. Bush, Mr. Clinton or those fiefdoms we dub Congress). However, cynicism aside, Mr. Steward and Mr. Shook makes a strong case that those who follow biblical guidance have a very high chance of success.

The authors break the self help book into fifty two topics such as good leadership, empowerment, networking, conviction, etc. Each chapter contains a brief definition, scripture quotes, and examples of success. The advice is solid as the topics are relevant and biblical citations and parables fit quite soundly in today's information age. This is an insightful and interesting book that encourages people to conduct business activities in a positive manner straight from the bible. Ye who doubt must not forget Abraham. He was the leading businessman of his time until he hears a voice in his head. Heeding the advice, he sells the business, relocates and gives the choice beach front property to his nephew. Following that lordly voice in his brain he becomes the leading businessman again.

Harriet Klausner

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired Work, April 2, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business by the Good Book: Fifty-Two Lessons on Success Sraight from the Bible (Hardcover)

DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK is an inspiring collection of business truisms based on Biblical teachings. The author of the book, David Steward, is a very successful businessman and the founder and CEO of a billion dollar company called World Wide Technologies. Establishing his company in the highly competitive "tech" field was not easy, especially when there were countless naysayers who doubted that a small minority business could garner success in this area. However, Steward credits his commitment to God's principals as the driving force behind his corporate success. Already known as a dominant business leader, David and his wife were asked to teach a Sunday School class for business people. It is this Sunday School class, called Doing Business by the Book, which provided the material for this powerful book.

The lessons in the book are set up in an easily understood manner. Each of the 52 lessons has its own theme and includes a scriptural passage relating to the particular theme. The actual "meat" of the lesson includes the author's interpretation of the scripture and his own experiences with the theme. Steward provides readers with a wealth of information and willingly uses his own experiences as examples.

While this book is targeted towards a business audience, the lessons will motivate anyone who reads it. The book covers a broad array of subject areas, including planning, communication, networking, and flexibility. However, the most powerful message in the book is that our morals and values should be upheld in all aspects of our lives, including the professional arena. David Steward provides relevant, hard-hitting food for thought and his personal experiences are just as powerful as the Biblical lessons he teaches. DOING BUSINESS BY THE GOOD BOOK will provoke readers to examine themselves and consider the word of God before making decisions in their lives. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be considered "must reading", August 9, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business by the Good Book: Fifty-Two Lessons on Success Sraight from the Bible (Hardcover)

In Doing Business By The Good Book: 52 Lessons On Success Straight From The Bible, Dave Steward (Founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, a privately held, billion-dollar company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri), draws upon his many years of personal experience and professional expertise to show his fellow Christians how they can succeed in building their business enterprise upon the solid foundation of Scripture. With the assistance of author Robert L. Shook, Steward has organized his presentation into specific chapters deftly addressing such issues as the entrepreneurial spirit and integrity, the concepts of delegation and adaption, finding a niche, providing good leadership in the service of others, building long-term relationships, taking a stand, the necessity for consistency, teamwork, risk-taking, operating a customer-driven company, handling confrontation, accountability, the role of praise and recognition, letting go and allowing God to work His will, and so much more. Doing Business By The Good Book should be considered "must reading" by all dedicated Christians in positions of managerial responsibility whether it be a local enterprise or an international conglomerate.