A New Narrative

“PSALM business” stands for Profitable Small business Aspiring to Love Many.

“PSALM business” introduces a new narrative that contrasts with common narratives around business entrepreneurship.

Business funding

  • Common Narratives: Investor funding is normal.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Customer funding is preferable.

business OWNERSHIP

  • Common Narratives: Ownership by external investors is normal.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Local ownership by those taking the risks and managing the business is preferable.

business size

  • Common Narratives: Bigger business is better because it increases influence and impact.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Small business should be affirmed as long as it’s profitable.

business plans

  • Common Narratives: Adhere to the original business plan because it describes the promises that were made to investors.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Adapt to the needs of customers instead of stubbornly adhering to the business plan.

business subsidies

  • Common Narratives: Be prepared to subsidize the business every year.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Business is only legitimate when it’s sustainably profitable.

Expatriate Salaries

  • Common Narratives: Some people should work for free if they have other sources of income.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Business is only legitimate when all workers are paid at locally-appropriate salary levels, even if they have other sources of income.

spiritual openness

  • Common Narratives: Spiritual secrecy is normal when operating in challenging environments.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Spiritual visibility is essential for being a good witness and sharing the Good News. Spiritual visibility is achievable even in challenging environments.

spiritual integration

  • Common Narratives: Secular business is acceptable when operating in challenging environments.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Doing business according to biblical values is essential for being a good witness and sharing the Good News. Doing business according to moral values, which are based on biblical values, is viable even in challenging environments.

modeling for others

  • Common Narratives: Business entrepreneurship is hard enough without expecting others to be able to learn from you.
  • The PSALM Business Narrative: Business models and behaviors should be worthy of imitation by others.