Like Clark Kent slipping into his Superman ensemble before he shoots off to save the world, when you get up in the morning and change out of your Simpsons pyjamas into smart work attire, you assume the role of respectable professional who knows what’s what. But deep down under that polished exterior is a regular human being who is as susceptible to mistake and temptation as the next guy.

The seven deadly sins are something that effect our lives and throw curveballs in front of us on a daily basis but these capital vices become more of an issue when you have a professional reputation to uphold. Even the most established of entrepreneurs aren’t immune to enticement or excessive emotion so we’re on hand to help you out. Transgressions are an innate part of human nature but it’s vital that you know how to hop back on the wagon if and when you fall off.

We’ve put together a few expert pointers to exemplify how each cardinal sin can pose a threat to your business and some guidance on how to avoid and rectify these sticky situations. The competitive marketplace is a breeding ground for forbidden fruit so you need to ensure that as a business owner, you know how to exercise self-control or detox your system should you give in to temptation.

Lust

Lust is embodied as an intense and often uncontrolled desire, which when translated directly as sexual aspiration can cause damage when one makes the fatal mistake of mixing business with too much pleasure. Avoiding developing personal relationships with colleagues is the number one in the book and we’re sure you don’t need us to explain why. However lust can also be translated into a more abstract excessive hunger for money, fame or power, which is something that business owners also need to be extremely wary of. This lust is particularly treacherous if the sinner has a tendency towards weak self-control so it’s essential that it is identified and dealt with before it’s too late.

Everybody needs a little bit of lust in their lives from time to time so we aren’t suggesting you abstain from all forms of pleasure but it is important to strike the right balance between work and play. One way to do this is to keep your personal and professional bank accounts separate to avoid any ramifications of lavish spending. It is also crucial to keep your personal and working lives separate in general in order to make time to indulge in hobbies and develop personal relationships outside of the professional sphere.

Gluttony

Gluttony is described as the “overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste” and waste is something that simply cannot be tolerated when it comes to launching and growing your own business venture. This wastage can be something as trivial as leaving the lights on in empty rooms, which will lead to forking out unnecessary cash on gluttonous utility bills. It can also be the result of bigger issues such as poor budgeting and gross spending on things like fruitless marketing strategies or the over-hiring of staff in a bid to make your business appear larger or more established than it really is.

You can avoid this potentially fatal flaw by living within your means and not succumbing to the temptation of overindulging in things you probably can’t really afford. Strict budgeting and forward planning is key in the success of any business and is the best way to help you avoid giving in to gluttony. This will enable you to ensure that every penny you spend and every decision you make is for the benefit of your vulnerable business.

Greed

This capital vice is known as the ‘sin of excess’ and manifests its manipulative self as the excessive pursuit of material possessions. Granted, a certain sense of greed and thirst for material possession is what motivates us all in this modern world whether we like to admit it or not but when it comes to your business, you need to make sure that this drive doesn’t get out of hand. In this case, greed can be an immoderate hunger for money, material possession or even custom and a desire to dominate the marketplace.

When you decide to take the plunge to become self-employed and start up your own venture, it is easy to become overexcited by your new financial and professional freedom. When the business becomes a success, you can be forgiven for making the mistake of splashing out cash left, right and centre for a short period of time but things can go downhill rapidly if this excitement transforms into greed.

One way to avoid this detrimental situation is to keep a tight rein on your budgets and be patient when it comes to winning business. Remember, slow and steady wins the race; a good quality service will attract far more ROI than a slap dash solution. Although cash in the bank at the end of the day is the main aim of the game, experts recommend focusing on growth in terms of percentages rather than monetary values in order to cultivate a healthier way of monitoring development.

Okay so for all you greedy, lustful gluttons out there, we hope the first of our How the 7 Deadly Sins Are Threating Your Business posts has been useful. Stay up to date with our blog because Part Two will be coming soon, where we investigate the negative effects of sloth, wrath, envy and pride on your business.