As you probably already know, the new Dairy Revenue Protection Program was introduced in early November. Is this the answer we’ve all been looking for? I don’t see it as the whole answer to our industry challenges. However, it does represent another tool to use in setting minimum milk prices. Like any other existing tool, it can only benefit you if you learn how to use it and then, most importantly, take appropriate action to move forward.
I recently read about an interview on leadership lessons that Head Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski completed with the Dean of Duke University’s business school, Bill Boulding. I believe it offers some great lessons for each of us, so I am passing its highlights along to you in this blog. After winning five national championships in his 40 years at Duke, Coach K probably can provide us with some excellent guidelines.
Do you ever have that feeling that others seem to be building more management success than you in certain areas of their operation? I think everyone has felt that at some point. The more significant question, however, assuming that might be partly true is: “Why?” What is their advantage over the way you normally operate?
Recently, I’ve had an opportunity to do some thinking about what tactics have really helped me to be more successful, and perhaps more resourceful, in my own business. One of the techniques that I have found to be very beneficial is what I call “These Three Things.”
I recently finished reading a great book by Seth Godin entitled Poke the Box. I would encourage you to read it as well. It certainly got my thinking going with regard to changes I want to initiate in my own business. The central theme of his book is that we all have opportunities available to us to start new things.
Recently, I’ve had numerous conversations with producers who, to varying degrees, have expressed their disappointment with the smaller than expected payout from the Federal Dairy Price Relief Program. I can completely empathize with them. However, my suggestion to all of them is that, although it would have been a genuine “shot in the arm” for all producers, it’s time to move forward. We can all spend time complaining about it, but will we gain anything? I doubt it. In fact, our time will be better spent developing future courses of action for your business.
In so many situations, the focus of our business decisions revolves around their short-term effects, rather than the long-term impacts of these same decisions. I understand that we all occasionally face a decision with short term implications, but I would encourage you not to overlook the long-term impact of positive decisions.
I always find it interesting to visit with various business people and discuss the challenges they are currently having with regard to running their operations. One of the most common discussion points I have had with many producers revolves around how their cash flow results compare with others.
The rest of the title line is “Desperate Measures.” However, I disagree with that concept. Realizing that there may be desperate times coming in the future (and that’s always a possibility…), we need to be proactive in our approach to business. I like to call it “Thinking for a Change.”
