A collection of blogs and other writings
from John Ellsworth
Even More Ways to Achieve Financial Success
Ask John Ellsworth of Success Strategies
John’s dairy industry service spans 25-years in strategic planning, debt restructuring, and cash flow management. John knows farm finances and what your bank expects.
Call John at 209-988-8960 or Send him an email:
What Does Your Future Hold?December 26, 2024 - 10:30 am
What is the Secret to More Positive Cash Flow?December 6, 2024 - 1:25 pm
Are We Getting Too Comfortable?November 26, 2024 - 6:11 pm
Why Aren’t You Dancing in the Rain?November 12, 2024 - 12:28 pm
What Is Your Next Step?October 30, 2024 - 9:59 pm
Your Tax Dollar at Work
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.
The Long-Term Impact of Positive Decisions
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.
“How can they do that?”
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.
“Desperate Times Call for…”
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.”
“The Times – They are Changing…”
Some of you probably remember the old song recorded by Bob Dylan many years ago. In it, he appealed to many, including Senators and Congressmen, that the times were changing, and that we needed to take some positive action to move forward successfully.
“I Know I Live in Hell, but…”
I recently finished reading a book by Dr. Henry Cloud entitled Necessary Endings that included a quote from one of his patients who stated, “I know I live in Hell, but I know the names of all the streets.” That quote really caught my attention and reminded me to make some positive changes in my own company to not get complacent. Do you find yourself facing similar situations in your business? You know – you really aren’t pleased with the way things are going, but at least you “know the names of all the streets.” In other words, it’s not perfect but it’s comfortable.