02/21/2024
One of the focus areas of ASAC is our international presence.
For many years, several ASAC members had a strong relationship with international partners, working in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Some have worked in Australia and South America as well. Much of the action occurred with the cooperation of the US Agency for International Development, as efforts were identified to build relationships with citizens of other countries and to foster goodwill, trade, and a common goal of democracy and freedom.
I am particularly focused on opportunities in Africa. The continent has a huge population, is rich in agriculture and natural resources, and offers much potential to the world in terms of economic growth and culture. There is much more to analyze, discuss, and discern about the continent’s history, as well as the opportunities and potential of the African continent and the people.
One of the focus areas of ASAC is our international presence.
For many years, several ASAC members had a strong relationship with international partners, working in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Some have worked in Australia and South America as well. Much of the action occurred with the cooperation of the US Agency for International Development, as efforts were identified to build relationships with citizens of other countries and to foster goodwill, trade, and a common goal of democracy and freedom.
I am particularly focused on opportunities in Africa. The continent has a huge population, is rich in agriculture and natural resources, and offers much potential to the world in terms of economic growth and culture. There is much more to analyze, discuss, and discern about the continent’s history, as well as the opportunities and potential of the African continent and the people.
10/18/2023
See that mountain over there? One of these days, I’m gonna climb that mountain......
(From the Alabama musical hit “Mountain Music”)
Ability.....What you’re capable of doing
Motivation.....determines what you do
Attitude.....determines how well you do it
Lou Holtz, legendary football coach
I’ve had the opportunity over the past several years to attend meetings and conferences that provide opportunities for networking with producers, lenders and credit analysts, financial professionals, commodity marketers, production/technical professionals, academics, journalists, and others who have vested interests in the success of farm businesses.
See that mountain over there? One of these days, I’m gonna climb that mountain......
(From the Alabama musical hit “Mountain Music”)
Ability.....What you’re capable of doing
Motivation.....determines what you do
Attitude.....determines how well you do it
Lou Holtz, legendary football coach
I’ve had the opportunity over the past several years to attend meetings and conferences that provide opportunities for networking with producers, lenders and credit analysts, financial professionals, commodity marketers, production/technical professionals, academics, journalists, and others who have vested interests in the success of farm businesses.
10/12/2023
I’ve become a fan of a weekly series of feature articles in Investor’s Business Daily. Always offered on Page A4 of the Monday weekly print edition, the heading “Leaders & Success” always has an inspiring story of someone who has achieved success in his or her field of business, sports, medicine, science, academia or public service.
Reading these features fuels my imagination and my motivation to keep the fires of ambition burning in my heart and soul. No matter the situation I find myself in, I take heart in the stories of people going above and beyond in many ways to reach their goal. Age is not an impediment to me. I plan to keep going as long as I’m able, mentally and physically.
I’ve become a fan of a weekly series of feature articles in Investor’s Business Daily. Always offered on Page A4 of the Monday weekly print edition, the heading “Leaders & Success” always has an inspiring story of someone who has achieved success in his or her field of business, sports, medicine, science, academia or public service.
Reading these features fuels my imagination and my motivation to keep the fires of ambition burning in my heart and soul. No matter the situation I find myself in, I take heart in the stories of people going above and beyond in many ways to reach their goal. Age is not an impediment to me. I plan to keep going as long as I’m able, mentally and physically.
10/05/2022
Don’t Shortchange the Continuing Educational Opportunities
Building a culture of competence, resiliency and open communication will come from a commitment from everyone --- ownership, management, staff, vendors, and contractors --- to embrace lifelong learning. To that, add a commitment from all stakeholders to work every day at building trust and a genuine effort at leaving egos at the door, working together, breaking down silos, covering for one another when it’s appropriate, understanding our limitations, offsetting one another’s weaknesses with our strengths and vice versa.
Employment agreements and job descriptions should not be written and simply put on a shelf. They must be lived every day and reviewed regularly. Find each employee’s distinctive competence and determine where he/she best fits in the organization’s structure.
Don’t Shortchange the Continuing Educational Opportunities
Building a culture of competence, resiliency and open communication will come from a commitment from everyone --- ownership, management, staff, vendors, and contractors --- to embrace lifelong learning. To that, add a commitment from all stakeholders to work every day at building trust and a genuine effort at leaving egos at the door, working together, breaking down silos, covering for one another when it’s appropriate, understanding our limitations, offsetting one another’s weaknesses with our strengths and vice versa.
Employment agreements and job descriptions should not be written and simply put on a shelf. They must be lived every day and reviewed regularly. Find each employee’s distinctive competence and determine where he/she best fits in the organization’s structure.
09/29/2022
Organize an Effective and Functional Business Office
In Part I of this series, I ended on a note of developing a trusted core of advisors to help build our processes and procedures in a systematic way by setting policies and strict, but flexible, boundaries and financial goals. A Business Plan, written and read on a continuous basis, revised as changing conditions and circumstances warrant, and communicated continuously throughout the organization, will be the North Star and guiding light for long term success.
Before beginning any significant enterprise of any sort, organize and staff the office. The business office is of equal importance to the production operations. Prioritize the workflow based on seasonality of the enterprise activities. Even one-enterprise operations that have slack times of the year as to office activity must have a process and procedures that ensure timely handling of matters. Stacking up piles of invoices, reports and other administrative items just gums up the works when it’s time to get these items handled.
Organize an Effective and Functional Business Office
In Part I of this series, I ended on a note of developing a trusted core of advisors to help build our processes and procedures in a systematic way by setting policies and strict, but flexible, boundaries and financial goals. A Business Plan, written and read on a continuous basis, revised as changing conditions and circumstances warrant, and communicated continuously throughout the organization, will be the North Star and guiding light for long term success.
Before beginning any significant enterprise of any sort, organize and staff the office. The business office is of equal importance to the production operations. Prioritize the workflow based on seasonality of the enterprise activities. Even one-enterprise operations that have slack times of the year as to office activity must have a process and procedures that ensure timely handling of matters. Stacking up piles of invoices, reports and other administrative items just gums up the works when it’s time to get these items handled.
09/22/2022
Following is part 1 of a 3-part series by Pete Weisenberger on Risk Management
= = = = =
I’ve written a few articles over the past year on staying engaged in the present and planning on the future. In one word, attitude. Too much news, too much chatter and complaining about the way things are, who did what to who, and what should others be doing just dulls my attitude and enthusiasm.
No doubt, there are many interesting things to know about the world around us, things we should be aware of, and events that affect our lives and our livelihoods, either indirectly or directly. Situational awareness of things going on in the world is good to know and is useful in many ways. But how much will actually improve your daily progress in work and in life?
Following is part 1 of a 3-part series by Pete Weisenberger on Risk Management
= = = = =
I’ve written a few articles over the past year on staying engaged in the present and planning on the future. In one word, attitude. Too much news, too much chatter and complaining about the way things are, who did what to who, and what should others be doing just dulls my attitude and enthusiasm.
No doubt, there are many interesting things to know about the world around us, things we should be aware of, and events that affect our lives and our livelihoods, either indirectly or directly. Situational awareness of things going on in the world is good to know and is useful in many ways. But how much will actually improve your daily progress in work and in life?
06/23/2022
This week I attended a two-day “Train-the-Trainer Consulting Workshop” conducted by Dick Wittman, joined by his daughter, Cori Wittman Stitt, and Lance Woodbury, of K-Coe Isom. To say the least, I left the program realizing how far behind I am in my consulting practice progress. I have no doubt about my capabilities; I know what my challenges are; now I must get busy.
This week I attended a two-day “Train-the-Trainer Consulting Workshop” conducted by Dick Wittman, joined by his daughter, Cori Wittman Stitt, and Lance Woodbury, of K-Coe Isom. To say the least, I left the program realizing how far behind I am in my consulting practice progress. I have no doubt about my capabilities; I know what my challenges are; now I must get busy.
06/16/2022
Members of ASAC have the opportunity to become a Certified Agricultural Consultant, or CAC. This is a program that is offered during our annual convention, which will be held this year from October 23-26 in Oklahoma City, OK. Look for additional details in upcoming blog and social media posts.
Certifications provide benefits to all types of professionals. They provide credibility of your skills, proof that you seek to continually grow knowledge and skills in your area of expertise, and a dedication to your field. When decision-makers are choosing the advisor they believe is the best fit for their needs, certifications can often be a determining factor.
Members of ASAC have the opportunity to become a Certified Agricultural Consultant, or CAC. This is a program that is offered during our annual convention, which will be held this year from October 23-26 in Oklahoma City, OK. Look for additional details in upcoming blog and social media posts.
Certifications provide benefits to all types of professionals. They provide credibility of your skills, proof that you seek to continually grow knowledge and skills in your area of expertise, and a dedication to your field. When decision-makers are choosing the advisor they believe is the best fit for their needs, certifications can often be a determining factor.
05/12/2022
Helping our clients work through a major crisis provides us a unique opportunity to share the lessons that others—and ourselves—have learned during difficult times. These are situations where we need to have many tools in our toolbox and share them at the appropriate time.
As we continue to help them understand different aspects of leading during a crisis, an important group of individuals to focus on is their management staff. Whether they are referred to as supervisors, foremen or managers, their needs in a crisis are the same.
Helping our clients work through a major crisis provides us a unique opportunity to share the lessons that others—and ourselves—have learned during difficult times. These are situations where we need to have many tools in our toolbox and share them at the appropriate time.
As we continue to help them understand different aspects of leading during a crisis, an important group of individuals to focus on is their management staff. Whether they are referred to as supervisors, foremen or managers, their needs in a crisis are the same.
04/21/2022
In our advisory role with clients, we often encounter individuals who are going through a crisis. It may be a business crisis or personal, and how they lead their team through the event can either build them up and make them stronger, or completely ruin them. When business leaders manage a crisis their laser-focus on all the challenges, decisions and disruptive events that occur should not obscure another group that needs and deserves their attention as well—their own family. Quite often, they are so focused on taking care of their staff and those families that they can accidentally overlook the needs of their personal family.
In our advisory role with clients, we often encounter individuals who are going through a crisis. It may be a business crisis or personal, and how they lead their team through the event can either build them up and make them stronger, or completely ruin them. When business leaders manage a crisis their laser-focus on all the challenges, decisions and disruptive events that occur should not obscure another group that needs and deserves their attention as well—their own family. Quite often, they are so focused on taking care of their staff and those families that they can accidentally overlook the needs of their personal family.
04/01/2022
A crisis can come in many forms. Sometimes the crisis only affects your business, and other times your entire industry is going through some type of crisis. One of the best ways to keep you and your team focused during a period of crisis is to have a 90-day plan. Keep in mind that the 90-day plan is updated every few days, sometimes even daily during the crisis, and continually looks forward to the next 90 days.
Include these elements in your 90-day plan:
A crisis can come in many forms. Sometimes the crisis only affects your business, and other times your entire industry is going through some type of crisis. One of the best ways to keep you and your team focused during a period of crisis is to have a 90-day plan. Keep in mind that the 90-day plan is updated every few days, sometimes even daily during the crisis, and continually looks forward to the next 90 days.
Include these elements in your 90-day plan:
03/17/2022
Many business owners have been in crisis management mode for over two years. It started with the pandemic, and just as that began to wane, along comes supply chain disruption, shortages of key inputs, inflation in every business sector and consumer product, and now the international disruption of a war in Europe. There are more unknowns than knowns, and the uncertainty we have as leaders spreads to our employees and family members.
Whenever we experience a crisis in our family, company or community, leaders must step up and do all they can to help their people navigate the uncertainties that plague even the most resolute individuals.
Here are a few thoughts for your consideration.
Your time is precious, so I’ll get right to the bullet points.
Many business owners have been in crisis management mode for over two years. It started with the pandemic, and just as that began to wane, along comes supply chain disruption, shortages of key inputs, inflation in every business sector and consumer product, and now the international disruption of a war in Europe. There are more unknowns than knowns, and the uncertainty we have as leaders spreads to our employees and family members.
Whenever we experience a crisis in our family, company or community, leaders must step up and do all they can to help their people navigate the uncertainties that plague even the most resolute individuals.
Here are a few thoughts for your consideration.
Your time is precious, so I’ll get right to the bullet points.
03/03/2022
We all know that the situation in Ukraine is desperate for many people. As people who work in agriculture, helping livestock, grain and produce growers make decisions about their animals and crops any crisis makes those decisions more stressful. Imagine trying to make those decisions with a herd of 2000 cows to milk each day, having to send your family out of the country to keep them safe while you stay back with the cattle, not knowing if you will have enough feed to feed your animals, and trying to make cropping decisions that must be made very soon—while in a war zone!
This Ukrainian farmer tells his gut-wrenching, firsthand story, and pleas for the help of our leaders to end this incursion quickly.
Read his story here:
https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/ukrainian-farmer-pleads-will-you-stand-us-our-moment-need
Posted by Don Tyler
ASAC Member
Tyler & Associates
We all know that the situation in Ukraine is desperate for many people. As people who work in agriculture, helping livestock, grain and produce growers make decisions about their animals and crops any crisis makes those decisions more stressful. Imagine trying to make those decisions with a herd of 2000 cows to milk each day, having to send your family out of the country to keep them safe while you stay back with the cattle, not knowing if you will have enough feed to feed your animals, and trying to make cropping decisions that must be made very soon—while in a war zone!
This Ukrainian farmer tells his gut-wrenching, firsthand story, and pleas for the help of our leaders to end this incursion quickly.
Read his story here:
https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/ukrainian-farmer-pleads-will-you-stand-us-our-moment-need
Posted by Don Tyler
ASAC Member
Tyler & Associates
02/03/2022
I enjoy reading the Weekend Edition of the Wall Street Journal. After perusing Section A to catch the headlines, I flip to the Opinion and Editorial Pages for a quick assessment of current events. After that, I immediately go to Sections B and C, in which are printed some feature articles, reviews and essays written by people who have studied a subject in-depth and who have written an article that is thought-provoking and makes me reflect on the subject as it pertains to me.
This past weekend’s edition, January 29-30, has one such review on page 1 of Section C, the Review Section. The essay is titled ‘No Regrets’ Is No Way To Live by Daniel H. Pink, and is excerpted/adapted from his forthcoming book, “The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward”.
I enjoy reading the Weekend Edition of the Wall Street Journal. After perusing Section A to catch the headlines, I flip to the Opinion and Editorial Pages for a quick assessment of current events. After that, I immediately go to Sections B and C, in which are printed some feature articles, reviews and essays written by people who have studied a subject in-depth and who have written an article that is thought-provoking and makes me reflect on the subject as it pertains to me.
This past weekend’s edition, January 29-30, has one such review on page 1 of Section C, the Review Section. The essay is titled ‘No Regrets’ Is No Way To Live by Daniel H. Pink, and is excerpted/adapted from his forthcoming book, “The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward”.
01/06/2022
Many situations and events are beyond our control, but we have total control on how we respond or react. We control what we say or think.
- Close Family Relationships – Estrangements
- Wealth – Poverty
- Happiness – Discord
- Satisfied – Disgruntled
- Purposeful – Undetermined
- Health – Disease
- Opportunity – Problem
- Peace – Unrest
- Truth – Lies
- Optimism – Pessimism
- Faithful – Unfaithful
- Ethical – Unethical
- Open-minded – Close-minded
- Victory – Defeat
Many situations and events are beyond our control, but we have total control on how we respond or react. We control what we say or think.
12/23/2021
My family has never been one to write a “Christmas Letter” that summarizes the past years’ events, challenges, and hopes for the future—but we read every one that we get from others. For us, we have always seemed to take life as it happens, accept the ups and downs that naturally occur in any given year, and continue to move forward toward our long-term goals. We’ve had those extremely difficult years, but our faith has been the foundation of how we handle those situations, accepting that God is sovereign and has a plan for us that we can adapt to and gain the lessons He wants us to learn.
My family has never been one to write a “Christmas Letter” that summarizes the past years’ events, challenges, and hopes for the future—but we read every one that we get from others. For us, we have always seemed to take life as it happens, accept the ups and downs that naturally occur in any given year, and continue to move forward toward our long-term goals. We’ve had those extremely difficult years, but our faith has been the foundation of how we handle those situations, accepting that God is sovereign and has a plan for us that we can adapt to and gain the lessons He wants us to learn.
10/07/2021
In her recent article on the AgWeb website, Elizabeth Griffith provides valuable insights on how we can help our employees, family members and perhaps even our clients, provide a better work-life balance. She provides practical ways to make sure it isn't just a buzzword in our business, the benefits of being deliberate about creating it and our role as leaders to set the example.
The full article can be read here:
https://www.agweb.com/news/business/health/work-life-balance-more-buzzword
Posted by Don Tyler
In her recent article on the AgWeb website, Elizabeth Griffith provides valuable insights on how we can help our employees, family members and perhaps even our clients, provide a better work-life balance. She provides practical ways to make sure it isn't just a buzzword in our business, the benefits of being deliberate about creating it and our role as leaders to set the example.
The full article can be read here:
https://www.agweb.com/news/business/health/work-life-balance-more-buzzword
Posted by Don Tyler
08/26/2021
We’ve all been through it more times than not. And wondered if we’d survive to the end. Not to mention if we learned anything or otherwise got something worthwhile from it. I’m talking about public speaking, whether we’re on the giving end or the receiving end.
Casual conversations or prepared speeches. Even though most of us can go 90 miles an hour once we start blabbing in a casual conversation, the thought of a prepared speech terrifies us.
Yet every conversation should start off with a plan. In other words, think before we speak.
“I’m like, you know, going to give a speech, I mean, you know, a talk to my work group about this project, like it’s not going so good, we need to come up with a plan to, you know, like get on track.” Arghh!
We’ve all been through it more times than not. And wondered if we’d survive to the end. Not to mention if we learned anything or otherwise got something worthwhile from it. I’m talking about public speaking, whether we’re on the giving end or the receiving end.
Casual conversations or prepared speeches. Even though most of us can go 90 miles an hour once we start blabbing in a casual conversation, the thought of a prepared speech terrifies us.
Yet every conversation should start off with a plan. In other words, think before we speak.
“I’m like, you know, going to give a speech, I mean, you know, a talk to my work group about this project, like it’s not going so good, we need to come up with a plan to, you know, like get on track.” Arghh!
07/08/2021
In the book Good to Great, Jim Collins provides many examples of the actions that good companies take to become great companies, far exceeding their competition. One of the strategies that he emphasizes is the practice of doing “autopsies without blame.” He shares the example of Phillip Morris buying the Seven-Up Company, only to sell it 8 years later at a loss. It wasn’t that much of a loss considering their total assets, but it was “a highly visible black eye” as Collins described it.
In the book Good to Great, Jim Collins provides many examples of the actions that good companies take to become great companies, far exceeding their competition. One of the strategies that he emphasizes is the practice of doing “autopsies without blame.” He shares the example of Phillip Morris buying the Seven-Up Company, only to sell it 8 years later at a loss. It wasn’t that much of a loss considering their total assets, but it was “a highly visible black eye” as Collins described it.
07/01/2021
I just read, recently, a hard-hitting article revealing a multitude of activities and events pointing out the espionage and intellectual theft that China has been undertaking for many years now. This has been happening in full view of business, academia and government with little to no reporting to the public of the scope and scale of this massive theft. Sure, people have been aware of China’s aggression toward the free world and numerous reports in various media about human rights abuses as well as its status as the holder of a large amount of our sovereign debt, its exploitation of labor, religious persecution, environmental degradation, and military aggression toward its neighbors, especially Taiwan. China has been in full scale offense for decades as it seeks to be THE Superpower in the world.
I just read, recently, a hard-hitting article revealing a multitude of activities and events pointing out the espionage and intellectual theft that China has been undertaking for many years now. This has been happening in full view of business, academia and government with little to no reporting to the public of the scope and scale of this massive theft. Sure, people have been aware of China’s aggression toward the free world and numerous reports in various media about human rights abuses as well as its status as the holder of a large amount of our sovereign debt, its exploitation of labor, religious persecution, environmental degradation, and military aggression toward its neighbors, especially Taiwan. China has been in full scale offense for decades as it seeks to be THE Superpower in the world.
05/27/2021
In these times of uncertainty, the difficulties and anxieties one experiences in trying to make sound investment decisions grows daily. Indeed, it has always been difficult and leaves one to constantly second guessing and fretful for the future.
Now, most people do make their own mistakes, independent of anyone to whom they may wish to shift the blame for poor decisions. Thinking we can get a little better yield here versus there, we jump at the shiny ring. All that glitters is not gold.
In these times of uncertainty, the difficulties and anxieties one experiences in trying to make sound investment decisions grows daily. Indeed, it has always been difficult and leaves one to constantly second guessing and fretful for the future.
Now, most people do make their own mistakes, independent of anyone to whom they may wish to shift the blame for poor decisions. Thinking we can get a little better yield here versus there, we jump at the shiny ring. All that glitters is not gold.
05/06/2021
As advisors, we’ve all experienced the situation where a client has all the information they need, including supporting data, charts, financial reports and detailed analysis that point to clear, predictable results—and yet they will not make a decision that any thoughtful businessperson would make. We’ve tried all our usual strategies, but for some reason this decision is tough for them.
In this situation the client is telling you they need an emotional reason to make the changes necessary to take this to approach. This seems counterintuitive, but remember we tend to make most of our decisions emotionally, and then justify them logically. (Note: This is why Kohl’s department store provides a detailed listing of the savings on every single item so that the purchaser can easily justify what they spent to… whomever might need that information….)
As advisors, we’ve all experienced the situation where a client has all the information they need, including supporting data, charts, financial reports and detailed analysis that point to clear, predictable results—and yet they will not make a decision that any thoughtful businessperson would make. We’ve tried all our usual strategies, but for some reason this decision is tough for them.
In this situation the client is telling you they need an emotional reason to make the changes necessary to take this to approach. This seems counterintuitive, but remember we tend to make most of our decisions emotionally, and then justify them logically. (Note: This is why Kohl’s department store provides a detailed listing of the savings on every single item so that the purchaser can easily justify what they spent to… whomever might need that information….)
04/21/2021
Defeating Procrastination
For some unknown reason it seems that many of the clients I’ve worked with for the last two months have brought up the subject of procrastination. Often it was mentioned in the context of “asking for a friend…” and occasionally it was to address the issue with a family member or employee.
We all have an area (or more) where we procrastinate. Those areas tend to have one thing in common—they are something we really dislike having to do. Specific activities can be wide-ranging and might include:
Defeating Procrastination
For some unknown reason it seems that many of the clients I’ve worked with for the last two months have brought up the subject of procrastination. Often it was mentioned in the context of “asking for a friend…” and occasionally it was to address the issue with a family member or employee.
We all have an area (or more) where we procrastinate. Those areas tend to have one thing in common—they are something we really dislike having to do. Specific activities can be wide-ranging and might include:
- Making a phone call to a person that is difficult to deal with, rude, negative or a particular type of person we dislike.
- Activities we feel we aren’t very good at such as math, creative writing, documentation, detailed work, etc.
- Tasks that we feel are unimportant or low priority like completing reports, filling out lengthy forms, cleaning up after a task that we do often (“It’s just going to get dirty again tomorrow…”), etc.
- Dealing with conflict, having to give people bad news, or needing to have a difficult conversation with someone.
- Anything that is far outside our comfort zone.
11/19/2020
If you’ve been a consultant for very long, you’ve probably run into a few clients where they themselves or a family member tend to overreact to fairly benign situations, make unreasonable demands or feel seriously disrespected if they don’t get their way. They might even be easily offended or inconvenienced and tend to be in the middle of any drama that erupts.
These individuals are expressing a low Emotional Quotient (EQ). EQ is a reflection of a person’s emotional intelligence, which is defined as a measure of their ability to understand how the emotions and needs of themselves and others shape their interactions, and then regulate their own responses accordingly.
Emotional intelligence has become a significant topic for professional development and mentoring as well as an essential trait for management and leadership positions.
If you’ve been a consultant for very long, you’ve probably run into a few clients where they themselves or a family member tend to overreact to fairly benign situations, make unreasonable demands or feel seriously disrespected if they don’t get their way. They might even be easily offended or inconvenienced and tend to be in the middle of any drama that erupts.
These individuals are expressing a low Emotional Quotient (EQ). EQ is a reflection of a person’s emotional intelligence, which is defined as a measure of their ability to understand how the emotions and needs of themselves and others shape their interactions, and then regulate their own responses accordingly.
Emotional intelligence has become a significant topic for professional development and mentoring as well as an essential trait for management and leadership positions.