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Pathways to Profit: That has been the theme for this year's Business Conference. PDPW leaders do have to follow their own pathways to profit, but real leaders, real visionaries are more aptly described as “trailblazers on the edge.”
The PDPW Board of Directors have set three compass points to help the exploration of the edge.
First, Producer Professionalism. The thoughts, words and actions that will set the trail for the future are built on skills that must be honed, shaped and developed. PDPW has helped with education on media relations, production seminars and our Manager's Academy—all ways for us to improve as professionals. The driving force for change is the thought process to arrive at skill, not vice versa. True professionalism is based on better thought processes.
Second, Industry Outreach. The dairy industry does not exist in a vacuum. We are touched and touch daily our communities, regulators, regulations, perceptions and misperceptions. Outreach opportunities run the gamut, from publicizing research on road construction specs in relation to farm equipment, to proposed rules by the EPA, to assisting policy makers in direction and guidance, to conversations with our neighbors. Outreach is based on truth, which builds trust, as Stephen Covey spoke of yesterday. Without trust there cannot be discovery of truth. Outreach builds trust.
Third, the base must be laid for a transitional industry. Moving the industry forward will be a new generation that faces a much more complicated world than the preceding generation. Our industry is a spectrum that Doug Knoepke spoke of last year, spectrum that is centered on one brand, “milk.” How do we move “milk” forward? Be it educating youth, discussions related to farm accounting, or business structures. We have to keep moving our industry forward. Successful transitions, I believe, is the most important but the least defined. The trailblazing on the edge must be tempered, so that it does not go over the edge. Decisions on our farms and in our industry are often made with imperfect knowledge, and have ramifications for years to come. That's where faith comes in. Faith that what we are doing is correct, for the next generation.
Let's go forward. Go forward on these three compass points of Producer Professionalism, Industry Outreach, and Transitions. Make use of thought, trust and faith. These are three eminent human qualities which are a reflection and an expectation of our members.
We as the Board of PDPW strive to mirror and live up to the expectations of our membership. Let's go forward together. COMMENTS? Please voice your opinion. Send an email to LeadersVoice@pdpw.org. |
