A farmer and a CEO

“I work for a farmer who also happens to be a CEO. “
That’s what I often say when people ask me about the owner of the company I work for. Sound crazy to you? It makes perfect sense to me. Bill Taylor farms with his dad and brother in North Central Indiana and also owns Taylored Systems, a successful technology communications company.
The way I see it, farmers, by nature, have unbelievable persistence. They stay committed to their objective…I will raise a crop, I will sell it, and I will make sure there a little something left over as a result of my hard work. Successful farmers keep moving forward. They avoid the mindset to “park the tractor” when things look bad, because that would not help them with a successful harvest.
The same is true for us in business. Everywhere you turn, conversation seems to involve a discussion about our current economic state. It is no different in our world, but we are intentionally making a choice that will help our employees, our business, and our economy.
We just held our annual all employee meeting where we reviewed 2008, and it was a good year. (Not a GREAT year, but a good year). And as a result of that year, all employees were able to receive a small bonus for their continued effort, hard work, and commitment to the company. We are in the process of hiring new employees and as a result will need to purchase a new fleet vehicle. Instead of one, we decided to purchase two vehicles, to help replace one of our older ones.
Last week our President signed a new stimulus package and we hoped it would mean good things for the economy. The same day, the market dropped 300 points and commodities tanked. By all historical economic indicators, it may be a little while until we pull out of the “economic situation”, but we have to keep moving forward. We have to remain positive, and we have to keep those tractors moving.
We will do our part to buy goods and services that will help us achieve our goals and refuse to let the nervousness around us stop us from making sound business decisions that will help us in our 3, 5, and 10 year business plan. You have a choice to make too. Are you going to complain about the situation and “park your tractor” or are you going to keep industry alive; keep buying, shopping, hiring, and persistently pursuing your objectives? We hope you’ll join us.
This was Amy Hershman’s latest conversation with Bill Taylor.
Thank you and kind regards.