A North Star Idea

It was the 2016 ASCFG meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The conference kicked off with welcoming words from Dale Deppe. You may think you don’t know of him, but I’m sure you do: Dale led Spring Meadow Nursery to a position as a world-renowned propagation nursery.  His nursery introduced the Limelight Hydrangea amongst many other flowering shrub introductions to the floriculture industry.

A few minutes into Dale Deppe’s talk, I knew he was talking to me. Have you ever had that happen? I have on a few occasions while sitting in a pew, but not at a farming conference.

 Here is what Dale  said:

“Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, some people make it happen.”

Some of you may think, as I did at that conference in 2016, that your farming business is too small or too new to even consider things like business planning, strategies, the big picture, a long-term plan, and an exit plan for Pete’s sake! But the truth is, sitting there listening to Dale talk about these things, I wish I had heard him 18 years ago as I was starting out.

That day in 2016 Dale offered ideas and solutions to problems that I was struggling with but hadn’t taken the time to get a clear view of what they were, much less tackle them.

I think sometimes that when I face something I don’t quite understand, I turn and go the other way. It’s easy to get caught up in the farm’s immediate demands, like tending to fields of flowers awaiting harvest.

Farmers don’t often have or make the time to address what Dale shared until later in the game if at all.  Here is my north star idea that I took away from Dale’s talk and that conference:  build your business with purpose, knowing that every day you are moving towards making your business work for everyone–you, your employees, the environment, and the consumer.

This wake-up call urged me (and I hope it resonates with you) to focus on building a business with a clear purpose and long-term vision. The insights shared by Dale emphasized the need for robust planning, profitability strategies, and investment in both business and people.

Here are my key takeaways from Dale’s talk in 2016:

• Membership in associations provides unforeseen personal and business growth.
• Profitability isn’t just about money but encompasses various aspects like employee satisfaction and consumer well-being.
• Strategic business planning and continuous improvement are the cornerstones of success.
• Investing in people and fostering their growth is an investment in the business’s future.
• Strive to work on the business, not just in it, fostering an environment where proactive planning takes precedence over constant firefighting.

As we approach the winter season, I encourage you to reflect on these insights. They might spark ideas that shape the future of your business, just as they have for mine. 

I hope you’ll find some nuggets of your own and find your North Star in the New Year. 

Ciao,

Lisa Z