Will Kemp, a good friend, sent this to me today to ponder:

Tomorrow is a fantasy world for us.  We have no idea how it is going to turn out and we plan for what we think will happen and get upset when it doesn’t happen the way we want it too.  We were never promised it to begin with so why are we upset about the details instead of the big picture that we were able to live it to begin with.  Puts things in perspective doesn’t it.  Doesn’t hurt to plan, don’t get me wrong, I am only referrencing our attitude and outlook.

The past 4 years at the company have often been a struggle that are difficult for me to describe. Although I was encouraged by small things and discouraged internally from turning away, I stood on the fence and often considered exiting to develop somewhere else in the business world. As Thomas Paine skillfully penned, "THESE are the times that try men’s souls. " No, I’m not trying to compare my life to the brave patriots struggling to defend their newly declared independent nation, but it’s true that times at the company were very difficult for a young, energetic man desiring excellence and an exponential growth (and change) curve. It seemed like it would have been so easy (and oftentime so right) to walk away.

Paine continued, "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. " It is so easy when faced with challenge and conflict to walk, to abandon the difficulties instead of facing them head-on. Thankfully, I moved slowly for once. And, thankfully, our new consultant that everyone revered counseled me at the pinnacle of trial that the best opportunities lay in my future with our company. Opportunities to learn like no other place. It is a chance for me to plant my feet, to understand the business world and a great opportunity to be very successful. And, heck, if after a few years it didn’t work out, I would have learned and grown "a whole heck of a lot."

And, no one in our company was like the Redcoats, not even like the Tories. There were many in the old guard, many hindering our potential. But, we were making the changes. The evidences were there. Our COO was in place and being promoted from VP of finance. We had a dynamic new VP of Operations in place. We secured the services of on of the leading minds in our industry to consult with us (and to work often directly with me!) But it was indeed very difficult for me to see those changes taking place. And not helping to clarify my vision were the many emotions involved as a son-in-law to the owner (and the many challenges associated there.)

But today was the first day for our new Director of Finance. So? He is tangible evidence of continued change. He is a success story. A young, vibrant leader that continues the rising tide. Change? Let’s change that word to improvement. To growth. To success. To take our little chicken company to the next level.

Pieces in the puzzle are beginning to fall in place. It is beginning to be fun. I’m still swimming with my nose just barely out of the water, but I’m gaining momentum and my paddling is getting easier and makes more sense.

Leaving can be the easiest decision but also can be the worst. Sticking it out has been incredible. Full of opportunity. Perils still lie ahead, but as long as the tide continues to rise we will be able to sail right over them. Once again, Thomas Paine in The Crisis:

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."

On our trip to Minnesota, the consultant and i had plenty of time to discuss strategies. But quickly he reminded me that the guys who are successful aren’t simply the ones who have strategy, but the ones who are also decidedly tactical in nature. The most brilliant people can strategize (think of all the PhD’s teaching at universities) but the business leaders, the Fortune 500 CEOs are implementers. They proceed to implement strategy. Or, with little strategy at all, they simply implement.

This is seen in pool. Anyone with half a brain can understand the geometry and physics required to make a strategy in the game of 8-ball. But who wins: the guy who can come up with the best strategy or the guy who actually puts his balls in the pockets?

It has been a week or so since I last wrote-vacation last week and this week I started at the office, then on to Iowa and now I’ve been in Pittsburg for 2 days at a customer’s supplier symposium. I must admit that the chicken industry isn’t the most glamorous, but it certainly is a fun one.

One of the amazing things that I have learned is that Wal-Mart has really driven industry in the states to act smarter, be more efficient, and to drive cost out of all parts of the supply chain. We are challenged to drive cost out of our products so that current products can continue to sell in the retail market. The key stat is that 90% of items in the retail shelf will lose volume after 12 months if nothing is changed about it or the package. Two options are available: reduce the sticker price to keep customer interest or innovate. Those innovations cost money and that money generally cannot come from a price increase. Thinks roll-backs. That Smiley face!

It sucks. It is very difficult to drive out cost without driving into the bottom line. That is where programs like six sigma become so important. For in the end, these cost out programs will drive our industries to focus on extreme efficiency to reduce cost. Because of our wonderful system of capitalism, competition drives this. If I do not drive out cost, my ‘friendly’ competitors will.