The Leader's Letter
By: Bill Latham, IPSA President
Change! Everybody talks about it, and by now everybody gets it. We do have a tremendous amount of change, and it seems like the vast change in our seed industry has even preceded the current unprecedented national change. What seems so difficult to grasp sometimes is not that change is occurring, but that the rate of change seems to be ever increasing.
Our IPSA Conference on January 20-22 in Indianapolis is a vital meeting to attend just for the two key speakers who get right to the point of this increasing change. John Phipps opens the discussion with a presentation called, "What If This IS Normal?", and Robert Ian closes it with, "How to Identify, Master and Conquer Change". In addition, the conference offers so much more in great educational and social activities.
In response to industry changes, your association is addressing change at every opportunity. Just look at the member services and activities occurring now compared to a few years ago. We have a new IPSA logo and campaign designed to help members convey the independence and choices messages, new service programs such as trait and genetics reporting services and an inventory management system, and a redesigned research program to better serve needs. We have also revamped and expanded our website and initiated work on a record-keeping and accounting software package.
Your board has continued a policy of very close monitoring and communications with major trait and technology providers, as well as improved ties with other trade organizations.
A highlight of this past year was the first IPSA owners meeting in 20 years. While respecting the admonition of no reference to pricing or customers, the meeting centered on how we can find synergies to help each other, and I'm sure many were found. The room was filled with individuals that I greatly respect, the entrepreneurs of the seed industry, and the socializing among this group was a benefit in itself.
As my year as your president draws to a close, I'd like to publicly recognize and thank a group of people for whom I've developed tremendous respect and admiration, not to mention close friendships. This is one of the finest boards I've ever worked with, plus we have a very capable and innovative CEO in Greg Ruehle, who gets able assistance from Jennifer Bird Hospodka. This is the group that gets the credit for our progress, along with our able committee members and always-faithful associates.
IPSA is a very special organization, centered around great people who are out there taking entrepreneurial risks, supported by associates that are engaged and contributing. Too often we focus on companies that have sold, instead of on the new ventures and the change and growth that takes place among our membership. The challenges are tough, but it's a vibrant and exciting place to be.
Sincerely,
Bill Latham
President