Not much going on this week, except for: Covid, supply chain headaches, labor issues, mounting regulations from different government agencies, and, oh yes, higher prices (on everything).
Outside of these issues, a pretty quiet day at the office.
Good grief. One of these is enough to keep CEO’s busy, but when you consider all of them, plus other normal business entreaties, it is no wonder CEO’s get the big bucks.
One CEO recently shared his term, the “new abnormal,” to explain what is plaguing not only the produce industry but most other industries as well.
How does someone, who has bottom line responsibility, keep his/her focus? What business opportunities (to put things in the positive) does one address first? How do business teams keep up their morale? Is short-term thinking better than looking at long-term possibilities? Is planning still an action item, or is the term, “making do”, the operational mandate?
These and many other questions are not only vexing, but they are sapping the strength and vitality of even seasoned industry veterans.
In my 42 years of observing businesses, and more importantly, those charged with running their businesses, I have never seen such a lack of clarity regarding what to do next or how to address their business challenges.
Over and over, I have been told that “it is just not as much fun as it used to be.” I get it.
I am a glass three-quarters full type of person, but even in my most optimistic moments, I am concerned about the state of mind of those charged with keeping their businesses running, with limited help, while paying up big time for labor and costs of production.
This past weekend, I watched the venerable and normally accurate Mason Crosby, the Green Bay Packers kicker, miss an extra point and three field goals, before getting a fourth shot at making the game-winning kick. He nailed it. Even the best at what they do have challenges.
Keeping your focus, believing in yourself and your teams, and taking deep breaths are what will get us from abnormal to normal, whatever that turns out to be.
We are here for you.
