|
"I
couldn’t agree more with the ‘being close to the customer’
aspect," said Erickson, who spoke on "Board and Management
Relationships."
Erickson
said research done by leading businesses in the United States showed the
best companies found ways to maintain a solid relationship with those
who keep their bottom lines in the black.
A
few years ago, Erickson told the audience, United Airlines gave tickets
to its top executives who were told to "go out and talk to your
customers."
Erickson
praised the commercial, saying it not only helped promote air travel,
but also pointed to an important aspect of profitability.
"Southwest
Airlines is another good one when it comes to getting close to
customers," he said. "It’s one of the 100 best places to
work for in the United States. It’s an excellent company that knows
how to motivate their people with the variety of things they do."
Motivation
comes in many forms, Erickson said, and one involves trust between
employer and employee.
"It’s
a two-way street," he said. "You can’t be trustworthy unless
you are trusted."
Erickson
produced knowing expressions in the packed meeting room when he said
something they all knew— Alabama Farming Cooperative customers are
also investors so they have more than a passing interest in the
profitability of their Co-ops.
He
also said those who run farming cooperatives practice and appreciate
"hands-on" management and "aren’t afraid to get their
hands dirty."
"You
can’t know the needs of your customers without walking around and
finding out who they are," Erickson said.
He
said communication between employer and employee is an "essential
link" to business success regardless of size and scope.
"People
tend to react bitterly to attacks on their self-esteem," Erickson
said, noting hiring good managers is one of the best ways to avoid that
problem.
Terry
Barr, chief economist for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives,
spoke about the importance of the United States in the world’s
marketplace.
"When
the U.S. slows down, the rest of world does, too," he said.
"It’s important for us to stay strong."
Mixing
statistical data with down-home observations about the economy, Barr
brought laughs when he described the difference between a recession and
slow economic growth.
"Slow
growth is when your neighbor loses his job," Barr said. "A
recession is when you lose your job."
He
said optimism is one way to avoid a recession because "we can talk
ourselves into one if we’re not careful."
Barr
said large inventories represent one reason for the slowing economy in
the U.S. and indicated it could be two years before the housing industry
is able to bounce back from its current woes.
China
currently accounts for about 85 percent of business growth in the world,
Barr said, and U.S. farmers need to remember the crops they grow will
always have a market somewhere.
"The
world’s economy depends on this year’s crop," he said, noting
the shift to ethanol to help ease fuel problems is putting a strain on
corn producers.
"We
have great opportunities in that area, but the worst thing to happen is
to have a poor yield," said Barr who held several positions at the
U.S. Department of Agriculture during his 14 years there.
Devastating
droughts in the country, especially in the Southeast, have done little
to inspire optimism in the U.S., but Barr said he has faith in the
future and his audience seemed to share that faith when he finished his
talk.
Alvin
Benn is a freelance writer from Selma. |
