Category: Letters from Lisa

Don’t put all your eggs is one basket is a proverb that dates back at least to the 1600s. There are several stories concerning the origin of the expression, but it may have been inspired by the real-life experiences of poultry farmers who used wagons and baskets to take their eggs to market. If all of a farmer’s eggs were placed in one basket, it would only take one unfortunate accident along the way to ruin his entire investment and opportunity.

By not putting all your eggs in one basket, you reduce the risk of having nothing to offer at the market by pinning all your hopes or future goals on one and only one option. In business, we refer to this as diversification.

Diversification
Diversification is a foundational principle of a sound, long-term plan. One of the key benefits of diversification is that it makes for a smoother ride on the path to achieving one’s goals. In short, we are vulnerable if we rely too heavily on one species, one major customer or one region. Diversification is about developing new products, exploring new markets and taking new risks. None of this diversification lingo is not new information. So why don’t we diversify?

We Intentionally Say No
I’m as surprised as anybody, but Crocs’ all-purpose footwear is still going strong long after their 2002 debut. They’ve come a long way since then; their initial batch of 200 pairs sold out immediately, but they now weigh in as a $880 million company, just in the U.S. And still they remain singularly focused on their flagship product. Michelin is another company that notably stuck to its guns – or, in this case, tires. Although they’ve dabbled in manufacturing things like road maps and rocket components, Michelin keeps coming back to the product that made them famous: tires. They were the first radial tire company to span the globe, and today they’re one of the most recognizable names in the automotive industry.

We Don’t Like Risk
Keep in mind that the path toward diversification will be decided, at least in part, by how much of a risk we want to take – and how much money we have available to take it. If one is risk averse, they tend to not diversify, which in the end is sometimes very risky.

We Don’t Have the Right Expertise
When you do one thing, you can train your staff and use their expertise to execute, unlike when you offer dozens or hundreds of products that require additional expertise not currently possessed by your staff.

We Don’t Have the Right Mindset
Diversification must be a purposeful mindset to influence the future of the company. For many, this mindset is just not an option. Having the openness to hear new ideas, and the flexibility to act on tactical diversification opportunities that can ultimately serve you better than sticking strictly to your original strategy takes an open, visionary mindset. Note that only 3.2% of Americans are visionary so this is difficult.

Diversification can mean something different to every single business. It takes effort and its own kind of focus, so it’s important to first assess whether it’s something your company is striving for, and if so, then examining and perhaps also trying different avenues that may suit your business and your company mindset.

But remember, for diversification to be an option in the first place, openness and willingness to change is the most important criteria.

A new year means a fresh slate. Many people say it is a good idea to start the year with a fresh perspective and focus on how to put your best foot forward. 

There’s a Buddhist parable called The Second Arrow. The story explains that in life, things that don’t go the way we desire is inevitable. This is likened to being shot by an arrow – an instance which is outside of your personal control.  

The option of pulling out that arrow and then complaining about the event is entirely on you. This is referred to as the second arrow. Here are a few tips to help you with that second arrow so you start the year with a clean slate as opposed to leaving remnants of those first arrows. 

Practice Gratitude 

Being truly grateful assists you in fresh perspective and putting your best foot forward. 

Make a No “What Ifs” Rule 

Spinning on what might have been keeps you from moving forward. Your thoughts may seem to circle back again and again to the things you think you could, or should, have done differently. When you catch yourself thinking a “what if,” just recognize that you didn’t, and move forward. 

Get Physical 

Take a weightlifting or yoga class or give one-foot barn cleaning or ballroom dancing a go. When you choose an activity that requires your focus to balance or to learn a sequence of motions, your brain will be busy doing something other than ruminating on arrow one. I really need to get this incorporated into my life in 2023.  Stay tuned for how that goes. 

Make a To-Do List 

Having a plan for today keeps you from feeling ungrounded. If you fill your day with meaningful tasks, you will have something to keep you from focused forward and grounded. This takes time, but the payoff is seriously worth it. 

Remember, Happiness is a Choice 

In every moment, you have the choice to be happy. Victor Frankl, Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist who survived the Holocaust and founded the Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy, is said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” If you are choosing your old perspective as a pattern, consciously make the decision to replace it with a fresh perspective. 

Start with a Mantra or Affirmation 

If your day begins with a thought like, “Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” or “I’m excited for what today will bring,” it keeps your focus on the present and future. Choose a positive affirmation to start each day. One of my favorite gifts during the last year was a set of Daily Prayer cards given to me by a friend who lost her husband too early as well.  Each card is a very short Bible verse focused on the good God provides.  I would say those cards have helped my perspective each day more than anything. It does work. Try it! 

Perspective – yours, mine and others – are all equally important. Take the time to know them all so you can ensure yours is fresh. 

December is my favorite month. This is because I get to give many “gifts” to those around me. These gifts include the most days off work of any month, end of year performance reviews, the annual Christmas bonus, Christmas gifts, happy New Year hugs and pausing to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

The word in there I would like to focus on this month is pausing.

Pausing at times — even for just a few seconds — can make a major difference in how we think and react. Before you dismiss this as simple common sense, remember: the pause is easy in theory, difficult in practice.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) includes the ability to understand and manage our emotions, using them to work for us instead of against us. Emotional intelligence can help us think logically, rather than solely reacting with emotion. Like any ability, it can be learned, exercised and honed to help produce desirable outcomes. What one action can sharpen your EQ?

The pause.

The pause isn’t only effective when dealing with upsetting situations. Often, we are tempted to jump on opportunities that look really good at the time but that we haven’t really thought through. Used effectively, the pause can help reduce those “What was I thinking?” moments. Now wouldn’t that be a nice gift to give everyone around us?

How to Use the Pause Effectively

1. Stop. Resist the urge to act immediately.
2. Take a deep, long breath.
3. If possible, take a walk. At least 10 to 15 minutes is great; longer is even better.

Using the pause can help us look to the future with more optimism. It is the pause that allows us to digest information and begin to use that information effectively. We can move logically through the processes of thinking, then planning and then doing. The order is important, and it is that order that allows the future to be all it can be for you and for your business.

Some situations do require immediate responses, and a pause may not always be an option. Time is money, but in big decisions that may have great impact, a pause can pay dividends.

Take the time this process requires, and you will find better decisions throughout business.

Now that’s a gift worth giving and receiving!

The Thanksgiving holiday likely conjures up hopes of family, food and football. And for sure thankfulness. Thankfulness is defined as being “pleased and relieved.” To be grateful is to “show appreciation of kindness.” There is a difference. Being thankful is a feeling whereas being grateful is an action. 

Saying “thank you” is one of the easiest and simplest ways to show gratefulness. This small action of kindness is a powerful tool that’s constantly at our disposal. Below are eight ways to take this very action and instantly make someone’s day: 

1) Write a note: Few people hand write anything anymore, but when one does, it’s meaningful and not forgotten. 

2) Do what you do best: Everyone is good at something! Love cooking? Make a meal and drop it off to someone needing an act of kindness. Love kids? Offer to babysit so their parent can have a break. Interestingly, doing more of what you love makes you happier, too. 

3) Be present: In very busy times, getting 100% of a human’s attention is a rare luxury. Show someone how much you care by truly stopping and listening to them. 

4) Be sneaky: Leave a surprise somewhere totally unexpected. Studies show that variations to normal routine make us happier – and that goes double when it’s a surprise thank you. 

5) Reciprocate: Anything someone has done for you, you can do, too. 

6) Pay it forward: The recipient of your kindness will often be so inspired by your action they will continue the trend.  

7) Make cookies: Few people can resist homemade cookies, so mix them up and make someone’s day. Making cookies is my favorite act of gratefulness.  It makes me so happy to see how much people like a tasty homemade cookie. 

8) Write a poem: How many people get custom-made poetry these days? Not many! It doesn’t need to rhyme or follow rules. It just needs to make them know how awesome they are and how much they’re appreciated. 

So here it goes . . .  

No matter if you are grateful or thankful, it’s about care. 

Care is what we need to share. 

No matter which of the above caring actions we choose to do, 

It’s the do that we must always pursue. 

Doing is what causes the care to come full circle 

And allows us to clear all of life’s hurdles. 

Be thankful, be grateful, every Turkey Day. 

Actually, let’s be so every day no matter what the media say. 

At our last quarterly national sales meeting each ASM was asked to do a SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats) analysis on his or her territory. It was very interesting to listen to the recording of each of these presentations. One of the most mentioned threats was copycat products.   

That was a bit bothersome to me, so I did a lot of research and thinking about that, and here is the journey I went on to get more comfortable with what I guess should have made me feel … happy. 

• Copycats are the norm. 
• Copycats do not imitate products that aren’t selling. 
• Copycats are rarely successful in the end. 
• Copycats are parasitic brands. 
• If you create great things, people will mimic, steal and copy them. 

Understand that copycats are a fan of what you do, and you should take comfort in the tribute they are paying to you by copying your work. So, relax and say thank you. Accept the compliment (by calling them out publicly) and get back to work! 

You can also ignore the copycats! They don’t add any value to your life so don’t spend your time and energy worrying about them. 

If people are stealing your ideas, content, or approach – that’s okay. What really matters is that people can’t copy your unique experiences. They can’t copy your personality. 

At this point in this copycat journey, I thought I’d ask myself some fair questions:  

What is BioZyme’s personality? 

I would say the traits of BioZyme’s personality are drive, excitement, transparency, competence and faith/belief in the future. 

Within that personality, stay focused on your own growth, customers and the new experiences you are having and forget about rest who are following behind and stealing your moves. Think of it this way, the more copycats you have, the bigger your fan base. 

To fight off the copycats, are we staying focused? 

Focus is tough in business and even more so in these times of unknown costs, insecure timing and not really being able to count on anything. I find staying focused is constantly being challenged with the statement, “since the pandemic ____.” I hate that statement. The impacts of the pandemic are so far out of my control that it just feels like a pathetic excuse.  

Focus is about being able to count on one hand the most critical things you must deliver this year and then doing it, no matter what. We work on this at BioZyme by color coding our 1-page plan in green (must happen), white (would be nice to get it done) and red (ok to let it go). I am going to be honest we are not perfect at staying focused on these priorities, but we work, talk and challenge each other on it in almost every meeting. 

No matter your personality or focus, we humans learn through stories. Stories sell. You can tell your story. Copycats can’t! Which is why you must share stories and open up so widely and so exhaustively since your customers identify with you, your struggles and your success. 

So, Lisa, in this copycat battle, what’s the story? 

For me at this point in the journey of life when I very unexpectedly lost my partner, my favorite friend and my husband I can easily share struggle, but success is also in everything I see almost (just being honest) every day. That success at BioZyme starts in 1951, with a man with so much passion for agriculture that he cold called farm after farm in a motorhome full of VitaFerm steaks which he cooked to prove and share the story of Amaferm. The story continues for over 70 years with a focus on research-driven products that impact the animal exactly as we say. The story takes a turn in 2018 when a crazy woman shows up and convinces the “boss” that big growth is possible. Lots of people work very hard and big growth happens. That growth leads to lots of firsts, including the building of a fermentation plant in 2014 that allows us to invent, make and bring technologies to both animals and humans that will significantly improve their well-being and the future of their food. The story has a theme of staying focused on these opportunities even when the world around us wants to focus on all the negativities. This has never been hard for BioZyme because we believe care that comes full circle never lets you down, may disappoint you now and then, but will never let you down. 

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but those copycats don’t have what we have: quite a story, huge amounts of passion and a drive that very few companies can keep up with! What’s your response to your copycats? 

Inspired accountability keeps everyone accountable 

At BioZyme we desire a culture that drives what I like to call inspired accountability.  Inspired accountability is every leader’s dream, as it is accountability that is driven from inside the individual not accountability that is driven with a whip, financial incentives, more days off or performance reviews.  Sounds impossible, especially in a time in our country where accountability of anything including being nice to people seems to have disappeared.  

Webster’s Dictionary defines accountability as: “the obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions.” At work, that might look like owning a mistake and sharing it as a learning experience or giving a presentation around your personal contributions and their impact. 

Henry Evans, the author of “Winning with Accountability,” says accountability is “clear commitments that in the eyes of others have been kept.” Here, the phrase “in the eyes of others” is key. On teams, accountability isn’t just about making and keeping commitments; it’s also about transparency and sharing with teammates along the way. When we make our commitments visible to our teammates (through daily check-ins, quarterly reviews, an annual tool or some other format), everyone is empowered to ask follow-up questions, check on progress and help move work forward. 

Fostering a culture of inspired accountability is one of the hardest things I have had to try and do as a business leader. I struggle with it daily and if I am totally transparent, I would say I am closer to failure than success. So how do I have the right to write this article? I probably don’t, but maybe some of the things I try to do to lead the accountability desired will jump start your brain and you can share back what has worked for you to help me out. Below are just a few of the items I try to keep in my head: 

1. Model inspired accountability 

When it comes to building a culture of inspired accountability, change starts with you. Team accountability is impossible without strong personal accountability in place first, so it’s important to first work on yourself before approaching an accountability conversation with others. 

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2. Set clear expectations 

It may sound obvious but doing what your teammates expect of you requires clarity around what’s expected in the first place. Unclear expectations and lack of specificity create accountability gaps. To fill these gaps and reduce ambiguity, try to be as specific as possible. 

3. Create a “safe space” environment 

Trust and feeling safety when taking risks are foundational to building a culture of accountability. 

4. Use the Accountability Puzzle 

This puzzle (created by Henry Evans) consists of four pieces where each reinforces the others. When a single piece is missing, so is accountability. The four are: 

1. Clear expectations 

2. Deadlines with a specific date and time 

3. One owner of each task 

4. Sharing specific commitments with another person so we can hold each other accountable 

According to a recent study in Inc magazine, 93% of employees don’t understand what their team is trying to accomplish (let alone how they can contribute to help get there), and 85% of leaders aren’t defining clear enough expectations for employees in the first place. Without accountability standards and accountability systems in place, folks will constantly struggle to know what’s expected of them to perform to their fullest potential. 

This is a hard topic, but together I think we can get it done. Agriculture understands inspired accountability more than any other industry in my opinion.  I mean who gets up at 3:30 am to blow out a steer or heifer, lunge a horse, feed the chickens, check the weather or markets?????