b'Forget 2020? Not so Fast. CHANGE good and badits partgreenhouse or manufacturing facilities of any year, but 2020 has certainly beenshould be top of mind. one for the record books. From the newLogistics: Delivering seed treatments to U.S.-China soybean trade agreements toseed processing plants on time is an essen-a worldwide pandemic to weather chal- tial part of our business. There is more pres-lenges including fires, an unprecedentedsure on the trucking industry than ever with number of storms and even a derecho the explosion of online shopping so being Weve all been through a lot but farmingproactive and organized is more important never stops.than ever.I like to remind my team of the saying,Forecasting: 2020 has helped Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor.us see the need to get even better Sometimes you just need to reorient yourat forecasting our business. There mind to realize that new and better waysis a renewed focus on manag-of doing things can come from the hearting capital across our industry of the chaos. Right now, is the time forto ensure we have the right all of us to re-evaluate our operations toamount of product, at the right adapt and grow in the pursuit of better- time, in the right place. We dont ment. Thankfully, the ag industry has awant anyone to be out of toilet great resilience and history of adapting topaper!change and uncertaintyits just a givenEmpathy: As leaders, we in agriculture.should be sensitive to each of Ag always finds a way, but we shouldntour team members situation remain complacent. and understand that it isnt a As we move into 2021 and look toone size fits all. Work/life bal-2022 and beyond, what can we take fromance has a new meaning now, 2020? As leaders and managers, here areand elements of that are probably four ways to strengthen our teams, busi- here to stay. Better to embrace that nesses and the seed treatment industry:and find ways it can help us all be Safety: With COVID-19 not goingmore effective and efficient.away anytime soon, frequent communi- So, keep looking forward, turn cation with employees is critical. Settingchallenges into opportunities, and dont clear guidelines and providing resourcesforget to embrace the chaos a bit some-to keep employees safe while at home,times. The best new ideas may just rise visiting customers or working in the lab,to the surface. MARTIN HORROCKSDIRECTOR OFN.A. SEED TREATMENT, BASFmartin.horrocks@basf.comagriculture.basf.us/crop-protection/ use-areas/seed-treatment.htmlJANUARY 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /33'