b'BUSINESS GROWTHReady to Tackle 2025? Dont do it in parallel!SHAWN BROOK President, Seed World Groupsbrook@seedworldgroup.comseedworldgroup.com@SeedWorldGroupHAPPY NEW YEAR!Many are now executing on their newrelationshipswhether with customers, suppliers, or even years resolution or solidifying a theme for 2025. Along with that,competitorsare the backbone of long-term success. Does Im sure your company has committed to some form of strategicyour plan strengthen relationships or serve as just another planning.disconnected to-do list?Three how questions for you: 3. Making Data-Driven Decisions. Is your plan rooted in action-1. How would you rate your plans clarity of purpose? able data? Or is it based on gut feelings and assumptions?2. How bought in is your entire team to this process? An external perspective can be transformative. When youre 3. Howconfident are you that the plan will satisfy your goals? too close to a project, opinions may seem like facts. A skilled If that is not 3 solid 9 or 10s across the board, please keepfacilitator challenges assumptions, grounding decisions in solid reading! data and clear thinking.Strategic planning isnt just about what Strategic planning is one of the most critical exercises for anyto focus onits also about deciding what to set aside. Saying no organization, yet its often underappreciated. From my experi- to good ideas creates space to say yes to great ones.ence, Ive learned that a great plan has three key touchstones: If your plan tries to do everything, its destined to fail. Well 1. Empowering Your Team. The best plans dont just live in ado it in parallel might sound appealing in the boardroom, but in document; they live in your people. A truly effective strategy isntreality, it splits your resources and attention. The more focused about pushing your vision top-down but about engaging youryour plan, the better your chances of success.team in a way that makes them feel ownership. Are they empow- As you plan for the year ahead, ask: Will this empower your ered to act and make decisions aligned with company goals? team, strengthen relationships, and drive decisions with data? If 2. Building Strategic Relationships. In todays intercon- not, give me a holler, Id love to help!nected world, no company thrives in isolation. StrategicHeres to a focused, empowered, and successful 2025!SEED TREATMENT APPLICATIONRoots to Wings: What It Takes to Modernize a Legacy BusinessJOSEPH YOUNG Director of Business Development, Summit Seed Coatingsjoseph.young@summitseedcoatings.comI CANT TELLyou how many conversations I had at the ASTAaddition to an alfalfa seed coating isnt going to be jive with farm-Field Crop Seed Convention in sunny Orlando in early Decemberers priorities if it bumps the cost by $0.20/lb, but it could work at that went something like this: $0.04/lb.Balancing innovation with practicality is a key part of Im Joseph from Summit Seed Coatings our heritage.Oh, you mean Bills company! 2) Build on your organizations legacyAnd theyre right. Summit Seed Coatings founder, Bill Talley,As Summit evolves, weve learned the importance of build-is a force in the seed coating world. His knowledge of the seeding the right team to carry on Bills passion for agriculture and industry, responsiveness to customer needs and deep passion forhis commitment to quality. This means prioritizing education, the industry have shaped the company from the very beginning.involvement and expertise across all levels of the company. When Bill says, Call me day or night, he really means it. As we expand, the knowledge and perspectives of our team The challenge for us is weve shifted from a one-man showbecome crucial to supporting the innovation and growth of to a much bigger, fully professional commercial entity. Werethe business. Bringing in experts who align with the companys redefining Summit Seed Coatings in the marketplace. Many othervalues and mission is essential.companies go through this when they move from being founder- 3) It takes time for the market to catch upled organization to more far-reaching. Transitioning from a founder-led company takes time, both Heres what weve learned: internally and in reshaping how the market views your brand. For 1) Celebrate your companys roots Summit, its meant investing in R&D, staying active at industry Bills emphasis on truly understanding the seed industry hasconferences and showing how our products help farmers suc-been at the heart of Summit since day one. This is why youll findceed through thoughtful storytelling. our senior finance folks attending alfalfa conferences alongsideSummit Seed Coatings is evolving. As we continue to grow, agronomists and sales reps. It also means providing productswe look forward to sharing the lessons we learn along the way.that offer ROI in a real-world farm application. The best biological 24/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2025'