Re-inventing tradition ...

This is a business philosophy that I've come to appreciate and now incorporate into our business strategies here at Doane. I've used this phrase, these words, because it succinctly describes this philosophy. It recognizes the fact that success doesn't lie in going backwards to the way it was, but recognizing what was successful in the past and why, and then re-shaping it, making it fit today's business and market climate. Sometimes complete abandonment of what was in the past is the only answer, but the end goal is still one of creating the profitable relationship with customers and markets that comes when a new tradition is established.

As we worked with the new leadership at Farm Progress to write the article on the changes they are bringing to the market, I was reminded of this philosophy. There is much tradition in the Farm Progress name and the individual state books we all have been with our entire careers. But this is a different business climate and a different market structure in many respects, and as they identify those elements of the business they want to carry forward, along with new ideas and approaches, the industry, even competitors, I'm certain will wish them success as they begin to establish new traditions.

As an aside, looking back to the July 1984 issue of Agri Marketing, one of the lead articles (by Bob Wetmore) was about ABC forming a new ag publishing group whereby Farm Progress and Miller Publishing combine forces to be housed in new offices in Lombard, Ill. Names of individuals, not thought of in some time, floated up from the pages. Don Nicolay was the new president of the group. Names like Earl Holloway, Rod Brannen, Paul Soli and Thomas Budd each received new responsibilities.

I thought it ironic that 20 years later, Rural Press Ltd. (Australia) and new management at Farm Progress now have the opportunity to re-invent tradition.