Spring Brings a Fresh New Start

Spring is my favorite time of year. Green grass, freshly tilled soil, birds singing, warmer and longer days, and the joy of Easter all make it a special season.

But it is also time for Spring cleaning. Ugh! In the busy world in which we live, often there is no time, or we don’t make time, for "cleaning" our desks, file cabinets, and boxes stored in various spots. Finding or making time to clean out the clutter from all areas of our life can lead to more productivity and a "cleaner" less stressed mind. Trust me, I know. Organization is not my middle name, and I struggle with it; but I do know it is important.

How about your life? Your office or shop? Your business? Do you bounce from event to event, month to month, or harvest to harvest with little focus and end up asking yourself how that year just went by so fast and you did not get done the things you most wanted to do?

If so, commit this Spring to "cleaning house". There are ample solutions to assist you. One system I have found helpful comes from the national bestselling book, "Getting Things Done – The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen (unfortunately not me). For some useful immediate tips, check out the Professional Attention Deficit Disorder article found elsewhere in this newsletter.

Have a Joyous Easter! Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!

On July 1, 1999, Dave Allen joined Rich Connell at AGRI-SEARCH’s office, aka "The Barn", near Rich and Louise’s Seymour, Illinois home, and that started what has been an exciting and rewarding 20-year journey for him on the AGRI-SEARCH team.

At the time, Dave and his wife Cathy had three young children, so raising a family and recruiting went hand-in-hand for the Allen family. Having been a Sales Agronomist for Grand Prairie Coop and Effingham Equity, the long hours of retail and the opportunity to raise three young children often clashed. Recruiting, while still requiring some long days and early or late hours, supported their family theme that "You only get one chance to raise your kids" by offering the flexibility to make it to kids’ school, church, and extracurricular activities.

Dave attended the University of Illinois earning a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education. After completing a six-month FFA Work Experience Abroad program in Germany, he joined the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service staff for eight years and earned a Master’s degree in Agronomy from the U of I during that time. From there he worked as a Sales Agronomist.

Cathy is a Registered Nurse, and their children are now grown. Rachel works at the local library and senior living community, Daniel is a civil engineer, and Christy will graduate in May from the University of Illinois with a degree in Agricultural Communications.

Many people have had a positive impact on the Allen family, but no one more so than Rich Connell. Rich has been a mentor, coach, listening ear, father-like figure and an endless encyclopedia of wisdom. The Allen family is truly grateful and blessed that God chose to bring them together.

In the manufacturing economy, time was the currency. Systems were designed for maximum efficiency, and effectiveness was simply how much time could be dedicated to the process. The assembly line is a perfect example! In today’s information environment, directing our attention in the right places for the right amount of time and focus is the key to effectiveness.

Curious if you suffer from Professional ADD? If you have already been distracted at some point during the first paragraph, no assessment necessary!

At AGRI-SEARCH, our mission states that we "are committed to serving the agricultural industry with integrity, passion and excellence by assisting our candidates to reach their career goals and helping our client companies build successful teams."

If you are competitive; have a strong sales mentality and don’t mind being told no; love connecting with and helping people; have a strong agricultural industry background in agronomy, grain, banking, equipment, or other areas and would enjoy the challenges of a recruiting career, contact Dave Allen. We would enjoy having a discussion with you.