Day 20 - Unity in Business

Today has brought about a lot of thinking and debate about how strength and change can be brought about.

You may or may not know that I am very passionate about the agriculture industry, this is where my roots are and where my specialist knowledge lies.  This is an industry like many others that has been struggling some what in recent times with various industry pressures including market price, legal restrictions etc.

There are various groups that are set up with the aim of supporting industries but they all suffer from a lack of Unity.

That is that not everyone will stand united, singing from the same hymn sheet so to say for the greater good of all involved.  Individual agendas often come into play and publicity goes to heads.

But what if someone stood up and said no more! We need to protect our industries for future generations.  We need to provide an income to the current generation and we need to stand together for the greater good of the country and the people that live within it.  We need to buy local to save our local produce from disappearing. Why are we putting up with poor quality international imports when we have some of the freshest top quality produce and services right here on our doorstep?

Those of us that are small business owners what would we do if no one bought out products/services locally? Do you try and do the same for other industries? Do you make sure you buy local produce where possible? If not why not?

This is something that I always liken to giving blood, we all expect it to be there when we need it but how many never donate? The same goes for local produce we all expect it to be there, we all expect the people in these industries, the families in these industries to be part of our community and local economic climate.  But how many of us do our bit to support them?

If these industries die off what will happen to our country? What will be the impact on your business? What will be the impact on your life? Have a think about it because just because your business is not directly linked to it doesn't mean there isn't an ancillary link.

Here is an example - if the local farmer stops growing local wheat, that the local baker uses to bake his bread, that the local eatery uses for its customers how many businesses could be affected?

Well yes the local baker can buy in flour from elsewhere but the quality isn't so good so his end product isn't as nice so the eatery has less customers buying their products.

So if all three businesses go out of business is that all that is affected?

No what about the delivery companies? The local vehicle dealer that supplies the vehicles to these businesses and their staff? The other local shops that the staff of these businesses shop in?

The list is endless. The ripple effect can be huge!

So are you ready to stand up together in UNITY to promote local industry as a whole, not segregated into them and us, pool resources for education and promotion to ensure the greater good for us all and for the future generations to come?

Have a think about it...