Your Individual Commitment Makes AgGateway Work
by Rod Conner, President/CEO

The legendary Vince Lombardi, speaking about success, is quoted as having said, “Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.“

As I read that quote it had special meaning to me in the context of what the members of AgGateway are trying to accomplish. There is no doubt that AgGateway is growing. During its relatively short six-year existence it has been quite successful in its efforts to “promote, enable, and expand” the use of eBusiness in agriculture. There is also no doubt that many of your companies are reaping the financial and operational benefits that comes from collaborating on standards, tools, and implementing connectivity. And, there is no doubt, as Vince Lombardi said, that individual commitment to the group effort has been what has brought about the success that AgGateway has had. The commitment of individuals in this volunteer organization is what makes AgGateway work.

Consider for a moment all that AgGateway has going on right now (the information in the rest of this newsletter is just a small sample). The amount of work being conducted by our councils, committees, task forces, and our on-going projects is amazing. There is a lot more than the seemingly never-ending conference calls; problems are being solved, real work is getting done and companies are getting connected. We should all be proud of and grateful for the individual commitment that many of you have made to this group effort to get the entire Ag community connected. On behalf of all of AgGateway, allow me to say “thank you” to our member companies for committing the people to the effort, and to each of you that have contributed individually to the group effort.

But it doesn’t end there; we have another challenge. Right now we have an immediate need for leaders to step up. We have just completed the nominating process to select Vice Chairs for our councils. I’m sorry to report that we have not had much success in recruiting individuals with management and leadership skills to lead the councils into the future. Councils are the backbone of AgGateway; council leaders are the glue in the management of the organization.

Every one of our member companies has an abundance of gifted leaders. I’m calling on all of you who are in a position to lead, to step up to this challenge. Let me know of your interest. Call or email me with your questions. “Your individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes AgGateway work.” It can’t happen without you!

Rod