Staying Focused
December 1, 2010 Leave a Comment
Thinking
I’ve been thinking a lot. Thank goodness I suppose. I’ve got a place I can go to for quiet, there to contemplate not only business, but everything going on around me, and in me.
It is a good way to re-balance your efforts and I’ve been working on it for months. Kaffe Magnum Opus is now down to 8 significant (in my opinion, which counts since I’m responsible for the business) items to work on soon. Eight is a lot to work on, so I’ve got them sorted out – coffee perfection, sales model, and internet are the top three. Ah perfection. This is hard to achieve, but the value to your customer is the journey. Keep reaching.
I’m happy to tell you that we have a terrific coffee person who joined the company on November 1, 2010, coming to KMO from Denver, Colorado. Jackson Kanampiu spent many years in Kenya running coffee farms, coffee beneficio’s, and he helped develop the Q guidelines for quality coffee. It is just a pleasure to have him on board and Jackson is already making serious headway. His first priority is to bring KMO coffee to perfection, while sourcing in a way that will bring down the cost, and the price KMO charges.
2010 was a challenge, as speculators devoured the coffee futures market and drove the “C” over $2 thus driving roasted coffee cost to historic levels, near $4.00 per pound, before operating expenses. Colombia did not help with historically high differentials which led all the quality producers to record differentials. This is historic. These folks are worse than, well, at least equal to, the bankers and other scoundrels who brought Wall St. and America to the brink, and many families over the brink. In my opinion these people should be banned from trading.
No bother. For this is the real world, one in which you must survive no matter the challenge. Sink or swim. Stay the course and stay focused. Your customers benefit, you benefit and your families benefit when you ‘survive’ the tough times. I hate to use this term for it is outdated, but you must ‘roll with the punches’.
So see if you can find a nice relaxing place to think. I’ve had places in my car overlooking a tidal river, a dock on the Hudson River, and now a place in the woods in my back yard. Today, in the cold, it was invigorating. And the dogs (we have two) were just as happy to see me, no matter the temperature. And of course, Cathy, my wife, is my biggest supporter, the most supportive person in my life. Everything works for her. So I do too.
And for you – KMO customers, staff and suppliers. And the kids and grand-kids. Both my daughter, Jennifer, and my son, Paul, are successful in their choosen field and both have happy, loving, and supportive families.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukkah, and, Happy Holidays. I turned 65 on November 30, 2010, yesterday, and I can assure you that the more birthdays you have the happier they become. Thanks for all the good wishes.
