The Maschhoffs’ Post

"Thrilled to be a mentee in the Plant Futures Mentorship Program, collaborating with like-minded individuals in the plant-centric food system. Here's to sharing knowledge and driving positive change! Interested in learning more? Follow @plantfutures or email [email protected] 🌎 #PlantFutures"

Calix and candy bars might seem entirely unrelated. But I came across an interesting piece in the Economist that resonated with me because the idea that a company’s purpose can guide company leadership links Calix and Mars, Inc. in an interesting way.    In a recent post I talked about a company’s purpose being only as good as the actions it enables. The Economist cites the Mars company as getting the balance between purpose and profit dead right. Which is another way of saying that for Mars, purpose isn’t just a statement of aspiration. It guides the business to make money and do good. (And for the record, they are making a lot of money.)    The article cites Mars’ long-standing belief in “mutuality” — putting the interests of stakeholders like customers, workers, communities, and the environment — right beside classic shareholder interests (profit, growth, etc.).    For Calix, our purpose — transforming society one community at a time — means that, by definition, we have to work with our customers to do good. We can’t transform communities by ourselves, and our world-class technology and broadband platform is a means to an end, not the end itself.    How does your company’s purpose relate to how it leads and acts in the world? Articulating a purpose is no easy feat, and I still find many companies would do well to revisit their words on a page to see how they are showing up in the real world. https://lnkd.in/ezdTAFuJ #purpose #purposedrivenleadership #leadership #stakeholdercapitalism 

🐾 Part 1: The Rise and Fall of Woof - A Tale of Ineffective Leadership 📉💼 Hello LinkedIn community! Today, I'd like to share with you the cautionary tale of a fictitious company called Woof, a once-thriving pet store chain that unfortunately succumbed to ineffective leadership and the detrimental influence of its marketing department. Strap in as we explore the highs and lows of this company's journey, shedding light on the importance of balanced decision-making and strategic direction. 🌟🚀 🌐 Woof, a beloved pet store chain, had captured the hearts of pet lovers across the nation. With a diverse range of products, knowledgeable staff, and a commitment to animal welfare, the company had built a reputation as a go-to destination for all things pet-related. Initially, it soared to great heights, with its stocks reaching an impressive $20 a share. It seemed that Woof had a bright future ahead. 📈🐶 🔀 However, troubles began to brew within the organization when a shift in leadership allowed the marketing department to exert an overwhelming influence over the company's strategic decisions. While marketing is undoubtedly crucial, the lack of balance and oversight in decision-making proved to be the Achilles' heel for Woof. Like a child with ADHD, the company would embark on grand marketing campaigns, investing millions of dollars, only to abruptly abandon them for a completely different direction. 🎯💸 📉 As the marketing department's influence grew, the company's focus became fragmented, lacking a cohesive long-term vision. This erratic decision-making led to a series of disjointed campaigns that failed to resonate with the target audience. Customers were left confused and uncertain about Woof's identity, eroding the trust and loyalty the company had carefully built over the years. Unfortunately, this lack of consistency and direction began to take a toll on Woof's financial health. 📉💔 💼 The stocks, once soaring at $20 a share, plummeted to a mere $3 within a short period of time. Investors lost confidence, causing a domino effect that impacted the company's financial stability. Despite the dedicated efforts of the hardworking employees, the misguided leadership and ineffective decision-making proved too much to overcome. Ultimately, Woof found itself on the brink of bankruptcy, with its future hanging by a thread. 💔💼 Part 1 of our story sheds light on the perils of unchecked influence and haphazard decision-making within an organization. Join me in Part 2, where we'll explore the lessons learned from Woof's downfall and discuss the importance of effective leadership and strategic planning in navigating the ever-changing business landscape. Let's strive for balance, well-informed decision-making, and a sustainable future for our organizations. 🚀💼 What experiences you've had with effective leadership? let's learn from the mistakes of the past and build a brighter future. Stay tuned for the next part of our story. #leadership #hr

Reflecting on Achievements: The Essence of Harvesting Success As professionals, we often chase the next goal without pausing to appreciate how far we've come. This season, I'm taking a moment to reflect on the achievements, both personal and professional, that mark our journey of growth. It's these milestones that fuel our continued success and innovation. I encourage you to join me in celebrating our progress and sharing the lessons learned along the way. What successes are you harvesting this year? #ProfessionalGrowth #ReflectingOnSuccess #CareerMilestones Read it on:

🌱 Leading by Example here at Calavo Growers 🚀 As the Director of Operations, my commitment to fostering a positive and thriving culture during my first 9 months at Calavo Growers is unwavering. Here are three ways we're actively shaping our workplace culture every day: 1️⃣ Team Empowerment: Empowering our incredible team members by providing them with the tools, training, and support they need to excel. We believe that when individuals thrive, the whole organization thrives. 2️⃣ Continuous Learning: We're dedicated to a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Regular training sessions, knowledge sharing, and skill development opportunities keep us at the forefront of our industry. 3️⃣ Transparency & Communication: Open and transparent communication is key. We're fostering a culture where everyone's input is valued, ideas are encouraged, and dialogue is honest and respectful. #CompanyCulture #OperationsLeadership #TeamEmpowerment #ContinuousLearning #TransparencyAtWork #CalavoGrowers #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipJourney #PositiveImpact I'm proud of the progress we're making, but the journey is ongoing. I'd love to hear your thoughts on cultivating a vibrant workplace culture. Share your insights in the comments! 🌟👥 #LinkedIn #CalavoCares #CultivatingCulture

THE MEANING OF KETCHUP (A practical example of what the world believes and how we can change it through businesses, schools, and the church) Through the unique relationship between purpose/mission & goals according to Alexandre Havard. "Goals without a purpose/mission are ridiculous and purpose/mission without goals is fruitless." There are plenty of examples of financially successful companies that operate without a mission. THE QUESTION TO ASK AS A STAKEHOLDER IS, HOW DO WE KNOW THEY'VE REACHED THEIR POTENTIAL? Defining potential as serving a purpose (why you exist) and executing the mission (a visible manifestation of serving a purpose) as you make decisions and achieve goals that HELP purpose/mission, NOT HINDER. Getting the proverbial last goop out of the ketchup bottle is serving the purpose/mission at an organization and personal level is it not? To drive the point home, isn't that what we want for our kids? #GoodFridayFeed #purpose #mission #principleddecisionmaking #authenticleadership

I have such empathy for the Tractor Supply Company employees who have been so badly let down by Hal Lawton and the board chair Edna Morris (who in her LI profile states “Impactful. Inclusive Leader” …). So I’ve written this open letter to them and their employees: Dear Hal and Edna, This move will not “take good care of the team” not “go the country mile for our team” and will consciously undermine their ability to fulfill their “legendary customer experiences” commitments. This is a wrongheaded, futile and value destroying decision. Imagine being a CEO (and board) that actually makes ill-informed moves like these: “retiring initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and improving employee diversity. The company had set goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions in operations by 2040 and to reduce its water usage by 2025. Its DEI targets included boosting the number of employees of color at the manager level and above by 50% by 2026.” There is no path to good growth and add to this the inevitable litigation, missed innovation, declining productivity, reduced efficiency, and decaying morale alongside hemorrhaging turnover increases that occur - will cost you multi millions in the short, mid and long term. In short order, your organization culture will be a self inflicted mess to steward. Because it is folly to expect the business to thrive and grow by going against abundant data, proven science and the humanity of its employees. It won’t work if nature is ignored, because your business success requires nature to flourish not fail. I believe in people doing the right thing. I believe you can be the values you have up until today kept on your website. There’s still time for you to course correct from your flawed current path, and choose to be a farming supply company that believes in climate change and employee diversity. #goodgrowth #leadership #purpose #people Sincerely, Samuel Monnie cc Board Members It’s important for you to articulate how and why you condone this decision. How can it co exist with the organizations / roles / companies that you currently serve. Those employees are equally watching the choices and decisions that you are condoning as board members of Tractor supply: Joy Brown (Verizon) Meg Ham (Food Lion) Andre Hawaux Denise Lynne Jackson Ram Krishnan (PepsiCo) Mark Weikel

#ifyouknowyouknow perhaps one of the most interesting and essential parts of UConn. From its early AG beginnings to today it continues to lead the way in the Advancement of Dairy Science, Education and Training, Genetic Improvement, Economic Impact, and Sustainability and Environmental Considerations. Think about that the next time you purchase dairy.

Rising from the Ashes, Anchor Brewing Company Employees Eyeing an Inspiring Turnaround 🍻⚓️🔥 What you need to know: ➡️ Anchor Brewing Co., a beloved San Francisco institution since 1871, recently announced their shutdown. ➡️ The brewery's dedicated employees have a plan, Why not buy the company themselves and run it as a worker co-op? 💡 Is it the first-time employee ownership has been used to try and save a company from shutdown? Heck no. 😁 Cases like Weirton Steel, Tribune Company, and Avis Budget Group show that Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) or co-op models can potentially help companies rebound from the brink of closure. If implemented at Anchor Brewing Co., an ESOP or co-op could allow employees to: 📈 Have a vested interest in its on going success 💸 Raise funds for purchasing the brewery 🏭 Preserve the brewery's rich heritage Summary points: ➡️ It's not a charity request; it's about employees wanting a fair shot at preserving the institution they love. ❤️ ➡️ Anchor's union has already started the ball rolling, asking Sapporo USA for a cooperative and transparent approach. 📝 ➡️ In challenging times, ESOPs and co-ops can give companies the lifeline they need. It's not just financial restructuring, but also recognizing the value of the people who pour their hearts into their work daily. 🤝 So, here's a call to action for everyone and you. Let's raise our glasses in a virtual toast to the passionate employees at Anchor Brewing Co. who are working tirelessly to save this beautiful beer 🍻. Their dedication is a testament to the power of employee ownership. Join the cheer: "Here's to you, Anchor Brewing Co. employees! Keep the brewery afloat!" ⚓️🍺 #AnchorBrewingCo #ESOPs #EmployeeOwnership #SaveOurBrewery #Cooperative #PhoenixRising

📩 Atention all aspiring leaders! 🚀 If you're part of the Optimus by Afrinvest Student Ambassador Program, we've just dropped an important email in your inbox. Your journey to making a difference starts here. Stay tuned for what's in store! 💼💡 #OptimusAmbassador #Afrinvest #StudentLeaders #EmailAlert