Dairy Farmer Cries Over Spilled Milk

Click here to read about how a Michigan Dairy Farmer in the United States was the victim of a sting operation because he was selling raw milk. (Raw milk is not homogenized or pasteurized). Raw milk apparently has a following of consumers who swear to the health aspects of feeling better and not sick as often, etc. What intrigued me most about this story is how quickly action was taken to help the farmer and his co-op business.

As a result of an email correspondence started by an email letter from Steve Bemis, a 60 year old pension lawyer and consumer of raw milk, to the head of the Michigan Agricultural Department of Food and Dairy, Bemis ended up representing the farmer for free. A ground swell of letters followed sent to the politicians and Government officials involved to stop this harassment and to also help them understand that raw milk is in their opinion healthier. In other words, we should have the freedom of choice.

The internet and emails had brought this farmer's circumstances to a quicker resolve. Don't under estimate the power of writing letters and certainly the power of the internet. We are now a larger voice to get the government to listen to alternate opinions and maybe now take action quicker. Next time you feel wronged, let the world know through the internet.

Frank Stronach Stops Unions With Employee Loyality

'From the very beginning, Stronach believed every employee should own a part of the company and they do, making Magna a unique model of success. Without the benefit of unions, all employees enjoy job security, benefits, pensions, competitive wage packages averaged to the competition and a share in corporate profits.' - CBC Life and Times

When I read how Frank Stronach kept the union out of Magna by treating his employees with respect through a competitive wage package with so many benefits it reminded me of someone I met years ago who owned 5 Midas Muffler Franchise stores and had to fire every single employee in one day. He learned a valuable lesson at that time that I never forgot; pay your employees well and they will be loyal and trustworthy to you - they will not steal you blind.

He and his accountant had picked up on business losses connected with inventory going out and lack of appropriate cash coming in to match. After further investigation including fake customers planted to catch the culprits he was amazed to find that at all his stores he was being robbed by all his employees and managers. In one day he brought every person into his office and fired them one by one. Leaving the managers to the end the last manager said, "well you can't fire me, you have no one left to keep your store open." His response was, "oh yeah, you're fired too!"

He shut all 5 stores and spent the next few weeks rehiring new managers and employees. This time he paid them more than the competition. He introduced cash rewards for a profitable month and annually, every summer, brought all his employees to his house on the lake for their family to be entertained with food, drinks, and water skiing all day long. These employees loved him and his business has never been stronger.

As entrepreneurs we remember the sacrifices we made to build our business and therefore we feel we deserve all the rewards. This way of thinking may cost you your business. Give back to your employees and you will build a stronger and more profitable business. Remember that the next generation of your business is now in the hands of your human asset. They can make or break what you worked so hard to create.

Suicide Is A Selfish Act

My post today is outside what I would normally write about but today my parents had to see my uncle dead in his apartment after his daughter checked on him after he did not answer our calls yesterday. My mother's brother committed the most selfish act one human can do to another, he took his own life. This is the second suicide in two years that I have had to deal with since my aunt on my fathers side took her life because of a gambling addiction.

My uncle committed suicide due to depression and loneliness after a life of self gratifying abuse with women and alcohol. I know I should feel sorry for him but instead I am angry at him for doing this to my mother. She has been there for him his entire life when others were not and never judged him for his actions. She just opened her home and fed him and gave him love. My mother and father, both in their early 70's, want to spend their last years in New Brunswick, Canada, and were moving today. His act was his final selfishness to prevent her from leaving him. My mother will undoubtedly carry some unwarranted guilt and their move down east which should be an exciting move for them will instead be a move of dread and heartache. I am very angry with my uncle.

If you are considering such an act yourself. Stop and ask yourself first, who will be most hurt by this act and if the answer is the one who loved you most and was always there for you then does she deserve this heartache and guilt? The answer is NO. So do the most heroic thing in your life and reach out for professional help.

I have added a link to a Canadian website that speaks to how you can get help. Take that step and click here for the website. Remember that Suicide is a selfish act. Is that how you want to be remembered?