Meat&Poultry - February 2013 - 8

Commentary
BY JOEL CREWS, EDITOR
jcrews@sosland.com

Sage advice

EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor

Joel Crews
Executive Editor

f Tyson’s Donnie Smith ever quits

reasoning behind them. Indeed, they

Keith Nunes

his day job as president and CEO

are the qualities shared by most suc-

Bryan Salvage

of one of the highest-profile meat and

cessful business people, including:

Kimberlie Clyma

poultry processors in the world, he

Integrit y – Smit h calls t his t he

could fall back on a promising future

fo u n d a t i o n t o fo r m i n g t r u s t ;

as a motivational speaker or even an

Intelligence – Simply put: “Smart

evangelist. During the College Stu-

people do smart stuff; average peo-

dent Career Program held at last

ple do average stuff; and dumb peo-

month’s International Production &

ple do dumb stuff,” Smith said;

Processing Expo (IPPE), I sat among

Interpersonal Skills – In his role, “I

Chairman and Group Publisher

hundreds of career-focused college

don’t do anything,” in terms of pro-

Charles S. Sosland

students to hear Smith’s keynote ad-

ducing or selling products, said Smith.

L. Joshua Sosland

vice to the next generation.

“But I don’t get paid for what I do. I

“I’m all in and I’m
going to help you
all I can.”
It’s easy to see why he holds the

get paid for what I get done and what

Senior Editor
Managing Editor
Contributing Editors

Richard Alaniz
Donna Berry
Steve Kay
Leo Quigley

Larry Aylward
Dr. Temple Grandin
Steve Krut
Bernard Shire

Internet Editor

Erica Shaffer
Graphic Designer

Fiona Rogers

PUBLISHING STAFF
Vice-Chairman
President, Publishing Director

Mark Sabo
Publisher

Dave Crost

I get done is because of the people;”

North American Sales Director

Innovation – At Tyson, “you have per-

Publisher Emeritus

mission to fail, but not to fail to execute,” Smith said.

Bruce Brown
Mike Alaimo

BUSINESS/PRODUCTION STAFF
Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer

company’s highest title in corporate

His message was also to remind the

settings with analysts and journalists,

incoming graduates of what he called

Audience Development Director

but it is made even clearer how he as-

a “very daunting challenge” facing the

Director of E-Business

cended in the industry after hearing

producers of the world’s food supply.

Director of On-line Advertising and Promotions

him share his philosophy on how to

Over the next 40 years, which will

lead people, which for him is rooted

be the approximate career span of the

Melanie Hepperly
Don Keating
Jon Hall
Carrie Fluegge
Circulation Manager

Judy Arnone
Design Services Manager

in integrity, faithfulness and a pas-

students in that room, Smith prophe-

sion for the industry. Despite being 25

sied, “you are going to be the folks that

Manager of Advertising Design

years removed from graduating from

teach us how to grow twice as much

Classified Sales Representative

college, I found myself motivated by

food on this planet as we are growing

Classified Designer

Smith’s hopeful message to the job-

today.” You could sense a collective

seeking class of the coming year. His

gulp in the silent room. He reminded

ability to educate, inform and inspire

them that assisting in getting a jump-

would make the late Zig Ziglar proud.

start on this challenge are companies

A longtime Sunday school teacher,

like Tyson and others that are likewise

Smith preached the value of achiev-

committed. Smith professed his vote

ing results, but never at all costs. Busi-

of confidence in the next generation

ness success depends on the trust oth-

and scored a recruiting home run that

ers put in their leaders. “People don’t

afternoon for his company and the in-

care what you know until they know

dustry. Of the daunting challenge, he

that you care,” was a favorite saying

concluded: “I’m all in and I’m going

he shared with the students.

to help you all I can.” ■

Sadowna Conarroe
Becky White
Lily O’Kane
Steve Piatt
Digital Systems Analyst

Marj Potts
Advertising Manager

Nora Wages
Advertising Materials Coordinator

Sharon Alexander
Sales: dcrost@sosland.com
Editorial: jcrews@sosland.com
www.MeatPoultry.com
Address editorial correspondence to:
Editor, Meat&Poultry, 4800 Main Street,
Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64112.
Phone: (816) 756-1000 Fax: (816) 756-0494
Letters via email can be sent to
meatpoultry@sosland.com. Letters may also
be sent via fax to (816) 756-0494. The Editor
reserves the right to edit letters for length,
content and clarity.
Requests for reprints of articles should be
sent to reprints@sosland.com or call
Taré Torres at (816) 756-1000.

He also shared some of the attributes Tyson seeks when hiring workers and spoke passionately about the

We would like to hear from you – to comment
on this story or to request reprints, contact
us by email at meatpoultry@sosland.com.

• Meat&Poultry • February 2013 • www.MeatPoultry.com

Sosland Publishing Co.,
a division of Sosland Companies, Inc.

http://www.MeatPoultry.com http://www.MeatPoultry.com

Meat&Poultry - February 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meat&Poultry - February 2013