Like a plant in a farmer’s field, successful ‘ideas’ are planted, cultivated and harvested.

It all starts with identifying and then planting the right seeds. That seed, if well nourished and nurtured, can grow and be harvested or it can struggle, finally succumbing to all of the collective abuses of the season. Many good ideas suffer this fate—their time passes or a competing interest harvests them first.

“Wasson Idea Farming” is the consulting practice of Rodger Wasson that assists agriculture, government and food industry clients in this critical Idea life cycle. Unlike many strategic consultancies that research, facilitate and prepare reports, Wasson and Associates is involved earlier and stays engaged until the idea is working—harvested.

Planting the Idea

We work with CEOs and other key leaders to identify the right idea for addressing critical challenges and opportunities. Facts and similar efforts are reviewed before scenarios are developed that enable the creation of a motivating vision. Just as land has to be properly prepared for planting, basic preparation is necessary for a new idea to have the right environment for germination. The idea is carefully developed and then planted with partners, affiliates, cooperating departments, team members or coalitions.

Growing the Idea (Cultivating)

We are hands on with the team of staff, volunteers or partners that are responsible for bringing the idea to fruition. The enemies out to destroy a new idea have a lot in common with the pests, weeds and natural disasters that kill crops; however, new ideas are much easier to kill. Often it only takes inattention or stalling maneuvers. This is the main reason that engaged Idea Farming can work when an extensive “Strategy” is being ignored and gathering dust on a shelf.

Harvest

For an idea that has been properly planted and cultivated, surviving against the odds, the proof is in the Harvest—a transformational change. Unfortunately many never experience the effects of a transformational idea. Leaders find that they have invested years in “I wonder if….” or pretending that this time they will really “get around to…” The failures are not from lack of vision or lack of good intentions; the failures come from not accepting that teams usually need strategic council from the outside, beyond basic facilitation to development and implementation.

Ideas Farmed

We have farmed dozens of ideas that have made it all the way to harvest. We have worked with food, wine, fiber, energy, natural resources and agriculture ideas from a state, province, regional, national and global perspectives. These have included multi national trade promotion, export trading company, scientific councils, referenda, new products, mergers, acquisitions, international negotiations, re-organizations and re-positioning products and companies. Engagements often last from nine to 18 months to ensure the success of the idea.

Rodger Wasson

Raised on a farm in central Illinois, Rodger Wasson has over 30 years experience in global agriculture and food industry transformations—idea farming. He has served as CEO of a half dozen organizations or companies. A graduate of Illinois State University, Wasson lives in Aptos, California.

We are available for consultation and group presentations on successful Idea Farming. More Information is available by calling 831 254 5405 or emailing RW@wassonidea.com

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