FarmLinks CEO, David Pursell

When David and I interviewed he had shared the creation concept of FarmLinks. From a fertilizer company to a vast and beautiful place in the heart of this state, the determination, vision, foresight, whatever you want to call it this is beautiful.

God gave us the earth and some people just know how to use their God given talent, their gifts, to make it worth sharing. FarmLinks is a place to share and enjoy the serenity of nature.

Another quote from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

David Pursell, CEO of FarmLinks...discussing education..."Obviously, in today's job market, it is extremely difficult to get a job, a lot more so than about five years ago when a kid could come out and immediately walk into a relatively lucrative job with a bright future."

Students need all the help they can get with the current economic conditions. Staying in school, furthering their education (masters degrees), another discipline, any way to stand out glowing in this crazy time...hopefully this will soon be turning around.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes

Blogging about David Pursell, CEO of FarmLink in Alabama. A very misunderstood place. If people think Southerns are dumb, think again. Two of the nicest and smartest people I had the pleasure to work with are from this state. FarmLinks is a treasure to show the world and talk about intelligence. To take a vision and make it work, and work so beautifully.

David's comments during the interview in July last year I believe July, talking about some of the slums in Africa. "One of the things I found out is that joy has nothing to do with what you have and what you don't have".

Ethics, God, faith, hope, love are light years away from recent examples of broken people wanting to reek havic on the world.

Another CEO quote

Trae Williamson, President of The Williamson Auto Group, Miami, Florida in October 2009 interview while compiling the book, CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times, released June 2010.

Trae & I were discussing enlightened experiences: "It is a form of Buddhism. I have not replaced the Christianity of my youth with Zen, But Sen is a practice or tradition that marries beautifully with other religious traditions. I consider myself a Zen Protestant. Even though, ironically, Zen is Buddhism. They really go well together."

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Many interesting opportunities came from compiling this book, one of which is the way those CEO's few the world. A favorite of mine is from David Pursell, CEO of FarmLinks...David's quote "My ethics come from my spiritual beliefs, Christianity. There was at one time more than 300 million laws created to govern man in the US alone. Yet God came up with ten basic laws about how of interact with your fellow man. If you think about those laws, they are very basic. The last one is "Thou shall not covet. I tend to think that this is because if you covet what your neighbor has, it tends to make you ungrateful and unhappy."

I think David is on to something...if there exist 300 million and the population of the US is 330 Million, that means there is a law for almost every man, woman and child...that's a lot of jabbering about stuff! I like God's method of short and simple...

More quotes from CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

The world has changed, economically, politically, structurally and socially also.
Ethics bared a negative name with CEO's going on trail, stocks sky rocketing under false pretenses, jail time being served...Madoff, making off with Ponzi scheme billions...and more...we all know the names. The book mentioned above was a creative moment from God for me to interview 40 CEO's. Through friends, family and an assortment of wonderful people 44 said yes. Four had to be removed due to 1) computer challenges 2) discomfort for one and that puts a "close rate" at 93% which is unhear of in the world of sales...no one has that high of close rate in sales.

Humble, you betta...grateful, indeed. Now on to more quotes from the book.

Interviewing David Pursell the founder and creative mind behind FarmLinks and David was talking about his father James T. Pursell and during Alabama state governor Guy Hunt, Mr. Pursell (Jimmy to his friends), he was called Mr. Ethics...people who do it right and that's what the book is all about.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

While marketing I ran across some ideas for others I know. Sharing knowledge, sharing resources, sharing experience are so needed. Re-reading the interviews so I can record some of the tidbits is a current project. Making a way to market more widely. Getting the information from the book into the hands of those who need direction, ideas, education or daily help at work are critical to me. The passion to help others, assist others, reaching out to others is important.

The quote for the day: "This is the type of turmoil community....were the beneficiaries of the changes"...Mike Washburn discussing all the acquisitions and mergers in the banking industry during our interview in August of 2009.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Trae Williamson, President, Williamson Auto Group in Miami, Florida during our interview in October 2009 while discussing religion "People get bogged down in the dogma of the trees and lost the forest.

I had never heard it put quite like that but it made sense based on our conversation.
Trae is one of the most informed CEO's regarding his passion for knowledge, understanding on the world religions and understanding human needs. For his age Trae is exceedingly in touch with the way the world works.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

Nancy Dreicer in Florida regarding children and parenting:

Keep the children safe
If it is broke, fix it on the side of government
Nonprofit is a business and not so different from for profit
Self Esteem empowers others in ways beyond belief
Appreciate training form the for profit world
In child welfare the issues and life and death
Empower men and women to feel their worth

What would you like to see in your life?

"The Golden Rule in practice. If people would live by the Bible we would not have to have laws." Susie Kelley, CEO of Concept, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama

It is always amazing how good people can take it all down to basics. They do the same in business and in their personal lives. Another of Susie's quote was "honestly is number one." Oh how true!

Another one of the CEO mused at how people think they can get by and not get caught...eventually it all comes out, one way or the other.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Our whole thing really, and it is our mission as an organization, is about focusing on helping people." David Gray, CEO of DAXKO, Birmingham, Alabama

David and the team at DAXKO are focused on software to help YMCA across the country.
The passion to assist was the founder of DAXKO's mission. They continue to focus on helping and it is evident the passion is alive and well.

CE

Hi blogger readers

Sorry I was out of town for a few days...it has been a tiresome month or so...and the blogging stops or goes on....

"I am very proud of the success of the Access to Jobs program and the number of people (mostly women) who the program helped to get off of welfare"
Cindy Frene, Tranaction Associates, Waltham, Massachusette

CEO Speaks quotes from the book

Edie Varley said "Events are circular; life is circular - Looking outside your business adds depth - Academia provides resources and alternatives - Continued education adds depth to leaders - Be the best you can be - Ethics is rooted in courage and character - When we practice at being our best, our best keeps getting better - It is ok to test yourself".

Sage Advice from Edie

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Being a Squirrel eating Southerner is just fine with me" Don Logan, CEO of Time Warren Cable until AOL acquired them and "then everything went to hell in the handbasket."

Don's humor came out and he was fun to interview as were most the CEO's in the book.

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"Our whole thing really, and it is our mission as an organization, is about focusing on helping people". David Gray, DAXKO CEO.

The passion to help others is so ubitquitous in the world. It only takes a few fruitcakes, and they are out there, to mess up peaceful living.
A peaceful life has so many rewards.

The Rogers Group, Nashville, Tennessee

Jerry Geragthy has a passion for making small business work. A seasonal business and the economy has taken a toll on employment and Jerry had two things to say about
best business practices.

1) hire intelligent people
2) hire people with the right attitude

Sounds good to me!

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"We wanted to be able to enjoy a good quality of life".

Interviewing Keith Barfield gave good insight into the world of CPA firms. Keith said basically the CPA firms were usually like sweat shops. Keith wanted a different type of firm. He insist people take time off, enjoy smelling the roses.
Keith is friendly, intelligent and cares about his employees.

Another quote from CEO Speak, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times

"People get bogged down in the dogma of the trees and lose the forest" Trae Willamson, President, Williamson Auto Group in Miami, Florida

Trae was one of the interviews I really enjoyed. He was also one of the smartest people I think I have ever met. Trae is getting a doctorate in three disciplines.
Not a light hearted approach to education!

CEO Speaks, Sage Advice During Turbulent Times quotes

Chairman Emeritus of Mayer Electric, Charles Collat

Charles sage advice list in part: (something very unique in today's world)

Make the company a family
(Have) complete customer satisfaction
Everyone needs to be on the same page (open communication top down)
Be a stake holder, be responsible
There are two kinds of success; personal and business, strive for both
Surround yourself with good people
If a person works with you, they deserve to be paid fairly