Opportunity new fast food snack eating products market segment for StandUp pouch machinery

In today's tough economy, many food and beverage manufacturers are spending money to improve throughput and meet consumer demands. They’re doing this despite continued signs and talk of a recession lurking in the shadows.

This year, 2024, food, beverage and pharma processes will look for innovative ways to control costs, manage staff shortages, improve upon their sustainability goals and drive profitability. The challenge will be to use all machine assets on the line at maximum efficiency with minimum staff. AI on the machines will be the solution.

The bigger concerns with cost are primarily still around the labor shortages. These issues continue to be a problem and provide a huge hint regarding where food, pharma and beverage manufacturers are expected to invest in automation. Our Radpak and Gampack case/carton erectors are the perfect answer to automation at the end-of-the line.

A recent survey found that funding for automation was increasing. Only 14% of potential customers are reporting a purchase end-of-line decrease, and 41% are reporting an increase! That’s a net increase. In the beverage and food segments, our customers are absolutely looking at investing in automation. We had some projects delayed due to inflation which are expected to become active this year.

A report from PMMI in December 2023 backs that up. The company’s “Packaging and Automation in the Warehouses of the Future” focuses specifically on warehouses, but addresses the same staffing pain point felt across nearly every industry at the moment. But a release from the association makes a call back to a previous report in 2022, “The Future of Automation in Packaging and Processing,” that also highlights labor shortages.

“For some companies, it was a case of automating the line or stopping production,” PMMI says in a release. CPG firms are starting to realize that a piecemeal approach to automation can be effective. Companies are increasingly demanding flexibility from their operations and the ability to alter output from production lines to meet fluctuating levels of demand. We offer small and high speed machine systems.

Additionally, investing in data analytics and AI can provide actionable insights, helping companies make data-driven decisions for better production planning, cost control and continuous improvement. This year will present some unique challenges, but the drive for automation and digital transformation will persist as companies seek to remain competitive, adapt to changing market demands and meet sustainability goals with less staff.

Food safety has always been important, and the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aims to improve food safety. One aspect it intends to improve is finding the source of outbreaks. As we inch ever closer to new standards being implemented, companies will continue to improve systems that allow for greater traceability.

The sales team knows my feelings about telling the background story to a brand. It is now predicted that in the coming years, companies are anticipated to go to great lengths, such as featuring pictures of packers on labels and machines as well as providing detailed information on the packaging processes and also the origin of products. Talk about AI on the machines. This growing trend indicates a heightened awareness among consumers, prompting them to inquire not only about the product itself but also about its journey from production to the shelf.”

Some companies are expecting the FDA to begin implementing additional standards. These standards range from more-stringent standards regarding the labeling of organic products and the disclosure of bioengineered food. Along that line, expect the government to issue new rules on origin claims for meat, poultry and eggs, as well as new rules for cell-cultivated products.

Consumer interest in healthier eating is well known and now spread to pet owners wanting their pets to eat high-quality foods. Don’t expect either to slow down in the coming year.

Several factors, such as busy lifestyles, health and wellness goals for nutritional snacks, and more consumers blending snacking and meals throughout the day are now common. The snack industry will continue to innovate new products to respond to consumers’ changing preferences. Examples are Kellogg’s buying a snack company andHershey buying a pretzel company.

The PLMA released trends spotted from its most recent event. Among those of note were an expected continuation of plant-based foods, particularly with ethnic and spicy snacks. According to a release from PLMA, the global shift to spicy food options has found its way into the snack aisle, which is heating up with new flavor combinations featuring jalapeno, chili, habanero and other spicy peppers: Jalapeno cheddar trail mix; habanero pork rinds; spicy jalapeno sweet potato chips; habanero nacho sweet potato chips; and pineapple habanero honey roast sesame sticks. These are all desirable in StandUp pouches with zippers for easy access and lengthened freshness. The organization also states that coconut-based products are also growing in popularity thanks in part to increasing awareness of the health benefits of coconuts.

Our sales team has much to talk with customers about regarding the SN FME 50 machine for StandUp pouches with zippers and PSG LEE for filling with several versions of different snack foods in large take home storage premade pouches. "Keep hunger at bay with a tasty snack each day!" Use this below your emails and mention our StandUp pouch machines.

Influencer Marketing on the Internet

Influencer marketing has become an important part of businesses’ promotional strategy and is poised to generate  more than $11 billion through the end of 2022 alone.

New data shows that influencer marketing is among the tools that businesses can use to increase brand recognition by more than 70%. The question to ask is what return for each dollar spent on influencer marketing? Google reports that searches for “influencer marketing” have increased by more than 460% since 2016, and that almost all survey respondents (90%) feel that influencer marketing is effective.

Manufacturers are recommended to start using influencers to get in front of buyers. This is the opportunity for the manufacturer to tell a success story about their brand and aim the story at news from the market segment that is driving sales and shows success. Influencer marketing gives manufacturers the opportunity to tie their brand to industry trends that are driving visibility.

The influencer industry has learnt that they must provide news that the silent majority will note and this segment is the drive behind sales. A tiny number of social media readers engage with the story and the products and report on these activities. They confirm likes and shares about the storyline and product.

Now the most influential group are called content creators or trendsetters. They have followers or fans and monetize this by making a partnership deal with the brand. The days of the celebrity-status macro-influencers is waning and the age of “micro-influencers” for B2B manufacturer is growing. The difference is they have the credibility and reach to assist businesses in sharing their message.

For influencers to work you have to know who is actually buying your products. You want to know what those products mean to those who are buying them and how they impact their business or lifestyle. Micro-influencers help you determine if there are additional audiences – particularly those that remain untapped – that you should be targeting for a new stream of revenue and customer engagement for your brand.

Influencers can provide a lot of value with targeted promotions to your key audiences. The best way to start is by focusing on your target audience, and what influencers the audience closely align with your brand’s goals and business objectives.

Influencer marketing, done right, has proven to drive an increased demand for your products, in a short period of time. Be careful that you have adequate manufacturing capabilities and warehouse inventory to meet this increased demand for future growth needs.

Prominent influencers have become very powerful, with 90% of consumers trusting influencers more than the most famous celebrities. This shows the incredible power that influencers can provide to their brand partners. Surveys are reporting that only 40% trust advertisements shown alongside search results and just 30% believe the messages conveyed in online video advertisements.

Influencer marketing is a potent option for manufacturers to use as they look to expand and accurately reach their target audience. There is enormous potential to leverage the rising micro-influencer community to drive brand growth and visibility in new channels and in new, more direct ways.

SUSTAINABILITY

We all need to embrace and practice sustainability in the packaging industry.

In the end, everyone has to rely on packaging to get products like food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to market.

 

Good packaging ensures products are safe and healthy for the public. Ensuring the product is safe to use by the end of predicted shelf life is very important.

 

The right packaging machinery is essential to meet the needs of consumers. Knowledge of materials and their performance is being studied today with more use of recycled materials. The industry wants faster speed, and the new materials are not there yet. The medical industry is going to have to be careful because of the stability of requirements for sterile barrier packaging, and validation of all devices ensuring they meet regulations and standards. It is going to be a "go back to school", or testing process, to ensure we do not compromise the products.

 

Numerous states have already debated packaging issues and now have EPR bills [Extended Producer Responsibility] in two states. Other states are addressing issues like recycled content mandates, labelling and toxic chemicals in packaging, with California leading the way.

 

The state of California is looking at passing the Recycling and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act. It would require all single -use plastic packaging and single-use plastic food ware be reusable, refillable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. This proposal would have imposed a one cent on every piece of plastic packaging sold into or out of the state of Florida.

 

In Florida, we have 14 incinerators burning all types of waste. The University of Florida Engineering department is introducing the Robust Regenerative Gasification project at future municipal dumps to produce Eco-Ethanol™. They are using this chemical to remake plastics. This ensures our products and foods can be sold with little fear of contaminating the state by being dumped into land fills and contaminating ground waters. Sustainability in the packaging industry needs intelligent thought and decisions be made in order to be successful.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BEING FIRM OR ACTING HOW TOUGH YOU ARE?

 We have a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be firm. We mistake brazen toughness for power and control. Our definition of toughness is that you fear nothing and are cold-hearted. Some individuals use the bully version, projecting strength, while hiding the hurt and insecurity within.  

Firmness is about responding to a crisis and not overreacting. It’s about authentic connection and belonging, not leadership through fear. It’s about making the right choice under stress, uncertainty, and fatigue which requires emotional control. Real firmness is borne of self-security that is rooted in confidence, but not arrogance. Firmness is about figuring out how to thrive in adversity. It isn’t concerned with tough posturing, but making sure you send the right signals on what is required.

 

We send the same message in the workplace, parenting, and beyond. Research shows that the marketing folks, endurance athletes and military personnel are better at reading their inner signals than non-trained individuals. Managers with firm control are experts at listening to their body.

 

Imagine being dropped in the woods with a friend or two and asked to live off the land to survive. In the U.S.A. military, this is part of everyone’s training. It’s called SERE: survival, evasion, resistance, and escape. Studies find that up to 96 percent of individuals experience dissociation during the training. Some handle it better than others. Responding is being firm about what your plan is and not exhibiting how tough you are, but keeping your head cool amid chaos and completing the task.

 

When under pressure, we often default to a controlling leadership style. We dictate and demand, believing that we are taking charge and creating order out of disorder. This often backfires.

 

In the workplace, the strongest predictor of how well staff deal with demanding work was whether they felt respected and valued by their managers. In other research, those who report feeling more autonomy and less micromanaging have higher levels of job satisfaction and performance. Being firm and not overly tough is amplified when we have a choice and feel like we can make a difference.

 

When we satisfy basic needs, we create an environment where people play to win, instead of playing not to lose. When fear dominates, we perform worse. For many years we thought callousness was the key to toughness. It turns out the real secret sauce is being firm and a decent human being who actually cares about others as you make the final decision.

Encourage Staff to Move Beyond Their Potential

Over my many years in business I have found that individuals of brilliance or exceptional talent often fall short of their true potential. 

Encourage your staff to use their own abilities to implement new ideas, or improved concepts. Provide them confidence to  break through and carry out the mission.

It seems they want others to break through and are happy operating in the sea of business mediocrity. Ideas are the currency of the twenty-first century.

The ability to persuade, to change hearts and minds, is perhaps the single greatest skill that will give you a competitive edge in the knowledge economy — an age where ideas matter more than ever.

Some economists believe that persuasion is responsible for generating one-quarter or more of America’s total national income. As our economy has evolved, successful people are capable of convincing others to act on their ideas. Think about the role of persuasion in our daily lives:

• Leaders persuade employees to take specific plans of action
• Salespeople persuade customers to choose their product over a competitor’s offering

In short, persuasion is no longer a “soft skill”— it is a fundamental skill that can help you sell products, build brands, inspire teams, and trigger action. Persuasion is so important to billionaire Warren Buffett that the only diploma he proudly displays in his office is a public-speaking certificate from a Dale Carnegie course. He once told business students that improving their communication skills would boost their professional value by 50% — instantly.

Brevity is a crucial element in making a persuasive speech. An argument, Aristotle said, should be expressed “as compactly and in as few words as possible.” He also observed that the opening of a person’s speech is the most important since “attention slackens everywhere else rather than at the beginning.”

The lesson in this blog is: start with your strongest point to persuade good people to react and move beyond being just normal.

Home HYGIENE after Covid-19

Oral hygiene is essential when working around others but it won’t make a difference if you’re using an ancient toothbrush. Dentists suggest you replace your toothbrush every three months at minimum, and sooner if those bristles start fraying. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide on the tooth brush. Some of us struggle to brush twice a day, and we’re barely scratching the surface when it comes to the upkeep our mouths should receive. In reality, we should brush and floss between every single meal.

Lurking on that hairbrush, even with your wad of old hairs removed, are plenty of bacteria. Brushes need regular cleaning too. Otherwise, they can harbor dead skill cells, oils, and dust mites. If you leave brushes unwashed, the bacteria that forms can cause acne, which, ironically is the reason some people use makeup in the first place. Give them a good rinse weekly.

Not washing your towels after four uses leaves you vulnerable to ailments like athletes foot, warts, and various fungi and yeast. Plus, infrequent laundering can trigger flare-ups for people with skin conditions. Most towels are used after hand washing or showers, so our bodies are clean when we handle them. But, that doesn't mean they stay clean, and they should hit the washing machine after four uses.

Razor users note chances are you’re using your razor way too long. It’s recommended that men use facial blades no more than 7 days. Women should replace razors after 3 or 4 uses to prevent infections, trapped fungus, molds, or yeast.

People who use a computer on a daily basis should give the keys a cleaning once a week.

A 2015 survey conducted by Verizon Wireless concluded that 90% of people admit to bringing their phones to the bathroom. Germs are the main problem but also, this habit causes hemorrhoids! If you’re on the can, no phone should be in hand. 

Ignoring the tiny printed expiration dates on your makeup products is not worth it, even for the expensive stuff. Bacteria, mold, yeasts, and fungi can lead to rashes, bumps, pink eye, infections, and permanent damage.

All the vacuum fanatics take heed: Your carpets can still be dirty. Think about it — if you only vacuumed your clothes, they wouldn’t be clean. Regular carpet shampooing are the only way to remove trapped bacteria and viruses.

A 2009 study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found 35% of women and 69% of men don’t wash their hands after using public restrooms. Those statistics alone should make you wary of every public surface. Surfaces are constantly being touched with hands that could be unwashed. Sanitize at all times after washing.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS

Communication is extremely vital today. To be effective you need to follow a set of rules and not get lost in phone calls, texting, video messaging etc. No matter who you are, which division you work in, or what your job is, clear communication will be a critical factor in your ultimate success. It might involve telling your needs to a supervisor, or collaborating with others. Communication may be mainly face-to-face in the plant, and by email to people outside the company. However, you want to convey concisely, accurately, and appropriately, what you are requesting or stating. 

Being organized means you'll be more likely to get to work on time, prioritize your tasks effectively for the day, and seek solutions to problems before they even become problems.

Without organization, even the most capable worker often falls behind, or make critical mistakes. Clear communication allows for more creative solutions to problems, faster assessment of bad situations, and greater pattern recognition in large systems. Applications of clear communication are practically infinite. Critical thinkers understand clear communication and can acknowledge, analyze, and solve problems without much outside influence. They are always looking for improvements to add to the system.

 

While some positions rely on it more than others, you'll always have some level of teamwork to manage in the workplace. When you first start off, that might mean collaborating with your supervisors and a few of your fellow workers. In your future, it could mean delegating work to your subordinates. Knowing how to work with others effectively and how to communicate and play to individuals' strengths is a key skill for success in this area. The better you know how to work in groups, the better you'll be able to collectively perform. Without teamwork skills, you'll end up slowing the operation down.

 

Research and analysis skills come into play for nearly every conceivable position. Plant workers need to know what machine or process to use. They need to know how many people are needed and how long it will take. Marketers need to research and analyze their campaigns for possible effectiveness. Salespeople need to research and analyze sales leads. Engineers need to research and analyze potential technologies or solutions. Being able to quickly find information, review it, and communicate key patterns is essential for practically any job function.

 

Communication confidence might seem like a trait, but it can be developed like any skill. You can increase your communication in some areas through sheer practice; the more often you do something, the more confident you'll be in doing it. In other areas, communication confidence can be a product of your practiced habits.  Clear communication leads to greater respect, greater precision, and greater efficiency all around.

A MAKE-TO-ORDER PRODUCTION STRATEGY

Selling food, beverages, or pharma products in 2022 will be very different than before. Historically, most food and beverage manufacturers have used some combination of production strategies to develop their products, but recent supply chain disruptions and consumers’ desire for variety are forcing many to rethink their approach.

Traditionally make-to-stock (MTS) is a “build-ahead” production strategy in which manufacturing plans are based upon sales forecasts and/or historical demand. A company using this approach would estimate how many orders its products could generate, and then supply enough stock to meet those orders. Form-fill-seal roll stock machines make the least cost pouches using this method.

The opposite method is make-to-order (MTO) which is a production approach in which products are not made until a confirmed order is received. This typically allows consumers to purchase products customized to their specifications. Our premade pouch fill-seal machines allow this flexibility in running many short run products with low waste.

We are seeing a shift to the MTO approach as companies increasingly seek out ways to optimize manufacturing costs — and there are a lot of costs tied up in huge stocks of inventory. After all, if low demand for a particular product outpaces its shelf life, you’re now throwing away money in the form of spoiled inventory. Make-to-order production requires specific planning and increased changeovers.

The MTS approach is more predictable: it operates under the assumption that you have a specific inventory to fill and repeats the process accordingly on a schedule. An MTS operation may only conduct changeovers every few weeks, in which case a three-hour changeover time, while not necessarily ideal, isn’t very consequential. The SN machines are designed for long runs and low waste using recycled or mono structure film specifications at best pricing.

MTO production is subject to the fluctuations of customer demand, it means more frequent changeovers to produce various SKUs whenever needed. As changeovers increase, changeover time becomes more significant and that is where the PSG LEE premade pouch fill-seal machinery leads the field in fast changeovers, low waste, and high efficiency. Think of a MTO-driven facility that conducts changeovers much more frequently. Each minute of each changeover now carries more weight, because the changeovers themselves have more opportunities to set your production efficiency back. That’s why optimizing changeovers is critical in make-to-order production.

The Production Manager has to plan changeovers and schedule packaging lines to run as you make product, so that packaging can continue as you shut down the production line for cleaning. A well-run plant always has, if possible, a processing or packaging line running and plans to minimize idle time during changeovers.

The decision to change to MTO approach also marks a shift in how raw materials are sourced. Rather than maintaining a large inventory of raw ingredients in storage, making to order requires management of just-in-time (JIT) delivery, where the facility receives goods as close as possible to when they are needed.

Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) from 5G Cell Phones

 For many individuals, electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) can be a difficult condition to manage, as symptoms can come suddenly and do not respond to regular medications.

Whether you suffer from intermittent or chronic headaches from 5G, there are several steps you can take now to limit your potential exposure to 5G radiation sources.

Limit Use of Mobile Devices or Change How You Use Them

Unfortunately, mobile devices and the convenience of constant connection are here to stay, there are, however, meaningful steps to use your phone, tablet, and laptop responsibly.

• Limiting overall mobile usage during the day. The average American spends 3 hours and 10 minutes per day on a mobile device, often checking or rechecking social media throughout the day. Reducing overall usage is not only a positive health choice, it can build better work and social habits over time.

• Turn off your phone and store it when not in use. 5G networks, unlike 4G, are constantly transmitting data to provide faster transfer speeds. That means that, even when your phone isn't being used, it is still transmitting and receiving 5G millimeter waves.

• Consider taking calls with a headset to limit direct exposure of 5G signals originated from your phone. Air tube headsets are a great way to limit the risk of EMF exposure, using acoustic technology instead of wiring to use your device.
• Use EMF-blocking protection tools that work with your device. Keeping your cell phone in an EMF-proofed phone case and using a Protective Laptop Tray when using your PC can provide protection from EMF radiation when they’re in-use or in storage.

Try Wearables that Limit EMF and 5G Exposure to the Head

The head, brain, and nervous system are especially vulnerable to EMF exposure. Not only are most wireless devices designed to be used on or around the head, studies have shown that 900MHz electromagnetic fields can damage the blood-brain barrier in rodents and may lead to cognitive impairment.

To compare, 5G networks on the mid-band frequencies transmits between 2 and 3GHz, and high bands even further, up to 37GHz or over 37 times higher frequency than signals that induces irreversible brain damage in lab studies. Thus, protecting your head from EMF radiation should be an important consideration as 5G continues to proliferate.

We recommend specialized materials containing silver and/or copper elements, that can provide effective shielding up to 50dB, or 99.999% effective protection against EMF radiation from 5G and other sources. The style of head protection is up to you, but protective head gear is available in baseball caps, bush hats and bandanas to suit your personal preference.

Every Company is Automating Like Never Before… Make Sure Customers Consider PPiTG When They’re Ready to Buy!

After emerging from the pandemic, there’s been an explosion of interest in automation by companies in contact with us. Customers from every market segment are seeking to reduce costs of high speed production.

This interest will hopefully produce a growing wave of orders for our PGS Machinery division, filling machines, inspection systems, robots, and vision and case packing solutions. Today we can access all types of AI software for motion control and motors, sensors, and a wide range of other automation products to include in our machinery. After 18 months without trade shows, we believe many buying decisions will be made at the PackExpo Las Vegas show. Our booth is located in Central Hall, booth #4800. We invite all current, and potential customers worldwide, to visit us at PackExpo!

Build a Brand with Touchpoints

The use of strong branding is required today. This is needed to help you stand out from all the noise in the marketplace. Your brand is more than just your logo and slogan. Everything you say and do is a part of the meaning you create in the hearts and minds of customers. What you must have is a strong foundation. Define your brand spark and brand promise. Today your brand touchpoints can be defined as the interactions and exposures that a consumer can have with a brand. These are deliberate communications from a firm/brand and communications and interactions that consumers will use as part of their everyday life.

It is essential that you create building blocks and core elements. Determine which ones are most helpful in standing out in the hearts and minds of your customers. What do they remember about your brand? Stories help build brands to stand out and define your brand voice. Content is king. Content rules. Be careful there's too much content today! So, content based on customer challenges and pain points must be crafted carefully. People are key to building a strong, authentic brand. Outside reviews are essential as well as developing strong relationships among your community of brand advocates. Positive comments from both your employees and best customers help sell the brand.

Brands today must be transparent in what they say and do. Simplicity is key in standing out in this complex world. It is essential you audit your brand for clarity—both in terms of transparency and simplicity. You build your brand through everything you do, from traditional one-way touchpoints like advertising to interactive touchpoints like social media. Marketing and sales people must map brand experience for both online and off, while addressing any gaps found. Company culture and brand growth go together.

Here are some of our brands and brand touchpoints:

• SN Machines / fast, efficient, and low waste
• PSG LEE / multiple pouch sizes and shapes, low waste
• Radpak / case erector, retail ready display cases
• Futura / the future of automated pouch loading and machine tending
• ShotPak / the Shot without the glass!
• ANYTIME / no-bite / no-burn / NO SCENT / No DEET / 6 hours / family friendly
• StillTails / Kill the biting insects and not the horse

Can a Bee Only Sting You Once?

According to folklore, a bee can only sting you once, and then it dies. But is that true?

I Regret to tell you no and Most Bees Can Sting Again.

Bee stings are common and painful, but they are rarely deadly. Fatalities occur each year about the same chance as being struck by lightning. Bee stings typically result in brief, localized, limited inflammation and pain around the sting.

If you have ever been stung by a bee, you may have taken some satisfaction in believing the bee was on a suicide mission when it stung you. But do bees die after stinging someone? The answer depends on the bee.

Honeybees die after they sting, but other bees, hornets, and wasps can sting you and live to sting another day—and another victim.

Purpose of Venom

The purpose of the bee's stinger is to lay eggs in largely unwilling invertebrate hosts. Venom secretions are intended to temporarily or permanently paralyze the host. Among honeybees and bumble bees, only the queen lays eggs; other female bees use their stingers as defensive weapons against other insects and people.

Now some science, honeycombs hives, where honeybee larvae are deposited and develop, are often coated with bee venom. Research has revealed that antimicrobial elements in honeybee venom provide newborn bees with protection from diseases due to the "venom bathing" they receive while in the larval stage.

How Stings Work

A sting occurs when a female bee or wasp lands on your skin and uses her stinger against you. During the sting, the bee pumps venom into you from attached venom sacs through the needle-like portion of the sting apparatus called the stylus.

The stylus is situated between two lancets with barbs. When a bee or wasp stings you, the lancets become embedded in your skin. As they alternately push and pull the stylus in your flesh, the venom sacs pump venom into your body.

In most bees, including native solitary bees and the social bumblebees, the lancets are fairly smooth. They have tiny barbs, which help the bee grab and hold the victim's flesh when it stings, but the barbs are easily retractable so the bee can withdraw its stinger. The same is true for wasps. Most bees and wasps can sting you, pull out the stinger, and fly off before you can yell "Ouch!" So solitary bees, bumblebees, and wasps do not die when they sting you.

Why Honeybees Die After Stinging

In honeybee workers, the stinger has fairly large, backward-facing barbs on the lancets. When the worker bee stings you, these barbs dig into your flesh, making it impossible for the bee to pull its stinger back out.

As the bee flies off, the entire stinging apparatus—venom sacs, lancets, and stylus—is pulled from the bee's abdomen and left in your skin. The honeybee dies as a result of this abdominal rupture. Because honeybees live in large, social colonies, the group can afford to sacrifice a few members in defense of their hive.

What to Do for a Honeybee Sting

If you get stung by a honeybee, remove the stinger as quickly as possible. Even detached from the bee, those venom sacs will continue to pump venom into you: more venom equals more pain.

Traditional sources say you should fetch something flat and stiff, like a credit card, to scrape the stinger off rather than pinching the stinger to remove it. However, unless you happen to be holding a credit card at the time of the sting, it's better to get it out of your skin quickly. If that takes a pinch, pinch away.

Avoiding Bee Stings

The best course of action is to avoid getting stung by bees. If you're outside, don't wear scented lotions or applications (soaps, hairsprays, oils). Don't wear brightly colored clothing, and, don’t bring along a can of sweet soda or juice. Wear a hat and long pants to avoid looking like a furry predator.

If a bee comes near you, stay calm; don't swat at it or flail your hands in the air. If it lands on you, gently blow on it to make it fly away. Remember, bees don't sting for fun. They do so only when they feel threatened or are defending their nests. In most cases, bees will choose flight over fight.

Uncertain Goals

Many people are uncertain what goals to set in 2021, especially after the tough 2020. Most folks set goals that will hopefully improve their position. 

Most people don’t see the possibility in uncertain goals. Usually the fear of the unknown makes us lean into poor choices and the wrong goals, like ones that are impossible. That’s when we lose motivation and interest. 

 

Doctors report that neuroscience backs up how impossible goals lower activity in the parts of our brain that deal with planning and motivation.

 

As that happens, we normally miss out on all of the possibilities right in front of us.

 

To react to uncertainty, and set goals, we must accept the fact that we’ll never have all of the answers. Remember that no one has set goals in a time of 100% certainty because we know we can do them.

 

With a little success we start to get better at dealing with uncertainty, and better at setting realistic goals. We also become more motivated, and recognize new possibilities. 

 

With success and drive, we start to achieve meaningful goals in the most unpredictable times.

 

There is much joy and satisfaction in the moment when the uncertain goals are met, and they bring good things into our lives. 

 

Some uncertain goals to think about could be paying one extra month on your mortgage,  running an extra mile every week at the gym, or fasting once a week to improve your health. All these are uncertain but achievable goals that benefit you. Times are tough so a little success is important. 

New Style Business Plan

The start of the New Year 2021 was not easy. Washington was in turmoil and we do not know for sure what lies ahead. We are becoming aware that the first quarter will be tough for consumers and many businesses that have not worked out a New Style Business Plan.

As you know last February we adjusted down our January sales meeting business plan and budget and implemented a new strategy for survival in 2020. We found we were better able to gauge success in 2020 when we worked in quarter-by-quarter reporting, rather than trying to stick to a budget, even the reduced version.

This quarterly overview meant that shorter operational periods and quick decisions could be implemented. We found that staff wanted to be at the office and not at home. We introduced more ‘can we service and repair’ your machinery. We worked with our overseas partners to help them remain stable with new orders, while maintaining our long term plan, vision, and values of offering the best quality machinery, with highest productivity and lowest waste. Our New Style Business plan was implemented with increased contact at all levels with our customers, going above and beyond to service them, and meet their every request. Customer service and service technicians played key parts. In-house Zoom presentations grew into slick movies as the year progressed.

At all times we remained focused on our financials, knowing they are only indicators of success, but needed by the banks for security of investment purposes. Our young team of Managers were tasked with a renewed sense of purpose that enabled them to pivot to face the unknown opportunities and challenges each quarter. They came through on all levels. Our contacts with vendors became very important to our success. We discussed and understood their needs.

It seemed at that time, 2020 would never end. We are looking back and taking stock of the things that worked during the pandemic to use again in 2021.

As CEO I learned a lot of new ideas in 2020. I hopefully became more agile, and open to new ideas from everyone, while connecting with the three teams.

Let’s meet target One in the first quarter and plan for quarter Two as the period progresses. Follow the New Style Business Plan with contacts up and down and behind every possible order.

Ask For Help When Under Stress

We often, or instinctively, look to leadership for guidance, support, and the motivation to persevere through the darkest hours. These dark times include sad news, the never ending virus stories and reports of job losses, and money problems. 

That’s a lot of weight to bear especially when you are not prepared. You can, and should,  ask for help. Even the best leaders will try to suggest a solution and make it look easy, but believe me it is not easy! It takes courage to handle bad news, or frustration, and to keep going.

You need inner strength to rise to the occasion for your family, team, and sometimes the company’s sake. Think of the leader. It takes courage to look to previous knowledge and expertise when help is requested and to offer a solution that might not be a happy one.

Often good advice has risks with no safety net. Your make up might be such that you cannot easily handle bad news, so you have to plan to listen openly, and most importantly, to look in the mirror and confront what you see and can do!

Key lessons from leaders and learning from others is important, and can help guide you in life. Remember when times are stressful and unpredictable, ask for help and do not carry the strain all by yourself. Even just asking or talking about the problem reduces stress.

Take Breaks To Increase Tenacity, Like We Do

We recently have launched our 10acity™ anti-oxidant hydrogen infused 2.5ppm water. Before making 10acity™, we conducted several plant and water tests to ensure the best, cleanest spring water is used. It is not an energy drink, but provides tenacity for the body to finish whatever you start. Have you noticed it takes longer in the afternoon to finish something than if you started in the morning? This is the sign of changing energy levels from a high at 8am, to lower at 2pm.

 

Studies have found that walking for 3 minutes (around our golf course) or climbing our stairs several times, raises energy levels. More energy translates into improved work. So it is very important to take the three breaks we allow at PPiTG for morning and afternoon beverage break, and lunch break.

 

The same report said people were happiest when allowed to exercise (please use the exercise room), socialize (we have the Bistro, lunchroom, golf course tables) and look at web information like story of the day, best place to eat, or friends activities. Other suggestions are to study something new, read something spiritual, face time with family, or listen to music, (each of you have a company cell phone) etc. Choose something or do anything that connects you to something larger than yourself, or what you aspire, or want to do.

 

The 3 breaks are physical, social, and outside the job realm. 

Pick breaks from each category that appeal to you and then, before each day, look at your schedule and figure out when you can plan them in. It is essential to have these breaks. 

Finally, the breaks can be short. Break lengths of 1, 5 and 9 minutes are good. Hopefully these breaks make you feel better with more tenacity to finish the day.

The Elderly of Today are Not the Seniors of Yesteryear

The elderly of today are not the seniors of yesteryear, it is important for them to take good care of themselves as they grow older.

Researchers today have found older adults 70, and above 85, enjoying more healthy years and are more physically fit later in life. Our 10acity™ antioxidant hydrogen infused water is suggested for all seniors who want to have the tenacity to see the day through without struggling. Scientific evidence shows daily consumption is good for the body and allows for more exercise without feeling overly tired.

 

Think about it, many of today's seniors are also enjoying even better mental health than 75 and 85-year-olds from a dozen years ago. The iPhone and other smart phones have helped generate interest in electronics. Cars and televisions have more electronics today than in the past, and they require some skill to use.

 

There have been many favorable changes over the past 30 years. Changes include better nutrition diets and the consumption of healthy snacks that provide the correct omega 6 and 3 ratios for the body. Omega 6 and 3 can be obtained easily from Nutracis™ hulled hemp seeds that help the mitochondria work correctly, often referred to as the engine driving the body. Many are warned about increased sugar consumption and they can now select from the new Stevia sugar alternatives, like 4Zeros™ to satisfy sugar taste needs, without the health problems.

 

With COVID-19 targeting seniors, hygiene has become very important. Frequent hand washing with soap, sanitizing after touching people or surfaces, mask wearing and social distancing all play important roles in keeping our seniors safe. In this area, seniors do need guidance and reminders.

 

I strongly believe it is important for seniors to take good care of themselves as they grow older.

Why Are We Here and Where Are We Going?

 People often ask the questions: Why are we here and where are we going? These are the questions many of us are trying to answer at home and the office.  The COVID-19 virus has made a lot of us aware of illness and death like never before. It has literally changed our way of doing business, both now, and for the future. Remember that you never get yesterday back, and tomorrow is unknown, so you have to concentrate on what you are doing NOW.

We need to prioritize the family first. Then we need to make sure our job is not compromised and ensure we are making the the best of what the "NOW" is. At Home, school and work, we try to live by respect and a set of values. These values include being proud of your work, being kind, being honest in what you tackle and being respectful of others. Values often guide a company’s choices and the behaviors of staff and managers. These values help shape what is expected of them for the common good when their normal activities are interrupted. 

The COVID-19 virus and lock downs have hurt many of our customers and vendors. We are now required to think about how we’re going to help the recovery by working together to try to return to the normal way of life we used to have.

Work from Home or Not?

As we recover from the pandemic it is recognized that the decision to work from home was correct. 

However, companies are finding that they missed the creativity and innovation lost in the process.  We are always looking for new ideas. We now realize that keeping the many brains in a company apart is not the way to go.

 

Steve Job’s, Apple CEO, clearly stated that nothing clever or unique can be developed by email or iChat.  Creativity comes from spontaneous meetings and discussions.  If we lose the face-to-face interaction, we also lose the creativity.  Think why at PPiTG, we have free coffee breaks. Folks can interact with each other that might not see one another during the day.

 

Nothing beats eye to eye contact.  Togetherness is in our deepest nature as we get the sense of excitement and enthusiasm from others.

 

So, it is my belief that meeting, talking with, and being a member of a team, all help us reach a joint solution.  Satisfaction comes from being with others.