This is certainly the time of year to celebrate.  First of all, it’s the holiday season.  The other reason is that this is the 50th issue of The Animal Science Monitor.  The ASM has undergone quite a few changes and transformations since it was first introduced three years ago, and we’d like to think that all of those changes have ultimately helped us to provide a better product.

So as a way to celebrate our 50th issue, and also as a way to say thank-you for your continued support and loyal readership, we’re publishing this special edition of The Animal Science Monitor.  Specifically, we’re presenting “The Best of” The ASM through the first 50 issues—10 of our most popular articles during the past three years.

In addition, we’re offering these articles in two ways.  First, you can access them as individual PDF files within the body of the actual newsletter (see below).  Or you can see them together in one large PDF format, complete with a table of contents, by clicking here.

Within this issue, you’ll also find an article discussing the results of the survey that we published in our previous issue.  We’d like to thank everybody who participated in the survey; your contributions are very much appreciated.

As we march toward 2008, we also invite you to send us topic ideas for the coming year.  We want 2008 to be The ASM’s best year ever, but in order for that to be the case, we need your help and your feedback.  Send all article ideas and topics, in addition to information regarding industry conferences and other events, to matt@theanimalsciencemonitor.com.

And most importantly, make sure to celebrate all of the good things you have in your life, whether they’re professional or personal in nature.  From all of us here at The Animal Science Monitor, we hope that 2007 has been a blessing for you and your family, that 2008 is even better, and that you enjoy this special 50th issue edition of The ASM.  Happy holidays!

—Dan and Don

> Upcoming Industry Events

> Introducing the ASM Staff

> Presenting the Best of The Animal Science Monitor

> The Results of Our Survey

At The Animal Science Monitor, we’re advocates of continuous education and the promotion of industry events such as conferences and conventions.  The training and networking opportunities that exist at these events are extremely valuable and can pay dividends in a number of different ways.

That’s why we’re running a regular column devoted to upcoming events in the animal science and animal nutrition industries.  And as always, we value your input.  If there’s an industry event that you believe we should promote through our newsletter, please email your information to matt@animalsciencemonitor.com.

The ASM is pleased to highlight these upcoming industry events:

January

Minnesota Pork Congress
Date: Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 17
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Description: This two-day event is packed with information and sessions revolving around current issues and developments within the pork industry.  Topics include individual certification, recent and upcoming legislation, market outlook, managing the price and source of feedstuffs, local preparation for animal disease disasters, and the state of the Canadian pork industry, among others.  The agenda will be updated and expanded as the event draws closer.
Registration: The registration deadline is Saturday, January 5, 2008.  However, if you pre-register, you can save money and also avoid the registration line.  For more information or to register, click here.

International Poultry Expo
Date: Monday, January 21 and Tuesday, January 22
Location: Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Description: The International Poultry Expo is the networking hub of the world for the poultry industry.  Every segment of the poultry and egg industry is represented: feed milling, live production, hatchery, processing, further processing, packaging, commercial egg, marketing, and all support activities.  Funds earned at the Expo are funneled directly back into the industry in the form of research grants, educational programs, communications, and technical assistance.  In addition, the Expo will once again be co-located with the International Feed Expo.
Registration: Pre-registration fees are $30 for online registration and $40 for registration via fax or regular mail.  On-site registration is $50.  For more information or to register, click here.

https://www.internationalpoultryexposition.com/registration/expo/

Iowa Pork Congress
Date: Wednesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 24
Location: Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa
Description: This event is for anyone with interest in the swine industry, including producers, contract feeders, employees, consultants, and students.  The Iowa Pork Congress is known for the educational opportunities that are available to pork producers, and another full slate of dynamic seminars and presenters has been lined up for the two-day show.   Seminar topics include estate planning, managing input costs, producer health protection, reproduction, sow housing and animal well-being, odor mitigation, and recordkeeping.
Registration: Registration costs vary.  For more information, click here.

Introducing the ASM Staff

Publishing a newsletter on a regular basis and attempting to do so with a high level of quality each and every time is certainly a team endeavor, and The Animal Science Monitor is no exception.  The ASM is the result of the efforts of a dedicated and knowledgeable staff, one committed to producing the best possible product for its readers.  Below are the names of the ASM team members, in addition to some information about them and what they do.

Dan Simmons

Dan is a Certified Personnel Consultant who has been recruiting since 1991.  Dan combines his training, expertise, and experience to help clients attract and retain top talent.  In addition, he is proud to be a Member of Top Echelon Network, the leading split placement network of recruiters, and has won numerous production awards through the Network since 2002.  Dan specializes in the animal science industry and provides services across the nation from his office in Baltimore, Md.  These services include contingent and retained search, contract staffing, retention consulting, and recruitment strategy consulting.  For more information about these services, contact Dan at (888) 276-6789 or dan@consearch.com, or you can also visit www.consearch.com.

Don Hunter

Don, the president of Bay Resource Group in Acme, Mich., has also been a Top Producer in Top Echelon Network.  Hunter began recruiting in 1995, and he’s been a Member of the Network since 2000.  Bay Resource Group specializes in providing career opportunities to professionals who are seeking employment in the animal science industry, specifically in the fields of animal nutrition and animal hygiene.  The dual mission of Bay Resource Group is to contribute to the success of its candidates and to the profitability of its client companies.  Through its unique program, it quickly and accurately constructs a matrix of high-performing candidates according to the parameters its client companies define as critical to success.  Bay Resource Group believes any search for excellence must first begin with excellence in search.  For more information, contact Don at don@bayresourcegroup.com, or you can also visit www.bayresourcegroup.com.

Matt Deutsch

Matt is the managing editor of The ASM, a position he’s held for all three years of the newsletter’s existence.   He graduated from Youngstown State University in 1995 with a B.S. Degree in Education.  For a unique and often humorous look at the world, as well as life in general, check out his blog, “Deutsch’s Diatribe,” at www.mattdeutsch.com/blogs.

Beth Hilson

Beth, the web developer for The ASM, has also been with the newsletter for three years.  In addition, she’s been a website designer for Top Echelon Network for 9 years.  Contact Beth at bethhilson@gmail.com.

(By Dan Simmons and Don Hunter)

My, how time flies.  This month marks not only the end of 2007, but also the 50th issue of The Animal Science Monitor newsletter.  It’s been three years since we started The ASM at the end of 2004, and we’ve done our best to provide practical and timely advice for people just like you—and we hope that we’ve achieved what we set out to accomplish.

We’ve been very pleased by the feedback that we’ve received from readers since we began The Animal Science Monitor.  That feedback has been thoughtful, full of insight, and extremely helpful in guiding us through our growing process.  In addition, your feedback has allowed us to select the “best of” our newsletter during the first 50 issues.

The “best of” consists of 10 of our previous articles, and those 10 are listed below.  (You can access the articles individually by clicking on the highlighted title, or you can open our special 50th issue commemorative PDF by clicking here:

• “Balancing the Big Picture”—The proper work-life balance will get you where you want to go, both personally and professionally.  (Previously published July, 2007)

• “Creating and Cultivating a Mentoring Culture”—Knowledge is power, and that’s why you need to make sure that knowledge is transferred from one employee to another.  (Previously published February, 2006)

• “Is Your Company Living Its Values?”—Knowing the answer to this question is the first step toward retaining superstar candidates in any market.  (Previously published August, 2007)

• “It’s a Candidates’ Market, But . . .”—Don’t burn any bridges.  Instead, follow these guidelines for long-term career success.  (Previously published April, 2007)

• “Knowing When It’s Time to Move On”—Unsure about your current employment situation?  This five-point measuring stick might be able to help.  (Previously published April, 2006)

• “Retaining Employees—the Easy Way”—Employ these simple techniques and watch your retention rate increase dramatically.  (Previously published June, 2007)

• “Tips and Suggestions for Attending Conferences”—The chance to network is just one of the many reasons you should make attending conferences a priority.  (Previously published November, 2007)

• “Who’s Thinking About Your Career?”—Some well-timed reflection and a meeting with your supervisor can have a tremendous impact on your career trajectory.  (Previously published August, 2007)

• “You’re Never Too Busy to Go on Vacation”—Superman does not exist.  What do exist are the numerous benefits associated with taking a break once in a while.  (Previously published June, 2006)

• “Recruiting Stars Using the STAR Approach”—How a person might perform in a new position might not be as important as how they behave as a member of your team.  (Previously published May, 2007)

Once again, thanks very much for being a loyal reader of The Animal Science Monitor.  And remember, we want to know what interests you.  If have suggestions for future topics, please be sure to send them to us for consideration.  We’re currently putting together our articles for the first half of next year, and we’d love your input and feedback.  We wish you the best during this holiday season and hope that 2008 turns out to be your best year ever.  Send all feedback and suggestions to matt@animalsciencemonitor.com.

The Results of Our Survey
(By Matt Deutsch)

Somewhat satisfied.

That’s how you would describe those who participated in the survey published in our previous issue of The Animal Science Monitor.  In that issue, we provided a survey for both candidates and hiring authorities.  Our purpose with this survey was to take the pulse, so to speak, of the current job market in order to get a better idea of what’s going on.

As we looked through the data, a number of trends started to emerge.  One involved the job satisfaction of employees.  Take, for instance, the following two questions:

• “How would you rate your satisfaction at your current job (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest)?”

• “How would you rate your boss (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest)?”

The vast majority of respondents answered with either a “3” or a “4” for both of those questions, indicating a reasonable level of satisfaction with their present situation.  However, when asked what they would change about their situation, the two answers that were offered the most were “Compensation” and “Company Culture.”  Each of these answers comprised approximately 25% of the total responses.  So while it is somewhat about the money, it’s not “all about the money.”  That’s why it’s crucial to make sure that the candidates you hire are a fit for your company’s culture.

But while employees appear to be somewhat satisfied, that doesn’t mean they’re not looking for better opportunities.  In fact, nearly 70% of all respondents are currently engaged in a job search, either passively (50%) or actively (20%).  That’s reflected in hiring authorities’ difficulty in retaining employees.  Eighty percent of all managers polled indicated that they’re having trouble with retention.

While 60% of managers responded that they’re pleased with the level of talent on their team, a whopping 80% indicated that they’re willing to hire more people in 2008 than they did this year.  Part of this willingness may be driven by the fact that approximately the same percentage of managers believes that the retiring workforce will cause a shortage of qualified candidates in the near future.

Employees and managers appear to be on the same page about one important topic—training.  Ninety-three percent of employees plan to engage in the same amount of training (48%) or more training (45%) than they did this year.  In addition, nearly half of all training managers stated that they plan to increase their training budget in 2008.

Of course, the results of the survey that we’re most happy about involve the answer to this question: “How often do you read The Animal Science Monitor?  Nearly half of the respondents answered, “All the time,” and another third responded, “Most of the time.”

We hope these results are indicative of the reading habits of our entire ASM audience.  As 2007 draws to a close, we’d like to thank you for being part of our publication and for helping it to be as successful as it’s been.  We’d also like to wish you the best for this holiday season and a very Happy New Year.  May 2008 be a blessing to you and your family.