I recently returned from a conference in St. Louis attended by about 40 consultants and business owners from around the United States. There were several interesting topics on big data, business planning, replicating yourself, and how to move your business to the next generation or management team when you are ready to move to a different life adventure. (I don’t plan to move on any time soon, but the topic was interesting.)

I have been attending the conference and annual meeting of this national, 50-year-old, group for close to 30 years. I have served on several committees and on its board of directors in many positions, including its president. I go to these meetings primarily for three reasons: 1) the networking opportunities it provides, 2) the continuing education I receive, and 3) attending a certain number of meetings is a requirement of maintaining the certification I earned from the group.

The reason I bring this up is to remind everyone about the importance continuing education has on staying on top of your business or career. Many people attend classroom training provided by Red Wing Software to attain some of the knowledge they need to get a better handle on the finances of their operation.

In an effort to provide even more value to attending Red Wing Software educational training sessions, we received certification from NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) that allows us to issues CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credit for attending our software training classes.

What this means for our customers is that they can now not only get valuable information from attending our seminars, but can also get credit toward professional continuing education to satisfy educational requirements of several organizations like the CPA designation. You can find a list of the classroom training sessions schedule for 2015 by going to our web site at this link: Red Wing Software Classroom Training

We feel this is one more item in a long list of important benefits we can offer to our customers.

- Ken Hilton, President

Total Seed Production, a Red Wing Software customer, has announced expansion plans. Christy Conaway had this to say about Red Wing Software: "We have used Red Wing Software for 8 years now. It is a wonderful program and we really enjoy the help we get! Thanks for making our business easier to operate!"

Many thanks to Total Seed Production for being a customer, and a hearty congratulations on your growth! Read more about the expansion news below.

Tipton, Indiana, - Total Seed Production, Inc. (TSP) is pleased to announce the completion of yet another plant expansion project. This year completes the goal of doubling the plant’s capacity within 5 years. This type of investment proves TSP’s commitment to its customers to continue providing them with high quality seed and first class service; which the company has consistently been doing for the past 78 years. “Our operation continues to expand because of our unique seed production structure, which allows us to be an unmatched leader in quality and service.” said Aaron Conaway, President of TSP. Aaron Conaway also states “TSP’s key to success is centered on our vertical integration and being able to control every step of the process. This includes raising the crop on our own land, through the entire packaging and distribution process.” TSP is located in the heart of the best seed production region, on nutrient rich soils, with all seed fields being produced in the four counties surrounding the facility.

A few of the capacity expansions over the last 5 years have been:

• 2014: Fully automated packaging line with robotic palletizer and 24,000 sq. feet of additional warehouse storage
• 2013: Doubled capacity of the treating / packaging facility, added refuge blending equipment, and 17,000 sq. feet of additional warehouse storage
• 2012: 100,000 bushel single pass-reversing ear corn dryer, and 84,000 bushel of additional bulk corn storage capacity
• 2011: 100,000 bushel single pass-reversing ear corn dryer, and 75,000 bushel of additional bulk corn storage capacity
• 2010: Doubled capacity of the husking and sorting facility by adding 4, 16 lane A&K husking beds

Total Seed Production Inc. is family owned and operated by 4th generation seedsmen, and is one of the largest vertically integrated seed corn and soybean seed producers in the United States. The home office and production facility is located in central Indiana and services customers throughout the entire USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Learn more at www.totalseedproduction.com

In photo: (left to right) Ryan Campbell (Vice President) Christy Conaway (Secretary/Treasurer), Aaron Conaway (President)

By Stephanie Elsen

Remember back in the 1980’s when financial accounting programs were really starting to sprout up here and there? Software developers from all over created and marketed their own applications to businesses and organizations. People in businesses of all sizes finally had the opportunity to track and manage financial information on a computer, rather than on paper. As time went on, some financial accounting software developers got purchased or merged, some closed their doors because of too much competition, and some thrived and are still improving and growing today.

Back when all the accounting software developers were starting up, even the smallest, one person developer could create and market his/her own accounting application. It was so much easier to do back then, since businesses often wanted to buy the system from someone local. They wanted a partner who could be there to help them if needed. Buying from a local software provider gave the business a sense of comfort, knowing there was someone who could help them when needed. And then, the internet changed everything. More and more support options became available online, phones became automated, and many software companies started providing telephone and internet support options. Bigger companies such as today’s Intuit and Sage started acquiring customers on a large scale. Many other smaller companies continue to grow and thrive as well.

Today, the practice of purchasing financial accounting software from a company that is not in your neighborhood is well accepted. There are still many wonderful local developers and also partners who represent the larger accounting software companies, by providing services for them locally. These days, the service you get from your software provider can vary greatly. That’s why you should always check out these aspects of the services they offer.

• Are they easy to reach?
• Do they speak your language?
• Are they experienced?
• Are they responsive and courteous?
• Do they make meaningful updates to their system?

No matter whether you choose a mass-marketed product or one from a smaller company, these questions are extremely important in your research process. Managing your company’s financial information is not a subject to be taken lightly. Ask the questions, get the answers, and choose the financial accounting system that is just right for you.

Red Wing Software offers live classroom training for customers at its facility in Red Wing, Minnesota, as well as other locations throughout the year. Customers have traditionally called to register for the classroom training. Signing up online makes the process simpler, for those who prefer to go online. (Those who prefer to register by phone still have that option as well.)

To register for live classroom training online:

• Go to www.redwingsoftware.com. (Be sure to sign in, so the system recognizes you as a customer.
• Choose Training>Classroom Training.
• Click on the link for the training session for your product, and the date you prefer.
• Click the ‘Register’ button.

Follow the cues to register. Customers who have a current Customer Care Plan are eligible for a discount, based on the level of their plan. If you are logged in and have a Customer Care Plan, the system will recognize it and show your discounted pricing.

To learn more, please see the Press Release.

Melissa Gora has been the HR Generalist at Red Wing Software for seven years. As the HR Generalist, she handles employment law, recruitment, benefits and payroll. You may have spoken with Melissa as she also answers the phones now and then.

Melissa has two lovely girls, Ella and Anna! They enjoy doing many activities, including attending concerts in the park and other musical events, walking dogs at the Humane Society, swimming, playing games and watching movies. Her girls enjoy school, and love arts and crafts! They even arranged an end of summer event at their daycare, where all the children participated and performed in a talent show for the parents.

While Melissa enjoys spending time with her family most of all, she also enjoys live music, reading, walking, cooking and meeting friends for coffee.