from the chair
Building Connections
Dave Rankin
There are many advantages to being an AWB member and one that I especially enjoy is the opportunity to attend in-person meetings such as the annual Spring Meeting and Policy Summit .
These gatherings not only give employers a chance to learn about important timely topics like civic health , artificial intelligence ( as we did in May at the Spring Meeting ), but they ’ re also an outstanding way to build a network of peers .
Most of us are lifelong learners and we enjoy the pursuit of knowledge to enhance our skills to stay ahead of the game . At our company , we are constantly learning and sharing new information with our management team .
One example is artificial intelligence , or AI , which is the subject of this magazine ’ s cover story . Our company is a fourth-generation farm equipment sales , distribution and manufacturing firm located in Yakima . We ’ ve already invested in automation , installing a robotic welder to deal with the challenges of hiring welders . It is an impressive tool . It doesn ’ t replace people — you still need someone to operate it — but it is making us more efficient at what we do . We ’ re exploring the same questions with AI .
I ’ ll admit : I remember when our family business did not have a website . It ’ s hard to believe . At some point , I suspect we ’ ll say the same thing about AI . It will be so important to every industry we won ’ t be able to imagine running our businesses without it .
I recently asked an AI chatbot to come up with a list of effective sales strategies to use during a downturn . It quickly created a bulleted list that I shared with my sales team . AI is helping companies with everything from invoicing to marketing . Like with automation , AI is going to help companies save time and make us more efficient . It ’ s also going to help us innovate and develop new products at a faster pace .
We heard from two innovative companies in a fascinating AI panel at AWB ’ s Spring Meeting in Vancouver this May . Pollen Systems Corp . uses AI to help farmers manage their crops , reducing costs and boosting yields . Pearson Packaging Systems makes automated and AI-powered packaging equipment . Both are AWB members .
AI has amazing potential to assist businesses as well as solve societal problems . Last year at the AWB Policy Summit in Spokane , AI expert Zack Kass said AI is probably going to position us to solve cancer in the future .
I am always impressed with the variety of topics and quality of speakers at AWB ’ s events . At the Spring Meeting , Lt . Gov . Denny Heck and former Secretary of State Kim Wyman had an excellent discussion on civic health . That fits perfectly into AWB ’ s mission . Our goal is to be a convener . We want to take tough issues , work with legislators , and come up with answers to make our state stronger and better .
We can ’ t do any of this on our own . For 120 years , AWB has been bringing employers together to improve our businesses , our communities and our state . I look forward to connecting with you at an upcoming event . spring 2024 11