Macy Lee Eaves

Weekly Work Broken Down:
Monday, June 13, I spent the day riding along with one of my reps, David Martin. We visited CPS in Roachville, Attica, and the Wingate Branch of Ceres Solutions.

Tuesday, June 14, was probably my most successful and enjoyable day on the job so far. I made a morning appointment to visit with Chris Price at Harvest Land in Bryant. I was under the impression that he already had two plots out, but it turned out that we delivered trial product to the two guys who will be putting out an Instinct plot. Following this visit, I then traveled to Union City and met with Derrick Mote, the Manager of Mote Farm Service, Inc. This was also a great visit because I was able to visit with him about Instinct for a good amount of time. He agreed to put in a plot for me to work with. I then went to the Ag Best office in Muncie, and found out that this particular location is the Corporate Office, Here I spoke with John, the General Manager and he encouraged that I visit the Agronomy locations. I then drove to Dunkirk and spoke with Andy, Manager, and Ryan, the Salesman for this Ag Best location. These guys asked me lots of questions and were very interested in Instinct. They were not aware that Agrotain only protected against volatilization. They were one of the two people that I received word of Agrotain not being readily available. After much discussion, they agreed to try some product, so I drove to nearest Helena location to pick up some product and delivered it back to Ag Best in Dunkirk.

Wednesday, June 15, I traveled with David Martin to CPS in Switz City. We talked with Rex Thornbury and Bill Fuller. They informed me that they will not have any plots due to the late season. Following this, we traveled to Traylor Fertilizer in Montgomery and took these guys to lunch. David and I were expecting just one of the salesmen, Brent Baker to attend, but it turned into 8 people. They were very inquisitive about Instinct and applying it with manure in the fall. After this, Brent, David, and I located two of my test plots. We located them, discussed the methods and application practices, and then traveled to meet with the farmer to collect the needed data. I was very excited to actually find and begin working on my first two plots.

Thursday, June 16, I traveled to Noblesville to meet with a rep and discuss my plots in her territory. In this area, we are very far behind and I have been finding that guys either just applied Instinct to the whole field, or not at all. I also provided her with some sales sheets that I requested and picked up from the Dow AgroSciences Headquarters. After this morning, we traveled to the CPS location in North Grove. We discussed some of their various needs and potential products, and then took them to eat. They do not know if they are going to have a plot yet, but they spoke of a lot of opportunity and assured me they would try to get one out.

On Friday, June 17, I worked on organizing my information and contacts for each person’s specific territory. I strive to pick up at least one business card or point of contact at each location I visit or work with. One of my reps showed me a great method he has for his organization of contacts, so I am working towards something similar. I also entered plot information I collected into my excel data sheet provided. Lastly, I compiled a list of goals I have for myself for the remaining days of my internship and set a tentative schedule for the upcoming week.

While I promised I wouldn’t include my weekly report in my blog, I felt it was necessary this week because it really discussed what I did each day in detail. I am required to submit a bi-weekly report to the District Sales Manager every other Friday. This is a great way to keep me on my toes and definitely holds me accountable. One thing about working from home, is you have to be very self motivated. No one is there to make sure you are up and working, no one is really going to know your every move for the day, but if you don’t get up and get to working, it will soon began to show. If all of these towns sound a little strange, believe me, I KNOW! One of the most challenging parts of my job so far has just been learning the geography of the state. Someone will say, oh it is just North of ____ town. You know what that means to me? Time to pull out a map and see where____ town even is. Everyone refers to counties here also, again, means nothing at all to me. If I have learned one thing here, it is to not be afraid to ask for help or even ask what seem like a silly question.

Yesterday, as I flew home from a wedding in Wyoming, I sat next to one of ht neatest individuals I have ever met. He asked me what my major was, so I told him. Come to find out, he is a Leadership Consultant! Talk about small world. I feel like since I have been working for Dow, I have come to really enjoy time to just be quiet since I talk all day every day with people. However, I was so intrigued by this man; we talked the ENTIRE flight, even to baggage claim. I asked him what his perception of my generation was in the work force, and he provided me the exact answer the recruiters at Dow AgroSciences also told me early in the training process. Kids in my generation expect more than they really deserve, regarding pay and job titles in the workforce. Why is this? Who knows! But I can honestly say that I am guilty myself, I expect to graduate college and just have this awesome job. He told me that a raise becomes effective, when you do. Such a good point. Why should a company pay you more when you aren’t producing for them? Anyways, I could definitely get on a soap box because I LOVED every minute of our conversation, but I will refrain.

I am falling more in love with my job and Indiana each and every day. It is so crazy how fast you can adapt and conform to the lifestyle around you. Before I began this job, I could hardly picture myself walking through a corn field wearing work boots. Now, it is just the norm and I find it so much fun. I know I will be ready to come back to Texas when the time comes, but as for now, I will just enjoy every minute of life in the Midwest.

Blessings,
Macy