Thank you for your interest in the United Soybean Board (USB) International Marketing (IM) request for proposal process. The United Soybean Board (USB) requests proposals for a U.S. Soy International Marketing (IM) Primary Contractor. Effective October 1, 2010, the selected contractor will have responsibility for managing the USB IM program. The selected primary contractor will also have responsibility, working with USB, to design and transition its organizational structures and business processes to support the new model for IM which was chosen by the U.S. farmer-led board at its December 2009 meeting.
In August 2009, USB engaged Orrani Consulting, Ltd, based in the U.K., to head up our efforts to develop at least two business models that might become the design for conducting our international marketing work. Orrani Consulting has a quality international reputation in agricultural and agricultural marketing issues.
On December 3 and 4, 2009, our Board of Directors heard the details of three possible business models for our IM efforts, with a starting date of October 1, 2010. After much discussion and debate, the United Soybean Board of Directors voted to put in place what Orrani Consulting calls the “USB IM Model Two.” This model contains many of elements of our current IM efforts, but also changes our approach to IM work in a number of ways.
One element that “USB IM Model Two” does not change is the value USB places on our long-standing working partnerships with our Exporter Companies. In fact, “USB IM Model Two” looks to expand and further enable our interactions with Exporter Companies, both large and small.
We recognize that given the nature of our business goals and operations that our various organizations have, we will not always synchronize with given strategic and tactical objectives. But, given this reality, we do firmly believe we share more in common in our efforts toward achieving success than we hold differences. Our USB goal, as you know, is to achieve maximum U.S. soybean farmer profitability. We believe we can increase chances of achieving profitability for our U.S. soybean farmers by identifying those areas of common interest that will ensure we continue to work together to strengthen our working partnerships.
In keeping with sound business practices, USB seeks proposals that will result in the implementation of the most cost efficient and effectively operated IM program on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. U.S. agricultural exports represent a critical component of U.S. trade, and thus, as representing a trade surplus sector, must operate without interruption and at maximum efficiencies.
Please reference the materials that have been provided on this page (see below) as resources for this important business process.
We thank you for your interest and appreciate your willingness to participate in this process. Please contact John Becherer at jbecherer@unitedsoybean.org or 636/681-1245 or Lisa O'Brien at lobrien@unitedsoybean.org or 636/681-1260 to answer any questions that you may have.