If you haven't yet heard the name Innovative Business Solutions, you probably will soon, especially if you do business with Co-Alliance, one of the largest co-ops in Indiana. This new business unit formed to offer services to customers that they would have traditionally sought elsewhere, outside of a co-op.

Sometimes, the right help on matters like estate planning or even field scouting – two widely different activities – is hard to find. The mission of the new unit is to help customers find these services by offering them through the co-op. The plan is to use internal resources and outside help when needed to service these areas.

Excited leader: Jeff Griffith is ready for the challenge of offering non-traditional, business-related services to farmers through Co-Alliance, a leading ag co-op.

Jeff Griffith will lead the new business division. "I see this as an extension of our relationship with valued customers," he says. "The company is developing a way to bring new, non-traditional services to customers where we can meet their needs through internal expertise and outside resources. I'm looking forward to this new role."

Co-Alliance's move follows a trend that several companies seem to be pursuing – offering customers more specific, more targeted services. Several companies within the seed industry are offering services to help farmers determine more about their cropping operation than just selecting seed. It's all part of taking a more business-like approach to farming, and realizing that many farmers want to be treated like business people.

The new division in Co-Alliance will focus on four key areas as it develops services, Griffith notes. The first is real estate planning and services related to setting up the succession plan for a farm. It's one of those areas where you can't just go to a phone book and find the right person to help you in a matter of minutes.

Other areas include risk management and safety services, help with finding temporary employment and directive field scouting.

You can learn more about Co-Alliance and how to contact them with specific questions at their website, www.co-alliance.com.