Good Conflict unearths all possible scenarios and the best solutions Written for Progressive Dairy and originally published June 2023. High-functioning family businesses need good conflict just as much as they need the right protocols for production. "I don't see it that way at all! I don't think you are seeing...
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Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
Strategic Planning Part 1
What's the Plan? A good strategic plan allows for better and faster decision-making at all levels. Written for Farm Futures and originally published May 2023. Farms are busy places, and there is always more work than time in a day. One day and season runs into another; before you know...
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning, Uncategorized
Why do People Resist Change?
Have you ever wondered why some topics, people, or plans resist change? Written for MILK magazine and originally published May 2023. The dairy conference "season" is drawing to a close, and you undoubtedly have many good ideas you would like to implement on your dairy. After my presentations, I'm often...
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Work-Life Balance, or Work-Life Boundaries
Embracing boundaries allows all family members to grow at work, and at home. Written for Farm Futures and originally published 3/14/23. Have you ever heard that Good Fences make good neighbors? It's true even within family farms. How many hours can you expect from yourself? How much time does it...
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Do most important work first
You likely have a to-do list, but what about a stop-doing list? Written for Farm Futures and originally published March/April 2023. The farm to-do list never ends and often seems like it has a life of its own. It continues to grow even as items are checked off. Many farmers...
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How well-maintained is your business?
Time spent honing your leadership, communication, and management skills is seldom wasted. There are plenty of resources and coaches that can help your progress. Written for Dairyherd.com and originally published 3/3/2023. We all need to find and keep great people for our farms. This is truer than ever before. Maybe...
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Less conflict, better business & stronger family connections
Keeping and building family connections across generations is the single most effective way to reduce conflict. Written for Farm Futures and originally published 2/23/23 The ties that bind us together can get frayed over time. How connections are strengthened makes all the difference. Surviving and thriving in any business is...
Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
Soft Skills for Owners
The needed skill in a tight labor market Written for Progressive Dairy. Originally published Jan 2023. How often have you seen a highly skilled manager fail in leading their team? Some signs are high turnover, lax standards, and low morale. How often have you seen employees or owners in charge...
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning, Uncategorized
Strategic Planning isn’t just for Fortune 500 companies
Your farm will regenerate and reinvent itself to thrive in a changing world. Building commitment and alignment between the family and the business is key to a lasting legacy. Written for MILK and originally published in the Nov/Dec 2022 issue. Farms, and dairy farms, in particular, require constant reinvestment. But...
Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
Why Farm Leadership Matters
Farmers who choose to lead have an advantage over those who just manage. Originally published at Farm Futures in their November/December 2022 issue. Old employee management and leadership techniques can be a bottleneck to farm growth and profitability. There comes a time on most farms when the founders cannot do...