When it comes to Transition Planning, communication is the foundation. Originally published at FarmFutures.com on 10/13/2021 The transition plan had all but stopped, and unspoken issues were piling up. Both the employees and the next generation were frustrated. Everyone involved was frustrated, including the advisors and spouses. To be fair, this is a top-notch farm with really great people. Many good things are happening on this farm, so it's not like there are many major problems. But they do have a bunch of little ones that no one was talking about. Yet, there is one missing ingredient. Communication. We have...
Business Growth Strategy, Leadership
Communication Tools to tame the whirlwind
Holding onto outdated communication tools might be holding you back. Originally published at farmfutures.com on 8/20/2021 Communication is often the missing ingredient as farms try to grow. Okay. Maybe communication isn't completely missing. But in the recipe for success, the ingredient called "communication" is needed in a larger quantity and quality. For several years we have been surveying owners and employees on various topics as part of the Executive Farmer Network peer group events. Communication is always listed as a top item that everyone believes needs addressing. Most farms are at a size when everything from long-term strategies to daily...
Level
Managers
Growing crops and livestock is one thing. Growing your operation is another. Even the most successful farmers find it challenging to manage a complex operation. That's because farming and ranching require one set of skills while managing a successful business takes a completely different set. In the past, farms were easily separated by how well they managed production. Maximizing production separated the great farms from the mediocre. But the last couple of decades brought everything from the widespread use of artificial insemination, seed trait stacking, and GPS-controlled equipment. We are awash in the same data that helps drive decisions to...
Level
Professionals
How to stay on top Saying No so you can say Yes It's been said that staying on top is harder than getting on top. As a result, many farms at the top don't feel like they are on top. It's still a struggle. But the struggles change as they grow. Farmers have told me it's hard to keep an edge on top and not let success lull them into complacency. It's easy to see that these professionalized farms are successful. The homes are often a little nicer than their neighbors. When there is a land auction, these farms can...
Business Growth Strategy, Leadership, Succession Planning
Communication, the missing ingredient for success
Okay. Maybe communication isn't completely missing. But in the recipe for success, the ingredient called "COMMUNICATION" is needed in a larger quantity. For several years we have been surveying owners and employees on various topics as part of the Executive Farmer Network peer group events. Communication is always listed as a top item that everyone believes needs addressing. Most farms are at a size when everything from long-term strategies to daily activities need communicating. So, it's no surprise that communication is key for farms that want to grow or transition to a new generation We should be great at...
Business Growth Strategy, Leadership, Succession Planning
Who’s In Charge? – Part2 The Accountability Blueprint
It doesn't have to be confusing. Build Accountability Blueprints to manage your farm's transition. We can send you a SAMPLE ACCOUNTABILITY CHART Click Here Unlike other businesses, farmers rarely hand over the keys to the next generation and walk away. Most of the time, the process is gradual for many reasons. In some respects, walking away would simplify the transition process, but most farmers and farm families don't want it, and I understand why. To many, farming is more than an occupation; it's a heritage. A gradual transition method is good, but the boundaries of work, money, and decision-making...
Business Growth Strategy, Leadership, Succession Planning
Who’s in charge? – Part 1 Stepping on Toes
Working together, yet apart, helps keeps the peace. It was a fairly standard discussion around a pretty simple question. "Who is in charge of doing the books?" There was an awkward pause as both Mom and daughter look at each other but said nothing. After further discussion, it turns out there was a conflict because It wasn't clear who was in charge of what inside the office. It wasn't clear outside the office either. When asked who was in charge of making the final agronomy decisions (during a private interview), the employee said that Jr. was, unless Dad came around....
Business Growth Strategy, Leadership
Delegating is a skill every leader should master
Have you ever delegated a task to an employee and then felt the need to step in and take over to ensure they did it correctly? Do you ever have the idea that you told someone to tackle a job, but you can't remember who? Are you so busy putting out fires that you can't focus on the larger goals of your business? There never seems to be enough time. Think about your day as an hourglass and your jobs as the sand. There is only so much sand that can pass through it in one day. In like manner,...
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning
Perks and Pay can DeRail your Transition Plan
Too much of a good thing. Posted at farmprogress.com on 5/11/21 The farm owns the homes. The farms buys the owner's personal vehicles. The farm buys gas in the bulk tank and everyone fills up their personal vehicles. The farm owns the lake home. And the boat. At first it was just good tax planning. Fast forward a couple of decades and these perks have multiplied and more generations are involved. Instead of one corporate-owned house, there are three. Instead of a couple of business-owned personal vehicles, there is a whole fleet. Speaking of homes…one of the three sons wants...