Holding onto outdated communication tools might be holding you back.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...
Category: Business Growth Strategy
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning
When to Let Go of an Employee
Knowing when to let go is crucial to maintaining a solid team Originally published at https://www.dairyherd.com/news/labor/when-let-go-employee on 7/21/2021 Blake, a large dairy producer from the Midwest, was fit to be tied. Unfortunately, for the last four months, Dennis has not been the stellar employee he used to be. He was often late, never finished the job, argued with the management, and had the gall to continuously ask for more money. Blake reached out because of his frustration. "Employees are hard to find, yet this one is driving me nuts." He was apprehensive that if he let him go, he would not...
Business Growth Strategy
Leadership training is the missing ingredient
Is the next generation ready to RUN and LEAD the farm? Originally published 7/20/21 at https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/management/keep-in-check-leadership-training-is-the-missing-ingredient Donald's story - Donald had a plan. He worked with his attorney to draft an iron-clad estate plan for his dairy. He was happy to provide his children with a thriving business. He felt confident all was in place, and he assumed his children would be ready. After all, they had worked on the dairy since they were kids. Health issues caused Donald to step back from being in charge. He was ok with that. He felt good that all was in place and...
Business Growth Strategy
Be Active in your search for Employees
Finding employees is a challenge Despite the high unemployment levels, locating employees is a struggle. Finding qualified employees willing to work in agriculture, with longer hours and some weekends required, can be even more difficult. On top of that, wage requirements are inching higher and higher. The struggle is real. Finding the right people to join your team is pertinent to your success. Where are they? No one is knocking on the door. You put ads out and receive zero responses. As thriving business owners, what can you do to hire the right people in a labor market where competition...
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
How to know what to let go
Phil's dairy has been growing fast over the last ten years. He started with 200 cows and is currently milking 3,200 cows. Obviously, he is good at growth, good at adding on. He has added more barns, more cows, more bunkers, and more acres. So today, he feels successful but exhausted. Phil commented he is constantly running from one task to the next, making it hard to work ON his business. Does Phil need to be everywhere and oversee everything? No. His time, like yours, is valuable. But he's been holding onto tasks that aren't necessarily the best use of...
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...