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,...
Category: Business Growth Strategy
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...
Business Growth Strategy
Training Tips for the Long Haul
Published 3/1/21 at dairyherd.com - Training Tips for the Long Haul | Dairy Herd On-going emplyee training is essential to success...both theirs and yours Pablo enjoyed his first day at ABC Dairy. He felt welcomed and wanted. Although he had little experience, the training offered the first week was top-notch. That was then and Pablo has now been at the dairy for more than a year. He is still in the same position, following the same protocols. He is stuck and feels like he is just a number. In chatting with Pablo, it became evident he was unhappy with his...
Business Growth Strategy, Dairy Signal - PDPW
Conducting Stay Interviews – #TheDairySignal
Want to engage and retain your employees? Consider conducting "stay interviews." This process allows you to consult with your current employees to identify the reasons they want to continue working for YOU. Stay interviews increase employee engagement, development, and empowerment. We covered this topic on the PDPW Dairy Signal show on March 31st. You can listen to it here. How to have a 'Stay Interview' Begin by thanking the employee for their hard work and dedication to your business. Make certain they understand that you recognize and appreciate their loyalty to your company Communicate that you are willing to make...
Business Growth Strategy
How to hire the best temp help
Back in March we visited with Ben Potter, of Farm Futures, about the best practices in hiring temporary help. Ben then captured the ideas in an article on Farm Futures website here. You can download and print it here. 2021 03 How to hire the best temp help-BenPotter . Or continue reading.... Strategies for securing good seasonal workers. by Ben Potter, Farm Futures Mar 10, 2021 Is good help really that hard to find? It can be - especially when you're in a pinch to tap quality workers for seasonal help. But there are some best practices to consider when...
Business Growth Strategy
Why you should manage each employee differently
Why you need different strokes for different folks. "Plug and play" is what we all want with employees. Just hire them, put them in a cab, and don't worry about them. They'll do an expert job. Plug them in and turn them loose. In reality, this management philosophy doesn't work. Plug and play is a mythical management style that doesn't exist. People aren't machines, and employees require management for you to be satisfied. Assuming you hire well, each employee needs a different management style. It may sound overwhelming but how you manage depends on the type of work and their...
Business Growth Strategy, Dairy Signal - PDPW, Succession Planning
Family Dynamics in Farm Management – Dairy Signal
Does working with family or transition planning seem too hard? You're not alone. Family dynamics can make it difficult, but harmony is possible with the right plan. Liz shares tips and answers questions on the PDPW Daily Signal. Listen and watch here. It aired March 2nd on PDPW's Dairy Signal Show. Ready to find out more? Give us a call
Business Growth Strategy, Dairy Signal - PDPW
Giving & Receiving Feedback – Dairy Signal Episode 2
How do you handle feedback? A strong leader listens even if they don't fully agree. Listening builds trust. When trust is high everyone is open and honest with each other, and everything is easier. Listen to this video-cast and learn to improve your feedback skills. The result? Your business will run smoother, your stress will be lower and your employees happy.
Business Growth Strategy, Dairy Signal - PDPW
Managing Effective Teams – Dairy Signal Episode 1
We are excited that Liz is a part of the Dairy Signal Show. It's a series of presentations that PDPW (The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin) puts out 3x/week. Liz will be participating at various times throughout the year. We'll keep you updated when she's on, and post recordings of her talks here on our blog. In January Liz had her first episode. She spoke about 'Managing Effective Teams." You can listen to it below. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS: Hire Right Onboard effectively Right people on the bus Train Communicate (Listening and speaking) Giving & receiving feedback Stay & Exit...