Executive Farmer Network Tactics and Takeaways Even with a poor farm economy many farms are doing more than just OK. There is a big spread between farm profitability even if on the outside they look the same. The most profitable farms are taking advantage of the current farm weakness to strengthen their farms in a couple key areas. Agriculture in the USA and Canada has been tough for several years and it is still unclear how the current recessions from the COVID virus will play out. Let’s face it. Life and business are often unclear and sometimes a true crisis erupts, like COVID, that changes everything. At least...
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Managing Through a Crisis
Anyone can lead through periods of calm. When we have great milk prices, healthy calves, and perfect weather, leading is easy. But sometimes things go completely off course with a crisis and that is where your leadership is tested. Click on the link below to read the full article. https://www.milkbusiness.com/article/how-to-lead-through-crisis?
Business Growth Strategy
How to Select the Best Candidate for Managerial Roles
Who really fits the bill? Gallup has found "companies fail to choose the candidate with the right talent for the job 82% of the time." Download this checklist This astounding statistic is one business owners should avoid at all costs. Because it costs the business. A poor manager can drive away quality employees, create divides within the teams, decrease employee engagement and drag good people down. These results all cost your business money. When it's time to fill a managerial role on your farm, take the time to select and train the best candidate. Avoid just "moving someone up" to...
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Manage Through Uncertainty
This spring has been chaotic. Although many factors are out of your control, there are certain things you can do to empoyer your team! As a leader, focusing on these key areas will start you in the right direction. Communicate Often Be Clear in Your Message Remain Positive Plan for Unexpected Employee Changes Cross Train Employees To read my full blog post click here.
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning
Why conflict can be a good thing
Conflict is often viewed as negative but not having the right kind of conflict, often leads to bad conflict later. In an earlier article, we discussed the importance of having trust amount your leadership and owner team. Your farm team may be open and honest with each other, trusting, but do you talk about tough issues or dodge them? What will happen if the issues never get resolved because no one wants to tackle the tough topic? Can the farm move ahead without dealing with the sticky issues? Read the full article here. https://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/why-conflict-can-be-good-thing Want notified when we post new blogs?...
Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
Who is that person in the mirror
Sometimes the person we see isn't who our employees see. Written for Dairy Herd and originally published in January 2020. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? I am not talking about your good looks, your financial status or your rocking abs; I am referring to your persona. Often, we believe we are someone quite different than the impression we leave with others. Is it our vibe, our distant engagement, or our drive to move forward at a fast pace? We have all been taught that it does not matter what others think of us; we...
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A farm business case study: Is your farm stuck because of low trust
Without high levels of trust, your family farm will lose traction and stall out. Click here to read the full article Tim Schaefer is a management coach for farms and agribusiness and a blog writer for Farm Futures.
Succession Planning
6 hard truths about succession planning
The happiest and most successful family farms plan succession well in advance. They realize the original plan can change. But a plan, even a plan in progress, is better than no plan at all. Click here to read the full article Tim Schaefer is a management coach for farms and agribusiness and a blog writer for Farm Futures.
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Do you know why people resist change?
Change is necessary to thrive and survive. If you want to regain traction, it is necessary to understand the causes behind resistance to change. Click here for the full article. Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.
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Build a Team of Best Friends
If your top employees have a best friend at work, are they more likely to stay? Click here for the full article. Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.