An overlooked tactic in lowering employee turnover Originally published at Dairyherd.com on 1/11/2022 here Onboarding: An Overlooked Tactic in Lowering Employee Turnover | Dairy Herd It takes a lot of work to find and hire great employees. Hiring employees often takes you away from your normal work. So once an...
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Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
A Team Review
Let your team improve how the farm operates by hashing out what works - and what needs work. Originally published at https://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/benefits-farm-debrief-0 on 1/11/22. Many farms want to scale up their operations, and they need people to do the work. Ideally, you want great teams of employees. Great teams can...
Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
Easy Employee Reviews
How to keep your best employees engaged and happy. Originally published at www.farmprogress.com/commentary/easy-guide-employee-reviews on 11.19.2022. Have you had the frustration of being blindsided by a great employee leaving? They have been on board for a year or so, and it appeared everything was going great. They showed up on time,...
Succession Planning, Uncategorized
What do transition planning and CRP burns have in common?
Successful transition planning takes a plan Originally published at Progressive Dairy on 11/25/2021. If you don't want a raging grass fire, you have to plan. To get a controlled fire that burns the CRP grassland without making the local newspaper, takes planning and preparation. I learned the hard way that...
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning, Uncategorized
The conversations families must have if they want to keep the farm together
When it comes to Transition Planning, communication is the foundation. Originally published at Progressive Dairy on 9/20/2021 Despite a farm's success and strong family ties, a family can become fragmented and less unified over time. This was the case with my friend Bob. He was so delighted when both his...
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning, Uncategorized
Communication, the missing ingredient in Transition Planning
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,...
Business Growth Strategy, Uncategorized
Work-Life Balance is More than a Buzzword
A good work-life balance helps everyone thrive in their personal lives and on the farm. Originally published at dairyherd.com 9/3/21. Work-life balance is the buzzword as of late, and for a good reason. It can be a struggle to make all employees happy. But your employees struggle too. Farming can...
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Keep Calm and Carry On
Keep Calm and Carry On Lessons on Resilience & Hope from Great Britain -1939. I saw this phrase several years ago and never paid much mind to it. What does it mean, and where did it come from? Does it apply to us today? The year was 1939. World War...
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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?
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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...