You want great, long-term employees on your farm. It doesn’t happen by chance. It takes effort. Yet when many farm managers hire a new employee, they tend to throw them to the wolves with little or no guidance. Too often good employees quit. And no one knows why. The answer...
Insights
We wouldn’t be having this conversation if….
When times are tough, and everyone is under stress all the imperfections bubble to the surface. The imperfections were there all along but aren’t visible until our backs are against the wall. This is especially true of transition planning. My latest Farm Futures article covers some of the problem areas...
Do Your Employees Feel Safe Coming to Work?
Dairy farmers are essential, and we knew this before any health crisis arrived. Even with COVID-19, many farms are carrying on with daily work, and not much has changed. As owners and managers of the dairies, you each make certain the cattle are cared for, fed and milked on a...
Still Oppurtunities in 2020
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...
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?
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.