I soaked up the seminar “Dealing with Abusive Behaviour at work,” led by Dave McNaughton an HR specialist from Winnipeg. Dave referred to Dr. Stephen Hart’s video from the Proactive Resolutions company, www.proactive-resolutions.com. (You have to love the idea of being proactive rather than reactive to bad behaviour in the workplace.) Give everyone a safe […] Read more
Dealing with abusive behaviour on your farm
You have to be proactive rather than reactive to bad behaviour
Winning the talent wars to attract the best team
Here’s some tips from Donald Cooper on creating a better culture on the farm
Eight essential steps to attracting, engaging and leading a top-performing team” was presented by my speaking colleague Donald Cooper at the FarmTech 2017 conference in Edmonton. I appreciate Donald, who at age 75 has decades of business life experience for how he translates creating a better culture on our farms. Much of this article are […] Read more
How to get those conversations started
Young people are often wondering how to start talking with parents about changes on the farm
Februrary 21, 2017 is a HUGE day for me. I feel like an expectant mother, (even at age 60!) as today marks the launch of our baby, an online course “Get Farm Transition Unstuck.” Why have I spent hundreds of hours with my co-writer Dr. Megan Mckenzie to create practical tools? It’s because young farmers […] Read more
Why create a ‘firewall’ against divorce?
First of all you need to recognize who and what you want to keep out
His face was weathered and worn as he approached me with wrinkled brows. “You talked about the fear of spousal breakup,” and I’m curious, how do I create a firewall to protect my farm?” (Note: he said “my farm,” not OUR farm). The firewall word picture fits our computer’s security, but I wonder if the […] Read more
Managing brothers who behave badly on the farm
“I can’t believe that we have farmed together for over 25 years, and the fights between these two brothers farming just don’t stop!” says the exasperated farm woman who has had enough. This winter may be a good time to reflect on how you want things to be different at your farm. I think Dr. […] Read more
Ready to share your wealth with employees?
An Employee Share Ownership Plan may be a good option for your farm
If you’ve had a tough year with poor crops and low prices and are feeling financially short, regardless of how it turned out, you’ll likely always need labour support to get the job done. One of the biggest fears of founders that I coach is the fact that they may lose loyal, hard-working employees after […] Read more
How to find a successor for your farm
If you don’t have anyone interested in taking over the farm Succession Matching may be able to help
It often happens at my succession communication seminars that a weary farmer approaches me with a problem. “Elaine, we don’t have a successor for our farm.” The look of worry and wear on their face makes me want to just sit and listen to their story. When I spoke in Biggar, Saskatchewan a few years […] Read more
Reflections on turning 60
I don’t see being in my 60s as retirement but as a reinvention of roles
I hope that your family has taken time to celebrate Thanksgiving, as I know some farmers don’t cook a turkey until the last crop is in the bin. The words to my favourite song of gratitude are: “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus […] Read more
Communicate better with your farm lawyer
Lawyers have lots of experience and wisdom but they can’t read minds
Lawyers are the brunt of many jokes, but if you want to have a great succession outcome you better have a great communication plan with your farm’s lawyer! Ontario lawyer Sarah Jacob shared her experiences at a CAFA (Canadian Association of Farm Advisors) update. Would you like to save time and money in front of your […] Read more
Which shade of control is blocking your farm transition?
One lawyer suggests there are four different types of control that need to transfer
Elaine, Dad just won’t give up control!” is a common frustration with the next generation trying to navigate into management and ownership. Ottawa-based lawyer Denis Sicotte presents an interesting concept; he calls it “shades of control,” meaning there are four different types of control that need to transfer: 1. Operational Control: The operations, daily decision-making, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
