Videos

The reason landmines are so dangerous is they are unseen; hidden just barely beneath the surface so as not to be seen but close enough to result in maximum destruction. Dr. John Fast warns of landmines in the family business.

Dr. John fast walks us through the symptoms that plague many farm families attempting to turn the business over to the next generation…it’s a condition known as ‘founderitis.’

One of the toughest things to talk about openly in the farm business is “how do we treat our children with our assets?” Certified family business coach Elaine Froese addresses the key question “what do you owe your kids?’

There is a passage in the good book that reads, “Without a vision the people perish.”  Dr. John Fast explains that the survival of the farm business depends on establishing and communicating a common vision.

Elaine uses the “bull” metaphor to help families address the “undiscussabull” which exists in nearly every family business.

Every so often we have a spring that is so wet the online world begins to circulate the best stuck tractor pictures. Elaine Froese says soft issues make up the muck that has many farm families buried to the axles.

According to Dr. John Fast just about every challenge he has ever run into dealing with a family business, can be boiled down to poor communication. Fast reveals the secret weapon to making family business successful no matter what kind of operation you have.

Showing respect and appreciation is the lifeblood that keeps a family business strong. John Fast addresses the question most guys want answered, “Does this mean more group hugs?”

Rich relationships are the real family jewels. You need to be clear on what your jewels are as you are doing your succession planning. What do you owe your kids?

What will you do when you retire? It’s a question that doesn’t make much sense to most farmers since the plan is typically to go with the boots on. When we consider the word retirement it forces us to examine some very core self-perceptions.