There are many parallels between coaching and team sports and running an effective work force. Leveraging skill sets, managing personality conflicts, goal setting, and teamwork are just as relevant during the seeding season or harvest as they are on the pitch or playing field. For this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host... Read More

There's a saying that goes hire slow and fire fast. But does that old adage hold true? Amber Johnson, CEO and owner of Forge Performance Group, based in Alberta, says that there isn't a simple answer to that; if you've done the right preparation work ahead of time, asked key questions, and offered a comprehensive... Read More

What's your big, scary dream? The one you really feel you want to achieve? If you're stuck on how to reach it, former U.S. member of congress Ric Keller says you have to do two things: write it down and then read it day and night. Keller has written a book on goal setting and... Read More

Strong culture and core values are the foundation of a well-functioning team. This applies to business, sports, and, yes, families. When business meets family, as often is the experience for farmers, family members need to work together to define the core values of their operation. In this episode of The Mind Your Farm Business podcast,... Read More

You can't grow the farm out of a problem. If growth of the farm is in the plan — whether driven by outside influences or an internal dream, such as bringing more people in to the farm structure — it pays to take a hard look inward and backward first, before forging ahead. Michael Langemeier... Read More

One of the biggest rewards of working in a family business is the opportunity to work every day with multiple generations. This can provide mentorship, learning, and truly rewarding memories and experiences, but it can also present real challenges. Generational differences are real but also sometimes misunderstood, as stereotypes skew perceptions and behaviours. For this... Read More

If the farm is waiting for the tax filing to sort out profit and loss, decisions are being made for close to a year, and maybe more, without a full financial picture. Budgeting may be up there on the favourites list with a root canal or unclogging toilets; it's rare that someone really loves developing... Read More

Peer to peer learning is incredibly useful in any business, and agriculture is no different. Put simply, peer groups allow for the collective sharing of great ideas. Perhaps just as valuable, they also allow for the collective learning of hard lessons, so that peers within a group don't have to make the same mistakes. Evan... Read More

The work culture of a farm is much like its reputation — whether it's intentional or not, it still exists. What makes a work culture? It's not just people, it's the behaviour of the people and how well they live out a business's core values that create a work culture. People's behaviour is shaped by... Read More

You can't manage what you don't measure, so the saying goes, but what you measure is just as important. If you aren't familiar with KPIs — key performance indicators — this episode of Mind Your Farm Business is for you. Measuring the right things is just as important as the initial step to begin measuring... Read More