The Rural Sales Show

This week we welcome my buddy Russell Pearson who has been consulting and coaching professional service people and coaches for the last 25 years.

Russell is a well-articulated speaker, writer, blogger and thinker who brings some outside-in thinking to help us shake up what we think and know in Ag.

We talk about the importance of context, collaboration and co-creating messages with your marketplace.

PS. He has a very silky late-night FM radio DJ voice. I could listen to him speak forever : )

Show Notes:

To find out more about Russell and what he does and who he serves: www.russellpearson.com

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Want to make more rural sales? Get your FREE copy of “How To Succeed In Rural Sales” Ebook here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn to read my many articles: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here: https://bit.ly/3voaPS7

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we welcome my friend Rebecca Greaves (aka Becs), a well-known and respected rural media journalist and former editor.

Becs was former Farmers Weekly Editor, Editor of NZ Country Rural Life Media (publishers of CountryWide and Dairy Exporter) and now co-presents the Saturday morning Rural Exchange radio show

Becs is a straight shooter and shares a ton of tips and techniques to help you understands how newsrooms run, how to catch the eye of a busy editor, how to create a simple press release and what makes for a good news story. We also talk about what makes a newsworthy story that gives you the best shot of getting your story in paper or print.

Enjoy this one.

To find out more about Rebecca and how she might be able to help you with editorial: https://www.rebeccagreaves.com/

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Want to make more rural sales? Get your FREE copy of “How To Succeed In Rural Sales” Ebook here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here: https://bit.ly/3voaPS7

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we welcome my good friend Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM who is a very well-known and respected thought leader and futurist through her Future Institute consulting business.

She is also a big contributor to the Ag conference circuit and former Deputy Chair of Radio New Zealand, Director on the Ministry of Primary Industry Advisory Panel and was the first non-farmer director on Beef + Lamb NZ. She also works with and advises the likes of Lincoln University, Atkins Ranch, Assure Quality, Biosecurity NZ and Kotahi.

Melissa thinks BIG and isn’t afraid to disrupt and shake status quo thinking, so we got her on the show.

We talk about the macro factors affecting Agriculture, the trends and patterns she is picking up on and we share what makes a great sales experience for her as a female tech entrepreneur. We also dabble in what she thinks is good and bad marketing.

Show Notes:

To find out more about Melissa or book her for your next conference (hint: she is an amazing speaker!) visit: https://futurecentre.nz/

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Want to make more rural sales? Get your FREE copy of “How To Succeed In Rural Sales” Ebook here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with and Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my Weekly Rural Sales Email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we talk to Jamie Fitzgerald who holds the world record for rowing the transatlantic, is a well-known explorer and adventurer who attempted a return trip to Antarctica unassisted and has walked the National Te Araroa walkway here in New Zealand helping young kids. He also featured in the TVNZ show First Crossings with his partner in crime Kevin Biggar where they re-enact and tackle some of the great adventurer’s past journeys using the kit and gear they had at that time.

Jamie runs a high-performance coaching business based in Wellington working with NZTE, corporates and a few rural companies so he’s a good bloke to talk about the subject of performance and how it might relate to sales.

We talk about peak performance and the common blocks and barriers, why people shy away from accountability and some solutions, where to play and how to win and the importance of reflecting on performance and creating momentum by celebrating progress, however small it might be.

Jamie shares some stories including his chats with the late Sir Edmund Hilary and why when you think you’re not succeeding you actually are.

Enjoy.

Show Notes:

To find out more about Jamie and what he and his team does visit: https://inspiringperformance.co.nz/

Take his Peak Performance Pulse test for free to how you and your organisation are aligned about their goal and purpose: https://inspiringperformance.co.nz/performance-pulse-check/

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Want a FREE copy of “How To Succeed In Rural Sales” Ebook? Help yourself here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we talk to Melbourne-based Conrad Tracey, founder of Addiction Coaching Australia.

Conrad works with many in rural who may be suffering from drug, alcohol or gambling addiction. He also coaches on anger management, workaholism and screen addiction or pornography.

We talk about trauma, triggers, signs, what partners see and witness and some solutions starting with self-awareness. If you or you as a partner have a person in their lives who may be suffering from an addiction that is holding them back, then this might be the show you want to listen to.

Enjoy.

Show Notes:

To find out more about Conrad and what he and his team does visit: https://addictioncoachingaustralia.com.au/ or Google “Conrad Tracey” to see the many ways you can get in contact with them if you need to reach out and get some help.

Want a FREE copy of “How To Master Rural Sales” Ebook? Help yourself here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we talk to Global CEO and Founder Darren Woolley who runs Marketing Management consultancy TrinityP3.

Darren advises clients and agencies on how to build better relationships and better performance using a range of tools, systems and strategies he and his team have been practicing since 2000.

We talk about marketing trends, agency models of the future, accountability and attribution and the role of media. This is a good one.

Enjoy.

Show Notes:

To find out more about Darren and what he and his TrinityP3 team does visit: www.trinityp3.com

To contact Darren Woolley directly and talk about how to improve client-agency performance email: [email protected]

Want a FREE copy of “How To Master Rural Sales” Ebook? Help yourself here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we talk to retired lieutenant colonel Otis McGregor who has seen over 25 years of active service in the US Army and Green Berets – the special forces unit of the US Army.

Otis teaches and trains companies on leadership and purpose, drawing from his vast military background which saw him in active service in Iraq, Afghanistan and even the Artic.

We talk about leadership, adaptability, strategy and what it takes to lead a team.

PS. Otis’s big boss was US Navy Admiral William McRaven who’s clocked up 14m+ views on his very famous YouTube speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sK3wJAxGfs&ab_channel=Goalcast

Enjoy.

Show Notes:

To find out more about Otis and what he and his team does please visit: https://www.tribe-purpose.com

Want a FREE copy of “How To Master Rural Sales” Ebook? Help yourself here: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+rural sales professionals) here

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

This week we talk to multi-million dollar coach, mentor and serial entrepreneur James Kemp. A kiwi/New Zealander by birth who now lives in Asia, James has a huge track record of success consulting and coaching clients from $5m - $500m.

James brings a fresh outside-in perspective to rural sales and marketing which we both agree sometimes suffer from some immaturity and lack of sophistication.

If you want to learn about the importance of offers, attribution and accountability, the future of ad agency models, platforms, marketing managers, media and what the best salespeople look like then this episode is for you.

James drops a ton of value bombs in this special episode so make sure you take some notes!

Enjoy.

Show Notes:

To contact James direct email him at: [email protected]

If you would like to look at the platform he has created specifically for coaches and consultants: https://getcmm.com/

Grab a copy of your FREE “How To Master Rural Sales” Ebook: https://www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3000+ rural sales professionals) here

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.agrarian.co.nz

Managing your calendar is one thing — managing your energy is what really drives performance.

In this episode of The Rural Sales Show, St John Craner talks with performance coach Neil Wagstaff about the link between time management, energy management, and productivity in rural sales. You’ll discover why it’s not just about doing more, but doing the right things at the right times — based on your own biology.

Neil shares:

- The 6 key factors that impact energy and time management

- How to align your workday with your natural performance peaks

- Why understanding Epigenetics is like having a user manual for your body

- Practical strategies to get more done without burning out

- Ways rural sales reps can protect their focus in high-demand seasons

Whether you’re running a rural business, managing a sales territory, or working in agribusiness, these insights will help you work smarter, recover faster, and stay productive year-round.

📌 Resources:

For more information on Epigenetics or to connect with Neil Wagstaff direct:

- ⁠Neil Wagstaff — Peak Fitness & Health⁠: https://www.peakfitnesssandhealth.co.nz/

🎧 Listen now and start managing your energy, not just your time.

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Grab your copy from Amazon⁠ here: https://www.amazon.com.au/365-Days-Rural-Sales-Mastery/dp/B0F1489HH4/

(or join our Facebook Group below to get a free online copy).

Want to make more rural sales? Get your FREE copy of my first book “How To Succeed In Rural Sales” ⁠Ebook: www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: nz.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3500+ rural sales professionals worldwide) here: linkly.link/2DU5w

To join our private Facebook Group where we share a ton of free rural sales and lead generation tools almost daily join here: www.facebook.com/groups/285326399207141/

For details on our training programmes you can check out what we do for sales teams with our Rural Sales Success™ programme here (www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/programme-invitation) or for managers with our Rural Sales Manager Mastery™ programme here (www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/programme-invitation)

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.ruralsalessuccess.com / www.agrarian.co.nz

What does it take to turn a rural retail store into a thriving online brand?

In this episode of The Rural Sales Show, St John Craner talks with Phil Grant, owner of ⁠New Zealand Natural Clothing⁠ — home to iconic rural brands like Norsewear and Swanndri. Phil reveals how smart online marketing, email campaigns, and SEO turned his business into one of New Zealand’s leading rural retail success stories — with sales up 200% in-store and a thriving e-commerce arm.

You’ll learn:

- How to run high-converting email campaigns using keyword searches

- Why your email list is one of your most valuable business assets (and how to grow it)

- The simple 5% discount incentive that boosted sign-ups

- How consistent, quality blogging drives traffic and sales

- The SEO tactics that work for both organic and paid search

- Why you should treat online customers like they’ve just walked into your store

- The power of title testing to increase clicks

- How 50% of sales can come from just 5 product SKUs

- Phil’s views on the future of Fieldays and rural retail trends

Phil also shares how social media fueled exponential growth during COVID lockdowns, why he turned down Amazon, and how he built his own .com platform with offshore contractors.

📌 Resources:

- ⁠NZ Natural Clothing Website⁠: https://nznaturalclothingshop.co.nz/

⁠- NZ Natural Clothing on Facebook Page⁠: https://www.facebook.com/NewZealandNaturalClothing

⁠- Fieldays⁠: https://www.fieldays.co.nz

🎧 Listen now to learn how to take rural retail online — and win.

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Grab your copy from Amazon⁠ here: https://www.amazon.com.au/365-Days-Rural-Sales-Mastery/dp/B0F1489HH4/

(or join our Facebook Group below to get a free online copy).

Want to make more rural sales? Get your FREE copy of my first book “How To Succeed In Rural Sales” ⁠Ebook: www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/ebook

Connect with or Follow me on LinkedIn: nz.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner

Subscribe to my weekly rural sales email (which goes out to 3500+ rural sales professionals worldwide) here: linkly.link/2DU5w

To join our private Facebook Group where we share a ton of free rural sales and lead generation tools almost daily join here: www.facebook.com/groups/285326399207141/

For details on our training programmes you can check out what we do for sales teams with our Rural Sales Success™ programme here (www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/programme-invitation) or for managers with our Rural Sales Manager Mastery™ programme here (www.ruralsalessuccess1.com/programme-invitation)

For more on us, what we do and who we work with: www.ruralsalessuccess.com / www.agrarian.co.nz