What did you promise yourself in 2020 that you should do now? While spring is busy, you can find bits of downtime. Consider using those slower hours to ponder how your summer and fall can be new and improved. Here are a few takeaways from one of my sessions at Top Producer Summit.
CHANGE= Understand your people.
Learn how the people you interact with in your operation function. It’s important to realize you’re navigating life along with your team (your team includes employees, stakeholders, customers and suppliers), so learn what they need while still expecting performance. Ask:
- What changes have impacted your team’s lives, morale, skills?
- How have your suppliers changed how they do business?
- What needs do your customers have now they didn’t before?
Checking in helps you align priorities and assess if there are any essential issues to address right away.
CHANGE= Trim things you don’t need.
Look for places to trim the excess or clear out business clutter. By “business clutter” I mean both paper and processes. Spring cleaning always feels good for a reason.
- Does your office need a cleanout so you can better think through your tasks?
- Does your crowded computer desktop need to be organized so you (or someone else) can actually find what you need?
- What processes or procedures were created for past employees or old systems? What processes should be replaced with something that meets the needs of your current business?
CHANGE= Improve your culture.
What is the culture on your farm? If you don’t know, it’s probably an allowed culture, not a created culture, and that’s a problem. Rarely are allowed operational cultures positive or efficient. If you’d like to analyze culture as a way to create a streamlined model everyone can
get behind, consider these three management questions:
- What does this operation truly value?
- Do employees feel comfortable expressing their frustrations and difficulties with managers?
- Is our culture one that is attractive to new employees or returning family members?
Sarah Beth Aubrey’s mission is to enhance success and profitability in agriculture by building capacity in people. She provides executive coaching as well as peer group and board facilitation. Learn more at sarahbethaubrey.com
