Imagine a land owner's son just inherited his father's ground. He doesn't personally know the prior renter which means he has no ties to him. Wanting the best return on his new capital, he asks around for a few farm names in the area. What is the first thing he does with his list of names? He searches for them on the internet. He is looking for perspective, facts, contacts, any information he can gain prior to approaching the farms. Through his search he discovers several…

Continue Reading

I visited a highly successful business last week. I walked into their shop only to be surprised and rather impressed that their business goals were posted on the wall. And not just a small sheet of paper on a cork board, but a large aluminum sign. It was a constant reminder to employees what the business wants to achieve. It is common for business owners to have a vision and objectives for their operation, but they are typically found only in one place -- their head. I have several…

Continue Reading

Something has happened to your team's performance. It's just not there, either all of a sudden or less noticeable, it's been a slow downhill over time. Have there been signs of turnover, quiet meetings or disgruntled whisperings amongst the group? If the team is missing something in a big way that's hindering performance, it's likely trust. Almost like a marriage gone sour, once trust is gone it's difficult to regain. A trusting environment is one in which each…

Continue Reading

I had a question from last week's blog: "If waiting for an employee to ask for money is not the way to manage wages, what's the best practice?" If it's been over two years since this employee's compensation has been reviewed, it's time. My suggestion would be to make it an annual event; chose a month and mark the calendar. Ideally, review salaries during the same time as one of your bi-annual performance reviews. In a picture perfect world, pay would be…

Continue Reading

One of my clients reached out to me when an employee asked for a pay raise unexpectedly. With this sensitive topic I had to dig in further before I could advise. Pay has always been and will always be a delicate subject when it comes to the employer/employee relationship. Managers need to consider all angles and ramifications when it comes to responses to these requests. Employees come to the table for more green for a variety of warranted and unwarranted reasons. They may have more…

Continue Reading

We know the gratifying joy and pride working on the farm with family. We can also share vibrant stories of struggles and pain. When asked how to make those stressful times less common, "better communication" is the best advice you will ever hear from a consultant. Okay, you say. It's a great concept on paper, but have they ever worked in our world with high stress, long hours and extreme curveballs like the weather and fluctuating markets? It's intense, to say the…

Continue Reading

Have you ever felt you are the only one on your team thinking? Have you ever questioned why an employee didn't bring up an issue to you that seems obvious to mention? So why aren't they talking, adding more value, bringing up ideas? There are a lot of reasons this could be happening. You could be settling for poor performers who don't know how to add value. Those that read my blogs already know my ultimate suggestion if that is the case. You could have some quiet ones on the…

Continue Reading

It has been in the works for a while and the Citizenship and Immigration Services recently published a revised I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form.  Employers are allowed to start using the new form now, but are permitted to continue using the previous version until May 7, 2013. Starting May 8, 2013 employers must utilize the new form.  The form is very similar but the new form has a few key revisions including:  Improving the form's instructions to…

Continue Reading

For those of you in the south that have started planting this blog may be coming a little late.  For the rest of us it is time for pre-planting preparation. I am sure you have been prepping already; the equipment has or is being worked on, your seed is ordered, insurance is set in place, etc. I am asking for one more item to be added to your list; a pre-planting meeting with your staff aimed at communicating the game plan and setting expectations for the season. You will want to…

Continue Reading

Have you ever received a performance review? If you are an owner chances are you haven't had the pleasure. It is hard to fully appreciate them if you have not been on the receiving end. I actually remember almost all of the evaluations I have ever been given and no, they weren't bad.  Why was the event so impactful?  Part of it is just human nature and the fact that I had to stop to analyze if what I was doing was just good performance or was it performance that was…

Continue Reading