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Does a manager manage? You are probably thinking: “Bob, what a stupid question. Of course that is what a manager does.” Actually, I will argue in this article, that the answer is “yes and no.” Let’s start by looking at the definition...
What Do My Behaviors Communicate in Tough Times Let’s think about what is happening today with farm owners – you: Prices are low for almost every commodity, although some have shown recent improvement. It is hot making work difficult and tiring. Some have...
A few weeks ago, we opened a dialogue on Critical State which is defined as “the point at which something triggers a change in the basic nature or character of the object or group,” or to paraphrase: something can be referred to as being in a critical state when...
We’ve all been there. Our boss in passing tells us that they would like to talk to us and to come by their office this afternoon. We immediately start hearing the theme music from Jaws playing in our head and no matter how good our relationship with our boss we start...
It is not uncommon to hear, “The only constant around here is change.” A supplier goes out of business, there’s a need for a change in structure, an introduction of a new product or initiative, a need to replace and update tech-nology, or...
Our habits are important in establishing how we behave and how others perceive us. I worked with a supervisor who was habitually discrediting employees with negative body language and derogatory comments. It took great effort, but he was able to establish new habits...
Agriculture has undergone a massive period of change in the last 20 years and this will continue in the future. It is a necessity for the profitability of individual farmers that agriculture becomes recognised as the all-embracing economy in rural areas. The main...
Thinking outside the box is touted these days as a means of being creative or stretching the status quo. Yet there is a tremendous need for thinking inside the box in our enterprises. Farm Equipment Companies think inside a box, Caterers think inside a box. Microsoft...
Transitioning management responsibilities from one generation to the next is difficult. Founders often have invested a lifetime into building a business, a reputation, and goodwill with other business owners. There can be many different reasons founders are reluctant...
This is the time of year for graduations – high school, college, or maybe even pre-school. Most of you have been or are about to attend a graduation, open house, or other event celebrating the graduation. Let’s pause to think about the meaning of graduation....
