This dynamic 4.5 day course has been specifically designed for farming businesses to provide the following benefits:
Identify and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in commercial Agriculture today.
Analyse your farms performance and compare it to our best practice database.
Identify the drivers of profit in your business and define the weakest link in your current operation.
Learn to work with natural ecological processes to reduce costs and improve landscape productivity.
Use a deep understanding of ecology to regenerate natural resources.
Work through a proven template to redesign your business for increased profitability.
Set a strategic plan for yourself and your business including clear goals for profit, productivity, people and your property.
Understand the key principles of a sustainable grazing and crop management system uniquely designed by you for your farm.
Learn to facilitate harmony and team work within family and with your staff.
Create the time for regular holidays, family activities and personal development.
On average between 20 to 30 people attend a Business of Farming course. There is always a very diverse mix of people which ensures great group dynamics and better learning outcomes.
Working in diverse groups of 5 to 6 people for 4.5 days makes it fun and easy to learn. The course focuses on drawing from the experience within the group and is full of activities which keeps you focused and energised.
Course Outline
Introduction
Topic
Outcomes
Introductions and Overview
Familiarisation with course program
What’s Wrong with Agriculture
Many farms are still highly successful - understand WHY
Revision of Course Pre work and Reading
Revision of some critical concepts. Understanding of the power of working in teams
Key Management Principles
Introduction to the fundamentals of The Business of Farming
Business Management
Topic
Outcomes
The Business of Paradigms
Understanding of the psychology of change and influences on successful decision making
Crisis Management
Define effective management
The 4 Economic Keys
Understand the relationship between the 4 keys
Farm Economics and Finance 101
Use accounting tools to analyse and diagnose weak links in farming business
Financial Analysis
Learn to apply the key ratios to real world examples
Marketing and Price Risk
Fill the gaps of your current marketing strategy
CASE study
Practical application of today’s material
Land Management
Topic
Outcomes
Business Management Review
Revision of key learning outcomes
Sustainability and Land Degradation Defined
Understand difference between symptoms and causes
Ecological Process
Able to define state, trend and health of ecological processes
Soil Fundamentals
Knowledge of the interaction of soil biology - chemical and physical processes
Land Management
Understand how to choose correct tools to achieve land management objectives
Grazing and Crop Management Principles
Introduction to Cell Grazing, Pasture Cropping and Biological Farming
Practical Application
Troubleshooting
CASE Study
Practical application of today's material
People Management
Topic
Outcomes
Managing Change - Family Farm Case Study
Learn tips to manage change effectively
Holistic Decision Making
Understanding the benefits and costs of alternative decision making methods
Effective Vision and Goal Setting
Learn tools to set a vision & goals
Working in Teams - Meetings that Matter
Understand how to convene and manage an outcome focused meeting
Communicating Effectively
Understand preferred styles and practice using alternative communication skills
Negotiate Better Outcomes
Ten magic tools of negotiating positive outcomes
Passing it on - Managing Succession
Understand success principles and pitfalls in the succession process
CASE Study
Practical application of today’s material
Bring it all Together
Topic
Outcomes
Peer Group Exercise - Farm Business Audit
Peer feedback and support
Review of Whole Course
Understanding holistic farm management
Improving Personal Effectiveness
Understand how to use policies, principles and blueprinting your business
Action Planning
What, When, Who - Next steps planned and documented
Next Stage
Explanation of StrategicFocus and other support options
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation*
*Other than for the acts or omissions of Financial Services Licensee's
