The Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) Inc. is a national, non-profit professional umbrella organization dedicated to assisting farm families and businesses by increasing the skills of farm advisors and consultants.
www.cafanet.com
“Don’t be an Idiot: Get on a Rocket Ship” by Liz RobeRtson, CAFA exeCutive DiReCtoR
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griculture is changing rapidly. Successful farmers need to be be on top of technology and production, but more importantly, need to clearly understand that it is the business management decisions that will determine the success of their farm. The Ipsos “Dollars and Sense” study commissioned by the Agrifood Management Institute and Farm Management Canada highlighted seven top management practices of successful farms. The top three were continuous learning, making decisions based on accurate data and hiring professional business advisors and consultants. These three practices cannot be emphasized enough. Following are quotes on each of these practices (selected from dozens): • Continuous learning: “Education is the key to self-development and empowerment” – Lailah Gifty Akita, “Think Great: Be Great!”
• Accurate data: “What gets measured, gets managed.” — Peter Drucker • Hiring professional advisors: “If you think hiring a pro is expensive, wait till you hire an amateur.” — Red Adair Farm business is changing rapidly. You need to hire the best advice for your farm. CAFA is an umbrella organization of farm professionals — if you need qualified advice for your farm on succession, HR, marketing, taxation, business structures, etc.,contact CAFA. You may not have the expertise, the time or the desire to actively plan and manage certain aspects of your business. You may benefit from an objective, third-party perspective on what are often emotional, difficult decisions. It is beneficial to have a farm advisor make sure you stay focused and follow through with your business plans. Upcoming meetings Successful farm advisors also adhere to best management practices. Through CAFA, they have access to continuous farm-focused professional development meetings.
Our “Farm Succession Update: Three Circle Model” will be held May 18 in Guelph. On June 2 in Woodstock, Ont. we will have our “Farm Management Update: Building the Rocket Ship.” “Don’t be an idiot. Get on a rocket ship. When companies are growing quickly and they are having a lot of impact, careers take care of themselves. And when companies aren’t growing quickly or their missions don’t matter as much, that’s when stagnation and politics come in. If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.” Google CEO Eric Schmidt gave that advice to Sheryl Sandberg, current COO of Facebook, in 2001. If you are a farm advisor or farm manager, get on board and stay current through CAFA’s Farm Update Series. CAFA also has Farm Succession Updates planned for November 3 in Saskatoon and November 10 in Niverville, Man., with more in the planning stages for Alberta and B.C. To find out more about CAFA or how to register for these events, contact me at 1-877-474-2871 or info@cafanet.com.
FaRm manaGement upDate: BuIlDInG the Rocket ShIp
FaRm SucceSSIon upDate: the thRee cIRcle moDel
June 2, Quality inn, Woodstock, on
november 3, smiley’s Buffet, saskatoon, sK
Heather Watson, Farm Management Canada michael Bossy, Bossy Nagy Group Chartered Professional Accountants
Jim snyder, BDO Canada LLP Agriculture
Rob Hannam, Synthesis Agri-Food Network Doug Berchtold, DB Consulting Ltd. Lisa gilvesy, Jenkins & Gilvesy Law Firm John Lanthier, Market Smart Inc.
chris corbett, FarmLink Marketing Solutions Don mccannell, My Farm Group mel Annand, Annand Law Office mike pylypchuk, Saskatchewan Agriculture paul Hammerton, MNP LLP
gerars seijts, Ivey Business School
Kim gerencser, K.Ag. Growing Farm Profits morgan Janzen-Knezacek, AgVantage Management Group
steve mcQueen, Emerald BloAgrlculture Corporation
Kelvin shultz, Wheatland Accounting
Bernard tobin, Synthesis Agri-Food Network
stuart person, MNP LLP
Debi sanderson, Desiderata Group Inc.
Toll free: 1-877-474-2871 Email: info@cafanet.com PO Box 270 • Seven Sisters Falls, MB • R0E 1Y0
crystal taylor, Felesky Flynn LLP Tax Counsel
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