Beekeepers are a very friendly and warm bunch of folks as I experienced them at their annual convention in Edmonton last month. They are dealing with issues that threaten their livelihood and like grain farmers, the weather really does a number on their business.

As I was flying over Saskatchewan I was really saddened to see the sod covered in so much water that it looked like muskeg, not the prairies I am used to. I suspect that many of you are anticipating a long winter of stress and indecision about how to get ready for next year, and how to face the financial crunches of 2010.

Buying gifts is probably not a fun activity when dollars are tight, so let’s consider some gifts your farm team needs that won’t cost money. They will cost you time and intentionality.

Here’s some ways to encourage the heart of your business:

1. ACT: Start the conversations about the tough issues that are eating at you and keeping you up at night. When I speak about farm transfer and succession I hear from folks who are so worried about family tension, they aren’t sleeping, and that means they are not able to make well-rested well-conceived plans for everyone’s future. Mark a date on your calendar that you are going to set aside for personal reflection and another date to invite the farm team to have dialogue.
2. Agenda of Concerns: Set aside some time to meet in a safe, neutral spot with an agenda. You need to be intentional about setting up a business meeting to take the pulse of your emotional climate of your farm team. Use a soft object like a stuffed toy as the talking stick, so that the person talking holds the toy and gets to speak, uninterrupted. I bet your accounting firm has a stress toy you could use as a talking stick. It’s a good idea to let your advisors know your big picture idea of getting more clarity for the vision of your business team. If tensions are high, you might want to hire a facilitator or coach.
3. Journal: Figure out before you meet what you really want to accomplish. When I ask families what they want for Christmas, the usual answer is “I don’t need anything”, and then they are thankful for what arrives on the 25^th of December. Be brutally honest with yourself. What do you really want as encouragement to the heart of your business? Do you and your spouse want the same things or different? Continue reading Gifts Your Farm Team Needs »