blog

New Directory Uploaded

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:12:58 +0100

Well, the wait is over directory fans! The 2011 directory has been uploaded to our website. You can find it by navigating to http://www.farmandranchdirectory.com/view-directory.php. Enjoy the read and please let us know what you think of this year's edition.

Managing Excellence in Agriculture 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:59:27 +0100

If you're interested in learning how to better manage your agriculture business, you won't want to miss the Canadian Farm Business Management Council's (CFBMC) "Managing Excellence in Agriculture 2010" conference. And I just found out today that the early bird registration discount has been extended for another couple weeks! I think this is a "no brainer" really - you get an unbelievable lineup of speakers covering an array of management issues and a discounted price...sign me up!

I really think the highlights of the conference will likely be the presentations by two different farm operators who were recognized as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers in 2009. It's exciting to hear the stories of young and energetic farmers who have entered into the agriculture industry and are having great success. We often hear all the stories about how difficult it is enter the industry. Young people are often told the business model for agriculture is broken and that they can't make any money. They are told to find a job in the oil patch or the city and forget about their dreams of connecting with the soil, the plants and the animals. Well this is all hogwash (as my grandfather always said) and these Outstanding Young Farmers will tell you that!

It's hearing these Outstanding Farmers share their experiences that I find particularly invigorating! Agriculture success comes to those who work at it and apply sound business practices to their business and the CFBMC is an amazing resource for agribusinesses and farmers across Canada to do exactly this.

Check out the conference and then send me a note telling me what you thought of it by clicking here.

How do you Measure Up?

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:11:58 +0100

If you don’t know the answer to this question, then your operation is at risk!

You might work harder than your neighbour and put in longer hours, but this doesn’t mean you’re a better farmer. Only those who take regular and multiple measurements of their operations can truly tell how they are doing. And guess what…these tend to be the most profitable farmers.

I know all of you have heard government and advisors preach the need for business planning. Although I whole heartedly agree that not having a business plan is akin to not having a GPS in Los Angeles and trying to navigate the unnerving traffic in a 28 foot Winnebago (another story for another time!), I’m going to use this space to climb up on my “Measure It” pulpit.

Growing up on a mixed farm I was always amazed at how organized and efficient dairy farms were. I was also jealous as they always seemed to be doing better than the average grain or cattle guy. Now one can discard much of their management skills and instead insist that it’s the price controls that made them their money. And you may be partially right. But, quota wasn’t the only key. Daily measurements provided the real advantage. They tracked every minute detail of their milk factory. They used this data to tweak their processes on a daily basis to optimize their production.

So what can we learn from our dairy cousins? If you measure it, you can improve it. I’m not suggesting that you need to take measurements every day as I don’t know any beef or crop producer who can do this. What I am suggesting is that the top 10 or 20% of the producers in your part of the industry are measuring more than you are. Ask yourself two questions: What are they measuring? How are they measuring it? Now replicate these measurement best practices in your business, use the information to make adjustments to your management and see your profits reach new highs.

It’s the knowledge of what is working and what isn’t that will be the key to your success. You can’t determine this if you don’t measure it. Now as the famous saying goes, Just Do It!

Lance is the founder of Drive Solutions Corp., a strategic business consulting company that helps agriculture businesses and organizations reach new levels of success.

Branding Your Organization

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:05:28 +0100

By Dalynn Harris

A brand is an important thing...just ask any cattleman. Sure, it’s a distinguishing feature that indicates ownership, but in today’s competitive marketplace it also communicates something else; something arguably more important. Every time a rancher places his mark on one of his animals, they are communicating all the qualities they have bred into their herd. In this way, this small symbol becomes a very powerful communications piece.
Like a cattle brand, agribusinesses need to consider how they communicate their unique business message to their customers and potential customers. If you are thinking of starting a new operation or re-branding your existing company your image starts with a carefully crafted logo. Here are some tips to consider when developing your logo:

Ensure the image clearly communicates your company message. Once you have chosen a design, ask your neighbours and friends to tell you what they think of it when they first see it. This first impression is just like a first meeting with someone and equally important.
Create something new and memorable - a necessity in this industry.
Once your brand/logo is established all company materials should include this image. Your business cards, website, signage, sponsorship and advertisements should have the same logo displayed. In advertising, repetition equals recall and recall leads to greater sales.
Consider spending the money to have a professional designer develop your logo and overall brand strategy. Remember, your brand/logo is the one thing a person sees that represents you, your company, and your products/services. A creative designer can help you communicate precisely what you want.

Image counts - make the best of it for the continued success of your agri-business.

Dalynn is the founder of Sirrah Management a leading marketing company specializing in customized solutions for the agriculture industry. You can contact Dalynn at 780-241-7121 or email.

New Farm & Ranch Directory hits the mark!

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:27:35 +0100

Here's nice little article that was recently published. It describes some of the changes the Alberta Farm & Ranch Directory has undergone in the past year.

ACCA celebrated the publishing of the 37th edition of their Alberta Farm & Ranch Directory by completely redesigning the directory and adding additional elements. “It’s always been something Albertans have turned to and we wanted to ensure it continued to deliver value,” says Michele Aasgard, ACCA’s Executive Director, “and from time to time things need to be freshened up a bit, especially after 37 years!”

The 2009 directory saw some significant changes in terms of design and content. “We had Lance Johnson of Drive Solutions Corp. undertake a comprehensive review of the directory and engage our readers and advertisers to determine how we could make the directory relevant and useful to the reader. It was really interesting to learn how our readers use the directory. I mean we always knew that people looked forward to reading it, but we had no idea it gets referenced more than 270,000 times a year!” adds Michele.

That’s a lot of interest for a little directory that is published as a free service for Alberta’s rural and agriculture communities. In addition to the design changes, the directory received a big boost in listings. “We’ve created the most comprehensive directory of its kind in Canada with over 900 listings. It’s pretty unique and certainly provides quite an outlet for those servicing the agriculture and rural sector to get their information in the hands of their customers and stakeholders,” states Lance Johnson who oversaw the publishing of the directory in 2009.

The Alberta Farm & Ranch Directory is distributed free of charge throughout Alberta via an unaddressed mail campaign as well as through partner locations such as the UFA farm supply stores and AFSC offices. Basic listings are free of charge to not-for-profit organizations. If you would like to list or advertise in the 2010 edition, contact Drive Solutions Corp. at info@drivesolutions.ca or call Lance Johnson directly at 780-628-3982.

If your organization hosts events, you might be eligible for free inclusion in the events calendar section as well. Call for more details, but don’t delay as space is limited and the directory will be full by the end of November.