How we can help
Are you at a cross road and not sure where to go?
It is common for all businesses to go through stages of ‘ups and downs’ which can be brought on by a number of factors including
• Exceptional, or poor seasons
• New opportunities arising
• Transition of people or assets within the business
• General busyness and feelings of out of control
The Rural Directions Pty Ltd Agribusiness Consultants have worked with farming businesses all facing similar challenges, and although the solutions can be very different, the catalysts to the problem are often similar. We have developed a list of the common challenges that are facing Agribusiness in the coming 12 months, with suggested pathways to combat or capitalize on these challenges.
If you can relate to any of these challenges and would like further information, please contact us.
I feel our farm and team are at a cross road, we are not sure where to go!
This is not an uncommon feeling in farming businesses, and seasonal conditions can have a large impact on where the business is heading.
Have you done or revised your business plan recently? Working through a business plan is a great way to gain control of a business and motivate the owners about future opportunities. Our Free Resources page highlights some key aspects that Rural Directions Pty Ltd covers with you in a business plan.
Are you in need of a succession plan? Succession planning commonly occurs as people (or other assets) move in or out of a business and incorporates the most practical options available to ensure the transition period meets the needs of all the people within the business.
How is my farm really performing? Am I in financial control?
Do you have a gut feel about where your farm production and financial performance is at, but would like to quantify the performance? Would you like to know where your business performance lies compared to industry standards? Are you unsure if your business has the financial flexibility and capability to expand?
Benchmarking is an effective method of gaining an accurate understanding of how your business is performing, on both a financial and production level. Rural Directions Pty Ltd has developed the Snapshot suite of products that can easily and quickly highlight the strength and growth areas of your business.
I am confused with all the grain marketing alternatives-which is the right one for me?
Grain Marketing can be a complex and time consuming process-and one that you want to get right. After spending the resources in growing the crop, it is important to ensure that the method of sale producers the optimal result for your business.
Rural Directions Pty Ltd offers a variety of Grain Marketing tools, including the Grain Marketing Service, as well as various training courses through Management Training. Our daily SMS service, Prices Direct, also ensures you have daily access to the best prices for your chosen port.
Our fertilizer and chemical costs are killing us-what other alternatives do I have?
Rural Directions Pty Ltd independent Agronomic consultants are available to help you assess your fertilizer and chemical applications, and ensure a cost effective program is designed for optimal yields.
Our independence allows for our consultants to provide the right advice free of any underlying sales targets.
We can customize an agronomy package to suit your needs, or you may choose to access InCrop, our monthly agronomic newsletter.
We have continued problems with our staff-how can we manage our staff effectively?
Managing people is not easy-and finding the right people can be even harder! And when you do find the right person, how can you ensure they are committed to the job and find satisfaction in their work?
Managing people is more than signing the pay cheque! Are you aware of your legal obligations when employing people?
Rural Directions Pty Ltd has developed ‘Creating Great Farm Employers’ which outlines the legal obligations required when employing as well as the additional roles and responsibilities of both the employer and employee. Our Management Training page outlines when this course is next running at a location near you.
Rural Directions Pty Ltd can also help with all of your recruitment needs. Contact us to find out more.
Should I really be getting bigger?
Sometimes getting bigger can come at a price. Getting bigger does not always mean increases in efficiency and effectiveness.
Growth in a business can occur in many forms and increases in land mass is not always the most suitable option for every business. Diversification, intensification or integration could be a more appropriate opportunity for your business. Strategic or business planning, along with benchmarking, can be useful strategies to help identify the most appropriate strategy for your business. This can be followed up by an opportunity assessment process which further investigates the potential for growth in your business.
Others seem to be growing more grain than me-how can I better improve my yields?
The team of independent agronomic consultants at Rural Directions Pty Ltd can help you determine the most appropriate cropping program for your needs, and help you achieve your potential yields.
Our real advantage is our ability to combine your agronomic advice with grain marketing options and business and financial management principles, to ensure a holistic business approach to help reach your business goals.
See our Agronomic services available today.
A new harvester just seems too expensive-do I really need it?
Apart from buying land, the purchase of farming machinery is often the most important and largest investment a farming business has to make.
Machinery Decision Making is a Management Training course run by Rural Directions Pty Ltd to help step you through the 3P’s (Policy, Profitability and Priorities) of designing your machinery Capital Management Plan.
The course helps participants to gain an understanding of the purpose and importance of a machinery policy for your business.
I never seem to be able to take a holiday.
Taking and enjoying holidays is important for our mental and physical health. Sometimes we are just too busy to consider taking a break.
Why do we seem to be so busy all the time? How can we improve our business to ensure we have the time available to recuperate?
The Snapshot Now benchmarking tool will provide a quick assessment of opportunities for improvement within your business to help find that time for a break. Business planning can also help identify strengths that can be capitalized for greater efficiencies.
My office is in a shambles - if only I had the time for a clean up!
Administration and book work can be time consuming and frustrating when things aren’t in order. Putting into place systems and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) can help ensure tasks are completed on time and correctly to create efficiencies within the office.
Have a look at our Free Resources to look at how SOP’s can help create efficiencies in your office.
