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ADDITIONAL READING
SOWING THE SEEDS OF SUCCESSION A 2007 study from the University of New England re- ported “close to 50 per cent of farmers in Australia had not identified a successor”, indicating that succession is not extensively discussed by farming families, re- sulting in a lack of preparedness. I’ve been told that to be successful in business there’s a lot of room for passion, but no room for emo- tion. But for farmers, their home, family and work are so intimately woven that it makes generational transi- tions difficult. And this can ultimately result in issues with farm productivity, ownership and income. On the simplest level, farming families need to learn how to communicate better with each other. I know that sounds like an incredibly basic answer to an extremely complex topic, but how many of us can put our hand up and say that we’re a truly ef- fective communicator? The statistics regarding rural mental health speak volumes about the communi- cation deficit in regional Australia. HOW TO BE A BETTER COMMUNICATOR Every family is different, with unique systems of management that inform their rules or “norms” of communication. 1. Meet regularly A good starting point to integrate communication structures into family farming businesses is to gather all stakeholders on a regular basis. These gatherings (frequency can vary between families but it is widely recommended at least twice a year) are an opportunity to discuss the progress of the business with the family and will create an environment where family members feel comfortable to ask questions. This is also the right communication venue for family members who are not involved in the day-to-day running of a business to get their concerns heard. Each meeting provides stakeholders with a forum to be heard with open and honest communi- cation that is understood and respected by all. 2. Truly listen
My mother always said: “If your mouth is open, your ears are closed”. It’s a saying which can translate to all businesses, not just family owned farms. Active listening is hard. We’re often so keen to get our side of the story across that we forget to listen to what our colleagues and family members are trying to say. The key to becoming a better listener is to stay quiet and hear the other person out fully, without interrupting, and to keep an open mind when dis- agreements arise. It’s a lot harder than it seems! 3. Give it time It’s going to take time and a great deal of dedica- tion and effort to build an environment of open and transparent communication within your family and business. But the rewards far out- weigh the sacrifices, as effective communication not only improves the family business dynamics but helps ensure the proud continuation of family farming in Australia.
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