Peter Hughes
Agri and Family Business Consultant; Farmers Weekly columnist
Crucial for a manager, and a useful life skill for everyone
My parents’ relative lack of financial literacy was passed on to me, and had a negative effect on me. Make sure that you and your family don’t make the same mistake.
Unlocking the mysteries of accounting lingo
There are only 80 words you need to know to be able to converse intelligently with your accountant. Learn them.
Every business needs a boss
No great organisation was ever built without clear lines of command.
Be a better boss – six resolutions to follow
Here are the ‘Big Six’ resolutions that you need to make and follow this year.
Bad boss behaviour: top 10 examples of the worst
Here is my list of the worst boss behaviour I have experienced. Let these people loose in your business and they will quickly kill motivation.
Wage woes
Money itself is not a sustainable motivator. In fact, if badly managed, it has the potential to demotivate.
Five ‘qualities of greatness’
Dr David Kirk, entrepreneur and former All Blacks captain, identifies five ‘qualities of greatness’ in world-class teams. How many does your team have?
The First ‘who’, then ‘what’ approach
If this system works for the great companies of the world, it may work for you.
Test for the best employees
So, the job applicant has the right skills. But does he have initiative and common sense? Is he honest and reliable? Only a psychometric test can tell you.
The right way to interview
With the job advertisement and reference checks behind you, don’t make a mess of the next step.
The right person for the job
There is no magic formula for recruiting and selecting staff for your business. But by following a few simple rules you can make the best appointments.
To get good staff, write good advertisements
Your people are your most precious asset, right? Then why do we often do such a bad job of advertising for new staff?
Farmers – relationships matter the most
Feel like a pariah just because you’re a farmer? Get to know those you deal with and you’ll be surprised at how helpful they become.
Skill matters, not title deeds
What really matters in life is not what you own but what you can do. Your skill is your safety net.
Manage your time well
If you’re run off your feet, always late and full of anxiety, with never any time to do the things you love – stop, quiet your mind, and think.
Managing today’s biggest risk
Security of tenure on commercial farm land is under threat – but just like any other business risk, it can be managed.
Exploring Steven Covey’s matrix
Time management is self management. If you never have time to do the important things in life – look in the mirror.
Managers: sometimes, it’s hard to be soft
Our education is dominated by learning hard skills, yet it’s the soft skills that make for great managers. How well-balanced are you?
Measure profits first, walk later
How the struggling can thrive and the successful can boost profits even further.
Understanding our differences
Without a shared vision, success is impossible. We simply have to achieve it, despite the special difficulties we face in Africa.
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