Final message for 2008!
I published this piece about the state of our world economy in the last edition of The Stock Yard Newsletter and had a big response to it - so I thought I’d share it with everyone.
Everyone I know, including me, is concerned about where the economy is going. The news reports are interesting – but at the end of the day no one has the crystal ball to foresee what the future holds.
As individuals we have no control over it, so why should we waste our time being consumed with worry?
I am sure there are some reporters out there that get joy out of scaring the living daylight out of us by reporting on the ‘doom and gloom’ that’s ahead and take pleasure in trying to make us feel everything is caving in around us.
Sure - it’s absolutely true our economy is constricting but don’t be fooled, other areas and industries are expanding! We are simply seeing a period of major shifts. Some of my greatest career mentors have said their businesses have done just as well in a restricted economy!
My Dad told me a story once about ‘back when he was a boy’ his father grew a crop of spuds during a drought and made more money then than he had in a good year - with less yield – enough to buy a brand new truck with the surplus income – something he wasn’t able to do when he had the extra spuds!
Winston Churchill once wrote ‘a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’
What I am saying is now is the time to take and have an honest look at your business and make some decisions that are going to move you and your business forward instead of being paralysed with fear.
Ask youself – what positive steps are you are taking to manage your enterprise? Or are you waiting for Kevin to give you a bail out package? The New Year is looming, what a great chance to find new opportunities in your difficulties!
There are businesses out there that can help you assess your business options, including Rural Connections. If you need contacts for people who specialise in your particular enterprise – call me I’m more than happy to point you in the right direction.
I’ve left you with my thoughts – I’d welcome your comments.
As 2009 draws to a close I would like to thank you sincerely for your support this year. Next year is shaping up to be busier than ever with many major courses being diarised already.
From my family to yours I wish you a safe and happy New Year! Take care.
Telecall: Reduce stress and increase profits!
Revolutionize the way you think and forget about what the market might (or might not) do next week!
This discussion will be based on a rural livestock grazing enterprise however the concepts are universal to any business.
By concentrating on what you can control – pasture, product, profit - we can take the worry and stress out of a grazing enterprise.
This tele-seminar is where you discover from a trusted and highly respected rural educator, Grahame Rees, how you attract cash flow in to a business in a falling market!
When: Wednesday 26th March 2008
Time: 7.00pm AEST
Duration: 30 minutes
Investment: Click here to Register for free
– your only cost is a phone call/internet connection
P.S. The best thing is you don’t have to worry about getting all dressed up, driving to a venue or try to find a parking spot!
Tasmanian Rural Women Honoured
Jeanette Fisher, Amabel Fulton and Marjorie Simmons are three exceptional Tasmanian Women who have recently been awarded for their outstanding contribution to our industry.
In December these ladies were honoured with places in the 2008 Rural Women of the Year.
Jeanette Fisher from Sheffield won the Rural Women of the Year award for Tasmania.
Drought Bus to visit Tassie
I have just received a message from Janine Walker of Centrelink that the Drought Bus will be coming to Tasmania in early September.
The drought bus provides farming communities in drought-declared regions with information regarding the range of Australian Government assistance available to them.
In the interest of farming families who are “doing it tough” at the moment please forward these detail on.
Check the itinerary for times and locations Click here
2008 Rural Women of the Year
The Australian
RIRDC Rural
Women’s Award 2008
A National Winner - A National runner-up - Seven State and Territory Winners - Seven State and Territory Runners-up
Nominations open 1 August 2007 and close 15 October 2007
For information on how to enter visit RIDC’s website!
Exceptional Circumstances Info Sessions
Centrelink has organised information sessions for some of the areas affected by the Australian Government’s recent declaration of Exceptional Circumstances in Tasmania.
The information sessions will be held from 10am – 3pm at the following locations:
Tues 10 July
Cressy - Cressy Town Hall
Wed 11 July
Campbell Town, Campbell Town Hall
Fingal, Old Tas Hotel Community Centre
Thurs 12 July
Oatlands, Municipal Offices Southern Midlands
Kempton, Kempton Hall
Fri 13 July
Richmond, Richmond Hall
Flinders Island, Multi Purpose Centre, Whitemark
Bothwell, Central Highlands Council Chambers (Bothwell)
Mon 16 July
Gladstone, Gladstone Hall
Tues 17 July
Bridport, Bridport Town Hall
Please help get the message around by e-mailing your farming families and friends.
Developing Leadership Skills
Recently I met with Kirsten Singleton from Singleton Consulting & Training to discuss how our respective businesses could work together to help with the development of people in the rural industry.
As a result Kirsten and I are in the planning stages of developing workshops based around managing the purpose, value and effect of communication and leadership.
Communication is one of the most important elements in any business and sadly its one of the most neglected in the rural industry.
The Rouseabout is here!
I am not a reader – I have only ever read four books from front to back and three of them have been written by Rachael Treasure.
I have recently finished the Rouseabout – like Jillaroo and The Stockman I simply couldn’t put it down, I had it read in about 4-5 sessions.
I really relate to her books because as a person involved in the rural industry I understand and can often relate to the characters.
The topics covered in her books are real issues faced by rural people – loneliness and isolation; rural health; family battles over who gets the farm; generational agreements; and individuals competing for land with the tree companies.
Rachael’s enthusiasm and passion for our industry is contagious. Rural Connections is privileged to have clients such as Rachael Treasure who are prepared to stand loud and proud to ensure these issues are heard.