The Rural Voice, 1988-10, Page 57ADVICE
FIVE WAYS TO
"WRECK A FARM"
Management and budgeting is a
tough aspect of the business of farming.
Success takes hard work and planning.
It also means avoiding the "five ways to
wreck a farm" —
1. Father can't give up control:
some fathers take it as a real threat when
one of the children wants to take some
initiative and try a new idea.
Most farmers are glad when a son or
daughter takes an interest in the busi-
ness, but some have trouble letting go of
a little control.
2. Inability to communicate objec-
tively: this is a common problem.
Small differences and annoyances
get saved up. A disagreemeftt on a
business decision can lead to an unload-
ing of a whole bunch of those small
frustrations that have been stored up and
held back.
Decisions get "personal" and are
often presented in accusatory language
(You're just saying that because...").
A cooling -off period is needed to
assess those differences of opinion more
objectively.
3. Gossip: it's hard to maintain
mutual respect in the face of gossip.
Talk in the coffee shop or at meetings
about the way people live, keep house,
and raise their kids usually gets back to
the person being talked about.
4. Inability to compromise or admit
mistakes: most mistakes can be fixed if
the family will talk and work together.
Pride is good, but don't be too proud
to change when necessary.
5. Lack of clearly stated goals:
particularly when two families or differ-
ent generations work together, an under-
standing of common aims is needed.
For example, a workaholic may resent
children taking a vacation.
Too often people don't talk about
their attitudes towards lifestyle and liv-
ing conditions.
Remember that the co-operation of
bankers, suppliers, and business associ-
ates depends upon their understanding
of your needs and objectives — and that
families working together can be a po-
tent force in the face of adversity.0
Art Lawson
Farm Business Advisor
Patz
SALES
SERVICE
• Chatsworth
FARM
EQUIPMENT
*Ayton
GREY
COUNTY
Ayton Bev Schenk 519-799-5584
Hanover Larry Eller 519-364-1599
Chatsworth 519-794-2181
"Where Price and Quality Meet"
DURABILITY
DEPENDABILITY AND
ACCURACY AT AN
AFFORDABLE PRICE!
PAUL LIVESTOCK SCALES
being used by
THE RED MEAT PROGRAM
2000 Ib. or 3000 Ib. series offers capacity,
size and durability to accommodate any
size animal.
rcT;
'••►
A Division of J.K. Red Manulaauring & Sales Ltd.
R.R. 1, Moorefield, Ont.
NOG 2K0 519-638-3551
For Sale
or Rent
ROLLER/BLOWER MILLS
For
KERNEL OR HUSK CORN
- r
MOOREFIELD
EQUIPMENT LTD.
in Teviotdale
519-343-2122
used
units
in stock
OCTOBFR 1988 55