Farm Business Coaching
Kim’s reinvention toolkit includes a strong foundation of practical farm business management skills honed through working for 12 years as a Rural Financial Counsellor in Inverell NSW. Working with hundreds of businesses over this period taught Kim that those farm businesses who were most resilient all proactively managed their financial, human and natural resources well. Neglecting to manage in one or all three of these key areas was the catalyst for declining viability and was linked to all the farm exits that Kim supported farming families through. How we manage our financial, human and natural resources is all within our control as land managers.
When we take a holistic view of agricultural systems it is obvious how the outcomes of regenerative practices including having a healthier soil, reducing costly toxic chemical inputs and building resilience to climate variability are essential components of a viable business. In addition to these financial benefits, improved ecosystem health and the quality of life & wellbeing of the people in the business are more valuable than money can buy.
What creates financial challenges for farmers in the quest to improving soil health and transitioning to a regenerative system is the lack of an appropriate strategy that fits their individual situation and failing to adequately manage their financial and human capital alongside the focus on restoring natural resources. It is essential to prioritise the management of our financial and human resources alongside restoring natural resources in the regenerative journey.
If you want to improve your understanding of the financial health of your business and would like your regenerative strategy to incorporate improved financial management, Kim can provide coaching programs which incorporate:
Farm Business Coaching to set you up for success: Individual coaching sessions designed to create professional, confident farm business managers through improving your business skills and knowledge. Working with a farm business coach can take you from surviving in your business to thriving in your business through clarifying what is most important to you and developing a strategy to create an enjoyable, profitable business. You will become more confident in making informed decisions, and more effective and focused. You will learn communication skills to improve relationships with business partners as well as third parties. Farm business coaching sessions are designed to fit your unique context and can cover areas including:
Farm financial literacy – understanding balance sheets, cash flow projections, profitability, cost of production and financial health indicators.
Time management – weekly, quarterly and yearly planning tools to keep you on track to achieve your goals.
Communication – establishing short and effective business meetings, understanding individual communication styles, overcoming communication challenges.
Business planning – clarity of direction through developing your vision, values, goals, action plans, monitoring.
People – mindset and working to your strengths.
Risk management – risk assessment, planning for climate variability.
Farm financial foundations: Kim Deans will guide you through the essential farm financial foundations in a series of educational online sessions. You will be empowered with simple, practical tools and receive spreadsheets, detailed notes and improve your financial literacy and confidence by using your own financial data. Includes 1 year of email and phone support. Topics include:
Tax vs management accounting
Net worth
Cash flow budgeting
Profit
Farm financial health indicators
Enterprise analysis
Money mindset.
Reinvention Blueprint: Map out your regenerative strategy. Developing your blueprint will provide you with clarity about your context, a process for evaluating your resource base and you will build solid foundations so you can take confident action and stay on track for a successful regenerative agriculture transition.
Farm Financial Assessment: Undertake a thorough assessment of your current financial position and recent business performance to identify strengths & weaknesses and focus areas for improvement. Identify key factors affecting long term financial viability. Benchmark essential farm financial health indicators in relation to cash flow, net worth & profit.
Cash flow budgeting: Create a 12 month cash flow projection for your regenerative transition. Make informed decisions, scenario test your regenerative transition and communicate more effectively with business partners and lenders.