I'm not sure that anyone likes dealing with workforce regulations, not even attorneys! On the other hand, we are a nation ruled by laws, and workforce regulations are an important feature distinguishing our predictable legal systems from those of less developed countries. Staying in compliance with workforce laws can be a real challenge for small … Continue reading Workforce Regulations
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Progressive Dairyman, May 2017 Check out my article in the latest edition of Progressive Dairyman. Thanks to the magazine for featuring it!
As I continue to teach my teenage daughter how to drive, I was reminded of another important concept for trainers, supervisors, and leaders: feedback is critically important. There are four types of feedback, and it's important to understand and select the right one for the situation. Let's take a look at feedback in the training … Continue reading Four Types of Feedback
Wisconsin Congressman Introduces Act to Expand H2A Program Interesting article about the DAIRY Act, introduced by a Wisconsin congressman to expand the H2A program to include dairy farms. H2A is the current program that can provide temporary, foreign labor for seasonal operations such as orchards, nurseries, and vegetable producers. Dairy farms are excluded from … Continue reading Dairy Immigration Bill Introduced
Process Consultation by Edgar H. Schein I've been getting a lot of opportunities lately to facilitate small groups of farm owners and managers. My background is in Organization Development (OD) and I am so grateful for the training I received in process consultation during my Ph.D program at Penn State. One of the core textbooks that we … Continue reading Group Process is Fascinating!
One of the characteristics of great leaders is understanding your people and finding ways to capitalize on their strengths to benefit both the individual and the organization.Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole is frustrating for everyone, it doesn't feel right for the employee and the manager doesn't get the results that … Continue reading Do You Have Any Squares?
Producers should take time to audit and correct their employee documentation just in case some form of immigration enforcement takes place. This article from Western Grower's, a producer organization in California and Arizona is helpful. I am available to help producers audit and correct their own employee documentation. Contact me to discuss.
Culture is like an iceberg, there's a part that is visible above the surface but there's a whole lot more of the iceberg that is harder to see below the surface. I studied German language in college and learned about that country's history and customs. Later, I had the opportunity to study for a semester … Continue reading Control Your Culture
I have talked with many farmers over the years who firmly state that they would not be in business if it weren't for immigrant workers. They will also firmly repeat the familiar line that "Americans just won't do this type of work." We may be heading for a time when the truth of both of … Continue reading Contingency Planning: What if immigrant workers are not available?
"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." - Stephen Covey Just because a person is in a leadership position doesn't mean they are a leader. I have known people in positions of authority who could control assets such as money, positions, and other resources who really weren't leading anyone, they were merely controlling them. … Continue reading Leaders Seek Understanding
Ag Workforce Development 