Leadership Lessons from a Wallaby Great
Phil Kearns is without question one of Australia’s greatest ever Rugby Union players. With sixty-seven tests as #2 for the Australian Wallabies, ten as Captain, and seventy-three games for the NSW Waratahs, Phil was a key contributor to three...
Being a wealthy farmer is much more than having lots of money
Having money is nice, but having quality of life - good health and good relationships - is even more important. At Farm Owners Academy, we help farmers make more money, but we get a bigger kick out of seeing you turn your life around and start...
Finance, Farming & Family
Unlike most “jobs”, farming is an all-encompassing, often family-run business that necessitates a physically, emotionally and mentally gruelling lifestyle. Living and working with family members every day can be wonderful for some and very...
A simple tool to use when you feel busy, a bit stressed and overwhelmed
I'm sure there are more, but I place stress and overwhelm into three main categories: ONE: Things left undone (too many things to do in a short amount of time); TWO: You are constantly chasing the future and never stop to enjoy the moment (high...
Some are having their best year, while others are devastated by flooding
This week I wanted to share a message that our CEO Sam Johnsson sent out to our Platinum Mastermind members in a monthly newsletter. With some having their best year ever and others wiped out from floods, I think it’s a great reminder of how...
How I freed up 13 hours each week that I didn’t even know I was wasting
After two years of coaching, I had 13 clients. I thought I was doing really well and wasn’t thinking about growing - I was in a comfort zone. I knew time management was one of the most important skills I could learn, so I paid for a time...
From farming for the bank to a highly profitable farm
Imagine working 70 hours every week, only to get to the end of the year and realise you are losing money after paying the interest on your loan (while interest rates were 2%)! Many business owners do this (not just farmers). They are so busy...
Do what you do best, delegate or outsource the rest
When I first started coaching, I was responsible for everything - all the administration, finance and, of course, coaching clients. The problem was I really hated the administration and the finance (bookwork) part of the business. Two years...
If you do these 8 things… you will be a top 20% farmer
Many farm owners believe that in order to become a top 20% farmer, you need to work harder (or do more). This is not true. The top 20% of farmers just do things slightly differently. In fact, I would argue that many top 20% of farmers are...
Running a business with multiple owners
Recently I was asked a great question by Rob - about models/leadership structures for multiple business owners, for example, more than two siblings that run a business. Firstly, it is a little bit more complex but very achievable if the owners...
Do you really respect your time?
Some people are in control, and some people aren’t. Either you run your business and life, or your business and life will run you. If it’s not scheduled in your calendar, it just won’t get done - learn to schedule time for important personal...
Gosh, I wish this stuff was taught at school
I’ve just finished a 9-day course. It was a big one, delivered online from 9am to 10.30pm each day. I got so much value from this. It was all about living in the moment and having peace of mind. The instructor is a master at this. His presence...
The farmer who sold up
I was at our neighbour’s place over the weekend. We have a lot in common as we both grew up on the land, and we both work with farmers. We were talking about how some farmers get very frustrated if they see or hear of a farmer ‘selling up.’ They...
The brutal truth about trading time for money
Are you stuck in the trading time for money trap?Sadly – most people are.Trading time for money was ingrained into most of us from an early age.We were taught to choose a career when we were older such as being a doctor, lawyer, electrician,...
The pros and cons of being a hard worker
Do you love to work hard? Do you see yourself as a doer? Do you have the attitude, ‘If there is a job to be done, then get out of my way and let me do it?’ This attitude has served you because things get done. A real theme in the...
Most people were NOT taught the skills to run a successful business…
An accountant spends three years studying their craft A lawyer spends five years studying their craft A doctor spends seven years studying their craft AND they are all required to complete further education each year to maintain their...
A weird psychological shift when we move from employee to business owner…
I had a really interesting chat with a client last week about why we don’t always do what we know we should when we run our own business. I told him why I think this occurs by relaying the story below from when I was an employee. Many years back,...
19 Tips From 22 Years of Coaching…
19 Tips From 22 Years of Coaching… 1. Give yourself 4-7 years to get good at business. Running a business is an amazing journey. It uncovers many insecurities, and you attract many clients that will bring out these insecurities. However, when...
Could your ego be holding you back?
We all have an identity, and we all operate from a set of beliefs. These have been built up over many years, and most of it is now operating from your subconscious - which means that you might not even be aware of them. The ego is why so people...
Don’t end up being the richest person in the graveyard
Farm owners are some of the richest people in the world. Many are in the top 1% when it comes to wealth. In the end, you only need so much money, and many farm owners now have more wealth than they will ever spend. If you have a net worth of more...
What a wonderful man
Peter Van Beek was an 80-year-old that would stand near a roundabout next to our house and wave to the traffic almost every day. We would often drive past him, and our kids would get so excited and wave like mad to him. He brought so much joy to...
You never want to be the smartest person in the room…
Why do so many people resist help? Why are some people so open to receiving help from others, yet others reject it? Why do people defend what they know and struggle to remain open-minded to other viewpoints and receiving feedback to live a better...
Someone is always doing it tougher than you
Recently I stayed in a hotel in Casino NSW. I travelled to have a couple of days with Our Cow, who I coach. It’s hard to get accommodation in Casino, and I ended up staying in a simple hotel that was three stars at best. I met a girl called...
The 15 Keys To Running Team Meetings
A 30-minute weekly team meeting aligned to your strategic plan will do you wonders. Here are 15 keys to running a great meeting: 1. Set a time: Make it the same time every time so that people book it in as a habit. 2. Set a frequency: Make it...
Are you too controlling?
In order to run a Freedom Farm or a business that can run without you, you must overcome any fear of losing control. You will need to become extremely comfortable hiring people (even people to pay your bills and manage your bank accounts) and then...
A simple idea to see significant growth in your business…
My first business (22 years ago now) was a business coaching franchise (called Action Coach). I was part of a global franchise group, and there were about 400 of us in the franchise in Australia. It cost me $80k to buy and then $1,500 a month...
Taking Red Days
What I have experienced (meaning this might not be true for you) is my greatest growth has occurred when I have stopped (work), and I am doing nothing. One of the world's best coaches is a guy called Dan Sullivan. I listened to him many years ago,...
Our succession meeting with Dad lasted less than 1 minute
Our succession meeting with Dad lasted less than 1 minute… I remember the day when Dad called my brothers and me into the office. ‘We need to talk about money', he said. I was 17 at the time, and I thought I was about to hit a bit of a jackpot. ...
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[Free Download] our money mastery checklist used to create a freedom farm
The first time my Dad taught me how to shear a sheep is a day I don’t want to remember. … dragging it out of the pen… trying to hold it still… getting my head around how to grip the handpiece The whole thing ended in a mess, and let’s just say that...
Could you take 18 months off from your business? This is how I did it…
G’day there, Andrew (Robbo) Roberts here. I helped co-found Farm Owners Academy with Greg Johnsson. I’ve recently returned after 18 months off (I took some time out to deal with two little boys under 2). Here I am with my family – Oscar, me, Jamie...
Is your balance sheet lazy or hardworking? Here’s how to tell (+ build more wealth!)
Is your balance sheet lazy? For many farm owners we meet, the answer is “yes”. And that’s a huge problem… Because a lazy balance sheet is a clear sign that you’re leaving money on the table. Money that could be used to: Expand your farming...
Our top 4 tips for higher gross margins (and hence…higher profits!)
Last week, we talked about where most farm owners go wrong in trying to grow their profit. Most people focus on reducing costs (through things like minimising tax) when what they really should be focusing on… Is increasing revenue. As this study...
The big secret rich farmer owners know (and average farm owners don’t)
An insider secret rich farm owners know that the rest of us don’t? Focussing on cutting costs in your farm business is probably keeping you broke. Okay, maybe its not keeping you broke-broke...but it’s very unlikely that it is making you rich....
Why most farm owners are wealthy on paper but not rich in their bank accounts…
When I ask you to picture the wealthiest 1% in the world, who comes to mind? Jeff Bezos? Gina Rinehart? Bill Gates? What if I told you that YOU are part of that elite group? 😳 Even if it sounds completely insane, it may very likely be true! Many...
The 5 stages of burnout…and how to get out of each one
Quick check-in: Are you tired? Feeling unmotivated? Getting angry and snapping at your partner, kids, or farmhand? Suffering from headaches, stomachaches, or intestinal issues? Generally not feeling a sense of purpose or accomplishment on the...
Every farmer avoids this…and it costs them everything.
My countdownCountdown ^^ This is a countdown to the day you hang up your Akubra for the last time and head to the great farm in the sky. Okay, maybe not the exact day. But the reality is, all of us have a countdown timer like this...we just don’t...
The ONE thing that helped Greg 4x his turnover and 3x his profits
Sometimes the smallest things in business produce the biggest results. Quick history lesson: Back in 2013, Farm Owners Academy co-founder Greg owned a vet business that was turning over $750K per year, $150K of which was profit. Not bad, right?...
The 4 biggest tax mistakes that cost farmers thousands
Ahh, that blissful feeling of finishing your year-end financials. You’ve totaled the bank balances. Listed your income and expenses. Painstakingly answered the 101 questions from your accountant. And even though you’re breathing a sigh of relief...
Ready, Steady…… GROW!
Do you aspire to be a big operator? Do you dream of being the biggest farmer with the most land in your area? Do you get a major kick when you think of buying out your neighbours? If so, Pump Up Scale (the eighth level of the TOP Producers Model)...
The 3 steps to growing your farm without you being there
Imagine for a minute that you’re a dentist and you own a one-person business… You genuinely love what you do. You spend your days cleaning the teeth of your patients. Your schedule is jam-packed and you feel a real sense of accomplishment after a...
The best ways to grow your wealth…safely
Farming is inconsistent. Some years, you make money...others you don’t. The theory goes, out of every six years, you’ll make money in four of those years and you’ll lose money in two of them. It’s all part of the game. That’s why it’s so...
How to reduce your biggest cost on the farm
Are you wasting time without even knowing it? Years ago, when I lived in Brisbane, I got up at 4:30 in the morning. I woke up before the sun so I could meet a mate of mine and train with him at the gym. After six months of doing this, I happened to...
To scale or not to scale…. that is the question
Too many farmers push themselves to always keep growing simply because they think it’s what they “should” do. Do you agree? There are benefits to growing your team and scaling your farm (and we’ll talk more about that in a minute.) But there are...
6 steps to take you from family farm to well-run business
If you ask me, it’s an absolute waste of time... ...to try and manage things you can’t control. No matter how hard you work, you’ll never be able to control the weather, your family’s actions, or interest rates at the bank. So I’d rather help you...
Decision making – wing it or win it?
When most farmers make decisions, they wing it. They don’t have any tools or systems to help them decide whether something is a good financial decision or a bad one. ...Which leads to bad decisions that cause big problems like: Unnecessary spending...
Amazing farmhands, great culture, and winning succession plan: Here’s how they did it.
Imagine finding two hardworking farmhands that you completely trusted… That you could train up to do all the farm jobs… So you have time to do things like: work on the high-level strategy to increase profits make succession plans even free...
The 3 key financial figures profitable farmers track
Most farmers struggle with profits. Even if your revenues are high, you can still lose money after all your costs, interest payments, and other expenses are paid out. Like our student Travis.. In the 2014/2015 year, he and his brother had a great...
The 7 deadly sins that keep most farmers stuck
Between Greg and I, we’ve been working with farmers for 50 years. And during that time, we’ve noticed a really troubling trend: Most farmers stay stuck, forever. Longer than forever, actually… Because they spend a lifetime stuck and then pass...
The #1 success secret that most average farmers don’t think about
Here’s a mind-blowing stat: Farm Owner Academy students get 4.6% higher Return on Assets Managed than the average farmer. Given a $3Million property, that’s an average of $108,000 more every single year (compared to the ABARES figures). The big...
These business lessons could’ve helped my dad’s farm
The biggest fear for most farmers? (and for most people in general?) Failure. The thought of giving it your all but still not making the cut terrifies a lot of people. I guess I’m not like most people in this respect. Because I’m quite open about...
David had his most profitable year…while working 50% less. Here’s how he did it.
When I tell farmers it’s possible to: Earn more Work less And actually enjoy the process ...They look at me like I have six heads (and maybe half a brain between all six of them!) Then they start to tell me all the reasons why that can’t...
The 8 mistakes that keep farmers broke
Here at Farm Owners Academy, we've worked with all kinds of farmers over the years: Rich ones Broke ones Ones who feel real joy and purpose in their work Startups Experienced farmers And...ones who spend every day stressed out, burnt out, and zoned...
The 7-step plan to higher profits on the farm
“How do I make more money on my farm?” That’s got to be the top question farmers ask us. It’s up there with… How do I get more time off? How can I increase yields? and... How can I strike a deal with the weather gods for great...
Negotiation Skills Training
In This Session … Learn why negotiation is so important and that we are negotiating every day Understand how to reach compromise instead of resolution and find a win-win every time How to help someone really understand what it is you want and why...
Interview with Tim & Cheryl Freak
Imagine waking up on a Monday morning, rolling over in bed, smiling at your partner and saying "Honey – let’s go to Fiji for the next two weeks". Your wife agrees, and you are off! Now imagine coming back from your holiday to find things on your...
How to create financial freedom on your farm
Running a farm is hard work……..And running a business is hard work. Combine this into a running a farming business, and well, it’s extremely challenging and we take our hats off to you for doing it!!!! They say farmers choose farming for...
The biggest lessons to help farmers succeed in business
The biggest lessons to help farmers succeed in business I started my career as a Business Coach 20 years ago. Having clocked over 10,000 hours of coaching and working with over 1,000 clients, I see some amazing similarities to why some exceed and...
Interview with Greg Johnsson
Greg Johnsson - veterinary business owner and specialist sheep consultant. Greg's passion for improving enterprise productivity and profitability for commercial sheep farmers has spanned for almost 40 decades through the activities of his...
Interview with David Westbrook
https://youtu.be/sPDCrxkF8gA In this video, David explains the challenges of being an isolated farmer and not always knowing where to focus his time and effort.
Mindset Determines Everything
https://youtu.be/yTnkkUX3o-I Your mindset and attitude is everything. IT determines everything. Have a listen to this video hosted by Andrew Roberts who will talk you through setting your mindset and change your attitude.
Take Ownership & Responsibility
https://youtu.be/zmOPxIsjvKY You need to take responsibility and accountability for your business. If it’s going to happen, it’s up to you.
On Your Death Bed – All That Counts
https://youtu.be/S8ngwZX1FVs At the end of the day it's the only thing that matters….
Commitment
https://youtu.be/Pdl_IcyMGac If you’re going to get into something you might as well get in. If you’re not going to get into something you might as well get out.
