Study sets standards

management, ownership/ risk, and human resources.

Employing staff for the first time meant the HR module was valuable in having a clear idea about how to get the most out of them from the get- go, rather than muddling through and wrestling with conflicts and uncertainties a 600-cow operation cannot afford to have.

He also appreciated understanding the value of having clear job descriptions for his two staff, and building in full performance review processes and how to incentivise tively.

Identifying performance strengths and weaknesses constructively is helping Matthew build a team that he can share his longer term goals of multiple sharemilking operations with.

Two years on, Matthew’s team extends beyond the farm.

The interpersonal skills the diploma project work helped him develop have ensured he has wellperforming staff on his farm, as well as a forward thinking accountant, and enthusiastic bank manager.

his

staff

effec-

‘‘It took a bit to find a bank that would take us on as we did not have any debt – we had to find a bank to convince we were worth going forward with, that the debt would definitely come down the track!’’

Matthew can see how the diploma helped ‘‘put some numbers around our goals’’, helping clarify what they needed, and giving him the skills to match the demands those numbers bring.

‘‘The diploma was ideal for me, I learned a good farmer will always go okay, but a good businessman who can manage well will go a lot further.’’