Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Are you managing?
I’ve covered a wide range of topics in my column. All of these, to a greater or lesser degree, play a part in the successful marketing of fruit and vegetables. However, most of them would be irrelevant were it not for management.
‘Management’ in this context refers to all of the people in the value chain, from senior managers to managers of any sort further down the pecking order; anyone, in fact, who is responsible for one or more staff members.
RESPONSIBILITY
The key to good handling, transport, storage, promotion and retail sales lies with managing all of the people involved in these activities.
Managing fresh fruit and vegetables requires specialised knowledge and application. It is the responsibility of those in management positions to ensure that their staff receive the proper training to enable them to undertake their duties properly.
Finally, it is the responsibility of the member of staff, regardless of function, to take the training seriously and use these improved skills to ‘manage’ his or her area of responsibility better.
It’s fair to say, of course, that this does not always happen; the ‘message’ does not penetrate as deeply as it should. The reasons for this are many, but in the final analysis, the blame must rest with management.
If the managers of a business put effort into training and supporting their staff through all levels of the process, then ‘mismanagement’ could be minimised or possibly even eradicated.
WORKING AS A TEAM
We tend to get stuck on stereotypes and place people and their jobs into boxes. This might work for certain reasons, but does not give each of those ‘boxes’ exclusivity. It does not confer on these managers or staff the right to isolate themselves and ignore the bigger picture. They remain an integral part of the whole and therefore must share some of the management duties required.
The nature of fresh produce is such that it cannot be treated glibly. It requires commitment from all employees, as they manage a valuable asset.
• Michael Cordes is an agricultural journalist, consultant, trainer and former farmer.
Email him at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za.
Subject line: Market floor.