Module Index

Module 1 - planning

Module 2 - wool

Module 3 - meat

Module 4 - people

Module 5 - NRM

Module 6 - soil

Module 7 - pasture

Module 8 - grazing

Module 9 - genetics

Module 10 - more lambs

Module 11 - sheep health

Module 12 - pastoral production

Hot Topics

MODULE 4: Capable and Confident Producers

Procedure 4.2

Index

Background
information

The key to every successful business is effective communication. It underpins efficient transfer of information and knowledge, the development of positive relationships and the creation of a productive work and family environment. Improving communication pathways can have positive and lasting benefits for work, family relationships and business performance. Creating effective communication delivers benefits through
the ‘3 Rs’:

Relationship: good communication (both talking and listening) is the basis of all high quality relationships, whether personal or business.

Relevance: the message sent needs to be the message received. There are barriers if the receiver feels the information is not relevant, or not ‘packaged’ in a relevant way.

Respect: although you may not always agree with what is being said, respect for what a person is saying is important to developing dialogue. Respect is created by focusing on the issue, not the person.

	Determine the different communication styles of people involved with the business
	Find new ways to improve the quality of business relationships

Key decisions, critical actions and benchmarks

Dialogue versus debate

Dialogue is an effective communication tool to deal with controversial issues, whereas debate can quickly descend into disagreement. Tool 4.2 provides a comparison of dialogue and debate in communication. Always strive for dialogue in a best-practice approach.

Communication styles

People have different styles of communicating. Effective communicators recognise this. Get to know and understand the strengths and limitations of your communication style, and those of others within your business. Tool 4.3 will help you to do this – and it’s a good fun exercise.

Once barriers or blockages are identified, take action to improve communication. Often new approaches can solve old problems. Discuss the results as a family or a business group, focusing on the positives but also identifying any limitations or challenges. Use tool 1.5 in Plan for Success to identify and build on the positives in your business.

Use your next business meeting (see tool 4.1) to discuss and agree on some actions you think will make communication more effective. Plan a follow-up meeting to allow the impacts of any changes to be evaluated. When ongoing tensions or conflicts exist within the business seek help from an external facilitator or trusted “outsider”.

Important principles to improve communication