Too much on your plate?

[Guy]

How do you know when you have too much on your plate?
Today I was at the Lamma show ground after dealing with sickness, staff messing me about, delivery issues and 28 missed calls in 40 mins. For the first time I realised I have too much on my plate . In striving to be perfect I'd actually dropped the ball. In hind-sight I knew this was coming and my reluctance to delegate has ended in the realisation that success can be a wolf in Sheep's clothing. So tonight I'm planning staff changes and making sure it doesn't happen again. Agriculture is a high pressure way of life where dropping the ball can be the difference between success and ultimate failure, so is dropping the ball a normal occurrence? I'm grateful I realised early enough to do something about it. So fellow forum members, take time to delegate (if possible) and don't be afraid to "slow things down"

 

[Spud]

You are not alone there Guy, sometimes the baby can turn into a monster! Its not an easy transition going from doing everything to driving mostly a desk this time of year. Tougher than a lot realise.

 

[Guy]

The problem is to grow a business from nothing you need to be a control freak, the play-off is control freaks don't delegate !!

 

[Spud]

I called to see an inspiring fellow forum member north of here last week, who put it very well 'I'm not a control freak, I just like to be in control' There is a difference. Maybe close, but theres a difference. Its taken me a while!!

 

[Simon Chiles]

The problem is to grow a business from nothing you need to be a control freak, the play-off is control freaks don't delegate !!

The art of good management is delegation, you just need to have the right staff that can pick up the ball and run with it. Maybe if you give them more responsibility they would rise to the challenge.

 

[Farma Parma]

I called to see an inspiring fellow forum member north of here last week, who put it very well 'I'm not a control freak, I just like to be in control' There is a difference. Maybe close, but theres a difference. Its taken me a while!!

Well said Sir !!

 

[Guy]

That is true, very true but ag machinery dealing is bloody cut throat,so delegation comes with risk. Iv learned my lesson but it's keeping me awake.

 

[JCA]

Don't stress, life is to short. Delegation is easier than you think once you get some practice. If you feel it is not working then go back to as you were. Sometimes scaling a business back a bit is no bad thing, just takes a while to get your head round it.

 

[Chae1]

Perhaps stick to selling fewer high value items, instead of torches etc!? Surely they must create a lot of hassle for not much reward.

 

[mph04]

good to see you have seen you have issues you missed a sale of front links after many emails I gave up and brought else where glad you have seen you have dropped the ball look forward to do more business in the future good luck

 

[Yale]

good to see you have seen you have issues you missed a sale of front links after many emails I gave up and brought else where glad you have seen you have dropped the ball look forward to do more business in the future good luck

Yes,from a customer point of view any organisation which doesn't have the decency to return calls/contacts doesn't deserve the business.

And don't get me going on the line 'he'll phone you back in 10 minutes'.

Obviously Guy is not included in this as he runs a tight ship.

 

[ARW]

In my opinion this can happen in any size business, I used to think I was busy until I did a job for @Spud and saw how many balls he was juggling to keep things running. But even my business can get to much, staff messing me about, 10 customers all wanting you yesturday, bad payers slowing cash flow and stopping us being able to work at full potential, things breaking then dealers messing you about, it goes on. But the next week it can be easier again.
I have a customer who is a contracter and he seems to have a way of talking to people in a way that makes you feel like you want to work for him, he does it very well and before you can say no he seems to have talked you into it. He can deal with staff and customers with confidence and all his staff work hard for him to please his customers.
Theres only so much one man can do

 

[Derky]

I know the feeling Guy, the trick is to keep as many balls in the air as possible in between juggles. It comes to all of us needing a great right hand person. Finding them is another thing.

 

[Kipper]

I am sorry to read that you have been having staff problems. I would like to think you will soon have this soon sorted out, a lot of very good people out there looking for jobs just now.
We will be going to LAMMA next week, think we will stop by a see how you are getting on.

 

[Clive]

delegation and even realising / accepting that you can pay people to do a BETTER job than you could yourself is key to success in any business

most farmers are VERY bad at this !

 

[nick...]

Your last sentance should start with "all" @Clive
Nick...

 

[franklin]

Too much on my plate when 5-year-old asks why I dont play any more.

 

[Brisel]

It's not exclusive to farmers. Anyone, particularly with expanding businesses can be prone to this.

 

[sws]

We have gone through no end off staff lately trying too find that man who is capable off doing the job we ask, They all talk the talk at the interview. And regarding money we always pay top end in our area too attract the quality. in the last 11 years ive seen one good man who worked like me for the business and he`s retired now sometimes quantity isn't everything as we found out earlier this week all the hassle and extra work that we think is making us loads off money is actually hurting our quality and we are losing money.

 

[devonshire farmer]

How do you know when you have too much on your plate?
Today I was at the Lamma show ground after dealing with sickness, staff messing me about, delivery issues and 28 missed calls in 40 mins. For the first time I realised I have too much on my plate . In striving to be perfect I'd actually dropped the ball. In hind-sight I knew this was coming and my reluctance to delegate has ended in the realisation that success can be a wolf in Sheep's clothing. So tonight I'm planning staff changes and making sure it doesn't happen again. Agriculture is a high pressure way of life where dropping the ball can be the difference between success and ultimate failure, so is dropping the ball a normal occurrence? I'm grateful I realised early enough to do something about it. So fellow forum members, take time to delegate (if possible) and don't be afraid to "slow things down"

What you have in your favour Guy is the deals your knocking out, bear with it and keep up the good work, the ones that seriously want a machine at the right price will bear with you the ones that don't probably hard to please or just messing around.