It’s that time of year where we are wrapping up 2013 and are looking ahead to the next season. For most farms, we are taking a hard look at the financials, upcoming costs and equipment purchases. It’s also the time to review our current structure, team and management practices to ensure we are set up for success for the upcoming year.

When was the last time you were frustrated with an employee? Perhaps it was this morning. Perhaps it has occurred too many times with a particular employee. We are so busy on the farm, the milking can’t wait, so much to get done and there is never enough time.

In football, there is always hype about the quarterback – but when it comes to winning, they certainly don’t get the job done alone. What I love about team sports is you only win when you put a mixture of talent together. If you took all the top quarterbacks in the NFL and made a team, they would probably not fare well on the field because they all bring similar skills. Diversity trumps when winning games.

Most farm managers admit that finding and selecting people is one of the most difficult parts of the job. They realize the importance of it, but are not always confident in their ability to identify which ones are right for the hire. In the past, experience alone would have been the deciding factor, but I am here to tell you that is not the best method for making your pick.