One on one consultation

General Introduction

SWOT analysis

Development of Strategic Intents and Action Plans

For a hosting organiztion:

Classroom presentation: one day $2500

Preparation of material $1500

Class size: 20-30 people

Primary Producers

Completion of application for cost-shared government programs

SWOT analysis

Development of Strategic Intents and Action Plans

Details

1.   Business Strategy planning is a process where the ultimate goal is finding your voice and taking steps to hear your voice and write your goals so that those goals may hard wired into your psyche.

2.   The first step in this process is to find out “What Matters Most” to each member of your farming organization. If the vision of each members of the organization is not listened to and discussed and all parties have, an opportunity to share “What Matters Most” there is a probability of chaos within the organization. While their may be activity, that activity will lack direction if it has any direction at all.

3.   The object of this one-day seminar is to give people the basic guidance so that they can with the help of the facilitator prepare a Business Strategy and a Personal Life Strategy for their farming Business.

4.   Cost 300.00 Per person minimum of 5 people

5.   Additional assistance will be available on a fee for service basis should students require additional help completing their plan.

6.   As this is a more public form each participants work will be kept confidential. Examples used will be composites of no real person but merely of ideas so that farmers and farm family members can develop their own unique vision.

Agenda

The Morning Session

8:30-10:00 A.M. Why a personal life strategy and why it needs to be aligned with your business strategy. A discussion of the various resources that are available and a discussion about the work book.

Specific Measurable Realistic Time Oriented Goals.

10:30 -11:30 The Personal Life Strategy in the context of your business Strategy. If you do not look at your own talents and abilities from a personal basis and how they will intersect with your business strategy.

11:30-12:30 Lunch

The Afternoon Session

12:30 -2:00 The Mission Statement for your work and your business. Your roles your goals your core values.

Strengths Weakness Opportunities Threats

2:00-4:30 The details of your Business Plan.

Smart Goals

Meeting room will be provided minim five persons workbook provided, meals the responsibility of the participant

FArmers and Ranchers who have not a written business plan or personal life strategy.

There is overwhelming evidence that people who have a written business plan and personal life strategy are more effective by a great margin than those who do not.

mimimum of five participants with reasonable notice.

 1.   Business Strategy planning is a process where the ultimate goal is finding your voice and taking steps to hear your voice and write your goals so that those goals may hard wired into your psyche.

2.   The first step in this process is to find out “What Matters Most” to each member of your farming organization. If the vision of each members of the organization is not listened to and discussed and all parties have, an opportunity to share “What Matters Most” there is a probability of chaos within the organization. While their may be activity, that activity will lack direction if it has any direction at all.

3.   The object of this one-day seminar is to give people the basic guidance so that they can with the help of the facilitator prepare a Business Strategy and a Personal Life Strategy for their farming Business.

Course delivered via online videos and accompanying homework assignments that will be reviewed by a qualified FarmLink person. Ongoing support is also provided.

Module 1 - Introduction to Hedging

Module 2 - Futures Contracts

Module 3 - Margins

Module 4 - Hedging

Module 5 - Spreads and Carrying Charges

Module 6 - Basis

Module 6b - More Hedging Examples

Module 7 - Hedging Issues

Module 8 - Introduction to Options

Module 9 - Put Options

Module 10 - Call Options

Module 11 - Covered Calls

Module 12 - Option Spreads

Module 13 - Building a Hedging Strategy

$2500 per farm.  The fee includes access to the online training modules, review of assignments by professional staff, and support for any ongoing questions and issues related to hedging. 

Those farms that want to see if using futures and options contracts is something they want to adopt on their farm.  Those farms that want to understand how futures and options can be effectively used specifically in Prairie cash grain markets.

All attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course, signed by the instructor.

14 different training videos accessed through the internet, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes in length each. Videos can be viewed at the pace needed and as often as required to understand the concepts. Each module has a homework assignment to help the grower further understand the material. These will be reviewed by professional staff. Ongoing support is also available for growers as needed.

The full HedgeLink program consists of further education, both online and in the classroom.  Subscribers to the program will also have access to an online discussion forum and regular reports on utilizing futures and options to manage risk based on the market environment at the time.

The online nature of delivery means that there are no limits to availability. 

This course begins at the introductory level for futures and options training, and eventually moves towards more intermediate level material. Of particular importance is the application of these concepts to Prairie cash markets, since many important futures markets are U.S.-based and focused.

The online delivery of the material allows growers to go at their own pace and review the individual modules as often as necessary to understand the concepts. 

One key goal is giving producers the confidence to make a decision on whether futures and options are a good fit for their farm, and if so to be comfortable taking that next step and opening an account. 

CRN:  03-607                                                   January 7, 2013 - April 26, 2013                             Online

The course will help you prepare a business plan that combines your finalized marketing, operational, human resource and financial strategies with a mission statement and executive summary.  You will develop a verbal presentation of your business plan and deliver in a simulated business environment.

CRN:  03-609                                                   January 7, 2013 - April 26, 2013                             Online

The course describes financial projections focusing on the projected cash flow statement and projected income and expense statements and uses this information to determine the breakeven point and return on investment.  The course will combine these financial projections with financing information determined in FIN 146 to develop a financial strategy for your business.

CRN: 02-515 September 4, 2012 - December 14, 2012  CRN: 03-608 January 7, 2013 - April 26, 2013        Online 

You will identify human resource requirements for a small business, including creating job descriptions, hiring staff and managing performance.  You will also examine the issues of compensation, discipline, training plan development and labour standards.  You will select a professional support team and prepare a resume for inclusion in your business plan.  You will prepare a complete human resources strategy for your proposed business.

CRN: 03-605                                                    January 7, 2013 - April 26, 2013                          Online

The course describes the operations of a small business.  Your studies will include the following topics:  selecting a location, planning an efficient layout, describing the licensing and regulatory requirements, choosing a business name, determining hours of operation, determining fixed asset requirements, managing inventory, locating suppliers, investigating insurance and estimating start-up costs.  Course content and learning activities will help you develop an operational strategy for your business.

CRN: 03-613                                                    January 7, 2013 - April 26, 2013                          Online

Your studies will focus on methods to assist you to determine market potential and market share.  The course will combine market potential and market share information with marketing research from MKTG 153 and the marketing mix described in MKTG 154 to create a marketing strategy for your business.

CRN: 03-611                                                        January 7, 2013 - April 26, 2013                               Online

You will learn how to conduct marketing research.  You will learn how to describe the target market, industry, competition and external factors for your business.