Workshops

Jolene tailors her workshops to the interests and concerns of the group she’s with. She will be in contact with your event coordinator to learn about your group.

“The Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do To Break Up Their Business”
We can prevent many daily aggravations and farm family catastrophes if we learn from the mistakes of others. The "Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do To Break Up Their Business"™ is for members of all generations who wish to or are working together. This session provides great insight and practical ideas to improve farm family communications. You'll receive four valuable and tested take-home tools to increase productivity, profitability and peace of mind. From conversations to contracts, from assumptions to clarification, from complaints to celebrations, we’ll open our eyes and save fighting on the way to the funeral home.

"The Facts of Life: When Family and Business Collide"™
There's nothing better or more frustrating than working with "genetics!" Farming with family is a challenge! Combining personalities, differing goals, and multiple generations creates a collision course. To reach an outcome of productivity and profitability, there must be tools in place and documents in writing. There needs to be a commitment to transition the earned management, leadership and ownership of a business. During this fast paced, eye opening workshop we’ll learn the first important steps to become a successful “business first family.” 

“Generations at Work…or at War”
Generational differences and preferences make for interesting work teams, especially when the transition of ownership and power, and leadership and labor are involved. Jolene share's an insightful profile highlighting significant influences, characteristics and motivational needs for each of four generations, the “Veterans, Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Y. Then a panel of “been there, done that” experts will share their insight of what has worked and what needs work. The difference between lifestyle and business, family and employee, emotion and fact, will be explored. (Panel members to be selected by the meeting planner.)  

"The Balancing Act: 10 Ideas to Improve Your Quality of Living as You Increase Your Power and Control"™
In agriculture, we balance feed rations, soil fertility, tires, and the check book. But when it comes to "balancing ourselves" we're often overworked, overwhelmed and overloaded.  There's something wrong with this picture!  It's time to learn 10 realistic and applicable ideas to bring a breath of fresh air, renewal and balance to our work and family life. Come and learn from one of the premier professional speakers in agriculture. With valuable content, real life examples and a whole lot of fun, you, your family and the farm will be glad you did!

“Tough Questions in Tough Situations”
Uh Oh! Here they come…John Q. Public…The Media…Government Officials…Urban Friends. What will you say to their tough questions? Are your responses self-defending or public educating? During this participation session you'll learn what makes "news" and the current hot topics for ag. You'll explore how to “set the stage” and weave questions to bridge to your key messages. The "homework process" learned applies to both personal and organizational questions. There is tremendous value in being a true professional in the midst of challenge.

“Launch Your Leadership Journey”™ 
When riding in a hot air balloon, you quickly learn that the burner must ignite or you may have a rapid descent! So, too, in leadership. Focused energy on a specific purpose leads to intentional actions. During this session we’ll learn the eight prerequisite questions all leaders must answer. We’ll look at our personal “commercials” reflected by our behaviors. With intentional self-presentation, positioning and partnering, we’ll laugh while we ­­­­­­­­­­learn what it takes to be the pilot of our leadership journey.

“Through the Eyes of a Customer”
Have you truly looked at your service through the eyes of the customer? What an insightful experience! During this fun-filled presentation, we’ll review five factors that influence today’s purchasing decisions and take an honest look at twelve reasons why you lose a customer. We’ll learn practical ideas to create interest, build loyalty and increase your value in a hi-tech, hi touch competitive environment. With lots of laughter and real life stories, we’ll renew our energy and take home ideas to build and reinforce exceptional service.

“The Confident Woman” (pictured below)
From the blending of multiple roles and the expectations of daily living, to the fast paced, changing world, we know that the feeling of confidence is difficult to achieve. Confidence is that special component of our belief system that gives one tender power. It motivates through strength of self-worth, past experience and support of those around us. The result is the capability to build on our strengths, overcome our weaknesses and tolerate our limitations. During this fun-filled seminar, we’ll explore the confidence factors of women we respect. We’ll build a firm foundation in order to take necessary risks. As we highlight the top characteristics of confident women, we’ll learn new ideas to increase achievement and positively influence our overall health and well-being. Together we’ll laugh while we learn at this special “time-out” for women.