8 Business Insights Gleaned from Life on the Family Farm

Growing up on a family farm wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me many valuable lessons that I use every day as the founder and CEO of Intertech, a technology consulting business.

Farmers who regularly took care of their land and equipment had better farms. I apply this in my business by continually investing in new technology and finding ways to reuse or donate older equipment to those who need it.

Farmers control planting, weeding, and harvesting but can’t control rain, sun, or temperature. They stay sane by focusing on what they can control. This lesson is crucial for salespeople, who should focus on their attitude, work hours, and contacts they make.

When a neighboring farmer needed help, my dad was always there. After he passed away in a farming accident, many farmers came to help with his crop. This showed me the importance of helping others to succeed because it comes back to you.

Years ago, I helped a customer find a new job after he lost his. Later, when his new company needed services, he was the decision maker, and we won the bid. Helping others pays off in the long run.

Some tasks on the farm were tough, like getting slapped by a urine-soaked cow tail while milking. In business, the tough jobs often matter the most, such as having honest conversations with employees who aren’t meeting performance goals.

As a kid, I wasn’t a fan of our Sunday drives to check the crops, but it was part of Dad’s routine. Now, I make it a point to walk around and talk to my team to gauge how things are going.

Dad tracked the milk production of each cow and adjusted their diet accordingly. High producers got more food, while low producers were sold off. In business, top performers should get all the tools and training they need to excel. Underperformers, however, should be let go—but not literally turned into hamburger!

Dad took agriculture classes to improve his farming skills and never stopped learning. This taught me the value of continuous education. Everyone in our organization has an annual learning goal, which is an essential part of our evaluations.

No matter how tough things got on the farm, Dad always showed appreciation for what we had. “What Happy People Know,” one of my favorite books, emphasizes that we can’t have thoughts of fear and appreciation at the same time. It’s a valuable lesson for both life and business.