ADVICE to dairy farmers on managing their workers rather than their cows or feedbase will be the central topic of next week’s Western Dairy spring forum.
Keynote speaker will be author and human resources (HR) consultant Mandy Johnson, a highly-regarded recruitment consultant with a particular interest in dairy HR.
One of two Australians to present at the 2018 Asia-Pacific Talent Conference in Taipei, Taiwan, next month, Ms Johnson writes, speaks, teaches and advises on innovative ‘people’ strategies to transform individual and organisational results.
An executive educator at several universities and mentor of start-up entrepreneurs, she was a founder and former director of Flight Centre UK and has worked for such diverse organisations as Virgin Australia, Teys Beef, Australian Stockbroker’s Association, Dairy Australia, Ray White Commercial and the Queensland State Library.
Western Dairy executive officer Esther Jones said Ms Johnson had previously worked with dairy farmers in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria on HR issues.
“Our farmers consistently tell us that business would be easy without people and so this is our response to that – to provide some tips and tools that can be applied on the farm to improve the workplace harmony – and to do that with a person who is known to motivate and inspire,” Ms Jones said.
“Mandy’s keynote presentation, the seven steps to a remarkable workplace, is considered to be one of the most powerful and resonating presentations on staff management with many take home tools.”
The keynote address will be followed by a range of technical presentations by the Western Dairy team, including release of this year’s seed performance trial data by dairy research scientist Peter Hutton.
Western Dairy’s spring forum is from 10am at the Lighthouse Beach Resort, Bunbury on Friday, November 23.
It will be followed after lunch by the Western Dairy annual general meeting (AGM) which will include consideration of a revamped constitution which Western Dairy directors are seeking to have endorsed.
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“With the support of Dairy Australia, we have commissioned lawyers Mills Oakley to review our constitution and make recommended changes that will ensure compliance with new legislation for not-for-profit associations, as well as test the constitution for its capacity to ensure best-practise governance and accountability,” Ms Jones said.
The proposed revised constitution is available on the Western Dairy website – westerndairy.com.au – along with explanatory notes on material changes that impact WA dairy farmers.
“Our directors would welcome the opportunity to talk with any dairy farmer seeking an in-depth understanding of the proposed changes, ahead of formally considering them as part of the AGM process,” she said.
Replacements for retiring directors Mat Daubney and Ruben Zandman will also be announced at next week’s meeting.
The spring forum agenda is available at westerndairy.com.au and conformation of attendance at the forum and AGM should be directed to Esther Jones on 0418 931 938 or esther@westerndairy.com.au