Some basic fundamentals underpin business, regardless of its type.
A satisfied customer is a repeat customer is a referral customer. Many businesses are chasing new customers and not servicing their existing customers well enough.
Every effort should be made to turn customers into clients where repeat business is just a formality.
Now in a semi-retired life I continue to undertake some annual tasks, which I pencil into my diary at the start of each year.
Melbourne University, Murdoch University, Meat & Livestock Australia and Cleve Area School are all scheduled for my annual input.
In all cases I have a long and well-established relationship with the leader of the programs.
Melbourne University's Professor Bill Malcolm and I attended Primary School at Hopetoun together in the Vic Mallee some 60 years ago.
I share with his students what I have learned in my consulting career. I am very open with the group and share many of my life's lessons.
I emphasise the importance of experiencing a range of employment options so the career they decide upon is the best one.
At Murdoch University I have been a long-time colleague of Professor Andrew Thompson and lecturer Serina Hancock.
I work with their animal science students, which has a high number of overseas members and is predominantly female.
My focus is to work through my trusty presentations "Creating and Positive Future" and Consulting and Extension Tips.
This is followed by case study work where the students are placed in consulting roles. It allows their academic learning to be aligned in a work-place context.
Each year I also work with the MLA's Livestock Consultant Internship program, run by Ben Reeve at Meridian Agriculture.
This program provides young graduates, who have just embarked on a consulting career, to gain some training to fast track their careers.
It was a real pleasure working with this group - they were well presented, respectful and inquisitive, which makes for a rewarding experience.
My teaching at Cleve Area School came about through my mentorship with young farmer Dion Woolford at Kimba.
He knew I was disappointed that people and financial management were not adequately taught in schools.
Dion was involved in a curriculum committee, which lead to my engagement to teach the senior agriculture students at Cleve.
I focus on placing emphasis on more effective human interaction and financial management in a farming context.
Having spent the past four decades working with and focusing on the development and needs of the younger generation in the workforce, mainly farming, I think it is my duty to share what I have learned during the journey.
Passing the baton should be a "must do" for everyone, regardless of what you do in life.
After all, I have learnt most of what I know by observing and learning from good operators in my generation and the one before me.
