The Value of a Good Farm Office
04/14/2022
I’ve visited over 600 different family business offices in the last several years, and it is interesting to see the differences in the size and design of each. Some are little more than a closet in a corner of their house, some are a separate area of the farm shop, while others are elaborate and as professional as that of a Fortune 500 Company. The largest one that any of my farm clients has is 3 stories tall with it’s own cafeteria for up to 100 employees and visitors, and a greenhouse that supplies year-round vegetables for the cafeteria.
Regardless of the size and investment, the key to me has always been functionality. A business may be able to justify the cost, but if it isn’t accomplishing the management and leadership needs of the business it isn’t serving its core purpose. Many of my western feedlot clients have very professional offices because they entertain investors on a regular basis, need a significant staff to oversee the finances and resources needed for those commercial cattle feeders, and need to maintain their long-term reputation in that industry. Others get along very well with their minimal office space because they spend most of their time in the production areas, and can share that space very effectively with others.
Here's an article that provides a good review of additional aspects of having a good farm office. Shay Foulk, Ag View Solutions, is the author of this article on the AgWeb site.
Take a look, and consider sharing this link with your clients that need to consider upgrading their office space.
https://www.agweb.com/news/business/technology/brain-your-farm-operation-office
Don Tyler
ASAC Member
Tyler & Associates
I’ve visited over 600 different family business offices in the last several years, and it is interesting to see the differences in the size and design of each. Some are little more than a closet in a corner of their house, some are a separate area of the farm shop, while others are elaborate and as professional as that of a Fortune 500 Company. The largest one that any of my farm clients has is 3 stories tall with it’s own cafeteria for up to 100 employees and visitors, and a greenhouse that supplies year-round vegetables for the cafeteria.
Regardless of the size and investment, the key to me has always been functionality. A business may be able to justify the cost, but if it isn’t accomplishing the management and leadership needs of the business it isn’t serving its core purpose. Many of my western feedlot clients have very professional offices because they entertain investors on a regular basis, need a significant staff to oversee the finances and resources needed for those commercial cattle feeders, and need to maintain their long-term reputation in that industry. Others get along very well with their minimal office space because they spend most of their time in the production areas, and can share that space very effectively with others.
Here's an article that provides a good review of additional aspects of having a good farm office. Shay Foulk, Ag View Solutions, is the author of this article on the AgWeb site.
Take a look, and consider sharing this link with your clients that need to consider upgrading their office space.
https://www.agweb.com/news/business/technology/brain-your-farm-operation-office
Don Tyler
ASAC Member
Tyler & Associates
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