http://www.artipot.com/authors/381/wayne-messick/ Latest articles by Wayne Messick from Artipot - your one-stop resource for free articles. http://www.artipot.com/articles/440420/farm-succession-planning-schedule-regular-meetings-to-review-your-progress.htm The farm succession planning process, and it is indeed a process, generally begins when someone has convinced a member of the family to have that first family meeting. The idea, at least in the minds of a few is that this meeting will set in motion, like a snowball rolling down hill, the succession planning process with enough momentum to sweep aside any detractors. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:22:29 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/440420/farm-succession-planning-schedule-regular-meetings-to-review-your-progress.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/439868/farm-succession-plans-almost-always-fail.htm During my career I have found that most succession plans fail. The plan itself might or might not have achieved the family's objectives for farm succession and transition to the next generation, but it ran out of gas before it was ever completed. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:33:22 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/439868/farm-succession-plans-almost-always-fail.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/438045/farm-succession-when-you-get-a-round-tuit.htm For a farm succession plan to succeed there must be a timetable for specific actions to take place. Everyone involved must be able to see when certain benchmarks are reached. If there is no agreement on when certain elements of the process will be put in place - why should they believe you are really serious about farm succession planning this time either? Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:45:18 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/438045/farm-succession-when-you-get-a-round-tuit.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/435502/farm-succession-and-planning-key-write-everything-down.htm Farm succession and planning is such a never-ending process that what was said during your first conversation with your spouse or another family member can take place weeks even months before you share what was discussed with your advisers. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:17:52 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/435502/farm-succession-and-planning-key-write-everything-down.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/430391/farm-succession-typically-requires-you-to-rethink-your-farms-organizational-structure.htm When it comes to farm succession planning, aka passing down the farm or farm estate planning, there are seven keys - the most important of which is this. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:33:06 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/430391/farm-succession-typically-requires-you-to-rethink-your-farms-organizational-structure.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/413434/farm-succession-planning-is-passing-down-the-farm-right.htm The benefits of the passing down the farm succession process begin the day you get serious about designing the future you want for your farm and your family. And the process continues forever, just like your family's involvement in the farm will extend far beyond the lifetimes of everyone living today. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:18:15 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/413434/farm-succession-planning-is-passing-down-the-farm-right.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/412570/farm-succession-appoint-a-planning-coordinator-to-steer-the-process.htm If someone must be put in charge of the farm succession process who will keep mom and dad in the loop, keep the advisors moving forward, and keep an eye out for successful succession strategies being used by their peers for ideas that work - who should it be? The planning coordinator's job is to ask questions, assemble information, talk with everyone involved, etc. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:46:18 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/412570/farm-succession-appoint-a-planning-coordinator-to-steer-the-process.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/412355/whole-life-vs-term-business-insurance-agents-know-whats-best-for-you.htm Of the many things that business insurance agents can do, one is to handle questions about whole life vs. term policies. This article looks at some of the differences between whole life and term - as well as discussing the vital role your business insurance agent plays in helping you make the best decisions possible, which is right for you when. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:57:16 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/412355/whole-life-vs-term-business-insurance-agents-know-whats-best-for-you.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/411920/what-family-business-consultants-do.htm Family business consultants can help families look at things from the outside in. Let's face it, we all want to take care of our families and we want to take care of our businesses - in part because a well cared for business will take care of us. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:25:23 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/411920/what-family-business-consultants-do.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/410748/when-it-comes-to-farm-succession-planning-you-must-be-willing-to-ask-for-help.htm Passing down the farm is a many faceted equation, and because it is unlikely that you have already been through it recently, it will require you to ask for help from those likely to know more than you. It includes elements of strategic planning, farm succession planning, and farm estate planning. Are you willing to set your ego aside and ask for help or not? Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:29:30 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/410748/when-it-comes-to-farm-succession-planning-you-must-be-willing-to-ask-for-help.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/408613/farm-succession-involves-setting-critically-important-goals.htm If you sincerely want to treat your non-farm heirs fairly, give your successors a real chance to grow the business for their children and all the while keeping the existing farm intact - you need to think outside the box a little. Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:08:59 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/408613/farm-succession-involves-setting-critically-important-goals.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/406923/farm-succession-is-a-process-not-an-event.htm That's right, farm succession is not an event, like going to the Dentist's office - something you probably do only when you have a tooth ache that has beaten out your usual remedies. Farm succession should be more of a life style. It should start early, is adjusted often, and be constantly in focus. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:22:06 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/406923/farm-succession-is-a-process-not-an-event.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/405931/what-a-business-strategic-development-plan-should-include.htm A business strategic development plan serves as a framework for decision-making or for securing support and approval from partners, employees or stockholders. The plan itself can be as simple and straightforward as the organization wants it to be, based on the way it normally makes its decisions. The key is not what the plan itself looks like, rather how the conclusions are... Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:41:51 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/405931/what-a-business-strategic-development-plan-should-include.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/405729/are-farm-succession-and-strategic-planning-the-same-thing.htm Strategic planning, when done in conjunction with succession planning, focuses your energies and those of everyone around you in a common targeted direction. And by clarifying what actions you need to take to get where you want to be, lots of other things become unimportant and can be discarded out of hand. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:04:20 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/405729/are-farm-succession-and-strategic-planning-the-same-thing.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/404781/what-is-the-key-to-family-business-management-succession-planning.htm When it comes to family business management succession planning, and farm succession planning for that matter, there are lots of "keys" - virtually all of then claim to be the most important one. The truth is that there really is only one most important key to succession planning and it is not what you are probably thinking. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:44:08 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/404781/what-is-the-key-to-family-business-management-succession-planning.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/404444/farm-succession-the-7-keys-to-successfully-passing-down-the-farm.htm As a farmer, what do you think of when the term "farm succession" is mentioned? Or as it is usually referred to, passing down the farm? Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:24:26 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/404444/farm-succession-the-7-keys-to-successfully-passing-down-the-farm.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/348494/helpful-tips-for-internet-conference-calls.htm Before you can accurately determine which of the many conference call services are for you, you must consider what you want the experience and the response of the people you are inviting to be. If this is a free introductory call you may opt for one type of solution, if you are clearly selling something or if the invitees are already your paying customers - there are other... Tue, 12 May 2009 17:18:00 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/348494/helpful-tips-for-internet-conference-calls.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/347050/a-look-at-financial-retirement-planning.htm From the point of view of farm estate planners, financial retirement planning requires a concrete strategic and savings plan. In more traditional businesses employees and owners often use an IRA, 401K or other type of investment. When it comes to farmers and agribusiness owners the answer to the questions, how much do you need to save and where will it come from, brings... Mon, 11 May 2009 14:04:10 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/347050/a-look-at-financial-retirement-planning.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/345962/the-importance-of-management-succession-planning.htm Management succession planning is more important today than ever before. Global competition is fierce and succession planning mistakes a successful business could absorb only a few years ago can absorb the business completely - hardly leaving a wet spot. Sun, 10 May 2009 18:02:52 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/345962/the-importance-of-management-succession-planning.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/336643/who-needs-family-business-consultants-and-why.htm According to the results of a recent survey, most family-owned companies need family business consultants, primarily because of succession planning or actually the lack of it. And because most companies are considered "family owned", the majority of all companies face the possibility of losing their life's work because they have not kept their eye on the ball when it comes... Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:07:33 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/336643/who-needs-family-business-consultants-and-why.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/331380/how-is-term-life-insurance-like-wetting-the-bed.htm You may not have thought of the comparison, but it's accurate. Term life insurance is like wetting the bed because it provides immediate relief, but sooner or later you are going to have to get up and do something about it. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:25:06 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/331380/how-is-term-life-insurance-like-wetting-the-bed.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/330365/marketing-professional-services-today.htm Marketing professional services is sometimes done reluctantly. For years, professionals relied on word of mouth advertising, personal relationships and the quality of their service to speak for itself. If you are a service provider and you want to grow your business or even remain at the level you currently enjoy, you need to do more. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:00:14 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/330365/marketing-professional-services-today.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/329751/strategic-planning-for-business-a-few-suggestions.htm Strategic planning for business growth is an absolute necessity if you want to succeed. You may not realize it but not planning is planning by default. The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the planning, or not, that you are doing right now. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:33:32 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/329751/strategic-planning-for-business-a-few-suggestions.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/317705/finding-small-business-accountants-to-strengthen-your-company.htm Small business accountants can provide a great deal more than just general bookkeeping. Choosing the right small business accountant can help you grow your business with their advice in advance of your decisions more efficiently and cost effectively than almost anything else you can do. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:46:46 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/317705/finding-small-business-accountants-to-strengthen-your-company.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/314334/how-to-create-an-effective-articles-marketing-strategy.htm Before attempting to tell you, based on my experience, how to develop an effective articles marketing strategy - let me illustrate why it is important that you do so. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:18:35 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/314334/how-to-create-an-effective-articles-marketing-strategy.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/312045/when-marketing-professional-services-dont-try-to-be-all-things-to-all-people.htm As a professional solution provider do you try to "specialize" in everything? Or do you specialize with every person in your niche, providing the services each of them require? Let me explain. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:29:46 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/312045/when-marketing-professional-services-dont-try-to-be-all-things-to-all-people.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/309315/professional-partnering-the-key-to-effective-growth-for-you-and-your-clients.htm If you have been serving business owners for very long you have come to some important conclusions. You only know what you know, you can only see what you see, and there are other professionals with blind spots in different places than you. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:40:39 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/309315/professional-partnering-the-key-to-effective-growth-for-you-and-your-clients.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/306706/are-you-looking-for-your-niche-in-all-the-wrong-places.htm I've heard dozens and dozens of life insurance agents, coaches, and other professional solution providers complain that they have not been able to find their ideal niche. Is that a problem for you too? Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:59:41 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/306706/are-you-looking-for-your-niche-in-all-the-wrong-places.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/305771/professional-service-providers-what-you-must-know-about-marketing-professional-services-today.htm Many people think that marketing - the single most important thing any of us can do to increase our business - is supposed to result in new clients. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:44:37 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/305771/professional-service-providers-what-you-must-know-about-marketing-professional-services-today.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/304892/a-detailed-guide-to-small-business-email-marketing.htm If you run a small business, your ultimate goal should be simple - to get a lot of new customers and clients, to retain existing customers, and to improve your business consistently. You should find the most effective way to do it and broaden the scope of your business and that way is email marketing. Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:41:38 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/304892/a-detailed-guide-to-small-business-email-marketing.htm