A Simple Way to Turn Snail Email into a World Class Connection
By Robyn Pearce
(518 words)
A few years ago, on a frosty Taumarunui morning, myself and Dr Richard Templer, GM Research & Development, Meat & Wool New Zealand were presenters at a Sheep Council/National Bank seminar I’d asked the large group for their best time-saving tips and shortcuts.
‘Get broadband internet’, said Richard.
‘We can’t get it where we are,’ replied someone else.
‘Satellite is the answer,’ replied Richard. ‘My father runs a farm fertiliser consultancy near Te Awamutu. He used to be faxed soil tests and other information.While the lab could easily e-mail them, a very slow dial-up meant that this didn’t work.Dad switched to satellite broadband and can now get more detailed test results faster (and in colour). He also now manages the business using on-line banking and can e-mail clients their reports.
‘Broadband has reduced double-handling, improved the time taken to deliver results to clients, created a more modern business image and given him a better handle on the business performance.
‘It has also kept him in the information age and allowed him to stay in contact with family all over the world.’
Richard then went on to tell us about a then recent Landcorp survey. Although a State Owned Enterprise they’re effectively the largest single farmer in the country with 110 farms and over 380,000 hectares spread around the country. They realised that their staff would run their business far more efficiently with timely and uninterrupted access to the internet. 33 farms were able to get ADSL (or DCL); the other 77 are now on high speed satellite broadband (from Iconz).
So what has Landcorp achieved as of August 2007? Even this partial list is impressive.
• Access to farm information in electronic rather than written form, thereby reducing the need for data re-entry.
• Online purchasing brings savings from consolidated buying
• Electronic identification means genetics information of all animals can easily be linked to all forms of performance
• They now electronically submit animal health status forms
• GPS-based paddock information assists with both trucked and aerial fertiliser
• Their farm Q & A system is online, saving much query time
Not only has their initial outlay already been recouped just with the saving in data entry, but big gains in profitability are coming from better management. This is partly because all levels of management can access pertinent information swiftly. It’s also because they all understand their business better.
Rural broadband = better faster information = more time to do high-value work and/or more time off = a better bottom line and a happier family life.
If you’re a reluctant starter, once you become familiar with internet technology you’ll wonder why you took so long. Whether on- or off-farm it has completely changed the way all of us, city and rural, move and process information – for the better. Every now and then I stop to consider the changes we’ve seen in just 10 years. Think about some of your recent emails, and how long that same information would have taken to reach you 10 or 15 years ago. We do live in pretty amazing times.
Robyn Pearce CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) is the Time Queen. She mastered her own time challenges and now helps people around the world overcome theirs. She can show you how to transform your time challenges into high productivity and the life balance you desire.
Download her free report “How to Master Time In Only 90 Seconds”, a simple yet powerful diagnostic tool to help you identify your key areas for action. You’ll find it at http://www.gettingagrip.com/products/e-books/index.asp And while you’re there, enrol for your free Top Time Tips – practical advice every two weeks
© All Rights Reserved to Robyn Pearce, GettingAGrip.com, PO Box 29 586, Fendalton, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand Ph. + 64 3 351 2140
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