BUSINESS DWN BUSINESS GROUPS
Connecting on the rural business journey
Muffins and champagne are on offer at the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Business Groups meeting.
Helping each other succeed is all part of being a member of the Dairy Women’s Network Pukekohe Business Group. Sheryl Haitana reports.
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he Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Pukekohe Business Group is an example of farmers and rural professionals connecting on their personal development and business journeys. DWN trustee Mark Heer says the strength of the Business Groups is women are creating connections, relationships and trust to help each other on their personal and business journeys. “From my observation of the business groups, they all have that magic moment when the group comes together. There is good sharing within the group and that trust builds and there comes a point where something just clicks.” Mark says he has been in the privileged position to be invited to join the Pukekohe group which has been running for almost two years. The Pukekohe group is diverse, ranging from dairy farmers to rural bankers and consultants. They meet 10 times a year to discuss a range of topics of interest, from climate change to personal wellbeing. 30
Each member of the group has an opportunity to share their story and their business and personal goals. The group regularly checks in with each other on their progress. “There is a nice element of accountability to ourselves and our group to stay true to ourselves,” Mark says.
PUKEKOHE BUSINESS GROUP
• How many people in a group? Eight. • Where do they meet? Usually in a Farm Source meeting room. • Does it involve cake? Of course. • How often? Monthly (10x a year). • Meeting format? 10am-2pm. We always start with a ‘thought of the day’ that is inspiring, then we move into a number of topics that we address including top of mind, business finance, health and wellbeing, farming technical and professional development. • Cost? $500/year + GST.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Karaka dairy farmer Sally Guy says being part of the DWN Pukekohe Business Group has helped build her confidence and knowledge of her business. Sally and her husband Chris milk 200 cows and have just opened a daycare on the farm. Coming from a farming background, often farmers don’t have that business background and have to develop those skills that are common in the corporate world, she says. Being able to pick the brains of the rural professionals in their Pukekohe group is a great way to pick up those skills as well as to get a different perspective on her business. “I think it’s a real positive having a diverse group, people wear different hats and have different experiences.” People with a corporate background get to learn how farmers are operating and doing things on the ground, and the farmers get a more corporate insight. Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | June 2021
