In this Q+A series, we’ve asked our Coaches to share their insights into the work they do and how our services can support you. Whether you’re looking for guidance on Leadership, Succession Planning, or Business & Strategy, this series will give you a deeper understanding of how we help Rural New Zealanders navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Our goal? To provide the knowledge, tools, and support you need to move forward with clarity, confidence, and a strong network behind you.
Read our Partner in Central Canterbury, Banks Peninsula and West Coast, Chris Coughlan's Q+A below.
Who are your typical clients?
A Mix:
Rural people, individuals, and groups, including community groups like catchment groups
Farmers and their families
Agribusiness - co-ops and companies small and large, they need good plans (strategy) and want high-performing teams just like the farmers do 😉
Agricultural sector lead organisations - supporting them and supporting them to support their farmers/growers
Which Rural Coach services are most popular with your clients?
For farming families, it is frequently Succession Planning, some prefer the words 'transition' and 'continuity', for some the reality may be 'exit'. It is the Mum and Dad Farmer trying to grapple with how to move into retirement, maintaining an income and lifestyle that reflects their years of hard work. Societal change has led to fair and even consideration for their children, often knowing that the farm cannot be split and remain profitable, let alone remain in the family.
For farming and community groups, it is often a Strategy as they clarify what success means (looks like, feels like, sounds like) for them. This will provide their direction of travel to get there, they also need to understand where they are now. Being clear on where they are going and where they are now allows them to identify the actions they need to take to bridge the gap and achieve their goals.
For multi-farm businesses and agri organisations and businesses, it is often about capturing the opportunity for improvement through their staff/people and our Farm Teams & High Performance programmes. Understanding ourselves and others better is the first step, or just want to continually improve by creating the next stretch.
What are the most common challenges you see your clients facing?Knowing where to start, Rural Coach offers our farming and rural business clients a simple framework and processes to work through. Frameworks that provide confidence, allow them to maintain control of the process, mitigating challenging dynamics (family or staff) that often come into play. The independence of Rural Coach creates a safe environment for both themselves and those around them whom they need to engage.
Finding the funds to commit to the process - for some, it is weighing up the potential cost to family harmony and business of NOT doing it. And where finances are truly a challenge it is always worth asking us if there is funding support. If some exists, we will know where you can apply. While there are never guarantees for success, it's always worth asking the question!
What factors do you see commonly preventing clients from achieving their dreams/objective
For Succession Planning, it's the fear of disrupting family harmony. Conversations that are had in isolation from the whole family around the table and can cause assumptions in the absence of 'knowing'.
For strategy or creating a plan, it is the tension of 'always having the job to do', versus taking time out to plan ahead. Creating a framework that is simple enough to get a plan started enables farmers to soon realise they have not only created a plan but created time
What gives you the most joy when working with your clients?
The long-lasting nature of results and relationships. The interconnection between the services we offer (Business & Strategy and Succession Planning and Farm Teams & High Performance) - this sees clients come back for more. Seeing the relief on my clients' faces when they realise they are not alone, they grow in confidence to lead and fulfil their goals.
Tell us about any recent client wins.
Going back to see a startup Hort business that created a vision and a plan (Strategy) for their business to move and become independent. Originally they were set up at the Lincoln BHU (Biological Husbandry Unit). This small testing ground enabled Amy and Scott to provide evidence and prove they could create a business out of growing chillies. They now have leased land, built greenhouses and installed other necessary infrastructure. They have experienced a part season and now head into their first full season of production.
If you're ready to take the next step— whether it's gaining clarity on Leadership, tackling Succession Planning, or setting a long-term vision—we're here to help. Click here to find a Coach in your region.
