Saskatchewan Women in Ag participants told a positive online reputation can help with personal and business dealings
Social media posts can derail a young professional’s best intentions or a farm’s business reputation, said a business adviser.
During a Saskatchewan Women in Ag coaching session Jan. 11 in Saskatoon, participants moved between a dozen tables to discuss topics as varied as farm succession, mentoring and property management.
Daria Malin, owner of Boost Strategic Coaching, said personal and business life all ties together to create an overall impression. She noted how companies or clients often search online to learn about people they are considering working with.
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“They will have formed an opinion of you based on what they find before they even meet you,” said Malin.
“Be deliberate and careful with anything you do online or off, interacting with the public, to ensure your reputation is what you want it to be rather than the market deciding what (your) story is,” she said.
Malin said that’s important for future business dealings.
“Networking and referrals are the least expensive and most effective marketing,” she said.
She advised the mainly agribusiness women in attendance to ask themselves three questions: What do I do? Why does it matter? Who should care?
Malin said that will help to better explain what a farm business is, who it serves and how it is different.
“Regardless of what business you’re in, everybody needs to know answers to that,” she said.
Malin said that can help women find their voice in the male-dominated industry of agriculture.
“Any tools that can be given to help define that and help get them known for their abilities and expertise in a field is a benefit and will help advance careers in agriculture,” said Malin.
At another table, stress and negativity were tackled by Glenda Ball of Lead Up coaching services.
She told women that thoughts like, “I have to go to a meeting,” instead of “I need or choose to go”, sets the stage for a negative experience.
Ball said people who take the more negative approach are less likely to participate, be less open-minded and less likely to take on tasks.
These people are the ones looking at their cellphones and sitting off to the side appearing disinterested, she said.
On interacting with difficult people you must work with every day, she suggested asking questions to clarify what he is thinking and why he wants something done a particular way.
“That can really change your experience with people,” she said.
Similarly, a long commute each day can go from chore to pleasure if viewed as an opportunity for you to relax and listen or sing along to music.
