Why We Meet: Building an Elite Remote Team

While technology has enabled seamless remote collaboration, there's no substitute for the rich dynamics that in-person meetings bring. Investing in face-to-face interactions for a remote team is an investment in building a resilient, high-performing, and united workforce. There are at least five ways in which we improve our team skills every time we meet:

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Brett MacNeil
Ranchland As an Investment

After what could arguably be some of the toughest drought years in the south and a hellish calving season in the west, ranchers finally have a reason to smile. Record breaking calf and cull cow prices this year have far exceeded expectations.

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Brett MacNeil
The Big “Why”

Is there anyone wiser than a toddler? I’m convinced all of our biggest problems could be solved by connecting more with these little geniuses. One of my favorite toddlerisms is the infamous “why” stage: where these fun-sized humans barrage everything (and everyone) with the question, “why?”.

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Brett MacNeil
US Farmland Returns Begin to Cool in First Half of 2023

US Row Crop Farmland shows signs of cooling in the first two quarters of this year according to the latest NCREIF data. As can be seen above, the quarterly [appreciation rate of 1.0% is down from 2.4% the previous quarter, while the latest year-on-year increase (sum of current and previous three quarterly figures) is 8.7%, down slightly from 9.0% the previous quarter.

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Brett MacNeil
Team-Based Sales and Service Culture: Striving for Collective Success

In the fast-paced and increasingly competitive world of Ag Investing, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to boost productivity, achieve targets, and foster a collaborative work environment. From our founding in 1998, we have implemented and strived to support a team-based sales and service culture, but like any strategy, there are both pros and cons of such a culture.

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Brett MacNeil
Mindset vs. Skillset

In the pursuit of personal and professional growth, two powerful forces come into play: mindset and skillset. Both are essential components that contribute to our success and shape our ability to navigate challenges effectively. One without the other is severely limiting.  However, if interconnected, mindset and skillset can play distinct and synergistic roles in our journey towards achieving our goals.

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Brett MacNeil
My Forever Contract

Helene Cser, our Systems & Services Manager, was recently married to Michael Fulton on a beach in Jamaica. This is her unique take on marriage, contracts, and teamwork. …And congratulations to Helene from her Scythe & Spade Family!

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Brett MacNeil
Team Synergy, Pulled Off

Teams play a crucial role in all organizations,  not just sports.  After the Princeton upset over my Arizona alma matter,  Princeton Coach Henderson spoke “not of lucky breaks but of a plan,  generations in the making, Pulled off.”

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Brett MacNeil