Course Summary:

As a result of the dynamic changes occurring in the Agricultural sector due to legislative and transformation imperatives, in particular land reform and the need to maintain and expand commercial production on such lands, the need exists to up skill key stakeholders in this sector in the non-technical aspects of agrimanagement, leadership and mentorship to ensure sustainability of agribusiness practices.

The role of mentors in this environment to operate as facilitator, coach and project leader cannot be under estimated and it is for this reason that they have been identified, through an extensive industry consultation process, as the prime beneficiaries of an innovative and practical short course training programme offered 

Course Objectives:

The overall goal of the training programme is:
To develop the human capacity of mentors in the agribusiness environment to advice, coach, and nurture in order to create viable relationships that enhance professional growth and development

From this overall goal the objective is:
To provide well prepared mentors in the agribusiness sector with:

• A basic understanding of the importance of selected management, leadership and mentorship concepts within the context of the agri-leadership, agrimentorship and agri-extension sector;
• An understanding of the context (legislative and organisational) within which agribusiness is to be conducted within the organisation;
• An understanding of the importance of non-technical skills relating to effective performance in the agrisector, specifically agri-extension; and
• An opportunity for mentors to practice management, leadership and mentorship skills.

Course Outline

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS ETHICS

• Explain the concept of leadership;
• Differentiate between leadership and management;
• Understand the changing context of leadership and management (21st century);
• Motivate individuals and teams; assess their personal leadership and management styles as well as those of their team members;
• Understand the moral foundation of effective leadership and management;
• Distinguish between the various leadership styles
• Apply the six steps model to effective leadership
• Understanding the underlying forces at play when leading others (role of power)
• Role of communication in managing and leading people
• Apply creativity as a leadership tool;
• Understand the principles of managing and leading a team, as well as team dynamics;
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of working in a team or group
• Identify the characteristics of an effective team
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of individuals in a team
• Identify techniques to manage group dynamics
• List the critical success factors of effective teams
• Discuss the issue of team building and where the team is – forming, storming,norming or performing;
• Understand the difference between morality, ethics and professionalism;
• Know how to identify moral dilemmas in the workplace and how to manage them;
• Understand the intention and purpose of the Codes of Conduct;
• Apply the principles of a code of conduct to workplace based scenarios;
• Apply sound business ethics in managing and leading teams;
• Understand management in the context of a communal system;
• Be aware of the agribusiness model;
• Understand the differences between the legal entities;
• Distinguish between development and empowerment; and
• Embed ethics into the agribusiness environment.

MENTORING AND COACHING 

• Understand the process of mentoring and coaching;
• Appreciate the positive impacts of mentoring and coaching on the organisation and individuals concerned;
• Select coaching techniques and methodology;
• Understand the principles of effective mentoring and coaching; give feedback and provide constructive criticisms to peers and team members;
• Develop a positive relationship with their learning partner so that he/she can develop holistically, thereby ensuring that both of them are valuable assets to the organisation;
• Use practical tools and techniques for effective mentoring and coaching;
• Understand the definition of mentoring and coaching;
• Be aware of the do’s and don’ts with regards to mentoring and coaching;
• Understand the importance of non verbal communication within the mentoring context;
• Be aware of the effect cultural aspects has on mentoring and coaching;
• Understand the importance of time management within the mentoring context; and
• Be aware of language barriers within the coaching and mentoring process.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT 

• Explain why change management is an important process for organisations to achieve sustainable results;
• Understand the macro environment which triggers change;
• Identify communication processes with regards to a planned change;
• Identify an example of a planned change and reactive change in an organisation;
• Describe a model for effective change management;
• Identify reasons for resistance to change and indicate ways to over come them;
• See how change is essential to fulfilling the organisational vision;
• Create a change vision and effectively communicate it;
• Explain the benefits of changing to others, and what will happen if change does not occur
• Understand and effectively manage the transition process in other employees
• Explain what a paradigm is and why they blind us to new opportunities
• Create “buy in” and ownership of the new way in others
• Comprehend why change initiatives fail
• Assess the importance of leadership in change
• Understand practices that make the acceptance of change smoother
• Consider Blanchard’s “Seven Dynamics of Change” Model and incorporate this understanding into their change management style
• Comprehend that resistance to change is natural, should be expected and can be of benefit to “change agents”

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT / NEGOTIATION SKILLS 

• Distinguish between functional and dysfunctional conflict;
• Identify the causes of conflict in organisations;
• Identify the different forms of conflict;
• Understand the defence mechanisms that individuals exhibit when they engage in interpersonal conflict;
• Describe effective techniques for managing conflict;
• Facilitate conflict between team members;
• Understand the five styles of conflict management, and identify their own preferred style;
• Comprehend the meaning of “negotiating”, the preconditions for negotiations and its conflict resolution potential;
• Prepare for a negotiation using the six step method;
• Apply the principles of negotiation to a simulated scenario;
• Distinguish between problems, challenges, and matters requiring a decision;
• Investigate techniques for solving problems and making decisions;
• Identify a problem in a real life situation; and
• Apply appropriate problem solving techniques or tool to propose a solution or make a decision.

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS PLANNING

• Understand goal-setting theory;
• Understand the importance of recording goals;
• Set personal goals, business goals & lifetime goals effectively;
• Achieve their goals;
• Use different goal setting tools & tips;
• Understand SMART goals;
• Know how to build further practical plans of action;
• Utilise entrepreneurial and innovative tools and techniques;
• Understand the agricultural production value chain;
• Understanding of a business as a performance driven organisation;
• Develop a business plan as a entrepreneur; and
• Unlocking technology to achieve business goals.

AGRIBUSINESS GOVERNANCE 

• Legislative requirements for agri-governance;
• Determine own accountability in respect of agri-governance;
• Identify and access the relevant legislative requirements for agri-government;
• Fair employment practices;
• Skills development;
• Preferential procurement;
• Business development;
• Socio-economic development; 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Project scope management;
• Project time management;
• Project cost management;
• Project quality management;
• Project integration;
• Project procurement management;
• Project risk management;
• Project human resource management; and
• Project communications management. 

FINANCE FOR NON-FINANCIAL MANAGERS 

• Tell the story of financial statements
• Compile and understand the balance sheet, the income statement, the cash flow
• statement, and how they interact
• Understand debits and credits
• Understand double entry accounting
• Understand what assets, liabilities, expenses and income really are
• Understand equity and the accounting equation
• Understand accruals
• Understand reserves