Enterprising Rural Families Risks in the Family Business
William Taylor
University of Wyoming – Cooperative Extension
Newcastle, Wyoming, USA
John P. Hewlett
University of Wyoming – Cooperative Extension
Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Gail Gordon - University of Wyoming – CES
Randy Weigel - University of Wyoming – CES
John Reeve - Lifeline – Queensland Australia
Lorne Owen - Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services – BC Canada
A Global Online
Family Business Course
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Project objectives
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To develop and deliver an international, online credit and non-credit course
To teach a process for finding success,
resilience, and satisfaction for rural families
engaged in enterprises
To collaborate with educators and family
businesses in the United States, Australia,
and Canada
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The Enterprising
Rural Families
Model
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The basic structure of the
Enterprising Rural Families Model
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The Individual
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The Family
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The Business
The IndividualFamily Overlap
The IndividualFamily Systems
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The IndividualBusiness Overlap
The IndividualBusiness Systems
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The FamilyBusiness Systems
The FamilyBusiness Overlap
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The Immediate Community
Surrounding the Systems
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The External
Environment
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The Rural
Family Enterprise
The Enterprise Overlap
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The Planning
Process:
A progression
of family
enterprise
planning
Planning:
Ongoing and
Dynamic
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Six Month Course
Consists of:
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Written
presentations
Online chat
sessions
Threaded
discussions
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Readings
Viewing of
videos
Case studies
Vignettes
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Slide Presentations
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Video Presentations
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Readings
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Threaded
Discussion
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ChatLive Window
Leader
Participant 1
Participant 2
Participant 3
Participant 4
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Activities
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Final Project
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Project Option A
The Individual
Quality of Life Plan
Tools
•Retirement/career assessment
•Risk management style
•Time balance management
•Stress/health management
Financial
Health Strategy
Tools
•Personal financial
management
•Later life security and
retirement plan
•Legal health plan
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Project Option B
The Family
Family Resilience Plan
Tools
•Problem solving
•Family job description
•Conflict resolution
•Family meeting
•Family financial plan
•Coping with stress and crisis
Balancing
Family/Business
Tools
•Family meeting
•Time management
•“Living in same yard”
•Compensation plan
•Family financial plan
•Integrate next generation
•Conflict resolution 30
Project Option C
The Business
Family
Business Handbook
Family Business
Meeting Plan
Tools
Tools
•Human resource plan
•Policies
•Business charter
•Conduct
•Conflict approach
•Advisory council
•Problem solving
•Decision making
•Facilitation
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Project Option D
The Community
Community
Decision Making
Tools
•Public policy decision models
•Roles and functions of
chambers, civic groups, and
trade associations
•Local government boards
and commissions
How Rural
Economics Work
Tools
•Culture and values of
local economy
•Models that identify
economic movers/shakers
•Creating alternative
economics
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Learning Log
Learning Cycle
Experience
Plan
Observe
& Reflect
Generalize
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ERF Library
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Benefits to Students
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Provide an on-going, rich learning
experience for participants
Increase the appreciation of cultural
differences and similarities
Foster a positive working climate among
global partners
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What Participants Get
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Access to tools
Exposure to skills necessary for moving
forward
Ideas for alternatives
Rich learning environment
Forum for sharing ideas with others
Guidance and support from educators and
experts
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What Participants Accomplish
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Better understanding of their situation
Recognize their potential and act on
opportunities with confidence
Develop ideas to address change
Work on self-directed plan to address their
specific situation for moving forward
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Example Assessments –
a demonstration
What are your family rules?
How do we handle decision-making?
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http://eRuralFamilies.org
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