Do you have a plan for your future, or are you going through the motions one day at a time?
There's the old adage that if you don't know where you're going, then any road will get you there - meaning that without a plan, you can find yourself meandering along without purpose or direction. As a result, your short term decision making will be shaped by what's happening in the here and now; with seemingly erratic and non-strategic decisions. This makes it hard to be effective as a leader, and it can make it incredibly frustrating for your team or family members who are looking to you for guidance and direction.
But what does a good business & strategy plan look like, and how do you move from the position you find yourself in today, to a new strategic normal? This is where Rural Coach comes in. Not only do we understand your current situation, we also have a proven strategic planning process that has been developed specifically for New Zealand farmers, and business owners. As people who are "rural at heart", we speak your language and understand your views. It's this life experience, combined with our expertise and strategic framework that enables us to guide New Zealand farming families as they gain clarity on where they want to be and how they intend to get there. Our process is proven, logical, easy-to-follow, and inclusive so that you and everyone in the family or team feels heard and understood.
The result is a strategic blueprint that is written in Plain English, that makes sense to everyone, and that has complete buy-in so that day to day decision making becomes easier, more purposeful and aligned.
Clarity first. Strategy second. Operations third.
At Rural Coach, we help rural families and rural entities build that clarity — and turn it into practical plans that work in the real world.
The Charter: Your Foundation
Before strategy and before operational plans, there needs to be agreement on:
What matters most
How decisions are made
What success looks like
How conflict is navigated
How leadership and succession are approached
How partners or stakeholders are included
For family businesses, this becomes a Family Charter.
For partnerships, trusts or non-family entities, it becomes a Business or Entity Charter.
Different context. Same foundation.
A Charter isn’t a legal document.
It’s a shared framework for how you operate together.
It becomes the reference point for everything that follows.
Strategic Planning — Direction With Alignment
Once your Charter clarifies purpose and expectations, strategic planning becomes easier and more confident.
Instead of asking only:
“Can we grow?”
You start asking:
“Should we grow — and does this align with who we are?”
We guide rural families and entities to:
Define long-term direction
Clarify succession pathways
Align stakeholders around growth decisions
Connect values to future planning
Reduce tension in high-stakes conversations
When your strategy is anchored in shared clarity, decisions feel less reactive and more deliberate.
Operational Planning — Turning Clarity into Action
Strategy without operational alignment creates frustration.
That’s why we connect big-picture direction to practical day-to-day structure.
Operational planning may include:
Role clarity and delegation
Decision-making pathways
Meeting structures
Accountability rhythms
Communication agreements
Leadership development
When everyone understands expectations, operations become smoother — and tension reduces naturally.
Free Thriving Farming Families e-Book Download
Many farming families thrive not by luck, but through deliberate planning—aligning values, goals, and decision-making before challenges arise. Central to their success is a Family Charter, which defines shared purpose and guiding principles, supported by Strategic and Operational Plans that turn vision into action. This e-book focuses on the Family Charter, offering nine key insights to help your family build a practical, lasting foundation for both life and business.
Simply fill out the form below and a copy of the eBook will be emailed to you from your local Coach.
Please note: By downloading this eBook, you agree to receive marketing communications from Rural Coach via email and/or phone. We collect your information for the purpose of keeping you informed about our services, industry and team news and promotions. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails or by contacting us at hello@ruralcoach.co.nz.
Who This Is For
We work with:
Multi-generational farming families
Rural partnerships
Sharemilking operations
Agribusiness entities
Trusts and incorporated structures
Boards and governance groups
If more than one voice is involved in decision-making, a Charter-led planning approach is relevant.
What You Can Expect
Working with Rural Coach creates:
Shared clarity across stakeholders
A documented Charter that anchors decision-making
Strategic alignment around direction and succession
Practical operational structure
Greater confidence and reduced friction
This isn’t about creating paperwork. It’s about creating alignment.
Rural Coach offers services that are registered with the Management Capability Development Voucher Fund. Small businesses may qualify for help to pay for services such as training workshops, courses and coaching that build the management capabilities of their owners, operators and key managers.
Planning Your Pathways
Partners Scott Neeley and Brett Robinson break down the Business & Strategy planning process. Our highly experienced coaches will help you define who you are, what you stand for and what you want to achieve.
Testimonials
