Resilience. It’s a word we hear often – but what does it really mean for your horticultural business? At a recent workshop with growers, we explored this question and found that “resilience” means different things to different people. For some, it’s about bouncing back. For others, it’s about enduring. But for many, the term has become so overused that it barely registers anymore.

So, let’s cut through the noise. What does business resilience actually look like—and how do you know if your business is resilient enough to weather the storm?

What Resilience Really Means

Resilient businesses share three key traits:

• They withstand shocks – seasonal, climatic, market, or policy-related.
• They recover quickly – minimising downtime and losses.
• They advance despite adversity – not just surviving, but improving.

Through years of benchmarking across horticultural and broadacre sectors, habits that set resilient businesses apart have been identified. Businesses that have identified these habits don’t just endure – they grow through adopting a model of continual business improvement.

The Habits of Resilient Businesses

If you’re wondering what successful businesses do differently, here’s what we see time and again:

• Know their numbers – If you measure it, you can manage it.
• Control the controllables – Focus energy where it counts.
• Execute with precision – Timing and detail matter.
• Leverage networks – Strong alliances support strong decisions.
• Lead with clarity – Productive teams thrive under clear direction.

But even the best-laid plans can unravel. If you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just treading water, your business may be approaching a storm. The good news? There are steps you can take – starting today.

Turning the Tide: Green Flags for Recovery

If your business is struggling, here’s how to start steering it back on course:

1. Know Your Position

• Build a cash flow budget – understand your cash flow and the available capital position, be prepared and plan ahead.
• Regularly track the budget vs actuals – your budget is only useful if you use it to monitor progress. It is a living management tool.
• Plug the leaks – identify where cash is bleeding from your business and redirect resources.
• Measure your financial metrics – profit, surplus/deficit, operating efficiency.

2. Focus on What You Can Control

• Start with your team – labour is your biggest cost. Invest in your team and make them as productive as possible.
• Seek support – Seek external assistance to help optimise team productivity if you lack the in-house knowhow.

3. Plan with Precision

• Create a detailed production plan – precise timing, clear expectations, clear execution.
• Communicate the plan with the team – whether you have a small or large team, develop a schedule of activities with targets by date. Share progress towards the dates.

4. Stay Connected

• Avoid shutting down – when things get tough, it’s easy to shut down but try to reach out and stay connected.
• Maintain your network – trusted advisors are here to support your business but, can only help if they know what’s going on.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Rising land prices – Don’t let asset growth mask poor returns. Ask: Are we generating a sound return on assets managed?
• Manage costs, don’t cut costs – better performing horticultural businesses do not cut costs, but identify and direct resources to areas of their business that generate greater income (and subsequently increased profit).

Don’t Go It Alone – Reach Out Before It’s Too Late

If your business is struggling, know this: you are not alone. Every grower faces tough seasons, unexpected shocks, and moments of doubt. But resilience isn’t about going it alone – it’s about knowing when to ask for help.

Farm business owners are experts in production and working within the environmental conditions at any given time. Whether you need help understanding your numbers, improving team performance, or someone to talk through your options, identifying that you need more information is recognition of the approaching storm. Seeking external assistance in these areas is important, logical and timely.

Don’t wait until you’re stuck on the rocks. Reach out early. The sooner you act, the more options you have – and the better your chances of turning things around.

The storm will pass, and how your business fares will depend on how well prepared you are to make hard and timely decisions and see it through tough times.

If your business needs assistance, and you would like to talk to a Planfarm consultant, locate our contact details at www.planfarm.com.au.