Succession Planning.

When faced with his own family farm Succession Planning issues Brett immediately saw that the usual farm communication techniques of sitting around the kitchen table or talking over family gatherings were not working. Personally experiencing the frustration, pain and suffering this was causing to all the family prompted Brett to call a Facilitated Family Business Meeting. Although the idea seemed foreign to some family members a meeting was eventually held in the boardroom of an accounting office with a professional facilitator in the chair.

The process followed that day together with the amazing results on both the family and the farm made Brett realise that his skills could be utilised helping other families work through their own process. He undertook professional facilitation training and began assisting other family’s meetings with accounting advice and facilitation to their communication.

“At the end of the day a family has to decide together what is best for them. As a facilitator it is important to remember that you are the chauffer not the driver” - Brett Hills.

In starting his own business Brett was contacted by Rural Industries Skills Training (RIST) to prepare Succession Planning workshops. RIST were looking for someone who understood not only the farming and family issues involved in Succession Planning but who also had a strong grasp on the financial aspects. In response to this Brett prepared and delivered “Planning for Farm Succession”, a one day Succession Planning workshop which has received excellent reviews from all participants.

In a continuing association with RIST Brett is now a specialist presenter, working together with the institution on various succession based seminars and courses.