A simple business model does not mean it is easy to execute – these are two different things.

Recently, I had a farming business explain to me how it goes about things.

It was easily articulated to me in about 20 minutes and made complete sense.

The proof is in the pudding, though, as this farming family are highly successful.

Execution of the strategy is the key, though; this encompasses many steps.

The obvious ones are production-related.

Others can include things such as financial capacity and building relationships.

Having confidence to stay the course with the business model is another trait of successful farming operations.

Agriculture is never linear, and sometimes things do not go to plan.

Being able to look past this with an end goal in mind will get businesses through the inevitable hurdles that come up.

Communication is a key element in all areas of life; this includes farming.

In some ways, I think it is even more important in rural areas, as everyone generally knows each other, and reputations – good and bad – spread quickly.

An example is the people who have a reputation for being good or bad payers.

For those who deliberately delay payment of invoices, it shows short-term thinking as favours invariably are not reciprocated.

With a relatively simple business model, it is much easier to scale than with a multi-enterprise complex operation.

Being known as a dependable supplier also goes a long way.

This can open up opportunities for agribusinesses, as they are known far and wide as someone who follows through with promises.

Under-promising and over-delivering is more preferable than the alternative.

With a relatively simple business model, it is much easier to scale than with a multi-enterprise complex operation.

Knowing what the next step is and getting on with it is much easier in a more straightforward operation.

Another advantage of a scalable farming business is that it is much easier for staff to be trained and for them to understand what is required and to get on with the task at hand.

People almost exclusively want to do a good job, and this is easier to do when the role is clearly explained.

While a relatively straightforward business model is an element of running a successful farming business, another key is having a passion for what you do.

Having an easily understandable business model will only get you so far.

Without a real interest in what you are doing, the results will founder over time.

Almost all the successful farming operations I have seen over the journey are the quintessential 40-year overnight success.

Or in farming, they are more likely to be multi-generational overnight success.

Having the ability to adapt and change over time is a good character trait, and good businesses do this.

But equally, once they know what their model is going to be, they get to work with laser-like focus.