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How to Spot a Wrong ‘Un in the Food Sectors

 

As a professional recruiter in agri-business and food, I often get asked “What are the characteristics of a successful person in the sectors?” In response, I reel off a list off attributes such as optimism, persistence and high energy. But…and equally important a question much less often asked is “What are the characteristics of unsuccessful people?” So as a minor public service to the sectors, here are some traits of those who are likely to lose you money, so you can then avoid them at your peril:

They always have an excuse. These individuals never take any responsibility for their own mistakes but instead constantly blame everyone else. Occasional excuses are forgivable but serial offenders are in denial. Good management will confess shortcomings and try to learn from errors and improve on them.

They talk and write gobbledegook. We all know these people. They try to blind management, colleagues, suppliers and retailers alike with technical nonsense, because they don’t actually know what they are doing. If they do not understand their customers, market, products and the economics of their business, then in all likelihood they will fail. And if they cannot explain it in plain English, expect the worst.

It is always about them. While driven people are sometimes by nature selfish, their ego’s should not be so overwhelming that they alienate everyone. If that is the case, good people will not work for them and the business involved will not succeed.

All talk and no action. Driven people are men and women of action. Ideas are wonderful but just dreams unless someone executes them.

Are they just too nice? Anyone running a business is obliged to make a tough decision occasionally. A leader who wants to be liked too much and avoids conflict at all costs will end up in trouble.

A favourite one – Being overly obsessed about salary and perks. People should be working to create a business and create some form of shareholder value. If they are in it for the money, they should become an employee in a far bigger organisation.

Fixated over status. Being a senior level individual within a business is a privilege. But the reason to work hard is not the kudos but the satisfaction of creating something and proving detractors wrong.

Financially illiterate. Anyone at the head of a serious business must be able to comfortably interpret financial statements and know the finances of their company. They must be familiar with margins and cashflow.

Secretive backgrounds. Do your homework and background checking to turn over any stones to avoid perhaps initially plausible but unscrupulous individuals.

No team. Successful people are often loners, but companies are collaborative affairs. If someone cannot retain recruit and motivate a management team, the odds are that the business will go the wrong way.

Unhealthy. Check that new employees do not have serious pre-existing conditions that will potentially harm your business.

Chaotic personal lives. Individuals with messy domestic arrangements are likely to be very distracted. This is not a moral observation this is a commercial one.

Political. Most of us have no time for office politics. It seems that many who rise to the top in big companies do so principally owing to their skills at networking and advancing their careers. Those games don’t deliver performance only institutional decay.

An inability to delegate. Micro managers never build great companies because of their desperation for control overrides the true needs of the business. So they inhibit its growth and end up with stunted dictatorships.

Humourless. Life is too short and the need to laugh is paramount. Those who take themselves too seriously are no fun to be around. Even if they are moneymakers, it isn’t worth enduring the boredom and conceit.

I expect you all have your own horror stories of disastrous appointments and sadly, I fear there are more bad leaders than good ones out there.

Max MacGillivray – Director at Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

To see Max’s profile, JUST CLICK HERE

The author

Max MacGillivray
Max founded Redfox in 2002 and is a recognised industry speaker on the Fresh Food, Agri-Business and Social Media sectors. He has an enviable track record in successfully placing top-level candidates – including Chief Executives – for UK and international blue-chip businesses.

Discussion

Fresh jobs

Customer Technical Manager (Waitrose)

Sector: Fresh Produce / Fresh Food / Food Manufacturing / Fast Moving Consumer Goods Job type: Technical Location: Kent Salary: £40,000 - £60,000
FULL DETAILS...

Commercial Manager Required for Probably the Most Exciting Fresh Sector Business There Is In The Market…

Sector: Fresh Produce / Fresh Food / Agriculture / Agri-Business / Horticulture / Food Manufacturing / Fast Moving Consumer Goods / Fresh Food and Drink Job type: Commercial Location: Lincolnshire Salary: £60,000 - £80,000
FULL DETAILS...

Commercial Manager / Executive

Sector: Fresh Produce / Fresh Food / Agriculture / Fast Moving Consumer Goods / Fresh Food and Drink Job type: Commercial Location: Agile Home/Office Working / Cambridgeshire / Belgium / Germany / Holland Salary: £35 - 75K (doe)
FULL DETAILS...
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 day ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Commercial Manager Required for Probably the Most Exciting Fresh Sector Business There Is In The Market via Redfox Executive Selection…CLICK LINK - lnkd.in/erRiUgj5

#freshproduce #horticulture #CommercialManagement
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Commercial Manager Required for Probably the Most Exciting Fresh Sector Business There Is In The Market via Redfox Executive Selection…CLICK LINK - https://lnkd.in/erRiUgj5  #freshproduce #horticulture #commercialmanagement
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
4 days ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Smashing pic team!We think this is Red Campion Silene dioica...but please tell us if we are wrong! Captured by our Max MacGillivray on a beautiful Estate in Suffolk in the UK that has actively practiced regenerative agricultural for over 20 years - Rougham Estate.

Rougham Estate - www.roughamestate.com
Beanstalk Global - www.beanstalk.global

#farming #regenerativeagriculture #agriculture #sustainableagriculture
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Smashing pic team!
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
5 days ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Rain has assisted cropping in the UK. But the turbulence of the market sectors continues. Dial into the important Beanstalk.Global Broadcast with the AHDB on "How to Manage in a Crisis". CLICK THIS LINK - lnkd.in/eqKzft_G

AHDB - ahdb.org.uk/
Beanstalk Global - www.beanstalk.global

AHDB AHDB Beef and Lamb #agriculture #farming #agribusiness
... See MoreSee Less

Rain has assisted cropping in the UK. But the turbulence of the market sectors continues. Dial into the important Beanstalk.Global Broadcast with the AHDB on How to Manage in a Crisis. CLICK THIS LINK - https://lnkd.in/eqKzft_G  AHDB - https://ahdb.org.uk/
Beanstalk Global - www.beanstalk.global  AHDB AHDB Beef and Lamb #agriculture #farming #agribusiness
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 week ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

HR Director Required for one of the UK’s Leading Fresh Sector Businesses via Redfox Executive Selection LtdCLICK LINK TO FIND OUT MORE - lnkd.in/eizBwUjq

#hr #humanresourcesmanagement #humancapital #freshproduce #horticulture
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HR Director Required for one of the UK’s Leading Fresh Sector Businesses via Redfox Executive Selection LtdCLICK LINK TO FIND OUT MORE - https://lnkd.in/eizBwUjq  #hr #humanresourcesmanagement #humancapital #freshproduce #horticulture
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 week ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Another great upcoming Broadcast with the AHDB and Beanstalk Global. Dial in...we are 😀🚜😀Beanstalk.Global/AHDB Talking Leaders – “We Don’t All Fit in One Box!” Jamie Feilden & Jake Curtis from Jamie's Farm. CLICK LINK - lnkd.in/eYsuGvHj

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, an ongoing initiative from the AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board which sees a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.

In our May broadcast, we have joining us Jamie Feiden & Jake Curtis: Co-CEO’s of Jamie’ Farm.

Jamie’s Farm supports vulnerable young people nationwide to thrive academically, socially and emotionally through a unique 5-day residential experience and follow-up programme. The programme is a blend of ‘Farming, Family, Therapy and Legacy’ where children take on real jobs with purpose, punctuated with therapeutic support.

Join us on Thursday 19th May at 11.00am BST to hear from Jamie and Jack and Mark Campbell from the AHDB by clicking this link - lnkd.in/eYsuGvHj

Jamie’s Farm – jamiesfarm.org.uk/
AHDB - ahdb.org.uk/
Beanstalk Global – www.beanstalk.global

#talkingleaders #farming #agriculture #agribusiness #freshproduce #agrileader Jamie's Farm AHDB
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Another great upcoming Broadcast with the AHDB and Beanstalk Global. Dial in...we are 😀🚜😀
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
1 week ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Thats a great pic of a slightly vintage CLAAS combine!Lovely to see the Country Shows coming back so well with a great attendance at the South Suffolk Show held this weekend. We wonder how old this CLAAS is?! 😊🚜😊 ... See MoreSee Less

Thats a great pic of a slightly vintage CLAAS combine!
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
2 weeks ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Redfox Executive Selection is live to source a great FARM MANAGER for a beautiful Farm in East Suffolk - Great Lodge Farms. CLICK LINK TO VIEW - lnkd.in/e9ti4v5z

#farming #agriculture #agritech #agrifood #agribusiness #freshproduce #regenerativeagriculture
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PlayFarm Manager Required - East Suffolk
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
2 weeks ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Sign of the times indeed.... ... See MoreSee Less

Play
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Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
2 weeks ago
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Major role now live via Redfox Executive Selection - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REQUIRED. EXCELLENT SALARY/BONUS & LTIP. Click link to review - lnkd.in/eJMWA6KN

#horticulture #freshproduce #ceo #ceoleadership #protectedcropping #agritech
... See MoreSee Less

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Chief Executive Officer - Horticulture - Redfox Executive Selection Ltd.

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Chief Executive Officer Required Based Eastern Counties Excellent Salary/Bonus & LTIP Redfox Executive Selection is representing a very well regarded and highly thought of independent Fund Management ...
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3 weeks ago
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This will be an important Broadcast to attend "How do we plan in a crisis?" ... See MoreSee Less

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A Dedicated Risk Management Broadcast for the Agricultural & Fresh Produce Sectors in Partnership with the AHDB. “How Can We Plan in a Crisis?” - Beanstalk Global

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Retail. Supplier. Grower. Collaboration is business critical - Beanstalk Global Broadcast series
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