The Lost Art of Saying No

Whether it's a collaboration that doesn't quite fit with your brand, a job applicant that doesn't have the required skills or a project that you simply don't have the capacity for, at some point, all businesses have to say “no”. It's not easy but it is an essential time management technique that brings you closer to your goals. Are you still saying “Yes” when you want to say “No”? The following might help:

Stop apologising – Be firm. It doesn't help to start a sentence with “I'm sorry...”.

Forward plan – if you have a busy few weeks ahead, let others know.

Trust your gut – we have a saying in Team Scene & Herd: If it feels wrong, say no. If it feels scary, say YES!

Ask WWGD? – Georgia O'Keeffe once said “No, I'm busy” to the Louvre!

Learn to negotiate – The OnFARM podcast episode 'Be a price-maker not a price-taker' with dairy farmer Rory Christie has some great tips.

(Rory's business, the Dourie Farming Company near Newton Stewart, is on the hunt for a new Assistant Dairy Manager. Could it be someone you know? Find out more at: https://www.douriefarming.co.uk/current-positions-available.)

Grow your confidence - There are still a few spaces left in the next cohort of the Be Your Best Self programme which is a superb course helping women in agriculture in Scotland to build their confidence, enhance their skills, and develop their leadership abilities. Across approximately eight sessions, delivered online over two to three weeks, the course allows women to learn new things and meet like-minded people.

Sarah, who recently completed the course. said: "The course improved my confidence in my own abilities and help me understand my strengths. It was great to meet and learn from other participants as well as the facilitators who were fab."

Apply at: https://www.beyourbestself.site/

Remember your business goals - After 10 years as the exclusive PR & marketing agency to AgriScot, the UK’s premier farm business event, Scene & Herd PR & Marketing has taken the decision to step down in order to concentrate on other areas of our business.

Quite rightly, after 10 years, the AgriScot board was obliged to re-tender for the contract and we chose not to submit a proposal. We have exciting projects in their infancy and we wish to concentrate on those instead.

We have had not only success but also a huge amount of fun working with the amazing team behind the fantastic event. It’s sad when an era comes to an end but exciting to look forward to the chapters ahead.

We wish AgriScot every success in the future and look forward to visiting in person later in the year.