No such thing as too many chiefs at dairy women’s conference

No such thing as too many chiefs at dairy women’s conference

David Galbraith works with the Chiefs rugby team and Barbara Chapman is the chief executive of ASB. In March they will put a rural focus on their work and discuss how New Zealand’s dairy farming women can achieve world-class mental and financial performance at the Dairy Women’s Network’s annual conference in Hamilton.

Galbraith is one of the men behind some of our country’s finest sporting moments. A clinical psychologist specialising in elite sport, he grew up on a beef and sheep farm in the Hawke’s Bay where his parents still live today.

He’s worked with the likes of BMX Olympic medal winner Sarah Walker, and the Chiefs super rugby and Magic netball teams. While others massage and coach, he’s focused on the mind, ensuring there’s nothing between the ears that is going to hinder a great performance.

He said he has seen great leaders turn average teams into world class teams – and that the same principles, as he sees them, can be applied to the farming context.

“There are some key components for developing mental grit which help you deal with the hard times and continue your personal growth - regardless of what the weather is doing. People who master these principles can also help others get through tough times,” said Galbraith.

Some of the components he’ll discuss at the conference include self-acceptance, mental focus, redefining success and the power of optimism. He’ll also talk about the impact of mental distress, such as chronic stress, depression and anxiety.

He said women are a critical part of the dairying business and brought an element that can take a team from functioning to flourishing.

The ASB’s chief executive Barbara Chapman kicks off day two of the conference talking about the importance and challenges involved with always being one step ahead of the game, and the need to be constantly innovative in your business approach.

Chapman has more than 30 years’ experience in the banking sector and was New Zealand's inaugural "Marketer of the Year". She has received numerous awards for innovative and effective marketing throughout her career and has held the top role at ASB since 2011.

She said there are many business synergies between banking and farming when it comes to being innovative.

“Bankers and farmers both operate in dynamic industries driven by changing customer demands and rapid advancements in technology. We all need to be prepared to take some educated bets on what is going to form the next wave of innovation.

“I’m convinced that New Zealand’s financial services and farming sectors can both lead the way globally in many of the things we do. Certainly in New Zealand, being smaller, more nimble and more willing to experiment than most of our major global counterparts has its advantages and we can capitalise on this,” said Chapman.

RD1 Ltd also announced it is the new national sponsor of the Dairy Women’s Network conference. RD1 spokesperson Justine Pearce said RD1 also sponsors the Network’s regional groups, which support regional development opportunities for dairying women across the country. She said this investment in the larger national picture is a natural progression.

“The Network’s conference is a great opportunity for women from around the country to hear presentations and attend workshops led by national and international dairy experts. They also talk with each other and use what they have learned to increase the success of their own dairying businesses.”

The third ‘Dairy Woman of the Year’ award winner will also be announced at the conference gala dinner, which will be hosted by journalist and head of Maori TV, Carol Hirschfeld. The winner will be awarded a position on the prestigious Women in Leadership 12 month programme run by Global Women, which is valued at $25,000.The award is sponsored by Fonterra Milk Supply.

Early bird registrations for the conference are now open. Women working in the business of dairying can register at www.dwn.co.nz or phone 0800 396 748.

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