Applications are soon to close for Rabobank’s prestigious Executive Development Program in 2015, open to progressive, strategic-thinking farmers from New Zealand and Australia who are looking to take their business forward.
Rabobank’s Business Programs Manager Nerida Sweetapple says the Executive Development Program is often coined the ‘mini MBA’ for farmers because it gives the participants the opportunity to enhance their business management skills and take their enterprises to the next level.
“We cannot underestimate importance for leading farmers ‘to stay ahead of the game and get that winning edge’ when it comes to running a successful farm operation,” Mrs Sweetapple says.
“The program is an excellent way to sharpen skills around business strategy presented in an agricultural context – participants walk away with a renewed sense of drive and enthusiasm having reflected on their business model and their management style – it’s an opportunity to refocus and get ahead.”
Now in its nineteenth year, the Executive Development Program covers all aspects of rural enterprise management to help drive sustainable business growth, including strategic goal setting, negotiating and people management.
“With the many vagaries associated with running an agricultural enterprise, it’s important to have a strong business sense and a commercial mindset in order to manage risk, but also weigh up opportunities unfolding in the sector,” Mrs Sweetapple says.
“The longer-term fundamentals for New Zealand and Australian agriculture are very positive, positioning farmers here in the ‘box seat’ to capitalise on the increased international demand for our agricultural commodities, goods and services.
“The Executive Development Program allows participants to step away from their day-to-day activities involved with farming and take a ‘helicopter view’ of what their operation is all about in order to focus on the bigger picture and set goals for long-term business success.”
Applications for Rabobank’s 2015 Executive Development Program are open until Friday 29 May 2015, with applicants accepted from across a range of commodities and geographical locations in New Zealand and Australia. Held in Sydney, the first module runs from 16 – 21 August 2015, with the second module taking place in July of next year.
Farmers interested in an application form or any further information on the Rabobank Business Management Programs should visit www.rabobank.co.nz/bmp or contact Rabobank Business Programs manager Nerida Sweetapple on +61 2 8115 4139 or email nerida.sweetapple@rabobank.com.

Rabobank New Zealand is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 115 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 41 countries, servicing the needs of about 10 million clients worldwide through a network of close to 1600 offices and branches. Rabobank New Zealand is one of the country’s leading rural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the New Zealand food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 33 branches throughout New Zealand.
Denise Shaw Jess Webb
Head of Media Relations Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: +61 2 8115 2744 or Phone: +61 7 3115 1832 or
+61 439 603 525 +61 418 216 103
Email:denise.shaw@rabobank.com Email:jess.webb@rabobank.com
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