Contact Elaine: +1-204-534-7466 | elaine(at)elainefroese.com

Elaine, I was wondering…

Question everything!

1.  How do you keep our conversations private and safe?

As a certified coach, I am a professional. Your conversations with me are 100% confidential. In family meetings you are the one expressing your intentions. I facilitate a safe and respectful meeting place. I do not condone profanity or disrespectful behaviour. Everyone gets a voice and I use a talking stick to help dissuade interruptions. I also don’t relay messages between family members. The intention of our sessions is to help you feel safe and respected so you can share openly and honestly to get to the heart of the issue.

2. What does coaching require time wise?

Each family is unique. I first ask every member of the family, farm and non-farm, spouses included, to complete a personal profile and key challenge audit. Then we set up private couple coaching sessions to uncover expectations, intentions, and conflict issues that need resolution. These calls take 60 to 90 minutes per couple and can be done on the phone or preferably via zoom. Recordings of the sessions are sent to you. Then the family meets via zoom for 2 hours to unpack our discoveries and create a plan for next action steps. A family of parents, 3 adult children would take about 7 hours of coaching time. In the following months, I book time with you to check-in, schedule more meetings if needed, and act as your accountability partner.

3. How do you bill for your expertise?

My coaching agreement asks for a $1500 retainer to hold your spot for coaching. I then have a billable hourly rate comparable to what your accountant charges you, about half the price of a bag of seed canola ($350). You are billed for the hours spent on your file plus GST, and the retainer is part of your payment. Conflict profile assessments and personal style indicators are billed as extra per person costs, about $55 each.

4. How can I get better at understanding my conflict behaviour?

I use an online Conflict Dynamic profile that can help you see what you are good at doing, and the not so helpful habits you have. It also outlines your hot buttons. This self awareness costs $55 per person and gives you a report and guide to make improvements to your conflict resolution skills. It’s a highly valuable tool. If you would like to better understand your results and what to do about them, we can schedule coaching time to go over it. Note: this assessment is optional, according to your needs.

5. Do we have to take your online course first before we engage you in private coaching?

No, it’s not mandatory, but I highly advise that you do it. The online course will give you more skills in seeing the emotional factors affecting your planning and create family discussions. I hope you would see the value of the investment for the long-term success of your family harmony. If you’re not sure which solution is the best for you, schedule a discovery call (link to the form on the “Contact” page) and let’s start the conversation.

6. What happens during the discovery call and is there a charge?

This 15 minute call is free of charge. You can use this time with me to clarify your main desires for coaching, draw out the family dynamic map, and assess the next steps.

7. Why do you want to speak with my accountant and lawyer?

The coaching agreement asks for permission to speak with your other advisors. As professionals we follow a code of ethics for confidentiality. Sharing insights speeds up understanding for creating solutions for your plan. I am a team player so sharing expertise and client history helps us all serve you better.

8. What guarantee do you have that coaching will help our family?

Short answer, none. You are responsible for doing the work and let the conversations do the heavy lifting. My role as coach is to facilitate courageous conversations and lead from behind. Many farm families find the greatest value being able to talk to someone who truly understands agriculture and who has seen many workable family situations.

9. Do you have references for your work?

Due to the confidential nature of coaching I do not share names of other clients unless they expressly allow me to do so. You can get a good sense of where I am coming from by reading my blog. I have worked with farm families in transition for decades. I am a member of good standing with the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors. I have won the Wilson Loree Award for Excellence in Farm Management as well as the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazers award.

10. Do you enjoy working with highly conflicted families?

My training as a conflict resolution specialist has given me maps and tools to help farm families get more comfortable with talking about tough issues. I think about solutions often when I work with challenging issues. I am wired for communication, empathy, life-long learning, positivity, and winning others over. I always have hope for positive change and good outcomes.

Different is not wrong. It’s just different.

Let’s talk about creating solutions for your differences.

Contact Elaine

As Seen In

 

 

Rave reviews

“Elaine’s real-life scenarios help her audiences know they are not alone, knowing there are creative solutions to help them get the life on the farm they have always wanted.”
Audience Member,
“A long time female client who had refined the art of procrastination was so moved by the end of your presentation that she accepted your permission to “drop the bananas.” She contacted me soon after for an appointment to do some planning which included the selling of the family “Century Farm.” A very, very emotional decision on her part that was not likely to have occurred without your presentation.”
Don Forbes, Forbes Wealthy Management
“A joy to work with, heard loud and clear. When the farmers laughed or asked a great question, I knew they were listening and really wanted to learn from her. Her tips were easy to understand. It was just about understanding that conflict happens, and to have the confidence in yourself to ask for what you want. In the glowing review from farmers after her presentation, I knew they had heard that loud and clear.”
Maddy Berner, Event Planner & Communications Coordinator, National Milk Producers Federation National Milk Producers Federation
“I just have to say… that your work is amazing and I have never forgotten your teachings from our session in Williams Lake at TRU. It is super important work. I know so many people going through the trauma of succession. I hate to use that word, but I was an “out-law” and know it can get terrible. I continue to forward your emails on to others. Keep doing what you do! You are amazing. You kind of walk into the fire regularly… and with a smile. Proud to have met you.”
Megan, BC Rancher
“I wanted to say a HUGE thank you for your virtual kitchen table chat with Arlan Academy. My wife and I signed up as it was exceptionally relevant to our current journey with potentially transitioning to her parents’ farm. The session was able to cover so many aspects of these crucial conversations and hearing you speak to both sides of the conversation was eye opening for my own perspective on this topic. It seemed to be very well attended and sounded like there were many other people who would echo my thoughts and feelings on it.”
N. Oakley, Farmer, Ontario
“As my husband and I eagerly started the course we were optimistic and excited to be taking this next step in our Farm Transition. We were starting to question ourselves and whether or not we were just being selfish and greedy, and if this Farm Transition was still an option for us. We barely got through the first Module and were already having such a huge relief. As we moved through the modulus there were so many times that we just sat back with our hands in the air and thought YES. My husband and I would smile with relief because all of the concerns that we have been struggling with were relevant and came up in the modules. We really enjoyed the course and are excited to move on to the next stages to find our farm resolution.”
Shannon Gilchrist, “Get Farm Transition Unstuck” online course participant
“Elaine helped me allocate $1 Million of assets the night I listened to her. Elaine’s presentation brings value to the use of my services in my office.”
Don Forbes, Forbes Wealth Management
“My hubby farms with 2 brothers and parents, and it’s become a really toxic place. No communication, no respect, etc. Twelve months ago, my husband’s brothers told him they don’t want to work with him anymore and offered him a pay out. His parents did nothing to stop it! He had no choice but to leave. Three months later, we moved off the farm and into town. He has been offered heaps of jobs and is now truck driving and carting hay and grain. We have tried communicating with his parents about what happened but they are not interested. So basically my hubby has lost his family. Very sad but we as husband and wife are overall in a good place and moving on to create our own life. Please continue on with all your wonderful work in helping families on the farm. I continue to tell any farmers I know about you, that they must ‘google’ you, and read your books.”
Donna, Farmer, Australia
“I recently joined in and listened to your Healthy Farmer Agriwebinar for FMC. I truly enjoyed hearing your perspective and even went and grabbed my Mom, away from her work, to come and listen in on some of your main points as well! One area that really stood out for me, both personally with our own succession plans and with our clients, was your discussion involving "Instant Influence" and how ready are you to change? I loved this concept!”
Annessa Good, FCC Transition Specialist, Alberta
“Elaine Froese truly is the Farm Whisperer. With her big heart and stern resolve, she guides families through uncharted waters and helps them arrive safely at their desired destination. She has been there, done that, and has helped hundreds of families come out on the other side. With your family and your farm legacy on the line, you owe it to yourself to start this conversation. You do not need to do it alone. Let Elaine Froese guide you through. Your legacy is being written day by day. How will you be remembered?”
Tracy Brunet, Host of The Impact Farming Show & CEO of Farm Marketer
“You speak like you’ve been sitting at our kitchen table! You know our family issues well. I am feeling more comfortable understanding what we now need to do. Elaine Froese is real.”
Audience Member,
“I attended the meeting you spoke at in Stratford Ontario recently. We held an emergency family/farm meeting today because of issues that I had enough of. We used a 'talking stick' like you recommended and wrote a chart of rules. The rest of the family thought the idea that we needed a meeting was worth rolling their eyes over, until we got started. The younger ones were quick to clue in that they now have an opportunity to be bluntly honest. The older ones took a bit longer to believe they could truly say what they think. In the end, the meeting needed two sessions because there was so much to talk about… and so many things people didn't realize were a big deal to the others. Your lessons and encouragement have given us the tools we need to get to a better place in our relationships and our business. Truly thankful.”
Kim Martin, Dairy Farmer, Ontario
“Helped me develop my framework to start having constructive and meaningful conversations around the farm.”
Tennille Wakefield, Farm Partner
“Some great lessons, Elaine! You continue to do some remarkable and potentially life-changing work.”
James Mitchell, Principal, Conversations Consulting
“Our family had a good farm meeting yesterday afternoon. Your Fairness video was a great topic of discussion. One of the action items after the meeting was to have my two non-farming siblings watch the video before the next big meeting they are involved with on the farm. It will be a great conversation starter as we catch them up on our current plan. As they are younger, we also hope it will help them to ask new questions that may not have been on their mind.”
G.G., Farm Family Legacy Coach, Alberta
“Elaine gives me excellent tools that help me work with my clients!”
Laurianne Osmack, Financial Planner / Partner, Doell Osmak Wealth Management
“She has a sense of “knowing” quickly what is happening in the family dynamic. Her messages to her audiences drive home what needs to be done next to solve the complex issues of farm transition and conflict resolution.”
Audience Member,
“Eye-opening. Excited to open the door of communication with my spouse and farm family.”
Ashley Hoppe, Farm Partner
“The Strong Farms, Strong Families session gave farm families an opportunity to meet face to face with Elaine Froese... hear her own story, experiences and skill set. From this information packed session and related materials, families could identify areas of success in their journey and other places they need assistance. The greatest take away was that participants could see that Elaine Froese is someone they can trust with the things that they hold most precious.... their family and their farm.”
Nancy Atkinson, Nobleford Ag Society, Alberta

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Contact Elaine to start the conversation.

+1-204-534-7466 | elaine(at)elainefroese.com

Contact Elaine

+1-204-534-7466 | elaine(at)elainefroese.com

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I would like to acknowledge that the land where our farm is situated was once shared with Canadians by Anishinaabe and Cree peoples through Treaties 1 and 2 in Manitoba. I am thankful for the prosperity shared through the joint stewardship of this bountiful land by many agricultural peoples for hundreds of years. Let us recognize the creativity and resourcefulness of Indigenous women who worked the land to support their families and engage in trade. May we continue to respectfully share this land and its bounty for the good of all.