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2020 SWOT Analysis
The following analysis is a collective view of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for Michigan Farm Bureau from the perspective of staff. Division/Center staff provided thoughts through polling and discussions. The MFB Management Team reviewed all content and agree the following is representative of the input provided.
What are Michigan Farm Bureau’s greatest strengths in achieving our mission?
The following STRENGTHS represent consensus among all divisions and centers:
• Membership. Large, dedicated, relentless, willing to invest time, engaged, diverse. We are the only
Michigan organization that offers what we do for our membership.
• Organizational Grassroots Structure. Farmer member led governance; excellent, high integrity leadership at rural/local level in county Farm Bureaus; grassroots policy development/direction/ execution; fed by leadership development; ensures meaningful programming; structured yet adaptable; strong member network.
• Staff. Professional, adaptable, trusted experts, diverse backgrounds/talents, passionate, mission/ member dedicated, issue/agricultural knowledge and expertise, strategic, institutional memory, build strong relationships/partnerships, servant leadership, strong work ethic, unparalleled service and loyalty to members.
• Voice of Agriculture. Well-established, historic brand, respected reputation, issue and industry advocacy, strong partner relationships, a staple in rural communities. Our programs, members and employees ensure the best interests of all of agriculture are known, represented and understood.
• Farm Bureau Insurance. Expanded talent pool, financial strength, opportunity to communicate with associate members, reach, audience to connect to farmers, valuable insurance products for members, giving back to communities, brand strength.
What are the greatest weaknesses of Michigan Farm Bureau that limit our ability to achieve mission?
The following WEAKNESSES represent consensus among all divisions and centers:
• Need for Streamlined Organizational Focus. Trying to be everything to everybody; not
working together as a Farm Bureau team; focus on programming instead of issues impacting farms; spending resources on problems outside of scope of mission; creating solutions for
every member concern; stretching staff resources; limited adaptation to changing farmer needs threatening member retention; we don't let go of less effective programs to free up resources for more effective programming; lack of measuring ROI; afraid to admit that what we are doing isn't working; need to set realistic expectations; too many high priorities; need a "member first" focus for all and clear plans to meet mission.
• Technology, Data Systems and Processes. Lack of reliable data systems to communicate
with a diverse membership; lack of integrated data/communication systems among Family of Companies; lack of straight through online membership process and new member registration; inefficient use of available technology platforms; lack of habits to maintain data; poor use of technology creates poor member experience; poor customer usability of web presence (state and county); bureaucracy in technology and process adoption limits staff capacity to provide service to members; loss of connectivity to members; internal processes are inefficient and require too much manual oversight; inability to adopt technology causing loss of connectivity with members and obsolete infrastructure that is cost prohibitive to change.
• Membership and Member Engagement Challenges. Volunteer fatigue and shortage; finding new member volunteers is a challenge; aging and declining membership; competing for time; some members doing too much doesn't give uninvolved members enough opportunity to contribute and add value to their membership. We need better member prospecting, an enhanced online member pay experience, enhanced leadership development beyond YF age, a statewide membership marketing campaign to agriculturalists, creation of exclusive member resources,
WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS