important that both, or all sides, give their perceptions and expectations of each other at work. The process can be undertaken regularly and then reviewed at agreed intervals.


4. Set a Deadline for Disclosure, Data or Decision


This is probably best done one-to-one, and is very useful when damage has been done by people not being open, frustration has set in and performance is suffering. People meet privately and, one or more of them, imposes a deadline on the provision of the required disclosure, data or decision. One person says ‘if I have not heard anything more from you by this date (person gives deadline date), I will assume (person gives his/her preferred version or a realistic outcome) and act accordingly when the deadline passes’.


5. Have an ‘Off the Record with Clarity’ Session


This is probably best done one-to-one, and is very useful when number 3 above has failed, or has been avoided, and people are getting very angry or upset. The process involves one person requesting an ‘off the record’ session with another person. ‘Off the Record’ simply means that people can say whatever is on their mind, how they feel etc. without it ever being held against them. Indeed, if reference is ever made to the discussion, both sides are free to say ‘You are a liar!’ or ‘that discussion never took place’.


It can really help because people can say, for example, ‘Would you like to know how your decision made me feel?’ or ‘Would you like to know what I thought of you at the time?’ In my personal experience it can really ‘clear the air’ and is then over and done with … until the next betrayal!


Good luck with getting the important people in your life to open up, and good luck with being more open yourself. You may find that you are in a ‘who goes first’ situation. In my experience, it is better to go first yourself, that way you can set the level of disclosure you need from the other person.


Frank Newberry has been helping people in the turfcare sector to get better results for over twenty years. If you are facing a situation that needs more openness and honesty, and you think it might help to speak to someone, you can contact Frank by email or by telephone via the contact tab of his personal website which is www.franknewberry.com


The A


Coating Question


Barenbrug’s research and development manager, Jayne Leyland, explains the company’s position on grass seed coatings


s the hype surrounding seed coatings, and impressive claims about their benefits abounds, Barenbrug stands out as one of the only UK seed


companies not to be launching such a product. And, as the market-leading grass seed breeder renowned for bringing new and innovative products and ideas to the turf industry, you could be forgiven for wondering why we haven’t come up with a coatings product to keep up with the competition. Well, the answer is, simply, that we haven’t found a product that delivers advantages and, until we do, we won’t be recommending coatings.


No proven benefit


As part of the Royal Barenbrug Group, we have looked at the potential for coatings over the last two decades across our globally operating seed company and, in some countries, introduced products that are delivering tangible benefits for customers.


But, this has only occurred


in areas of the world like the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina where legislation allows useful ingredients, such as fungicides and insecticides, to be included - and that’s just not the case here in Europe. We have been inundated with offers of seed coating products and treatments and we have trialed many but, to- date, have not found any that deliver scientifically proven benefits. And, it’s not just a case of there being no proven benefit - in some cases our trials, and those at the STRI,


have demonstrated that coatings can actually inhibit germination and establishment.


Pay a premium


We would also urge any greenkeeper or groundsman


considering coatings to look very carefully at the financial implications of using such products. Budgets are tight, so who wants to pay a premium for coated grass seed only to have to purchase twice as much seed as normal? With coated seed, the


recommended sowing rates are twice the normal rate - so you won’t be placing an order for 20 bags but 40! Yes, there is some fertiliser included in a coated grass seed bag, but you’re paying a very high price for less than 10kg of fertiliser.


When you’re under pressure


to produce quality playing surfaces while cutting costs, it’s tempting to put your faith in a promising new product and to try ‘the latest best thing’. But, when times are tough, it’s more important than ever to take the tried and tested route, so our advice is to ignore the hype and stick instead with proven performers.


So what’s the alternative?


High seed vigour and cooler temperature germination and establishment capability is what really matters. Seed from new harvest - and in our case we produce around 1,700 hectares of grass seed in the UK - offers high vigour that means faster establishment and healthier plants. When you combine this high vigour


with the highest levels of purity and germination, then top-performance is delivered time after time.


Combine these stringent


standards with an innovative breeding programme and substantial trials, and the results speak for themselves - innovative solutions in terms of new cultivars and mixtures. But, don’t just take our word for it. Recent introductions such as our rapid turf repair mixture BAR 50 SOS, year- round bents mixture BAR Duo and disease tolerant BAR Fescue continue to outperform other mixtures in trials, as well as wow greenkeepers and groundsmen across the country with reliable results and high performance. However, it’s important to say that we remain optimistic about seed coating technology and will continue to trial products. And, as with all Barenbrug products, if and when we launch such a product, you can be confident it will be backed by the extensive independent trials we are renowned for. But, in the meantime, we will not be treating seed until we have found a scientifically proven enhancement that is of benefit to our customers.


“We would urge any greenkeeper or groundsman considering coatings to look very carefully at the financial implications”


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