Dairy Women’s Network has received feedback on how its latest professional development offering is being perceived by its members – with impressive results.

The network launched its new Dairy Modules programme for the first time in November 2014 and has since had the programme evaluated by the renowned Net Promoter Score system, confirming world class standard.

In the past eight months, with the help of its partners, Dairy Women’s Network has delivered free modules on negotiating fair contracts, goal setting, rostering-on-farm, better use of smartphones, budgeting, animal welfare and calf rearing to more than 100 participants in 41 different towns throughout rural New Zealand.

The independently rated modules have received excellent scores using the Net Promoter Scores system, which are measured from -100 to 100+ with the Network’s various scores sitting between 53+ to 70+.

Dairy Women’s Network chief executive Zelda de Villiers said a score of 30+ is considered “good”.

“The three reports that have been completed on smartphones, goal setting and animal welfare, have resulted in upper echelon scores which we are really thrilled about,” she said.

“It is particularly heartening to read many verbatim comments from participants in the reports saying things like: “what I have learnt today is unbelievable”, “excellent presenters” and “very informative and motivating to continue on”.

“Given that our organisation’s vision is to support and inspire women to succeed in the business of dairying, we are very proud of these results.”

The modules replace the organisation’s previous professional development programmes called Dairy Days and Financial Days – nationwide roadshows which ran annually from 2005 to 2014.

“In comparison, Dairy Modules are developed with the members’ knowledge of on-farm training needs to ensure the training is practical, farm-focused and developed and delivered by farmers for farmers in a way in that our members prefer to learn,” said de Villiers.

“The Dairy Modules programme is more flexible than its predecessors. It provides farming women the opportunity to deliver the training, developing leadership skills and the ability to apply that knowledge back into their businesses and communities.”

Separate to the Net Promoter Score system, the reports are split into four main areas for feedback from participants; overall relevance of the training, confidence in the skill being taught, training materials and the presenter.

On average, the modules scored 91%, 76%, 90% and 95% respectively in each feedback area.

The topics are discussed and decided at the DWN regional convenors’ meeting in April each year, when relevant professional and personal development topics are identified and prioritised.

“The development and delivery of the Dairy Modules is very collaborative, and uses feedback from network members, network volunteers and experts in the subject areas we’re covering. It’s a more inclusive way of developing and delivering the training,” said de Villiers.