Below are key takeaways from several of the features found in the July/August 2025 issue of Farm Equipment.
Time to Move Your Circle
- Gaining the perspective of others provides alternative solutions
- More, not less, collaboration will advance ag’s interests
- Knowing what your colleagues in other areas of ag are working on can calibrate and refine your own approach
Repeatable Processes Improve Store Performance
- Consider menu pricing for some product categories like compact tractors that can quickly become complicated with the number of attachments and features available. Menu pricing simplifies the sales process as well as inventory management.
- When it comes to used equipment inventory management, have parameters in place for when something should go to auction to take the emotion out of the decision and help keep inventory levels manageable.
- Group chats like a Teams group between the parts and service departments can improve communication and improve technician efficiency by cutting down on the tech’s time away from their job.
Driving Dealer Success with a Focus on Culture & Customer
- Staying focused on meeting customer needs — from a fleet of service trucks to multiple parts drop-off/pick-up locations — has been instrumental in maintaining long-term customer loyalty and generating consistent revenue gains.
- By offering ownership opportunities to select individuals within the dealership, Lowe & Young leverages the benefits of younger leaders with a vested interest and understanding of innovations and best practices with technology, service and sales.
Johnson Tractor’s Third Generation Shares Leadership Journey
- Outside experience matters. It adds maturity, perspective and connections that translate directly back to your store network.
- Successful succession isn’t a handoff, it’s a hands-on process. As your business grows, don’t rely on tradition — build structure. Clear lanes and earned trust are what turn potential into leadership.
- Growth magnifies everything, including leadership gaps. As your business scales, the real work isn’t just strategy, it’s people. Prioritize communication, mentorship and role clarity as deliberately as you do sales targets.
- Don’t assume alignment just because the next generation shares your DNA. If you want your future leaders to work well together, help them lay the foundation early — with clear expectations, honest conversations, and space to build trust.
Titan Holdrege: Serving the Past, Present & Future
- Improve shop efficiency by getting customer equipment evaluated before it lands in the shop so parts can be ordered and ready for jobs.
- Recruiting future talent is crucial. Network with your local colleges, high schools, FFA and other organizations to find those who align with your needs and values.
- Study farming trends in your market area and reflect what your future customer may look like — and how you’ll serve them.
Slashing Inputs & Boosting Connectivity with New Precision Technology
- Develop strong, personal relationships with local farmers who are leading the way in precision technology adoption and capable of communicating the benefits to other farmers.
- Everyone at the dealership should be knowledgeable about commonly used precision tools. This will take some of the weight off the shoulders of the precision department and give them the capacity to get a handle on advanced technology before it becomes mainstream.
- Prove ROI, or farmers won’t buy in, no matter how impressive the new product looks on paper.
Selling the Future: A Precision Ag Leader’s Playbook for New Tech
- Make sure your dealership is prepared to sell and service a new product or technology before bringing it on board. Boeck Farm Outfitters opened a dedicated facility at its dealership to retrofit customers’ sprayers with Greeneye Technology. It also employed an extra salesperson to deal with the expected high level of demand.
- Sell your team on new technology before selling your customers on it. Explain to your staff how change is good — and necessary — for the long-term success of everyone at the dealership.
- Be patient with marketing campaigns. Farmers are more likely to spend money when corn prices are up. An effective billboard or radio advertisement might not lead to a purchase right away, but it could down the road if it’s memorable.
