Best Practices

2014 Dealership of the Year

Seeding & Planting Modifications

Cory Leonhardt provides an overview of the types of seeding and planting modifications currently available to growers based on existing technologies and how his department works with growers to get equipment ready for the field. Leonhardt works in the Integrated Solutions Department for PrairieLand Partners, a 9-store John Deere dealership group in Kansas.
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Adapting to Situations & Moving Forward

Godfrey Bros. owner Kevin Godfrey takes the changes manufacturers throw his way in stride. Market changes can have a big impact on equipment sales, but Godfrey says you have to adapt and find creative ways to keep business moving forward. The dealership adapts to the changes and keeps the focus on customer service and doing its best to keep its market share up.
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2014 Dealership of the Year: Godfrey Bros.

Advantages of Avoiding MUD Deals

Godfrey Bros. owner Kevin Godfrey says that with large equipment being so large, it's increasingly difficult to find buyers for used class 9 combines, 26-row planters, large sprayers and other large equipment. By dealing with customers who are only buying one or two pieces of equipment a year, Godfrey Bros. avoids MUD deals and has customers who are much more brand loyal and not simply buying on price.
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Competing Against Larger Dealerships

As a single-store dealership, Godfrey Bros. feels the pressure to compete with the larger, multi-store dealerships, but, says owner Kevin Godfrey, just because a dealership is small doesn't mean that they are any less efficient than a large dealership. Godfrey says that the two sizes of dealerships may have to work a little differently to achieve that efficiency, but at the end of the day, they are still performing at the same level of efficiency.
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Developing a Company Culture Based on Sharing & Teamwork

Godfrey Bros. in Jonesville, Mich., looks for people who are willing and able to learn when looking for new employees. Kevin Godfrey, owner, says the dealership builds a culture based on sharing and teamwork by focusing on how to solve problems and ensure they don't happen again. Each department works together to make sure the customer's needs are met to ensure they return to Godfrey Bros.
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Finding & Keeping Good Employees

Godfrey Bros., a John Deere dealership in Jonesville, Mich., strives to make every job in the company a quality position to attract good employees. Owner Kevin Godfrey says the dealership provides healthcare benefits, profit sharing programs, investment programs and top wages on top of a good work environment.
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2014 Dealership of the Year: Godfrey Bros.

How to Survive & Thrive in this Industry

Godfrey Bros. owner Kevin Godfrey discusses what it takes to not only survive but to thrive in the farm equipment dealership industry. The dealership focuses on the 3 P's - people, product and process - and how they work together along with high-quality customer service to reach its goals and be successful.
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Larger Isn't Always Better

Godfrey Bros. owner Kevin Godfrey says the dealership's success in terms of sales growth and customer service while being surrounded by other larger John Deere dealers in Michigan proves that larger isn't always better.
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Farm Equipment

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