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Industry Q&A: Increasing Dealership Revenue

January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

We asked dealers: "Do you plan to do anything differently to increase dealership revenues in 2015?" Here are their responses.

Technology for Profit: 10 Things to Ask Your Business System Supplier

By George Russell posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

This column will provide you with questions you need to ask the business software provider(s) about the future capabilities of the system you use to run your dealership. These questions are not unreasonable because all of the capabilities discussed are already available in some form in farm equipment dealerships today. So to use a trite but true statement, “The future is now!”

Customer Intelligence Special Report: CRM

Predictive Analytics — Applicable to Farm Equipment Dealerships?

By Mike Wiles posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

A large industry is evolving that is attempting to collect and analyze data to predict and expand future sales. It’s not just in the car business, but in almost every major industry. That’s because technology now exists to anonymously track the Internet habits of millions of customers. By combining this with what is already known about the average buying habits of consumers and utilizing CRM tools, targeted marketing programs can be sent to likely customers early in the purchasing process.

Customer Intelligence Special Report: CRM

Dealers Not Taking Care of Business with Sales Leads

By Jaime Elftman posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

Sales lead generation is a vital part of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, where software is used to organize, automate and link all interactions with customers. This has become increasingly important with the emergence of the Internet.

Customer Intelligence Special Report: CRM

RDO Equipment Co. Moving Forward with CRM

By Mike Wiles posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

North American farm equipment dealerships are at various phases of adopting and developing Customer Relationship Management systems. Some are still trying to figure it out, while others are well along in their CRM development.

Customer Intelligence Special Report: CRM

Recognizing the 'Zero Moment of Truth'

By Mike Wiles posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

The marketing environment has radically evolved in all industries with the advent of the Internet. Because the changes were more abrupt and well defined on the customer side of the equation, many dealers may not fully understand what has transpired over the last decade.

Customer Intelligence Special Report: CRM

What Exactly is CRM?

By Mike Wiles posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, is a broad term that refers to the tools used to store detailed information about current and prospective customers to enable targeted communication with them. In today’s business world, the acronym commonly refers to the software system where that data is accumulated.

Customer Intelligence Special Report: CRM

Shifting Company Culture to 'Really' Know the Customer

By Mike Wiles posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

Dan Smith, CMO of Outsell LLC, says understanding the needs of the customer is of paramount importance with marketing messages, because “50% of your consumers will disengage if you fail to deliver relevant content.”

CRM

Special Report: Leading-Edge Industry Says CRM is Your MVP

A look at customer intelligence & CRM use in leading industries like auto retailing illustrates the opportunities ahead for progressive ag equipment dealers.

By Mike Wiles posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

Farm Equipment set out on a first-ever project to highlight what’s coming tomorrow by sharing what’s possible today. To do so, the perspective of a dealer with first-hand daily knowledge of current state of affairs in operations behaviors and computer systems was needed. So instead of assigning this project to one of our staff reporters, Farm Equipment sent a dealer veteran to attend the 2014 Digital Dealer Conference. Held in Las Vegas last fall, the event is the leading conference for digital strategy marketing for auto dealers. He was likely the only farm equipment marketer in a crowd of automotive digital marketing and IT talent.

Lessiter

To The Point: Fewer Chances Requires Better Performance

By Mike Lessiter posted on January 1, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance

With NCAA basketball now in full swing, you’ve likely heard about the “points per possession” measurement of a team’s offensive performance. It’s used by coaches whose style is to methodically work a game plan for the highest-odds scoring opportunity. Unlike the frenetic pace of a “run and gun” offense, the idea is not to discover “more” chances, but to make those presented to you count.

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A&I Products

Since 1980, A&I Products has become a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of aftermarket replacement parts for the agricultural, turf, and industrial equipment markets. A&I Products' experience and expertise has greatly contributed to the company's reputation as a top supplier of quality, reasonably priced parts. Founded with roots as a small machine shop and repair facility, the company made the transition by manufacturing new parts to replace those that were identified as commonly needing repair. Throughout the 1980s, the company quickly garnered a reputation for offering quality parts at a reasonable price.

Yetter farm equipment since1930 01

Yetter Farm Equipment

Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.

Machinery Scope

Machinery Scope

At Machinery Scope, we believe you deserve the best risk management solutions for your investments in heavy equipment. Since 2013, we have been proud to offer extended warranty, appraisals, and inspections. Machinery Scope is a family-owned business built on our experience in farming and equipment dealerships. We understand your business and provide a personalized and professional level of customer service. Machinery Scope has built a strong warranty product with our customers in mind, offering the same professional level of service from the time you get a quote, through the processing of a claim.

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