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.
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.
Godfrey Bros. in Jonesville, Mich., attributes its $1 million in revenue per employee to the large amount of cross-tasking and multitasking within the dealership. Kevin Godfrey, owner, says that everyone tries to help out wherever they can, regardless of what department they belong to.
Doug Neufeld, CEO of PrairieLand Partners, a 9-store John Deere dealership in Kansas, explains that the dealership has made investments with long-term payback rather than immediate payback. Resources have been committed to the Integrated Solutions Department to lead the precision farming efforts in the dealership. Also, they've named a product training manager inside the dealership to be an expert on increasing the productivity of each piece of equipment sold to customers.
Amanda Cooper, director of human resources for PrairieLand Partners, a 9-store John Deere dealership group in Kansas, talks about the "Managing by Values" initiative. Each store has a "Managing by Values" committee. These committees are made of 3 individuals who are tasked with resolving any values-violations that arise. While the committee makes sure the store manager is informed, it's their responsibility - not the store manager's - to see things through. Through this arrangement, values are "owned" throughout the organization, not just by those with manager titles.
What's your biggest challenge in finding qualified management and/or middle-management level employees? What sources do you use to find these employees?
In addition to those metrics identified in previous articles, this column will address additional metrics that should be on the radar screen for any dealer/sales manager interested in getting the most out of their sales department.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has elected three new directors, to fill unexpired terms. Joining the AEM Board of Directors is Jerry Johnson, President Farm, Ranch & Agriculture Division of Blount International, Oregon, Illinois.
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at President Trump's tariff reduction on ag equipment, the latest dealer sales forecasts, and how high input costs are keeping farmer sentiment down.
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.
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.
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.