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A New-Era Hybrid Position?

By Mike Lessiter posted on May 29, 2018
Look at the traditional sales positions in your company. What if the job could be redefined so that the sale was an outcome of activity — and not the job itself?
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Precision Farming Dealer Summit

Precision Success Only as Good as Your Internal Training

Richins & Finley, the managers heading up the precision farming efforts at Stotz Equipment (John Deere) and Mazergroup (New Holland), share the components of their internal training systems to equip staff for success.
By Mike Lessiter posted on March 17, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management, Precision Ag Sales & Service
Staff training was part of nearly every discussion at the 2018 Precision Farming Dealer Summit in Louisville. Precision is where things are moving fastest, and the expectations of farmers and the dealership itself (both equally unrealistic at times) and the firefighting at planting and harvest require highly structured processes and duties.
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Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

A Look at Case IH Network of Tomorrow

Part 6: In the final installment of this Farm Equipment series, Case IH executives share a forward-looking view of their network of tomorrow, and how they can help dealers who wish to consolidate.
By Mike Lessiter posted on March 14, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
In a mature industry like farm machinery, consolidation has become something we need to deal with ... just like death and taxes. It’s very much like Darwinism and survival of the fittest. It’s not popular with some dealers, manufacturers nor farmers, but this business is “adapt or die.”
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Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Case IH Puts Teeth into 'Best Practice' Sharing

Part 5: Case IH established a dealer best practices group to open dialog on what works — and doesn’t — in hopes of raising the tide for the entire red network.
By Mike Lessiter posted on March 6, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
During a discussion on where improvement opportunities still exist for both Case IH as a full-line manufacturer and in its dealer network, Melinda Griffin, Case IH Director of Network Development, pointed out a new investment Case IH was making in their dealers in 2018 … a dealer “best practice” group.
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Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Case IH Clears Air on ‘Brand Purity’ in Dealerships

Part 4: While stressing the term ‘brand alignment,’ Case IH dealer network execs open up about a lightning-rod issue — alternative brands in red dealerships — and what they say the spirit of their wording actually means.
By Mike Lessiter posted on February 26, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
Everyone who has ever taken the athletic field or courts has heard a coach bark these famous words ... “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
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Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Case IH Communications & Dealer-to-OEM Decision Making

Part 3: Case IH explains its new communication initiatives, and how its re-energized Dealer Advisory Board assists in decisions.
By Mike Lessiter posted on February 12, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
When Lessiter Media acquired Farm Equipment magazine in 2004, editors quickly learned something about its equipment dealer audience. That is, dealers could be madder than hell at their mainline OEM; in fierce, outright opposition to the edicts of the Mother Ship. But when in front of the customer, many will defend and be willing to die on the hill for the brand they represent. It’s not color-specific thing, it’s just the way it is in this business.
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Farm Equipment Videos

Analysts Comment on CNHI CEO's Departure

Analysts Comment on CNHI CEO's Departure

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Weasler Engineering, we look at some analyst comments on Scott Wine's departure from CNH Industrial. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman talks to Pessl Instruments' CEO about the recent investment it received from Lindsay Corp. Also in this episode, dealers and farmers chime in on brand loyalty, air seeder sales forecasts and layoffs at the Racine, Wis., Case IH plant.
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Finance Scope

Finance Scope is able to provide the best financing opportunities for equipment dealers and customers through a diverse mix of lending companies under one single platform. Our large group of lenders, allows for competitive rates regardless of credit scores. Additionally, dealers and customers have access to the industry’s best expertise surrounding finance and lease structures, for all purposes, within the agricultural and construction industries. We provide all of this into one online platform to provide our customers with the best available tailored finance solution for their equipment.
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