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To the Point

3 Important Questions: Action Plans & Answers

By Mike Lessiter posted on November 19, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices
As many of you know, a favorite “To the Point” theme of late is grit, perseverance and the other intangibles that we want so much from our workforce — and must commit ourselves to bringing out. In my blog on Sept. 11, 2018, I asked for your help. You answered with your emails and web commentary. So, here’s my end of the deal, a FREE just-completed downloadable eGuide — “Talent Development in the Farm Equipment Industry: 3 Ways to Defeat Complacency.”
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Advice on Dealership Personnel

By Mike Lessiter posted on October 12, 2018
I’m asking for your help. Last month, I wrote an article on “3 Questions to Root Out Complacency.” In that piece, we posed 3 questions to farm equipment dealers on motivating staff to achieve greater heights for themselves, your customers and the company. I’m pulling together the compilation of answers from you and your industry peers, but I need your help with some additional perspective. I’m hoping you’ll take a moment to weigh in on 3 questions.
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Jeff Bowman

‘Buccaneer Marketing’ No Longer Cuts It

Titan Machinery’s top marketing executive sets the table for much-higher level discussion on the role that marketing should play in dealerships, including owning all customer growth.
By Mike Lessiter posted on September 14, 2018 | Posted in Department Management, Dealership Marketing
Titan Machinery’s top marketing executive sets table for much-higher level discussion on the role that marketing should play in dealerships, including owning all customer growth.
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Lessiter

3 Questions to Root Out Complacency

By Mike Lessiter posted on September 11, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management
One of the benefits of covering an industry like farm equipment is learning from some great business minds. That, and tapping into free consulting in the name of business journalism. I do file away your wisdom from our interviews, and several of you even taken my calls when I’m looking to calibrate our thinking over here. While our industries are different, many of the people challenges are the same, and I will take a sound and trusted lens-adjustment from any corner.
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Lessiter

Dig Down to Find Your Grit ... Part 1

Interviews with ag equipment entrepreneurs stoked a fire to deep dive on “grit.” Mike Lessiter studies Dr. Angela Duckworth’s analysis and shares of takeaways in part 1 of this series.
By Mike Lessiter posted on July 17, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management, Dealer Succession
Why is grit important? Because the struggle tells you more about yourself than any easily-found success, and it keeps in perspective that the “burn” of the journey is as important as the finish line.
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Conversations in Ag

Ag Equipment One of the Bright Spots During Janesville’s Post-GM Depression

Both Mid-State Equipment (John Deere) and Johnson Tractor (Case IH) say their most strategic decision yet was establishing stores in the Janesville, Wisconsin market. Johnson arrived there in 1986 and Mid-State Equipment in 2000. Here’s a different — and surprising to some — look at a market that has been well documented since General Motors pulled up stakes from the city.
By Mike Lessiter posted on June 9, 2018 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets, Dealership Marketing
Both Mid-State Equipment (John Deere) and Johnson Tractor (Case IH) say their most strategic decision yet was establishing stores in the Janesville, Wisconsin market. Johnson arrived there in 1986 and Mid-State Equipment in 2000. Here’s a different — and surprising to some — look at a market that has been well documented since General Motors pulled up stakes from the city.
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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.

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