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Mike Lessiter

Mike Lessiter

A second-generation ag journalist, Mike Lessiter has been Editor/Publisher of Farm Equipment since 2004. He has covered business-to-business operations, manufacturing and marketing topics since 1992. He has also served in several capacities with the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn., Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers and is a frequent industry speaker. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he was named president of Lessiter Publications Inc. in 2007.

Contact: mlessiter@lessitermedia.com

Articles

ARTICLES

2014 Dealership of the Year Award Winner: PrairieLand Partners

By Mike Lessiter posted on July 15, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices
The 2014 recipient in the large, multi-store category of the Dealership of the Year program — PrairieLand Partners, headquartered in Hutchinson, Kan. — embodies much of what you’d expect from a professionally managed dealership group for the 21st century. Things like decisiveness and objectivity, action plans that groom and test the next generation, and hard discussions about getting people in the right seats on the bus — and moving those who are not.
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Special Report: Transitioning to the Next Generation of Dealers

Re-Enlisting Now to Support the Pending Generational Turns

By Mike Lessiter and Brant Bingham posted on June 1, 2014 | Posted in Dealer Succession
I’ve always wanted to be prepared enough to work for the company, but I wasn’t always sure if my interests would bring me here. I did know that if I decided to go to work here, it needed to the last career decision I made. People deserved that type of commitment. The rule is that, as family members, we don’t have the blessing to join the business until we’re ready and have the capacity to give 100%.
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Special Report: Transitioning to the Next Generation of Dealers

Dad Had to Leave the Building

By Mike Lessiter and Jennifer M. Carroll posted on June 1, 2014 | Posted in Dealer Succession
I grew up here in Arnett. When I graduated high school and left for college, I never planned to come back. So no, there wasn't any master plan for me to take over the dealership; I wasn't sure where my career would take me. The year we were married, my ex-husband started his veterinarian degree at Oklahoma State and I started my career in Target's management program.
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Special Report: Alternative Distribution

Alternative Distribution: Joint-Venture Dealerships Owned by Several Shortline Manufacturers

By Dave Kanicki and Mike Lessiter posted on April 21, 2014 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues
This model has been little more than barroom chatter to date, but does get enough attention to warrant examination. It's most often discussed by larger shortline manufacturers concerned with getting locked out of areas through brand purity efforts of the majors or dealers' own product rationalization during mergers or acquisitions.
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Special Report: Alternative Distribution

Alternative Distribution: Direct to Farmer Sales; Subdealer Model for Service

By Dave Kanicki and Mike Lessiter posted on April 21, 2014
This idea consists of the manufacturer utilizing the Internet, equipment shows and direct personnel to make the initial sale, and making some other subcontract arrangement for parts, service and repair. According to Russell, this is similar to how equipment is distributed in some countries in Europe, where sales and service are functions handled by different dealers.
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