In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy begins her journey in chaos. A tornado lifts her from the familiar and drops her into a strange world where nothing works the way she expects. This is the same emotional moment every leader experiences when promoted from an individual contributor to a leadership role. 

In my view, this settlement represents neither a defeat nor a complete victory for either side. Instead, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in how manufacturers, dealers, independent repair providers and equipment owners will work together in the years ahead.

According to reports, big companies like Ford and philanthropies are stepping up to boost programs to get more people into the trades — a boost to the tune of $400 million. 

If you ask most dealers what business they’re in, they’ll point to the equipment lined up on the lot. But that’s not really what customers are buying. 

Allowing its independent dealers to gather at the all-colors Dealership Minds Summit apparently makes the Deere corporate office uneasy.

“Ask not what the Summit can do for you, but what you can do for your fellow conference-goer …”

Class-action 101 and observations on the race by attorneys and their subcontractors to get an even larger piece of John Deere’s $99 million settlement intended for farmers.