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Kanicki
From the Desk of Dave Kanicki

Dealers Still Have Positive Things to Say

By Dave Kanicki posted on May 11, 2015 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues
If you only look at the unit sales for big farm equipment, it would be hard to get too excited about the current state of ag machinery business. But plowing through the dealer commentary from this month’s “Dealer Sentiments & Business Conditions Update” survey, it’s interesting how many dealers had some pretty positive things to say.
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Kanicki
From the Desk of Dave Kanicki

Argue Ideas, Not Personalities

By Dave Kanicki posted on April 13, 2015 | Posted in Dealer News
Sometimes you just need to step back and re-examine some things. In this case, we’re taking a closer look at what reader responses we approve for posting on the Farm Equipment website.
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Kanicki
To The Point

It's Easy to Forget

By Dave Kanicki posted on April 10, 2015 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
As I was coming down on the elevator of the hotel where I was attending a meeting last week, one of the passengers looked at me and said, “You’re the forecast guy.” He kind of took me off guard, and I said, “I do some work in the that area.”
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George Russell
Technology for Profit

Monetizing 'Dealership Wisdom'

By George Russell posted on April 9, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance
What is the value of the knowledge, experience and analytical ability (or troubleshooting) that your dealership has developed in order to sell and support your customers? This ability, which has been developed over time and exists in the minds of you and your employees can rightfully be called dealership wisdom.
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Dan Crummett
Ahead of the Curve

Tractor/Implement Datalink in the Works

By Dan Crummett posted on April 9, 2015 | Posted in Precision Ag Sales & Service
Twenty years ago, farm field speeds were slower and sprayers and other implements were not as wide, nor were they as complex as systems now farming the land. That was the world into which the first control area network (CAN) was standardized as a communication link between tractors and implements.
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Dr. Jim Weber
Business of Selling

Leading from the Front

By Dr. Jim Weber posted on April 9, 2015 | Posted in Operations & Finance
While previous articles have addressed dominating a market, initiating a strategy and executing with speed, all using the precepts of Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” this column will use the same source to identify the leadership attributes necessary to win a protracted war of attrition.
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Majors Led By Home-Run Seeking MBAs is Problem

April 2, 2015 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues
Just read Mike Lessiter’s Op-Ed (“To The Point: In Praise of Straight Talk,” March 2015). In my circle of life (began since 1960s, dealer-principal since the 1970s), I have been a student of the industry. I followed Case and its rise, along with the disasters along the way, as well as Allis Chalmers and its demise.
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Kim Schmidt
From the Desk of Kim Schmidt

Growing Role of Women in Agriculture

By Kim Schmidt posted on March 23, 2015 | Posted in Department Management
While scanning through the news that had come in over the weekend something jumped out at me — the growing role of women in agriculture. The two headlines that caught my eye were "Women Play Key Roles in Agriculture Jobs," from The Herald Journal in Logan, Utah, and "AGCO Celebrates Formation of First Women in Manufacturing Chapter in Minnesota," from the Daily Globe in Worthingon, Minn.
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George Russell
Technology for Profit

Article Rewind: What We’ve Covered So Far

By George Russell posted on March 12, 2015 | Posted in Best Practices
I began writing a regular column in 2009 under the banner “Planning for Profits,” which focused on ways progressive farm equipment dealers can improve their bottom lines. In early 2012, the editorial focus changed to “Technology for Profits” — that is how dealers can and should use technology profitably. This list responds to dealers who have asked for copies to previously published articles.
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Nearly Two-Thirds of Farmers Identify as ‘Brand Loyal’

Nearly Two-Thirds of Farmers Identify as ‘Brand Loyal’

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Benzi America, we take a look at results of the 2024 Brand Loyalty study. In the Technology Corner, we examine how USDA’s use of ag data raises privacy concerns. Also in this episode, a look at the ag equipment companies that made the Industry Week U.S. 500 report and JP Morgan analysts say the rate of decline in the ag industry is expected to decrease.

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