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Deere-Hagie News Shows 180-Degree Changes Can Come Quickly

By Mike Lessiter posted on April 1, 2016 | Posted in Manufacturer News
I was out at the Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show when I heard the big news that John Deere had acquired majority ownership of self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Hagie Manufacturing, Clarion, Iowa. Hagie's sprayers, which followed the direct-to-farmer model for most of its 70 years, will, over the next 15 months, be distributed through to Deere’s strong network.
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Kanicki
From the Desk of Dave Kanicki

Good News … Wherever We Can Find It

By Dave Kanicki posted on March 29, 2016 | Posted in Manufacturer News
Like most of you, I’m a bit tired of all the less-than-positive news surrounding agriculture these days. While we’re obliged to report on what’s happening — good or bad — that’s impacting farm equipment sales, we can still dig around for a bit of good news wherever we can find it.
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Kanicki
From the Desk of Dave Kanicki

One State Down and 49 to Go

By Dave Kanicki posted on March 15, 2016 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues
On March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court said they wouldn’t hear an application filed by several manufacturers that challenged the New Hampshire law that included farm equipment and other dealers under the state’s “Dealer Bill of Rights.” The bill, was passed in 2013, signed by the state’s governor and, after the manufacturers’ challenge, upheld by the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
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Lessiter
To the Point

Blurred Lines: Iron Dealers Poised to Benefit in Precision

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 12, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Precision Ag Sales & Service
During last month’s National Farm Machinery show, I bumped into a precision ag manager for a large co-op. It didn’t take long to discover he was less than enthusiastic about hearing the major OEM dealers creeping into the agronomy territory, on top of the competition from the likes of the Monsantos of the world. He also wasn’t buying the “PR” that dealers’ on-staff agronomists would be stopping at casual support only.
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George Russell -Eric Thompson.jpg
People & Profits

Develop Your Best Talent

By George Russell and Erik Thompson posted on March 12, 2016 | Posted in Department Management
A basic axiom of team development is this: Most leaders spend too much time on their problem employees, and too little time on their best. As Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, pointed out years ago, developing talent is often critical to success, but since it is not urgent, it never happens. The key word here is time. Let’s discuss two aspects of this four-letter word: thinking time, and talking time.
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Dan Crummett
Ahead of the Curve

Dynamic Pricing Will Change Ag Retail

By Dan Crummett posted on March 12, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance
We’ve heard for years that “information is power” and one needs to look no further than the travel industry to see the effects online commerce has had in the buying and selling of airline tickets and hotel room rentals. Very few people call a travel agent to take care of those things today, whereas 20 years ago, company or independent agents booked nearly all flights and a significant amount of lodging and rental car business.
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Greg Peterson
Used Equipment: Market Values & Trends

Machinery Pete: How and When to Move Your Excess Used Inventory

By Greg Peterson, Machinery Pete posted on March 1, 2016 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
What I’m hearing: Negative vibes from folks all over, batten down the hatches, don’t feel like buying. What I’m seeing: In January and February 2016 there were very strong auction sale prices on good condition used farm equipment all over and many dealers aggressively cranking down used inventory levels. Stuff is moving.
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Kim Schmidt
From the Desk of Kim Schmidt

Trust Your Employees to Make Decisions

By Kim Schmidt posted on February 22, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices
For many business owners or even a department managers, letting go of responsibilities and trusting someone else with them can be hard to do. After all if you want something done right, you should do it yourself, right?
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