Floyd Helmuth’s father, John, began his Kalona, Iowa, shortline dealership in 1956 by becoming a dealer for Art’s Way Manufacturing.

While farmers understand they can’t control the weather, many of them do what they can to minimize its impact. Too dry? Irrigate. Too wet? Drain it. Both of these options can be effective in improving crop yields, but, typically, they are costly options that result in paybacks that can take several years to realize.

Most business owners — and more specifically farm equipment dealers — would likely tell you that customer service and experience are important to the overall success of the business. I’d venture to say every dealer I’ve spoken with has prided themselves on the quality of service they provide the customer.

This headline is based on a sign posted at my gym that made me think about your business, and my challenge to “Make 2018 the Year of Human Capital Development.” I started to think about the small things that you can do with your people to develop them and your dealership. Doing small things that lead to big things is a useful perspective for you to create change with your employees and colleagues. It provides an approach for you to do every day in order to create big improvements.

This headline is based on a sign posted at my gym that made me think about your business, and my challenge to “Make 2018 the Year of Human Capital Development.” I started to think about the small things that you can do with your people to develop them and your dealership. Doing small things that lead to big things is a useful perspective for you to create change with your employees and colleagues. It provides an approach for you to do every day in order to create big improvements.

I recently talked to industry people about their thoughts on customer training. One response was that customer events are a “necessary evil;” that customers expect it, so we do it. Another said, “We do them, but we don’t feel like we get anything in return from them.” And another said, “Our customers don’t remember anything that we teach them so why do them — what’s the point?”

Last month, in preparation for a special report in June (stay tuned for one of our most fascinating projects ever), I sat a “green farmer” with a “red dealer” who’d not yet consummated a big-ticket deal. Here are 4 things a farmer wants a rival brand dealer to know about gaining his business.