Home / Authors / Mike Lessiter

Articles by Mike Lessiter

022_PFDS-implement-Innovative_FE_0318_Art.png
Precision Farming Dealer Summit

Precision Success Only as Good as Your Internal Training

Richins & Finley, the managers heading up the precision farming efforts at Stotz Equipment (John Deere) and Mazergroup (New Holland), share the components of their internal training systems to equip staff for success.
By Mike Lessiter posted on March 17, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management, Precision Ag Sales & Service
Staff training was part of nearly every discussion at the 2018 Precision Farming Dealer Summit in Louisville. Precision is where things are moving fastest, and the expectations of farmers and the dealership itself (both equally unrealistic at times) and the firefighting at planting and harvest require highly structured processes and duties.
Read More
Case IH Feature Image no-SP
Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

A Look at Case IH Network of Tomorrow

Part 6: In the final installment of this Farm Equipment series, Case IH executives share a forward-looking view of their network of tomorrow, and how they can help dealers who wish to consolidate.
By Mike Lessiter posted on March 14, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
In a mature industry like farm machinery, consolidation has become something we need to deal with ... just like death and taxes. It’s very much like Darwinism and survival of the fittest. It’s not popular with some dealers, manufacturers nor farmers, but this business is “adapt or die.”
Read More
Case IH Feature Image no-SP
Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Case IH Puts Teeth into 'Best Practice' Sharing

Part 5: Case IH established a dealer best practices group to open dialog on what works — and doesn’t — in hopes of raising the tide for the entire red network.
By Mike Lessiter posted on March 6, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
During a discussion on where improvement opportunities still exist for both Case IH as a full-line manufacturer and in its dealer network, Melinda Griffin, Case IH Director of Network Development, pointed out a new investment Case IH was making in their dealers in 2018 … a dealer “best practice” group.
Read More
Case IH Feature Image no-SP
Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Case IH Clears Air on ‘Brand Purity’ in Dealerships

Part 4: While stressing the term ‘brand alignment,’ Case IH dealer network execs open up about a lightning-rod issue — alternative brands in red dealerships — and what they say the spirit of their wording actually means.
By Mike Lessiter posted on February 26, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
Everyone who has ever taken the athletic field or courts has heard a coach bark these famous words ... “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Read More
Case IH Feature Image no-SP
Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Case IH Communications & Dealer-to-OEM Decision Making

Part 3: Case IH explains its new communication initiatives, and how its re-energized Dealer Advisory Board assists in decisions.
By Mike Lessiter posted on February 12, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
When Lessiter Media acquired Farm Equipment magazine in 2004, editors quickly learned something about its equipment dealer audience. That is, dealers could be madder than hell at their mainline OEM; in fierce, outright opposition to the edicts of the Mother Ship. But when in front of the customer, many will defend and be willing to die on the hill for the brand they represent. It’s not color-specific thing, it’s just the way it is in this business.
Read More
Case IH Feature Image no-SP
Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Dealer Rewards for Sustainable Growth

Part 2: Case IH executives shed light on the changes in the earned volume bonus the OEM makes available to dealers with the program released last year.
By Mike Lessiter posted on February 5, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
You have heard these words before, or something like them, when it comes to incentive plans. “Some dealers would rather learn their spouse was having an affair than to have their compensation plan changed.” This kind of thing can get a comedic reaction at meetings where dealers are gathered, but you see a lot of head-nodding too.
Read More
Case Feature Image
Case IH Dealer Network Series Update

Understanding Case IH’s Strategic Plan

Part 1: A year after the rollout of the new Case IH strategic plan, Jim Walker, who oversees the entire dealer network, provides perspective on the strategic plan ... and a newly introduced core objective to improve the OEM’s relationship with its dealers.
By Mike Lessiter posted on January 29, 2018 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues, Manufacturer News
Last year was a challenging year for virtually everyone in the farm economy, but Case IH dealers as a whole saw unusually high challenges due to being exposed most heavily on the cash crop business, A year after the rollout of the new Case IH strategic plan, Jim Walker, who oversees the entire dealer network, provides perspective on the strategic plan ... and a newly introduced core objective to improve the OEM’s relationship with its dealers.
Read More
Lessiter
From the Desk of Mike Lessiter

Depth Chart, Talent Scouting Report ... How It’s Worked for Us

By Mike Lessiter posted on January 8, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management
We launched the “Lessiter Media Depth Chart” at a quarterly employee meeting last year. Put simply, it’s a place to seed the names of individuals who our employees see as sharing our core values and could one day be candidates for job openings. The intent is to identify and document potential talent — and assign someone to get to know them — BEFORE we have the need.
Read More

Top Articles

Current Issue

View More

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

View More

Farm Equipment Videos

View More
Top Directory Listings

Yetter Farm Equipment

Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.
Machinery Scope

Machinery Scope

At Machinery Scope, we believe you deserve the best risk management solutions for your investments in heavy equipment. Since 2013, we have been proud to offer extended warranty, appraisals, and inspections. Machinery Scope is a family-owned business built on our experience in farming and equipment dealerships. We understand your business and provide a personalized and professional level of customer service. Machinery Scope has built a strong warranty product with our customers in mind, offering the same professional level of service from the time you get a quote, through the processing of a claim.
Machinery-Scope-Finance-Scope.png

Finance Scope

Finance Scope is able to provide the best financing opportunities for equipment dealers and customers through a diverse mix of lending companies under one single platform. Our large group of lenders, allows for competitive rates regardless of credit scores. Additionally, dealers and customers have access to the industry’s best expertise surrounding finance and lease structures, for all purposes, within the agricultural and construction industries. We provide all of this into one online platform to provide our customers with the best available tailored finance solution for their equipment.
View More