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What AHW’s Dealer Auction Can Teach Us About Combine Value Trends
Used combine values are a big concern lately for both dealers and farmers. This is especially true going into the high demand August market with a tight supply of farm equipment. In June, Sullivan held the significant AHW dealer auction. With a listing heavy in combines, it provided a great look at the market’s direction when analyzed in tandem with Iron Comps’ equipment values.
Executive Insight: Adversity and Perseverance
“It is easy to be a leader when everything is going well for you. A true leader is someone who steps up when the adversity shows up.” -Ed Thomas, legendary high school football coach in Aplington-Parkersburg, IA
What We Learned from the Workforce Recruitment and Retention Survey
At the Iowa and Nebraska Regional Workforce Development Conferences hosted by INEDA on May 26 in Ankeny, IA and May 27 in Grand Island, NE, Gentry Collins of CAP Public Affairs presented the results of a survey conducted earlier this year aimed at understanding how potential recruits perceive our industry in order to improve workforce recruitment and retention within the industry.
The Dog Days of Summer
The dog days of summer are upon us. I think I have discovered the true meaning of the “good ol’ days.” I remember anxiously awaiting the end of the school year when I would be able to waste the day away playing with my friends, fishing, and attempting to train my newest best friend, a springer spaniel puppy named Joe. Those were truly the “good ol’ days.”
Iowa Insights
Takeaways from the Iowa District Meeting: In March and April of this year, INEDA hosted seven district meeting in Iowa and Nebraska. In lieu of members attending the annual dealer conference, INEDA staff traveled to see members. These were great events that will likely grow over the next few years.
Don’t Fall Victim to Ransomware Attacks
It was another story on a long list of companies and individuals that have fallen victim to a malicious class of criminals that no longer put a gun to your head. Rather, these attackers use malware to steal your valuable business information, encrypt your files, and hold them hostage for ransom.
How to Write an Effective Job Posting
Posting jobs on Facebook helps you spread the word that you’re hiring to a broader audience. It’s also easy for your employees to share a Facebook job post with their network, expanding your outreach even further.
Q&A with INEDA Field Directors
INEDA is fortunate to have two field directors on the road visiting dealers and distributors. One of their roles is to listen to members’ needs and concerns and provide immediate solutions. One of the main issues facing members today is hiring and retaining employees, so we sat down with our field directors to find out what they’re hearing from dealers on the topic.
‘It’s very time sensitive’: Why a fast-paced work environment hurts all employees
“Time is not moving faster—you are. Your hobbies are your choice. Your words are your choice. Your choice is urgency. You are choosing to rush.”
A Little Recognition Can Go a Long Way
There is one method for increasing employee retention that can be implemented immediately, has no out-of-pocket expenses, can make a huge impact for your business, and doesn’t require a lot of work on your part.
Introducing a New Healthcare Program for Equipment Dealers
The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA) is pleased to announce the INEDA Healthcare Program, giving equipment dealers access to a turnkey health benefits solution, designed specifically for you. Your success is our success With skyrocketing healthcare...
Employee Retention Credit
Michelle Thornburg, Koski Professional Group, P.C. You may have heard about the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) but thought it wouldn’t apply to your business. The ERC was extended through December 31, 2021 and the qualifying requirements to claim the credits were...
Inside Out: Proactive Steps to Attract and Retain Talent in this Tight Labor Market
Ty Burke, Partner, The Accel Group You don’t have to look hard to find news on the current state of the U.S. labor market. Local newspaper headlines report on the tight labor market and continue to express a gloomy remainder of the year. The Society for Human Resource...
Fraud Protection and Awareness: Avoid online equipment scams
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, AgDirect Learning Center/Fraud Protection There’s no doubt the digital transformation of the agricultural equipment industry has been a game changer for manufacturers, dealers, and producers alike. Online equipment sales are on the...
Company Culture: Planned or Perceived?
Mark Othmer, Nebraska Field Director, marko@ineda.com Every business, whether intentional or not, has a culture. Company culture is defined as the shared values, attributes, and characteristics of an organization. It is evident in the way an organization’s employees...
How to Build Strong Company Culture at Your Dealership
When you think about the elements that are most important to your dealership, what comes to mind? Surely you thought of profit-margins and closing big deals. While yes, these are both valuable assets to your dealership, let’s not forget about how impactful boosting...
Executive Insight: Sharpen Your Saw
College football is back and fans are filling the stadiums, cheering on their teams, becoming armchair quarterbacks, and second-guessing the refs’ play-calling on any given Saturday. Imagine you were the head coach of Nebraska, Iowa, or Iowa State football—what plays...
7 Ways to Make Every Interaction With Your Customers Fantastic
Your customers have high expectations—and if your business can’t meet them, they’re going to leave you for your competitors. If that sounds harsh, well, it is. In addition to getting a product or service that works for them, they want to buy from companies that make...
CASE Institute Provides Powerful Tool for Ag Teachers
[Author: INEDA Staff, 05.2020 | Keywords: CASE, Training, Ag Education] "CASE is the most powerful tool available for the advancement of agricultural education and enhancement of student learning of agricultural science subject matter." The Curriculum for Agriculture...
25 Ways to Attract and Retain Equipment Technician Talent
[Author: INEDA Staff, 05.2020 | Keywords: Recruiting, Workforce Development] The stakes are high. Recruiting and retaining technicians will be one of the top three success factors in the ag and construction equipment industry over the next 10 to 15 years. And whoever...
Coronavirus Used for Cyber-Attacks
[Author: Pratum, 05.2020 | Keywords: Cybersecurity, COVID-19] The Coronavirus has now reached every continent, except Antarctica. There are over 2.1 million cases worldwide, with 137,061 deaths reported at the time of this article being published. Like any major news...
In Uncertain Times, Things Become Very Certain
[Author: Mark Hennessey, 05.2020 | Keywords: Executive Insight, COVID-19] These are uncertain times. Nobody knows when the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be over, who will test positive, and whether or not they will recover. This uncertainty has caused fear,...
Nebraska Notes
[Author: Mark Othmer, 05.2020 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes] This has been a very unusual time. Coronavirus has dictated nearly every action/inaction upon us today. While we all continue to do our best to support social distancing, we’ve had to utilize different...
Exhibit Committee’s Changing Role
[Author: Tom Junge, 05.2020 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, IAE, NAE, Strategic Initiative] Operational to Strategic Both the Iowa and Nebraska Exhibit Committees met this spring to review the previous winter shows and to plan for upcoming shows. During these meetings,...
Unleash the Power of Your Employees to Help Find Your Next Hire
[Author: Will Rogers, 05.20 | Keyword: Recruiting, Workforce Development] I know this is a difficult time for you and your business. At the same time, we will get through the COVID-19 pandemic and life to return to a “new normal” in the weeks and months to come. One...
Text Marketing Trends to Watch for the Last Half of 2020
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 05.20 | Keyword: Marketing, Texting] With a 98% read rate, text messaging has become a popular and effective marketing trend. Nine out of 10 consumers prefer to text with businesses and text messages are more likely to be read than emails. But...
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard: Are You Compliant?
[Author: INEDA Staff, 03.2020 | Keywords: PCI Compliant, Business Operations] When it comes to a growing business, the safety and security of sensitive information and data is likely top of mind – especially when it comes to payments. New advances in commerce and...
Are You Making These 5 Costly Payment Security Mistakes?
[Author: Century Business Solutions, 03.2020 | Keywords: Security, PCI Compliant] As a business owner, it’s your duty to protect your company. Surviving 2020 requires businesses to stay up to date on security advances. As technology evolves, so do digital threats,...
Implementing PCI DSS into Business-As-Usual Processes
[Author: PCI Security Standards Council, 03.2020 | Keywords: PCI Compliant, Business Operations] How can you make sure that security controls continue to be properly implemented at your dealership? Integrate Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) into...
DOL Issues New Rule Narrowing Prior View of Joint Employer Liability
[Author: Woods & Aitken, LLP, 03.2020 | Keywords: HR, Employee Policies] On January 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule updating its regulations governing joint-employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final...
Employee Responsibilities in Information Security
[Author: Pratum, 03.2020 | Keywords: Cyber Security, Information Security, Business Operations] When most people talk about developing an information security program, they are referring to the administrative, physical or technical controls used to protect...
Deere announces job cuts ahead of projected drop in sales
The cuts become effective Jan. 6. Deere said in its fourth-quarter earnings report last month that it expected construction and forestry equipment sales to fall between 10% and 15% next fiscal year, and it projected farm equipment sales to drop 5% to...
Local Option Exemption for Construction Equipment
[Source: INEDA, 10.2018 | Keywords: Construction, Sales Tax] As a reminder, certain types of construction equipment are exempt from the local option sales tax and the local school infrastructure sales tax. That equipment is defined as: ... self‑propelled building...
INEDA Supports Commonsense Repair Solutions
Ever since the introduction of a so-called “Right to Repair” bill in the Nebraska Legislature in 2015, INEDA has been working closely with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) to provide industry-wide support for...
Get “LinkedIn”
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 07.17 | Keywords: Marketing, Social Media, LinkedIn] The Benefits of a LinkedIn Business Profile It’s fair to say that social media has become huge in today’s society, and believe it or not, it has also become a huge tool for businesses. While...
Be Aware of Consumer’s Use Tax in Iowa
[Author: Will Rogers, 07.17 | Keywords: Dealer Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Consumer's Use Tax] Earlier this spring, one of our Iowa members received notice that the Iowa Department of Revenue (I-DOR) had selected their business for a Consumerís Use Tax (CUT)...
Where Can I Find A Tech?
[Author: Tom Junge, 07.17 | Keywords: Iowa Field Director, Technicians] Where can I find a tech? This is a question Iím frequently asked by dealers. As a matter of fact, one day in early June I heard it from not one, but three dealers. Finding technicians has been a...
Recap of 2017 Legislative Session
[Author: Mark Othmer, 07.17 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes] The Beginning The 2017 session of the Nebraska Unicameral began on January 4, 2017 with 17 newly elected senators. With the addition of these freshman senators, there were now 34 sitting senators with two...
Working with Millennials
[Author: Andrew E. Goodman, 07.17 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Millennials, Personal Development] By the year 2020, Millennials – also known as Generation Y – are projected to make up half of the United States workforce. As a result, it is critical that employers...
Looking Into the Future
[Author: Andrew E. Goodman, 05.17 | Keywords: Executive Insight] In my column in the August 2014 issue of The Retailer, I cited a chart published by the Federal Reserve of Kansas City titled, “Gross Farm Income and Net Returns to Farm Operators” covering 1910 to 2010....
Annual Legislative Fly-In: A Terrific Event
[Author: Mark Othmer, 05.17 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Nebraska Legislative] Recently, several dealers from Nebraska and Iowa traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the annual legislative Fly-In. In my opinion, this is one of the best experiences for...
Signs of a Rebound in Whole Good Sales
[Author: Tom Junge, 05.17 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, Whole Goods] The results are in! First, letís take a moment to celebrate the good news ñ new equipment sales were up 2.8% and used equipment sales were up 22.8% for the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first...
Iowa Legislative Session Concludes
[Author: Will Rogers, 05.17 | Keywords: Governmental Affairs, Iowa Legislative] The first session of the 87th General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature adjourned on Saturday, April 22, at 7:18 a.m. We are delighted to announce several legislative successes that the...
How Smart People Work Less and Get More Done: How you work is far more important than how much you work
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 05.17 | Keywords: Marketing, Work Ethic] Smart people know the importance of shifting gears on the weekend to relaxing and rejuvenating activities. They use their weekends to create a better week ahead. This is easier said than done, so here ís...
The Problem with Property Taxes
[Author: Mark Othmer, Nebraska Field Director, 03.2017 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Property Taxes, Taxes] Those of you who have been lucky enough to attend one of our Summer Legislative Meetings have heard me talk about property taxes. Often, I stress the...
Recruiting for Technology
[Author: Andrew E. Goodman, President/CEO, 03.2017 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Recruiting] The critical issue of recruiting and training top notch service technicians has been addressed in past issues of The Retailer. Traditionally, these articles focused on...
Five Takeaways from the Iowa Power Farming Show Online Survey
[Author: Tom Junge, 03.2017 | Keywords: Iowa Field Director, Iowa Power Farming Show, Surveys] When farmers registered online for the 2017 Iowa Power Farming Show, they completed a survey about their internet and social media use, future purchases and planting...
Life Evolves…Change is Good
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 03.17 | Keywords: Marketing, Logo, History] We call ourselves INEDA. Same company. Same name. Now with a refreshed, new look to better represent who we are and where we’re headed in the future. We’ve always been about serving and advocating for...
What to Know About Fully-Controlled Access Roads
[Author: Will Rogers, Director of Government Affairs, 03.2017 | Keywords: DOT, Fully Controlled Access Roads] In February, an Association member was towing an anhydrous tool bar on Highway 20 in Hancock County when he was stopped by Iowa Department of Transportation’s...
Ag Exemption Review
[Author: Will Rogers, 01.17 | Keywords: Dealer Advocacy, Governmental Affairs, Sales Tax] One topic dealers consistently ask me about is Iowa sales tax exemptions related to agricultural production. While many of you are familiar with how this law works, a quick...
Nebraska Power Farming Show Surprises!
[Author: Tom Junge, 01.17 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, Nebraska Power Farming Show] No one was more surprised than me at the terrific outcome of the 10th Annual Nebraska Power Farming Show held December 6-8 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Prior to the show, I spoke with...
Sessions Begins in Nebraska
[Author: Mark Othmer, 01.17 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Nebraska Legislature] The first session of the 105th Nebraska Unicameral got underway on January 4, 2017. What is traditionally a day filled with pomp, circumstance and expectations of a smooth session with...
Management of a Board of Directors
[Author: Andrew E. Goodman, 01.17 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Management] Occasionally, I am asked to assist senior management teams or boards of directors with long range or strategic planning. At the outset, I usually find a lack of understanding in regards to...
10 Important Words to Remember When Using Social Media
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 01.17 | Keywords: Marketing, Social Media] Leveraging the power of social media marketing can help elevate your dealershipís customer base in a dramatic way. But getting started without any previous experience or insight might be...
Top Ten Member Issues
[Author: Andrew Goodman, 11.2016 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Member Issues] In the December 2014 issue of The Retailer, I wrote about the top 10 issues facing our members. At that time, the top 10 issues were 1) taxes, 2) inventory, 3) buildings, 4) economic...
Election Results in Nebraska
[Author: Mark Othmer, 11.2016 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Election] Another election season has finally concluded and I think it is safe to say that everyone is elated that itís over. As I traveled across Nebraska, the most common theme I heard was, ìEnough...
Are We There Yet?
[Author: Tom Junge, 11.2016 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, State of the Industry] Are we there yet? Weíve all been asked this before, especially when traveling by car. Iím a numbers guy. When Iím driving I often find myself calculating the Estimated Time of Arrival...
Infographic: 92% Of World’s Online Population Use Emojis
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 11.16 | Keywords: Marketing, Emojis] Mobile messaging app and emoji use has reached widespread adoption as a way consumers express themselves, according to the newly released “2016 Emoji Report.” The report shows monthly active use of messaging...
2016: Election Recap
[Author: Will Rogers, 11.2016 | Keywords: Election] As the dust begins to settle on what may go down as one of the most unpredictable elections ever, political pundits and reporters have been busy unpacking and processing the outcome of the Presidential race. And...
The Organizational Balance of Business
[Author: Andrew Goodman, 09.2016 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Business, Management] As businesses continue to grow, the importance of competent, effective management will increase. Management education and skill requirements will also grow as society and technology...
Handling Header Trailer & Seed Tender Sales in Nebraska
[Author: Mark Othmer, 09.2016 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Header Trailer, Seed Tender] One topic that always seems to generate questions from dealers and their customers is, “How does the state of Nebraska view header trailers and seed tenders when considering...
Farmers Will Likely Receive ARC-CO Checks in October for 2015 Crops
[Author: Tom Junge, 09.2016 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, ARC-CO Checks] The government program referred to as ARC-CO, will likely be adding revenue to farmers this fall for the 2015 corn and soybean crops. The maps below (compliments of AgriSource) show expected...
Maximize Your Farm Show Investment
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 09.16 | Keyword: Marketing, Farm Shows] Can you believe it is farm show season again? These shows provide a great opportunity for agri-marketers to connect with huge numbers of customers and prospects over a three-day span at a single...
Update: Right to Repair
[Author: Will Rogers, 09.2016 | Keywords: Right to Repair] Over the past several weeks, I have spent dozens of hours touring the state, performing outreach and education to federal and state lawmakers, equipment dealers, agricultural journalists and farmers about our...
The Equipment Dealers Association
[Author: Andrew Goodman, 07.2016 | Keywords: Executive Insight, NAEDA, EDA] The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) was founded in 1900 by a group of state and regional association executives who gathered together for a meeting in Chicago. At that...
Election Year Thoughts
[Author: Mark Othmer, 07.2016 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Election] As the summer heat sets in, those involved with Nebraska agriculture often find themselves wishing for rain from Mother Nature and depending on the reliability of the pivot irrigation system....
It’s Time for a Change in How We Determine Equipment Values
[Author: Tom Junge, 07.2016 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, Equipment Values, Change] Not too many years ago (maybe 5 or 6 years), dealers used the "Official Trade-In Guide" to determine the value of equipment. Depending on the condition of the equipment, dealers...
Find Your “New Normal”
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 07.16 | Keywords: Marketing, Change] It was Neale Donald Walsch who said: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” And it cannot be more true if you think about the correlation of where the equipment industry is right now. Most often,...
Safety Stewards
[Author: Will Rogers, 07.2016 | Keywords: Safety] It's time to ask yourself the following about your dealership: "Are we being proactive about safety? Are we taking the safety of our employees seriously and making it part of our culture?" Recently, I had the...
Members Build State-of-the-Art Dealerships
[Source: INEDA, 07.2016 | Keywords: Dealerships] Over the last two years, several members have built new facilities. While some moved to a different location, others constructed a larger facility or rebuilt after experiencing a disaster, like a fire. All were designed...
DIY Equipment Repairs
[Author: Andrew Goodman, 05.2016 | Keywords: Executive Insight, DIY, Right to Repair] Legislative bill 1072, known as the “Fair Repair Act,” was introduced to the Nebraska Legislature by State Senator Ken Haar on January 20, 2016, and heard by the Judiciary Committee...
Nebraska Legislative Recap
[Author: Mark Othmer, 05.2016 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Nebraska Legislation] The 104th legislature, 2nd session, of the Nebraska Unicameral came to a close on April 20, 2016. Since this was the 2nd session of the 104th legislature, all bills not acted on or...
Changing Times: Require Dealers to Change Business Practices
[Author: Tom Junge, 05.2016 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, Change] During my visits with dealers, many have brought up the old saying ìbad habits are learned in good times.î Dealers are starting to recognize that they have developed bad habits or ignored good business...
Iowa Legislative Session Concludes
[Author: Dave Adelman, Iowa Legislative Director, 05.2016 | Keywords: Transportation, Infrastructure, All-Terrain, Implements of Husbandry, Autocycle, Tax Coupling, Water Quality] Traditionally with election year sessions, legislators tend to be risk-averse. However,...
See How Far We’ve Come
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 05.16 | Keywords: Marketing, Channels] Receiving a message has evolved rapidly over the years, from the early days of Pony Express to today’s environment of delivering digitally. Just imagine having to wait over a week to receive a message from...
Industry Relations
[Author: Andrew Goodman, 03.2016 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Industry Relations] In the May 2000 issue of The Retailer, I wrote about the relationships between dealers and manufacturers and factors affecting those relationships. At that time, manufacturers had...
Header Trailers – The Sales Tax and Licensing Saga Continues
[Author: Mark Othmer, 03.2016 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Header Trailer] I hope 2016 is shaping up to be a very good year for you and your dealership. I know there will be challenges, as many of you have mentioned during my dealer visits. However, nearly...
Remembering “the 80s”
[Author: Tom Junge, 03.2016 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, The 80s] Most dealers agree that ag conditions today are not the same as they were in the 1980s due to lower interest rates and lower farm debt. However, dealers continue to debate whether or not the farmerís...
Iowa Legislative Committee Update
[Author: Will Rogers, 03.2016 | Keywords: Section 179, Sales Tax, Rental Fleet, All-Terrain Vehicles] Since the start of the legislative session, the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (I-NEDA) has been hard at work attending subcommittee meetings and pushing...
Ten Nuggets to Marketing Success
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 03.16 | Keywords: Marketing] Everyone is talking marketing advice these days, from authors to bloggers to social media gurus. But for those of us that have worked hard to find success, true marketing wisdom is more than just inspirational...
2016 Legislative Review
[Author: Andrew Goodman, 01.2016 | Keywords: Executive Insight, Legislative Review] This past summer, each of INEDA’s state legislative committees met to discuss policies for the 2016 legislative sessions. Following those committee meetings, our staff liaisons and...
Frank Zyback: A man who Revolutionized Agriculture
[Author: Mark Othmer, 01.2016 | Keywords: Nebraska Field Notes, Irrigation] Everyone involved with Nebraska agriculture understands the importance of irrigation and the value it adds to crop production. The following article chronicles the invention, beginning...
Iowa Sales Tax: Extended warranty
[Author: Tom Junge, 01.2016 | Keywords: Iowa Field Notes, Extended Warranty] With the influx of extended warranty sales by dealers (John Deere PowerGard, Case Protection Plan, New Holland Purchased Protection Plans and AGCO Protection) and the number of calls I have...
Federal Laws & Regulations 2016 Changes
[Author: Will Rogers, 01.2016 | Keywords: Section 179, OSHA, Expensing] There was a flurry of last-minute legislative activity during the final months of 2015. Here is a quick look at changes to Federal laws and regulations that will affect our members in 2016....
2016: Marketing Strategy
[Author: Cindy Feldman, 01.16 | Keywords: Marketing, Strategy] More Isn’t Always Better Social media isn’t going anywhere as people are consuming more online content than ever before. Just remember... More isn’t always better—sometimes more is just more. Instead of...