As the CEO of INEDA, I believe that innovation is not merely a tool for progress; it’s the very essence of what connects us as individuals and communities. In the equipment realm, innovation is not just about adopting new technologies or techniques; it’s about re-imagining the way we interact with the land, the market, and each other. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and forging a path towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. At our Iowa and Nebraska Ag Expos, we are not just hosting events; we are cultivating a culture of innovation. We recognize that our… Read More »
As we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, this issue of the Retailer is focused on our economy. As we have heard from many of you, along with the sentiments you’ve heard in your dealerships, there is an uneasiness underlying our current economic condition. A few of the factors contributing to this feeling include rising interest rates, softening of commodity prices, the presidential election and the nation’s highest level of consumer debt at a staggering $17.29 trillion. Our dealers of all shapes, colors, and sizes are wrestling with the challenges involved in managing inventory. Whether it’s not having enough… Read More »
[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, anxiety and stress, turning our worlds upside down. The media coverage has been relentless. When trying to sort fact from fiction or conjecture from reality, this constant uncertainty has upset our ability to find solid ground. What does our future look like? Is this our new normal? Will we ever get back to where we once stood? These are all questions… Read More »
[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. The chart showed four major peaks in gross farm income during that 100-year period, all coinciding with periods of war: World War I (around 1915) World War II (around 1944) Vietnam War (around 1974) Iraq and Afghanistan Wars (around 2005) The valleys of gross farm income occurred between these peaks. A chart from… Read More »
[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 recruiting community college students or graduates trained to service equipment. However, as equipment continues to become more technically advanced, it is more important than ever for service technicians to get the appropriate training offered at many of these fine community colleges. The service department is not the only department that has become more technically advanced. Computer systems have infiltrated almost every aspect of the… Read More »
