During this can’t miss general session, Dusty Schulz, executive director – regional operations, walks attendees through the programs Butler has built to grow its employees and prepare them for future roles.

In this focused session "Building Your Bench", former dealer executive Wayne Brozek digs into the ins and outs of identifying, preparing and executing a program that builds your management bench.

In this special session, recently retired Leo Johnson (chairman) & Eric Reuterskiold (president/CEO) of Johnson Tractor (Dealership of the Year Alumni Group) rewind the clock and describe the succession plan they carefully scripted in 2011 and fully executed in 2021.

Given that younger generations are motivated by things other than just salary and benefits, employers are going to have to come up with new approaches to compensation tailored to each employee's values and goals. The result, though, could be a new kind of loyalty.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer talked with Jim Mielke of Caroline Implement, Marion, Wis., at the recent Dealership Minds Summit, a Farm Equipment magazine event. Farm Equipment is a sister publication to Rural Lifestyle Dealer. Mielke shares how the dealership’s marketing committee works with an outside firm for digital marketing support. He also talks about the benefit of networking with other dealers at the Summit.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer talked with Doug Vahrenberg of Vahrenberg Implement, Higginsville, Mo., at the recent Dealership Minds Summit, a Farm Equipment magazine event. Farm Equipment is a sister publication to Rural Lifestyle Dealer. Vahrenberg says he is achieving solid results from doing his own digital marketing, spending as little as $50 a month. He also believes traditional marketing tactics should still be part of a dealership’s overall marketing program.