When Ken Wagner explains the genesis of moving 800 miles from his home in Michigan for a new business opportunity in Kansas, a lot had to do with the fact that his wife, Diane, hoped to one day return to the Kansas City area where she grew up. Wagner, who spent 13 years with John Deere as territory manager prior to joining wood-chipping manufacturer Morbark in Michigan, was ready to do something different when he heard from old friends at John Deere (including aftermarket manager and future partner Bill Kilgore) that a dealership in Ottawa, Kan., had been cancelled. Through Deere's market research, a pin (representing a new dealership) was about to be placed in the map in Baldwin City, Kan., 45 miles from his wife's hometown.

Husqvarna Group has made two changes in Group Management as of January 23, 2013. Michael Jones, EVP and Head of business unit Americas, has decided to leave the Group. Nicolas Lanus has been appointed EVP and Head of business unit Sales and Service Asia/Pacific and will become new member of Group Management.

Mahindra USA Launches Mahindra University for Dealers

John Deere Pulls Dealership from New Hampshire Company After 84 Years

Nominations are open for our seventh annual Dealership of the Year. Here's why you deserve that honor and why you should seek it out.

Question: How does your dealership attract and retain its customers?

Jim Mayfield, president of Rainbow Ag, says he has been able to achieve three consecutive years of record sales and profitability for his California-based dealership by following a formula familiar to business owners.

What holiday promotion is bringing the most success?

What is one thing your dealership does really well?

Everyone makes mistakes. No one likes admitting to them. As businesspeople we worry that customers will be intolerant of our missteps and foul-ups. The truth is, though, denying them only magnifies an already awkward situation and ends up hurting your reputation. Handling them right, on the other hand, can actually shore up relationship, spark improvements and benefit your brand.