My grandson Luke has been 'shadowing' at work this summer. As any grandparent would say, of course we are proud of his efforts and willingness to learn. From inventory to floor sweeping to taking some of the dust off the equipment on display to making hoses, he has worked enthusiastically. I took him on a sales call to inspect an old rotary cutter that the customer thought was a peach. Pap, he said, this thing is even in worse shape than stuff on YOUR farm. Hmmm … The truth hurts sometimes.
When we were walking back to the truck, Luke volunteered the fact he now had his 'learners permit' — he actually said license — and would give me a break and drive me back to the dealership. I didn't say a word, but opened the passenger door, picked up the hitch pins, water bottles and duct tape that rolled out, climbed in and fastened the seat belt. I saw a flash run around the rear and side of the truck and then a stoic looking, emotionless young man climb in the pilot's seat and buckle in. I could see the gears turning as the checklist of rear-view mirror adjustment, steering wheel adjustment, starting, looking both ways and then as in Driving Miss Daisy took me, backtracking, to whence we came. This old man turned his head and had a flashback of what seemed like last week as I had held him in a blanket wrap at the delivery room and listened to everyone yell at me to be careful.
How could this be the young man who was driving my truck, changing the radio from 50's music to something I could not understand the words to and motoring down the road? He even started singing the words which I still couldn't understand. I kept looking out the side window as he just wouldn't understand the tears flowing down the cheeks. Where had the 15 years gone? Where will he go from here?
A lot of you that I have talked to really struggle with family coming along in the business. Many of us actually discourage family being in the dealership; it is a tough life and family can face a lot of issues. It is not for everyone. Long hours, dealing with the 'public,' bankers, manufacturers, salespersons, employees and the myriad facets of running a dealership. However, there are rewards as well, again as you know. My friend, Larry Mayer of Mayer Farm Equipment, told me of his 'retirement.' He has some super "youngens" who now run the dealership. When I ask what he is doing, he said, “I am delivering equipment and doing what they tell me to do, when I want to!” Now that is what it is all about. Maybe in a few years that will be my fate. It would be good. We will see.
We arrived back at the shop and Luke parked and handed me the keys. I told him to just keep them as he could drive us home after work and I would then go on to the farm. He turned, put the keys in his pocket, grew a couple of inches and went back to taking inventory. I wiped more tears. I am getting better with less tears as the days go by.
‘Til next time wishing you miles of smiles, your good tears and lots of profits.
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Told from the perspective of an in-the-trenches owner/operator — Tim Brannon of B&G Equipment, Paris, Tenn. — Equipment Dealer Tips, Tales & Takeaways shares knowledge, experiences and tips/lessons with fellow rural equipment dealerships throughout North America. Covering all aspects required of an equipment dealership general manager, Brannon will inform, entertain and provide a teachable moment for current — and future — leaders within equipment dealerships. |
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