Recently on a Facebook post my brother mentioned our softball past. We grew up with a group of boys, later young men, who played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball.
When the reflexes slowed a bit, we could not give up the game and there were some very competitive softball leagues that sprung up and proliferated, which we played in. We also formed a travel team that played tournaments about every weekend in the early '80's. At that time we were not selling much farm equipment, so it was an escape from the depressing ag economy. We had a full roster and everyone wanted to be a part of our "Allis Cowboys" roster.
One day, a new farmer moved in from Iowa and was in the store setting up an account. He saw the wall full of trophies and mentioned his son would be in soon and would love to play for us. I was thinking, "Oh boy, how do I get out of this?"
I wanted his business but not an Iowa farm kid who came from his not so athletic looking dad. I said, "Sure, have him stop by when he gets in and we will talk, Mr. VanGuilder".
I forgot about this until a few weeks passed and I happened to be walking past the front door of the store when a baby blue rusty Datsun car pulled up. The door opened and a blond head came out, then a pair of huge shoulders, then a body building type torso. This young man kept getting out of the car for about a minute or more it seemed. He was a huge, wide at the shoulder, narrow at the hip, athletic specimen extraordinaire.
I opened the door, stuck out my hand and in a wishful voice I said "Please tell me your last name is VanGuilder!"
He looked down, smiled, broke several bones in my extended hand and just nodded. I informed him, besides batting cleanup, that I was putting him on the payroll. I later found he had played linebacker for Drake University. What a ringer we signed!
When someone asked what position he played, my reply was "It doesn't matter, just as long as he is the first one off the bus and the first one on the field." We did well.
Today I am blessed with a like giant of a salesman. Well north of six feet, lifts weights, good-looking, knowledgeable and can load a set of pallet forks by hand. There is a saying going around "I'm your Huckleberry" — well, my salesman Carl is my modern day VanGuilder. Don't we all wish we could be an eleven on a ten scale?
This old man, who was once almost 6', is now a few inches less as age and gravity takes its toll. I look at the younger guys and gals and think if I could just roll back the clock, I could once again hit home runs on the ball field and sales field. But alas, all we old folks can do is make sure we have the right talent in the right seats on the team bus to get the jobs done at the dealership. Always keep an eye open for your Vanguilder; they are out there, they will make your team a winner. I've got a couple more softball stories coming up. Keep miles of smiles going 'til we post again.
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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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