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Rural Lifestyle Dealer

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Winter 2016

Volume: 10

Edition: 1

That's 10 Years

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

From the Field: Localizing Megatrends

By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Rural Lifestyle Dealer magazine is celebrating our 10th year of covering the rural equipment market with this special anniversary issue. Congratulations to you as well for targeting this growing segment.
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Market Highs & Lows of the Past Decade

January 25, 2016 | Posted in Data & Forecasts, Rural Lifestyle Market

Unit sales of compact tractors have been the historical bell weather used to gauge the general health of the rural lifestyle segment of the farm equipment business. As Rural Lifestyle Dealer marks its 10th year, it seems appropriate to review how the market for small farm tractors has fared over the last decade.
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Seizing Opportunities in the Rural Lifestyle Segment

Rural Lifestyle Dealer marks its 10th anniversary of helping dealers earn more business from the rural equipment buyer.

By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Production ag has always been the lifeblood of equipment dealerships, but about a decade ago, a new segment was gaining attention among dealers, manufacturers and the ag journalists at Lessiter Publications (now Lessiter Media).
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Rural Lifestyle Dealer Names New Editorial Advisory Board

Select dealers share insights regarding trends, industry issues and challenges to ensure excellence in editorial coverage.

By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on February 8, 2016 | Posted in Dealer News

Select dealers share insights regarding trends, industry issues and challenges to ensure excellence in editorial coverage.
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Dealer Business Trends & Outlook

Upward Trend Continues for Rural Equipment Market

Rural lifestyle dealers forecast strong growth in overall and aftermarket revenue as the customer base continues to grow.

By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Data & Forecasts, Rural Lifestyle Market

Dealers selling to rural lifestylers think 2016 will be another good year, with significant growth forecast for revenue at a time when the production ag equipment market is experiencing declines by as much as 20% or more.
Read More

Dealer Business Trends & Outlook Bonus Content

January 25, 2016

Bonus content from the 2016 Dealer Business Trends & Outlook report.
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How to Sell: Finding Success with Niche Products

Since the beginning of Rural Lifestyle Dealer, dealer-to-dealer advice has helped many enhance selling strategies and increase profits.

By Mike Wiles posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Niche Markets, Dealership Marketing

The goal of Rural Lifestyle Dealer’s “How to Sell” articles over the years has been to disseminate sales practices to help you sell more. By sharing the wisdom of your peers, we hope to help you increase sales and profits from niche rural lifestyle equipment.
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Market Opportunities: Exploring the Rural Lifestyle Market

A look back at how the market has changed over the last decade through the “Market Opportunities” series.

By Kim Schmidt posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices

The markets served by rural lifestyle dealers are far and wide. The customer base can range from professionals who know the equipment they need to keep their businesses running and profitable to inexperienced homeowners who require a lot of guidance and education.
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Exploring the Markets

January 25, 2016

Over the last decade, Rural Lifestyle Dealer has explored numerous different Market Opportunities available to dealers serving this industry. The variety in the list below shows how diverse this segment of the equipment market is.
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What Rural Lifestylers Want from You

10 Years of Understanding Rural Lifestyle Customers

Here are the stand-out stories and best takeaways from our long-standing series that helps dealers better understand their customers.

By Jaime Elftman posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Knowing your customers allows you to become more than salespeople and develop into a solution provider for them. You need to know their needs, help them find the equipment to satisfy those needs and follow up with service and parts to keep them working on and enjoying their properties day in and day out. By doing that, you can earn loyal customers.
Read More

Looking Back at 'What Rural Lifestylers Want From You'

By Jaime Elftman posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Over the years, we’ve talked to many rural lifestylers about their operations and equipment needs. In this article look back at some of the more memorable takeaways dealers should keep in mind when serving rural customers today.
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Understanding Rural Lifestylers

By Jaime Elftman posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Dealership Marketing

Rural Lifestyle Dealer’s long-standing series helps dealers better understand how rural lifestylers live and work, so they can recommend equipment that makes their lives easier and better.
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Sponsored Content: Create a High Performance Dealership with Bob Clements

How to Be a Dealership of the Future

Embrace technology and leverage your own brand to sell to a new kind of customer.

By Bob Clements posted on July 11, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

The goal for myself and my organization is to help dealers get a jumpstart on their competitors by outplaying them in their markets. To that end, I challenged my team to share their thoughts on what might lie ahead for dealers based upon advances happening in other industries.
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Marketing Matters: Marketing to Engage

Implement new ways to connect with customers.

By Lisa Bocklage posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Dealership Marketing

Marketing communications is all about engagement. Whether it’s social, digital or traditional marketing, your marketing messages should encourage customers to learn about your dealership, to consider your products/services for purchase, or to take action before, during or after the sale.
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Managing the Store

8 Ways to Grow in the Next Decade

Make changes now to reach higher levels of success.

By Mike Wiles posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Having been a farm equipment factory rep and the manager of a rural lifestyle dealership, it’s fun to now have the opportunity to write about the business. I get to interview dealers from all across the country and most of you are willing to share your secrets of success.
Read More
Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Dealer Business Trends & Outlook

Upward Trend Continues for Rural Equipment Market

Rural lifestyle dealers forecast strong growth in overall and aftermarket revenue as the customer base continues to grow.

By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Data & Forecasts, Rural Lifestyle Market

Dealers selling to rural lifestylers think 2016 will be another good year, with significant growth forecast for revenue at a time when the production ag equipment market is experiencing declines by as much as 20% or more.
Read More

What Rural Lifestylers Want from You

10 Years of Understanding Rural Lifestyle Customers

Here are the stand-out stories and best takeaways from our long-standing series that helps dealers better understand their customers.

By Jaime Elftman posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Knowing your customers allows you to become more than salespeople and develop into a solution provider for them. You need to know their needs, help them find the equipment to satisfy those needs and follow up with service and parts to keep them working on and enjoying their properties day in and day out. By doing that, you can earn loyal customers.
Read More

Seizing Opportunities in the Rural Lifestyle Segment

Rural Lifestyle Dealer marks its 10th anniversary of helping dealers earn more business from the rural equipment buyer.

By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Production ag has always been the lifeblood of equipment dealerships, but about a decade ago, a new segment was gaining attention among dealers, manufacturers and the ag journalists at Lessiter Publications (now Lessiter Media).
Read More
Digital Edition

Digital Edition

2016 Winter Digital Edition of Rural Lifestyle Dealer

January 25, 2016

Read flipbook version
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Online Extras

Online Extras

What Rural Lifestylers Want from You

10 Years of Understanding Rural Lifestyle Customers

Here are the stand-out stories and best takeaways from our long-standing series that helps dealers better understand their customers.

By Jaime Elftman posted on January 25, 2016 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Knowing your customers allows you to become more than salespeople and develop into a solution provider for them. You need to know their needs, help them find the equipment to satisfy those needs and follow up with service and parts to keep them working on and enjoying their properties day in and day out. By doing that, you can earn loyal customers.
Read More

[Webinar] Building a High Performance Service Department

September 21, 2015 | Posted in Best Practices

The latest event in our webinar series looked at how to run a profitable service shop. Management consultant and new Rural Lifestyle Dealer columnist Bob Clements walked attendees through the basics of running a shop and making solid profits. Watch the replay here now.
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[Webinar] Decluttering Your Parts Department for Increased Profits

By Kim Schmidt posted on December 10, 2015 | Posted in Dealer News

This webinar event looks at how to declutter your parts department. Management consultant Bob Clements will walk you through the basics of decluttering and building higher profits. [To view any of our webinar replays, you must be logged in with a free user account.]
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[Digital Extras] Rural Lifestyle Dealer Story Podcasts

August 18, 2016

Download your favorite Rural Lifestyle Dealer stories from the latest issue here.
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This month's digital sponsors:

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Mowhawk Mowers Enters the Zero-Turn Space

Mowhawk mowers using decades of manufacturing experience to enter the zero-turn space and grow its dealer network.

Top Directory Listings

Yanmar

Yanmar America is the North American headquarters of Yanmar Holdings. Ranked #1 in Product Quality for five years in a row by the Equipment Dealers Association, Yanmar provides innovative solutions for Rural Lifestyle and Industrial Equipment customers.

Yanmar was the world’s first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine in 1933 and has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and technology ever since. As a manufacturer of diesel engines, compact tractors and utility task vehicles, construction machinery, and industrial equipment, Yanmar's products are sold in over 130 countries.

At Yanmar America, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services, backed by a strong team of professionals who share our dedication to excellence. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in achieving your goals.

Stihl Inc

Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc., produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chainsaws worldwide. STIHL Inc. manufactures over 260 model variations of handheld outdoor power equipment for sale in the U.S. and around the world.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer

View Archived Issues

Winter 2016

Table of Contents

From the Field: Localizing Megatrends

Market Highs & Lows of the Past Decade

Seizing Opportunities in the Rural Lifestyle Segment