Viewpoint: Springing Ahead

Spring is coming. At least, I hope spring is coming.

As I write this, it is the end of January, and those of us in the Midwest are facing what experts are calling an “Arctic Blast.” (Just some quick insight: Due to production, printing and mailing schedules, we go to print about four weeks before the corresponding issue mails out to you.)

We had a fairly mild December, but we have had plenty of snow in January (which I’m sure is great for dealers in the Midwest and other northern states). But, at the moment, we are in the midst of potentially record-breaking low temperatures with forecast high temperatures near -15 degrees Fahrenheit (that is not a typo – that is a high of 15 below). Wind chills are forecast to potentially reach -60. And although the extreme record-breaking cold is forecast to be relatively short-lived, forecasters are predicting below-average temperatures for the remainder of winter as the “Polar Vortex” settles in over the northern portion of the country.

I currently feel like Phil Connors in the movie “Groundhog Day” when he says of winter, “It’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be gray, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life.”

So it is a bit difficult while writing this for the March issue to actually envision March, spring weather and getting lawn maintenance equipment tuned up for the upcoming season.

But, from a “glass half full” perspective, it is also nice to think about warmer weather in the not-too-distant future.

And, for those of you reading this, spring is even more imminent, and, hopefully with it is a rush of spring business for your dealership.

I will be curious to see how the cold end to winter impacts spring. Weather is always one of the biggest concerns throughout the industry, and one of the most unpredictable factors impacting business. Hopefully this spring brings with it plenty of rain and an early growing season.

But no matter what Mother Nature has in store, March is definitely the time to be prepared for the selling season. With that in mind, this issue of OPE brings you insight and advice from Don Cooper, an acclaimed sales expert. Beginning on page 20, Don outlines 15 common mistakes that can hurt your equipment sales; and he provides a wealth of information on how you can avoid making (or repeating) those mistakes.

This issue also contains the “Top 5 Marketing Tactics That Work for Dealers,” our business management system software and website services overview, details on how renting out equipment can benefit your dealership, an overview of the latest hedge trimmers and brushcutters, insight from our Anonymous Distributor, and much more.

Here’s hoping for warmer weather, a successful spring, and a sunny business outlook for all.