Don’t Let Negative Thinking Make 2009 Worse Than It Has To Be by Greg German

Remember how the school teacher in the old “Charlie Brown” television shows would sound when she was talking to Charlie Brown, Linus and the rest of the gang? Sounded like “Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.” If you have been listening to the constant diatribe on both our national and local news shows the past 5 months, the sound harkens back to Charlie’s teacher. At the time of this writing in mid-February, the drumbeat has become so negative that I don’t even want to listen anymore. What is a small business owner to do when even the new leader of our free country is constantly talking about what a terrible mess we are in?

I have the answer and I learned it from some grade school cheerleaders. At my son’s recent 8th grade basketball game our team had been favored to win and advance to the state tournament. After the first two quarters of play, the possibility of going on to state was dismal as we were down almost 20 points at the half. The parents were all mumbling and disco

2009 Reality Check: Focus On Profitability by John Walker

There are several realities for equipment dealers that should also be pointed out: Manufacturers need the equipment dealer to make equipment ready to sell. Manufacturers need the equipment dealer to provide warranty and to make necessary changes and modifications in the equipment following the sale. Manufacturers cannot survive in the market without financially strong dealer organizations!

Manufacturers also need the dealer to provide service on an ongoing basis after the sale. This is a key factor in the customer’s decision to purchase from one dealer versus another.

NAEDA Names PowerPro Dealers

The North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA) recently announced six lawn and garden dealerships that have earned accreditation under NAEDA’s new Power Pro dealer program.

The six dealerships earned accreditation by meeting industry standards related to operational performance and customer commitment. According to Joe Dykes, NAEDA director of OPE programs, “Power Pro is the mark of exceptional dealers. The program brands a dealership as a business where consumers can expect exceptional product knowledge, premium products, full service and complete satisfaction.”

Recession Fighting: Smart Strategies

1. Discretionary Means Different Things to Different People. No matter what industry you are in there are consumers for whom your products are necessary. Customers who put a high value on quality and service are not going to automatically trade down or stop buying when things get tight. Re-frame your thinking: Don’t assume you are discretionary. Figure out to whom you are a necessity and stay in sync with them.

2. Sales Down? Increase Options. If sales are down, you might be tempted to cut back on the number of alternatives you offer but now is the time to increase your options. Be creative about the product you offer. Re-frame your thinking: The solution isn’t necessarily to get leaner; sometimes it’s just to get smarter.

Rural Setting Works For Arkansas Dealer by Jennifer McCary

Noting a growing demand for utility vehicles and compact tractors, Dennis Tedder went to GIE+Expo last October with an eye toward expanding his product mix to meet that need. “We are probably the most all around power equipment dealer in this area,” the owner of Tedder Outdoor Power states. “We try to have anything you might need, from Agri-Fab sweepers to ZTRs, blowers, trimmers, etc. In this industry, you’re always looking for those niches. If someone asks about a particular product, it ought to register that you might need to consider it, and if you get several calls in a month, you’d better be considering it.”

Tedder already carries Top Hat utility trailers and is in the process of adding another line of trailers and compact tractors in the 30-40 HP range. His goal is to have a tractor that can pull a hay bale or carry a bucket attachment. He believes that would be a good fit for his largely rural customer base, many of which maintain properties ranging from a few acres

TecumsehPower Sell-Off Tolls End For Longtime Supplier by Dan Shell

Along chapter in American small engine manufacturing ended in February, following the announcements within barely a week of each other that TecumsehPower’s transmissions operations were being sold to Husqvarna, and most remaining assets of TecumsehPower’s small engine manufacturing operations sold to Certified Parts Corp. (CPC) of Janesville, Wis.

Under terms of the deal, CPC received all service inventory, intellectual property rights for engines, finished parts, castings for unfinished parts and some manufacturing equipment and tooling. TecumsehPower is providing some services to CPC under a transitional agreement, and CPC is assuming warranty processing for engines manufactured by TecumsehPower Co.

Deep Thoughts—and a Laugh

Employers are increasingly turning to older and previously retired workers for hard-to-fill positions for two reasons. First, they will do practically anything to reduce costs and second, employers, like most of us, are uncertain of the near-term future. We are already seeing an uptick in the number of special projects given to these seasoned employees.

The good news about hiring these folks is that onboarding and offboarding costs are nominal, and in many cases, benefits are not an issue either. “Many retired boomers are simply looking for a supplement to their income to maintain their desired lifestyle, says Art Koff of Retired Brains.com, a resource web site for seniors.

Hunkering Down? by Dan Shell

There are two ways to look at the phrase “hunkering down,” which is derived from the Dutch and German words “huiken” and “hocken,” respectively, which mean to “squat” or “crouch.” The phrase is heard most often perhaps in connotation with the weather: “Viewers need to ‘hunker down’ while the storm passes….”

Some may say the current economic situation is great reason to “hunker down,” head down, maybe curled in a fetal position for good measure, until the credit-stimulus-banking-fiscal-budgetary-deficit-spending-bailout crisis passes.

Supplier Sales, Distribution and Program News

The new 2010 KYMCO Yager 200i is the perfect blend of design and technology, created to satisfy the demands of today’s medium-range urban commuter. It’s the perfect choice for riders looking for a comfortable, safe, fast scooter that can navigate effortlessly through traffic and requires a minimum cost of ownership. The front windscreen offers protection from the weather and a built-in rear luggage rack incorporates passenger grab handles while providing a place for gear. An easy to read analog tachometer, digital speedometer, odometer, gas gauge and clock supply the rider important information at a glance. A large well-padded seat adds to rider comfort while also providing lockable dry storage underneath. All KYMCO scooters are backed by a 2 year warranty. Up to a 4 year KYMCO Extended Protection Plan is also available from any authorized Kymco dealer. Call 864-327-4744

Supplier Sales, Distribution and Program News

Those wondering about the different direction a new administration might take concerning engine emissions didn’t have to wait long: In his second week in office, President Barack Obama directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider letting California and other states set limits on greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles and small engine equipment.

This follows the recent enactment of EPA’s Phase III small engine regulations now going into effect. The issue of reaching regulatory “harmonization”—having national standards instead of state-by-state regulations—has been a big issue throughout the small engine rulemaking process. Yet with a possible new approach from the Obama administration, how the EPA and states may interpret and implement their own vehicle and equipment emissions legislation is a big concern to small engine manufacturers and industry officials, who want to avoid a patchwork of state regulations when certifying small engine performance.

The Latest In New Products, New Technology

RedMax has introduced 3 all new professional-commercial MaxTorque trimmers. The BCZ2450T, BCZ2650T and BCZ3050T are just a few of the many new MaxPro products being introduced in 2009. These new trimmers will provide 44% more cutting torque with 20% faster acceleration. All MaxTorque trimmers come equipped with the RedMax upgraded heavy-duty 4-bearing extended life gear case for increased durability. These MaxTorque trimmers have an unmatched cutting power range from 8,000 RPM all the way up to 11,000 RPM and leave other trimmers standing still and stalled in the grass.

Equipped with the new MaxClean air filtration system and new MaxComfort control grips these trimmers will soon be the new standard of pros everywhere. All models are equipped with the new MaxSpeed Loader twist and load trimmer head and green and clean Strato-Charged engines which boast up to 20% better fuel economy than standard 2-stroke engines.