QUESTION:
How would you rate, on a scale of 1-10, (1 being excellent, 10 being poor), your precision ag suppliers (major line and any independent precision ag suppliers) on their training and support of you as a precision ag specialist?
What types of education and training platforms could they provide to help you succeed in your role as a precision ag specialist?
Please share your comments below and read what others have to say.
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ANSWERS:
"It is really hard for me to rate an entire company. Some of the classes are great and you get to take a lot from them. Others I have gone to and I haven’t learned anything or left more confused than when I got there. If I have to give a rating, I would say 3, because the classes are just not that consistent.
As for training, I would like to see our suppliers provide classes on how to go back and better train our customers so we can make sure they are getting the most out of their equipment. Training aids would also be helpful."
— Andy Feckers, Altorfer, Inc.,
Clinton, Ill.
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“Training is a 3. There are many classes and different offerings to keep you up to date on things. Support is an 8. They don’t listen to concerns or suggestions. Getting help on a problem takes hours, if not days, to get something done.
The best training is hands-on. No amount of classes or training can equal real-world experience. They can talk and teach and give you theories of operation all they want, but when it doesn’t work as planned, only hands-on usage will get you through those problems. I also feel the designers of the equipment should spend more time in the field and less in an office."
— Name withheld by request
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“I think my training is good on products and features, but weak on calibration and troubleshooting. Most suppliers would likely offer longer training, but most dealers don't want their people gone for long periods of time. The lack of in-depth training is as much the fault of individual dealerships, as their suppliers."
— Darren Bald, Great Lakes New Holland,
Mitchell, Ontario
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“I would rate my supplier a 3. As far as education and training, I would like to see more real-world training or simulations. Most of our success in educating our employees is out in the field. Hands-on experience is still the best education we have found.”
— Dan Severson, Benco Products, Inc.,
Tea, S.D.
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“I would rate our precision farming dealer training at a 6 or 7. I believe that more hands-on training or in-field training is necessary to further our growth in the precision farming industry.”
— Kelly Maaske, Hartlzer Equipment Company,
Harrisonville, Mo.
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“I would rate our supplier performance pretty good overall, (Trimble, 2; Ag Leader, 2; Headsight, 2; CNH, 3), with the biggest issue being availability of training and support.
The problem is getting everybody in the dealership as well as customers up to speed with precision products, practices and basic troubleshooting. Most precision farming specialists have the duty of selling, installing, servicing and answering all phone calls related to this technology, and now add the fact that we have to train dealership personnel and customers on these products. It can, at times, get overbearing as advanced technology becomes more and more common in the dealership and on the farm.
It seems that all the focus and resource allocation is on the latest and greatest gizmo and gadgets. Developing these new things and bringing customers and dealers up to speed on the products takes a back seat."
— Name withheld by request
