What will the precision dealer of the future look like? How different will their role be within a dealership?

As new technologies mold the business model of many ag equipment dealerships, the responsibilities of precision staff are evolving as well, with more emphasis placed on service-centric revenue and data-driven decisions for customers.

Dealerships will likely need to redefine the “why” and “how” of their precision teams, influenced by rapid advancements in ag tech and taking cues from industries outside agriculture to adapt and grow their businesses. 

Jim Henderson, executive partner with The Exemplary Group, a business consulting firm working with ag dealerships, is no stranger to the start-up experience having developed software and hardware companies based on the philosophy that employees are “systems integrators” trained on multiple skillsets and abilities to serve customers. 

Jim Henderson

He sees the same model coming to agriculture, particularly within the precision farming side of their business. “The concept is rooted in being a value added dealer or the value added representative,” Henderson says. “Providing the services will be more profitable, but regardless of their core business, the dealer of the future will be a systems integrator and bring solutions together. Those are the companies that will have a big advantage.”

During the dinner keynote session at the 2020 Precision Farming Dealer Summit on Jan. 6, Henderson will draw on his professional experience advising businesses in and outside of agriculture on how to prepare and plan for the next wave of innovation that will reshape their business.

Co-located with the 28th Annual National No-Tillage Conference, the 2020 Summit will be held Jan. 6-7 at the historic Union Station Hotel in St. Louis. Among the Title Sponsors making the learning and networking opportunities possible for dealers are Ag Express Electronics, Copperhead Ag, DigiFarm VBN, Laforge Systems, RealmFive, Reichhardt Electronic Innovations, Topcon Agriculture and Yetter Farm Equipment.

For more information and to register for the Summit click here. We’ll see you in St. Louis!