[Video] How I Trained 18 New Stores in the Middle of Planting Season

When Kentucky-based Hutson Inc., 2023 Farm Equipment Dealership of the Year, expanded into Michigan, its new stores and staff were significantly behind the curve on the technology and the “mainstreamed” goals of the business. Travis Kiesel, vice president of precision ag for Hutson, was tasked with training both the dealership staff and customers on the new precision technology that could help their operations

“The dealers we acquired in Michigan had a good basic level understanding in precision but struggled with the high-end technology adoption,” says Kiesel, in contrast to the technology adoption curve in Hutson’s southern-states regions. “They struggled to train both farmers and employees, and as a result, their customers didn’t pursue it. While our precision had been mainstreamed for 3 years or more, it was just starting to take hold in Michigan.”

In short order, Kiesel and the Hutson team needed to recruit new employees and properly train the team in Michigan. In this insightful kickoff session, Kiesel explains how he brought 18 new stores up to speed on precision technology. He also details his dealership’s innovative approach to staff and customer education.