Assessing the performance and production of a precision farming team can take into account several factors. Customer service and communication skills are less quantifiable than sales volume and service hours billed.

In today’s Precision Farming Dealer podcast, we're joined by Central Valley Ag's advanced cropping systems manager Keith Byerly and advanced cropping systems equipment manager Chris Winkelbauer to discuss their approach to customer retention, service excellence and product diversity.

On my way into work I stopped at a gas station along my usual route to fill up. It’s a station I’ve frequented many times, and often will specifically visit because they have a promotional program which allows me to shave a few cents off each gallon.

Taking pride in a job well done brings with it a sense of satisfaction and validation that the blood, sweat and tears poured into a task were worth it. In my experience, pride is also born out of passion.

I’ve typically been one to lend a neighbor, friend or family member a tool, book or household supplies when in need. I’ve certainly been on the borrowing end of the equation and I’m happy to reciprocate.

Greetings from the SIMA show in Paris. One of the highlights of the event thus far has been an international dealer session, where retailers and distribution coordinators shared the state of their country’s equipment distribution model.

Returning from the second Precision Farming Dealer Summit last week in St. Louis, I am slowly sifting through a notebook of takeaways accumulated during formal sessions, roundtable discussions and hallway conversations.

AMS specialists at Van Wall Equipment are at farms 12 months of the year. Scott Meldrum, integrated solutions manager for Van Wall, talks about how that relationship is about way more than selling as it involves getting equipment set up, managing data and understanding the customers' needs. Van Wall earned top honors in Farm Equipment's 2016 Dealership of the Year program.

During busy seasons when Nathan Zimmerman, precision farming manager with A.C. McCartney Equipment in Wataga, Ill., can get 100 phone calls a day, he makes sure to document each customer contact in a purchase order book, to ensure accurate invoicing and billing.