What a life young producers have ahead. You’ve got your own canvas to paint. But if you permit it, there are a few gray-haired words of wisdom the old auction price guy would like to affectionately direct your way.
Keep Your Head on a Swivel
My father, who is now 87, gave me this advice in November 1989 when I set sail trying to help farmers, dealers, bankers and auctioneers better understand what used equipment is worth. Train yourself to seek out information from varied sources, be inquisitive and watch what folks are paying attention to. There are valuable insights waiting.
Stubbornness is an Asset – Sometimes
Believing in yourself, even if others don’t, is your No. 1 job. When I applied for our first home loan 33 years ago, the lender spouted off stats on how many new small businesses fail and said, “Sorry, no can do on that loan.” Rejection was like rocket fuel to me. I pushed harder and took on two part-time jobs. But the trick I’ve learned over the decades is knowing when to harness that stubbornness. Using it all the time isn’t pretty or easy for your loved ones to live with.
Eye Contact
A while back in the “Ag Twitterverse,” someone asked, “What’s one piece of advice you would give to a young person?” My reply: Eye contact. We live in an increasingly impersonal world. Technology is marvelous, but people skills are suffering greatly. The seemingly simple act of establishing and holding good eye contact with the people you are talking to is becoming extinct. There’s a golden opportunity for young folks, whether in ag or not, to stand out and get noticed. Hold good eye contact and listen well. Trust me, it will bring untold opportunities both in business and in your personal life.
It’s About Story
You might have noticed folks want to buy furniture, clothes and food with a story to it. There’s a huge opportunity there. By all means, look for ways to make your operation more efficient. But also think about new and different ways to tell the story of what you are producing. Take it from the data guy, when you tell a little story from your heart and personalize what you are selling, whatever it is becomes worth more money.
Take this 2001 John Deere 8210 Gold Key Tour certified tractor with 3,059 hours and one owner for example. On March 22 in West Unity, Ohio, we filmed a Machinery Pete auction preview video. The late owner, David Buehrer, took great care of his equipment. His wife, Lynne, told me, “I can’t show you the Gold Key. We put it with David in his casket.”
His son, Nate, said, “Dad taught me to never have the radio on in the tractor, combine or truck because we had to listen to our equipment.”
The machine sold for $132,500 – breaking the record auction price that had been in place for 13 years by $17,500. The story matters.
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