Every afternoon on the way home I see a sign or two along the way that reads: “I buy, sell, trade and repair lawn mowers.” And right beside the sign will be a couple of push or self-propelled lawn mowers and occasionally a riding mower. A few years ago I didn’t see any such signs. Now I see them everywhere. I guess they are “signs of the time.”
The upside is that hopefully these real “shade-tree mechanics” are buying parts and engines from some of our customers – authorized service centers and contracted OPE dealers just like you. Long term, putting these recycled mowers back in use, creates future parts and service business for us all.
Back in the 1980’s and ‘90’s, my Dad use to say that he believed 1/3 of our parts business was generated by old mowers that one neighbor sold or gave away to another. The new owner would then be willing to invest $100 or $200 toward fixing it up, putting a new seat on it or having the engine tuned up and the belts and blades replaced. I use to chuckle every time he said that, and he said it often. But I think his statement is still very valid.
I smile now when I think about that transition from being a son and a teenager to becoming a friend and a business partner with my Dad. Thank goodness my Dad was patient and forgiving. Thank goodness many teenagers turn into responsible adults. He was my mentor, my teacher and my friend. I miss him every day.
An African impala can jump to a height of more than 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. It's a remarkable feat to observe -- so effortless and graceful, a real defense mechanism necessary for survival on the predator-filled savannas.
But put these magnificent creatures in an enclosure in a zoo surrounded by just a three-foot wall, and they will not jump over the wall - if they cannot see where their feet will land. They will be killed rather than risk the unknown.
Many humans share these characteristics. They thrive in familiar territory, doing what they know is safe and comfortable, but they won't take any risks for fear of failure. They would rather watch opportunities pass them by than jump over the wall.
Do you take risks in your business or do you stick with what you know is safe and comfortable? Do you try to understand what the consequences might be before you act? Remember the old adage “measure twice and cut once.” We know that really does reduce risk.
Do you know who is making most of Sears’ OPE equipment for the 2010 model year? It’s not Husqvarna, which has had most of Sear’s business for many years. It’s now MTD. Even though Sears uses many different suppliers forvarious portions of their OPE business, think about the effects of this change on your own parts and service business now that MTD is making a great majority of Sear’s riders, push and self-propelled mowers.
One of the best compliments I can give when writing a reference letter is that the person takes initiative.
Translation: the willingness to at least try, to take a risk, to give it your absolute best shot. When I recommend someone in those terms, a light goes on for the prospective employer.
Initiative is not a promise of perfect results. Sometimes it results in failure. Sometimes, it results in a satisfactory but not remarkable outcome. Other times, the effort ends in a great success.
An employee who can step up to the plate three runs down in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded and two batters out, and envision a grand slam instead of a pop fly is the kind of player I want on my team. That employee will wait for just the right pitch and send it over the fence.
Don't worry if you weren't born knowing how to take initiative -- it can be learned. In fact, a lot of us learn it the hard way, getting stuck in a rut and trying to dig our way out. At some point, frustration sets in and we decide to take charge of the situation. That’s when good things happen.
