Marketing

Winning in a Business Dominated by Men - Meet Terri Stevens

She started selling recycled tractor parts when she was seventeen. Something not many young women did in the 1970's.  Fast forward several years and she Terri Stevens January 2023 became the owner of The Tractor Barn. Today Terri Stevens sells tractors, parts, lawn and garden machines to an ever expanding customer base. We caught up with Terri in Nashville at the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association Annual Conference & Trade Show.  Where we talked about a host of things including how NTPDA has impacted her and her business.  How have things changed in her world...let's find out as you "Meet Our Members". 

Thanks for listening to a program dedicated to raising the brand of NTPDA. 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 


Bulletin Deadline Coming Up!

Hello Members!  A reminder that the deadline for our Conference and Trade Show Bulletin is the 16th of November.  This is a great opportunity for you to MPL Clock
reach every member in our association with your message/advertisement prior to going to Nashville.  We're on a really tight turnaround this time because we want to get the Bulletin to you well before the middle of December. 

So, if you've got business news or if you are advertising with new copy we're going to need that before the 16th.  If you are in the holiday mood you can also send holiday greetings to your members with a small ad. You can send your ad and presser to [email protected].  Please be aware of the deadline...it really matters with this edition.  So you have ad information here is a LINK to the ad sizes and rates.

One more thing Kim and I just finished our weekly phone meeting and I can share with you we've received lots of registrations for our Nashville event in January. This looks to be a fantastic conference and trade show.  To get registered you can follow this LINK.

Thank you for being a member!

Michael & Kim


It's Going To Be Awesome!

Very soon we're going to be sending out a link, by email, to those of you who have registered for our Annual Conference and Trade Show scheduled for Whova Logo January 19 - 21 in Nashville. The link will take you to the Whova Event & Conference App which will give you the power to communicate with other conference attendees, post photos, make appointments, check the agenda, gather contact data at the trade show booth, experience some great contests and more. This also means that we'll be going mostly paperless in January.

Over the summer Kim has been working on making sure this will be a positive experience and we're almost at launch. When you get your notice via email you can start to build your profile in the app. That would include your photo, details about your company, contact information, etc. 

Whova Ad Capture ImageOne more thing. The Whova App also allows you to market your company to attendees. Yes, there is advertising space that scrolls from page to page. The Board has recommended that  advertising space be sold to our membership at $500 per advertiser and we already have two spots taken!  You can advertise your website, special deals and more. It's a new and exciting way to market your company to our membership. And, the app stays live for weeks after the event. If you would like to claim an advertising spot connect with Kim by email, [email protected] or me at [email protected] and we'll get you hooked up.

Also a reminder that you can register for our Annual Conference and Trade Show now and save.  Here is that link, and check out how fancy this looks...also another big change. 

We hope you'll engage with this new technology because it will truly enhance your experience. So, you know, I've used the Whova App at several national events and it's really slick.  Be watching for your email invite and thank you for being a member!

Michael & Kim


The Russell Tractor Parts Story with Pat Russell

Recently the NTPDA Board traveled to Scottsboro, Alabama for our Summer Board Meeting. Hosting us was Russell's Tractor Parts with NTPDA President Trey Pat Trey Russell Use July 2022
Russell
and former President Pat Russell.  It was a resounding success and our Board really enjoyed the time in Scottsboro. It also gave us a chance to sit down with Pat to learn more about the company, who they serve and the many changes he's seen. Pat has been pushing iron for years and now, in partnership with Trey, he took us back to the beginning. We talk about the growth of the company, how family plays into the success and so much more. Here then is the story of Russell's Tractor Parts  Enjoy...we sure did!  To listen just click our player. 

This is one of a continuing series of stories about our NTPDA Members.  As always, should you have some news for us let us know.  We're always open to learning more and sharing your stories. You can connect with us by sending an email to [email protected]  And, thanks for being a member...it does matter! 


The Summer Bulletin is Out and Online

The newly designed NTPDA Bulletin should be in your mailbox within the next week or so. Inside you'll be able to "Remember When" with some great June 2022 NTPDA Bulletin Cover Use photos, learn the "financial literacy" secrets to building a more successful business with author Jack Stack. And, yes there is an NTPDA connection. Jack's company owns NTPDA Member Global Recovery Corporation based in Missouri. You'll also hear from our financial advisor Craig Shaver about the importance of trust when it comes to investing. President Trey invites you to join us for our Summer Board Meeting this year in Scottsboro, Alabama. There is some news about the Farm Bill in a Washington, D.C. report. In "Staff Notes" you'll learn what Kim and Michael have been up to over the past several months.

And what is really neat is that you'll be able to meet our 2022 NTPDA Scholarship Recipients. The Board increased the number of students able to receive funds and it's really interesting to read what each of our "Class of 2022" are seeking to do with their education. 

Finally, a big THANK YOU to our many Bulletin advertisers. We've been able to outpace our Spring Edition as more of our members have come to understand that The Bulletin is a great way to showcase products and services and it is mailed to every member in the U.S. and Canada. For those of you who are in other nations know that you can access The Bulletin by clicking this link or simply going to the tab at the top of our website.

Remember, we're here to help you share news and information about your company. Our deadline for the Fall Issue is 17 August. Feel free to send your news and your ads directly to Michael at [email protected]

Here's to a profitable summer!


Building A Better Business with Jack Stack

Off mic he said to me, "I'm going to share with you what ails so many businesses, families and our nation and it can be wrapped up in two Jack Stack May 2022 words, financial literacy." Meet Jack Stack: businessman, author, keynote speaker who, in the next several minutes, will share with you how you can build a thriving business by getting everybody on board...and it's not done by holding hands and singing Kumbaya. No, his tried and true method is to get everybody from the line worker to HR to engineering to marketing to the front office to better understand what's going on "inside the numbers" and how they can play a part in creating productivity and profit. And, it not only can help businesses but also families and that, he says, will cure so many of our nation's ills. Oh, and the NTPDA connection? The business Jack started is SRC Holdings and one of the businesses under that umbrella is NTPDA Member Global Recovery Corporation. Small world... Strap in for Jack Stack.

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 


Seller Beware!

We're all aware of the old saying, "Buyer beware!" and while that's true even sellers need to beware of scam artists. Here is a story about that we think Man Selling Elixer you'll enjoy and, perhaps, learn from.

We get phone calls all the time from people wanting to sell NTPDA something. From Medicare insurance to car warranty insurance to copy paper. It's a steady stream. However, not long ago we received, for the second time, a phone call from a company who wanted to sell us parts. The  person on the other line said, "Please, we would like to sell you tractor parts. Can you put me in touch with your purchasing agent?" We told them we don't actually sell parts but our members sell parts.  He was not listening. "No, no, no...we have tractor parts for you. Please let me speak to your purchasing agent." Again, I shared with my insistent friend that we do not sell parts but if his company wanted to sell parts to our members his company should become a member of NTPDA. He said, "Yes, yes I understand but we do have tractor parts to sell to you. May I please speak to your purchasing agent?"

Clearly he didn't understand and this went on for some time (we are very patient people here at NTPDA) before I asked the caller for his email and I would
send him a note about who and what we are and give him the opportunity to join our group. That was three weeks ago and we've not heard back.

Man Shell GameLast week I was visiting with one of our long-term members who I knew sold a specific brand of parts to dealers. I told him the story and he said to me, "I know who you are talking about and it is a scam."  He told me that he had gotten a call from this same company requesting that he send some parts to three of their clients in the U.S. and that the company ordering the parts would pay the bill.  So, our member received payment online and filled the three orders. All good...right?

Except a few days later the company that called to order the parts disputed the charges and the payment was reversed.

Our member was out the parts and the payment.  While it was not a huge order it still hurt.

The bottom line here is know who you are doing business with. One of the great things about being a member of NTPDA is that we do know each other. We do business with each other and there is a method to attempt to fix problems that arise. 

Yes, along with our many benefits, there is a sense of comfort being an NTPDA member...and thank you!


The Summer Bulletin

We get it it's still Spring and we're talking about the Summer Edition of The Bulletin.  That's because we're already working on it and this is your reminder that Bulletin Summer Cover Web our deadline for submission of news and advertising is May 18. While that might look like a "long way off" it's really not. In fact we've already received new ads for our summer issue. Thank you!

A reminder that a hard copy of The Bulletin goes to every Regular and Associate Member in the U.S. and Canada. It's a great way to let your fellow members know about you and what you offer. In addition the online issue (which you can see here) has links from your ad to your website so our online friends can visit you directly.  That's just one of the many new changes we've made during the past year.

Finally, we're always looking for news about you and your business. Our goal is to make The Bulletin a resource and a place where we can help tell your story. So, if you've got news let us know! Shoot me an email or call 877-668-0900 and let's talk.

And, as a "sneak peek" the image you see here is our Summer Edition cover.  

Thank you for being a member...it does matter.


Meet Our Members - Caterina Ciani & Agri Parts

The wonders of technology can put people together from all over the planet. Today we're in Bologna, Italy with our guest Caterina Caterena Ciani 6 April 2022 Ciani the marketing person for Agri Parts. (Who joined NTPDA late last year.) Caterina moved from South Africa to Italy and landed a job with Agri Parts. We talk a bit about this manufacturing hub in the northern part of the country, plus the family business aspect of the company and the issue of high quality parts for agriculture.  We'll also chat a bit about how the company has been able to drive new sales records. A delightful conversation...join us. Oh, and if you've got news about your business let's talk! We would love to share your story. 

Thanks for coming by!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 


Meet Our Members - All States Ag Parts with John Dyke

Don't let the name fool you because things are changing rapidly. Here is a story about the growth of an industry. Our guest is a long time member of the John Dyke January 2022 National Tractor Parts Dealer Association, John Dyke who is the CEO of All States Ag Parts a company with deep roots in the U.S. and Canada. Learn about the humble beginnings of what was a family start-up and has now grown into an international giant. You'll also learn about John's commitment to his employees and where the company is headed next...think infrastructure.  Here is that conversation:

Thanks for listening to this special edition of our national newscast.

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.