The development of new technology has made our daily lives an easier place to live. After all, where would we be without our car, mobile phone, or the internet? For some, the advances in technology can be quite traumatic, especially for the older generation. Some of them can find it difficult to adjust to working with this new technology.
The advances in farming technology, in particular, has been ground breaking and has made the growing of crops a lot more time and cost effective. However, this advancement in machinery technology is proving challenging for some, especially within the older farming community. Some of the machines that they have been familiar with may need replacing. The new equipment that is replacing their old ones are a lot different from what they have been used to. GPS controlled sprayers, and robotic seeders are some examples of what they may be faced with. Some have embraced this new technology with open arms but others are finding it difficult to grasp. Even ordering spare parts online can be quite a challenge for them.
As dealers, we should be mindful of those customers. Even though this new technology will make their farming operations much more efficient, it might not always be the case that it will make their life easier. In fact it could have the opposite effect by creating a lot of stress in their lives. Spending the time to explain how this new technology works by visiting them on their own farm and giving a demonstration of the machine would go a long way to ease their minds. Another way of encouraging them to learn about new farming technologies is to recommend them visit trade shows where they can talk with dealers and manufacturers about what is new in the market. Offer them complimentary tickets to the shows (most shows will have free entry but restricted to trade only).
Speaking of trade shows, there are many coming up within the next few weeks. First up is SALTEX, which takes place this Wednesday and Thursday at Birmingham NEC. If you are exhibiting at SALTEX, I hope you have an enjoyable and successful time there. This is a good event to see what new machines are in the market and learn about the latest technologies and product developments.
The Service Dealer Conference and Awards is also getting very close. It takes place in just over three weeks' time, on the 24th of November, at the Double Tree by Hilton Oxford Belfry. The theme of this year’s conference is Sustaining Dealerships and will focus on Recruitment, Retention and Succession. These are three important topics that are challenging within dealerships. To find out more about the Service Dealer Conference and Awards visit www.servicedealer.co.uk/2022-awards
Another show that will be soon taking place is LAMMA. Like SALTEX, this will also be held at Birmingham NEC but happening on the 10th & 11th of January 2023. I am delighted to hear that the show organisers are, once again, accepting entries for the Young Engineer Award. This is open to anybody under the age of thirty five who has created or worked on a piece of agricultural machinery, equipment or technology which significantly improves farm efficiency, profitability or sustainability. If such a person exists in your workplace, you should encourage them to enter the competition. It’s free to enter but entries close on the 18th of November. Good luck.
