We lead today with a story which could hopefully be a positive indicator for what type of a season 2019 may pan out to be - this time for the ag machinery sector.

The AEA have released figures this week that show April's tractor registration figures were sharply up on the same month last year and were in fact the strongest figures for an April since 2012. The Association does admit that this may have at least in part had something to do with manufacturers bringing machines into the country ahead of the original Brexit date, rather than risk delays at ports or extra costs which might have resulted if the UK had left the EU without a deal. Which is understandable considering all the stories we've heard over the past few months regarding stockpiling and whatnot.

However, the AEA's economist, Stephen Howarth, tells us today that it's probably more than just that or timing differences due to system changes implemented during the month which has resulted in these improved figures. He says, ". . even allowing for that, there would still have been a noticeable year-on-year increase in April." Which is encouraging isn't it?

Of course I'm not saying all our readers will be hanging out the banners and booking that private jet to the Maldives just yet - as a breed, dealers have become accustomed to managing expectations.

If you listen to SME business experts, for companies to maintain profitability in the long term, it's not purely about cutting costs back to a bare minimum or going wild with spending to negotiate your way out of a difficult period. The key term they would use is working smarter. Knowing where to trim back on the fat in the business and where to sensibly invest in expansions.

The U.S dealer magazine Rural Lifestyle Dealer recently asked their readers where they are cutting back on costs in their dealerships at the moment. The whole piece is well worth a read through, if only to see just how relatable and how similar an experience the network over there is going through at the moment.

The magazine received a very interesting mixture of responses, from those which you would expect when times are little tight such as cutting back on advertising and marketing - to those which you may describe as slightly bullish, with some seeing now as the time to put money into the business to make sure they are in a position to fully take advantage of the opportunities which are out there this season.

One quote along these lines which really caught my eye was from a dealer called Doug Vahrenberg, of Vahrenberg Implement, based in Higginsville, Missouri. Doug is quoted by the magazine as saying his dealership is not undertaking any cost cutting exercises currently. He says, "We see momentum and stronger interest in the products we represent. We are actually increasing our marketing, upgrading facilities and increasing inventory to meet market demand. I’ve never had so many items pre-sold in our 67-year history . . .When you have the right products to sell, you don’t have the downturn others may be experiencing. Full steam ahead!"

That's real confidence being displayed there by Doug. Confidence in the machines he's selling, in his company's expertise and in there being customers out there who are willing to pay for both of these elements.

Is he being over confident? I don't know his particular circumstances, but I hope not. I certainly admire his belief in his products and services. But is it a statement which any of our readers feel they are in a position to repeat?

We're interested today in how our readers are feeling at the moment. In your efforts to work smarter where are you saving and where are you spending? If you are actively cutting costs within the business at the moment, where are you managing to do this?

Equally, what areas are you investing in? Are you seeing value in taking on more staff for example or investing in increased marketing? 

We'd appreciate hearing from you today, so please leave your comments below this article.