GPS Reviews: Distributor & Dealer Needed The Culture Changed

Situation

A distributor and dealer of farm equipment, supplies, and services, hired GPS for an enhancement project, so that his business would, in the words of the client, “continue to grow and be viable for the future of our customers, employees, and my family”

Process

From the day that the GPS team arrived, “we have been examining, soul searching, stretching, learning and growing. I find that all of these things are somewhat painful and extremely challenging, but, at the same time, necessary for what we want to accomplish.”

The GPS consultant “has been very helpful in this process. All of the employees felt comfortable meeting and talking with him about our company. I think that it was crucial that everyone trusted him, so that we were able to obtain honest information about their view of the culture.

One of the most important things was changing the culture at our office. Our consultant helped us realize that we had some bad attitudes and complacency that needed to be dealt with head on. We instituted a Service Manager. Once this manager was in place, we started re-training our service techs about their responsibilities to the company. I believe that we have made some significant progress.

We also appointed a Sales Manager and received the full support of the salesmen for that move. The whole sales team works very well together. They are just going to need a lot of training and encouragement from me to help them be successful. I am committed to do whatever it takes. As our consultant has repeatedly suggested, I will continue to be in search of quality people to join our team.

There was a cash management tool presented early on in the project. It was my feeling that we had other issues that needed more attention. Creating the FMT and the 5 year business plan, however, was very beneficial. I have never been very good at setting up future plans and objectives. I have to believe that having the plan as well as managers, to help achieve those goals, will really move us forward as an organization. I can already see that my daily tasks are starting to be reduced.

I know, however, this is only the beginning. I must be vigilant about entrusting and empowering my managers to take charge of their departments in order for me to be able to focus on being the owner and to help with the selling efforts in the field.”

Result

“I am thankful for the assistance that our consultant and others at GPS have given us, so far, and have promised to give over the next couple years. I am confident that we can follow the plan that our consultant and I have put together.

It is obvious to me that God had his hand in this happening. He knew that we were in need of help, even before we asked. I will give Him the glory for whatever we do accomplish. Everything that we have and are is a gift from Him. We are just asked to care for it and grow it to the best of our abilities.”   Rudy, President