FarmTrac Troubles

[longtrman]

ALRIGHT!!! HERE IT IS!!! FARMTRAC NATIONAL DEALERS MEETING WILL BE AT THE COMFORT INN TARBORO, NC ON APRIL 24th, 2008 AT 7:00 PM. ROOMS WILL BE DISCOUNTED TO $53.00 PER NIGHT FOR FARMTRAC DEALERS
CONTACT VIRGINIA KAY CRISP AT COMFORT INN IN TARBORO AT (252) 824-0088 FOR RESERVATIONS OR SEND ME A PM. SPREAD THE WORD AND TRY TO BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tommy,
Be sure to write down an agenda! You definitely don't want it to be a shouting match. Perhaps something as simple as:
7:00 Tommy--welcome and concerns.
7:10 TimC--where we stand if there is anything to discuss
7:20 Sess--whatever he is concerned about
7:30 Someoneelse and whatever he P.M.'d you to include

The important thing is for everyone to have his thoughts down pat. That way time will be spent most efficiently.

As yet I haven't decided if I can make it.
Everyone should P.M. either Tommy, Tim or whomever agrees to keep the agenda and ask for a time slot and state what they will speak about. Thanks.

 

[agequipt]

Do we have conformation any one will be there that has any controll of this situation. I am not talking about Shusil, but Marrow or Gurkins?

 

[tommybr]

The meeting is in its planning stage . any suggestions are welcome

 

[sseelhoff]

I'm not a dealer, so I don't necessarily have a dog in the fight, BUT, I have had experience with meetings of this nature, government meetings/public hearings, etc..., so here's my $.02.

I would avoid at all costs having this turn into a group therapy session, especially if Gurkins is in attendance. If everybody gets up and b*tches about the same thing over and over again, it will waste a lot of time, and you will appear as though you have not unified or have not really coordinated. That works to his benefit. The dealers may feel better about venting, but that does not seem to be an efficient use of the time.

Assuming Gurkins, or someone with Farmtrac is present, you would probably be better served by having the dealers elected one representative (or two, max) to speak about the concerns facing the group. Get that name(s) of the Dealer Rep(s) out there sooner rather than later, and have the rep caucus with the dealers to get topics of discussion and issues facing the dealers.

As for the agenda, I would open with comments by the "moderator." Have the opening comments more conciliatory than accusatory, i.e. we all have a problem, need to find solutions, blah, blah, blah. If it is too inflamatory at the start, you run the risk of the Farmtrac rep walking out, or not responding to any questions. I would schedule the Farmtrac rep to address the assembled dealers first, right after the call to order and opening comments. Once he has concluded, turn it over to Dealer rep to discuss issues facing their group as pointedly and directly as possible, with an opportunity for Farmtrac Rep to respond point by point.

You may then want to open it up for a Q&A from the group to the Farmtrac Rep(s). I would also suggest that you seek to have a represenative of Textron in the meeting as well.

My suggestion is you invite Morrow, Gurkins, Textron reps, and reps from the National Dealer's Association (and/or their lawyer). You may also want to invite (but maybe not) a member or two of the media.

This is not the only way that this meeting can be run, but my experience has been once a meeting turns into a free-for-all, everyone leaves as mad (or madder) then before, and nothing really gets done.

Free advice is worth what you pay for it, so feel free to disregard if you have other ideas.

Good luck to all of you.

 

[rascoil]

I am not sure how the meeting will go. But I would be ready for the day after, and you all could make some signs and do a lawful protest in the front gates of the facility if all goes bad. That would have a major impact on the out come of the auction. Most folks unlike the ones we are dealing with have a soul and a heart. Most know right from wrong. Just a thought. Now that would get some serous media coverage. It always does. Mr. Marrow is a member of this community. He will not want this, it will not do him any good in his own town. Seeing that the impression I have from these two fellows that they feel they are above us all. I have seen them both in person and I would say Marrow is the better of the two. He acts like he cares a little, but for Mr. Gurkins he could care less what happens. He seemed that I was putting him out. (taking away from his profit margin)

 

[longtrman]

I'm not a dealer, so I don't necessarily have a dog in the fight, BUT, I have had experience with meetings of this nature, government meetings/public hearings, etc..., so here's my $.02.

I would avoid at all costs having this turn into a group therapy session, especially if Gurkins is in attendance. If everybody gets up and b*tches about the same thing over and over again, it will waste a lot of time, and you will appear as though you have not unified or have not really coordinated. That works to his benefit. The dealers may feel better about venting, but that does not seem to be an efficient use of the time.

Assuming Gurkins, or someone with Farmtrac is present, you would probably be better served by having the dealers elected one representative (or two, max) to speak about the concerns facing the group. Get that name(s) of the Dealer Rep(s) out there sooner rather than later, and have the rep caucus with the dealers to get topics of discussion and issues facing the dealers.

As for the agenda, I would open with comments by the "moderator." Have the opening comments more conciliatory than accusatory, i.e. we all have a problem, need to find solutions, blah, blah, blah. If it is too inflamatory at the start, you run the risk of the Farmtrac rep walking out, or not responding to any questions. I would schedule the Farmtrac rep to address the assembled dealers first, right after the call to order and opening comments. Once he has concluded, turn it over to Dealer rep to discuss issues facing their group as pointedly and directly as possible, with an opportunity for Farmtrac Rep to respond point by point.

You may then want to open it up for a Q&A from the group to the Farmtrac Rep(s). I would also suggest that you seek to have a represenative of Textron in the meeting as well.

My suggestion is you invite Morrow, Gurkins, Textron reps, and reps from the National Dealer's Association (and/or their lawyer). You may also want to invite (but maybe not) a member or two of the media.

This is not the only way that this meeting can be run, but my experience has been once a meeting turns into a free-for-all, everyone leaves as mad (or madder) then before, and nothing really gets done.

Free advice is worth what you pay for it, so feel free to disregard if you have other ideas.

Good luck to all of you.

Very well said. We can't win divided. We can't win as an angry mob. And we certainly can't win if we don't have our goals firmly in mind. We have to know what success is and ask for it with one voice. The idea of coordinating through the DEALER Council representatives is the best yet. Thanks

 

[tommybr]

all I have been involved in is arranging a time and place for the meeting. Plans for the meeting are still in progress. We do need the help of the dealer council, which I am not a member of. I will help any way I can. We want to have a very professional, business-like meeting, not a shouting match or a free-for-all. Good manners at the meeting will be expected.

 

[taxpayer]

I'm not a dealer, so I don't necessarily have a dog in the fight, BUT, I have had experience with meetings of this nature, government meetings/public hearings, etc..., so here's my $.02.

[/ I think you have brought out some very important points,the meeting absolutely must be well organized to maximize our available time with these people.and above all order must be maintained if we are to get any solutions worked out.I would however,like to point out some things that the dealers may wish to consider.first,the meeting was sought expressly for the purpose of airing our disapproval of the auction being held on the 25th,and secondly,for the manner that we been treated by the receiver and his assistant,mainly the failure to respond to the needs and inquiries of the dealers. Now bear in mind that,at this point,Mr Marrow and Textron are on opposite sides in this issue.Textron's first and only goal is to recover as much of the indebtiness owed them,both from the dealers and from the Farmtrac company as possible, and not concern for the plight of the dealers.Mr Marrow is on the other hand,charged by the court,to address the concerns of all the parties involved.and to seek a resolution fair to all.I feel that Textrons presence,will only detract from complete attention by Mr Marrow to the needs and concerns of the dealers.Remember,the court ,appointed Marrow,and only he can make decisions reguarding Farmtrac matters.without him,the meeting is pointless. I do think a meeting with Textron is necessary and desirable,but, at a different time.hopefully it can be arranged during the dealers stay in tarboro.we should never forget,that it is Textron who holds the big stick shaped like a$ sign over our head.finally,we need the reporter from the Daileysoutherner and if he is the reporter I believe him to be,he will be there,invited or not,and I for one will be honored to shake his hand and say thanks. sorry for the length of the post.-----Taxpayer

 

[tommybr]

I personnally do not think the press should be invited. This is a "family matter".....not a circus

 

[blueliner]

TommyBR... we should use anything we can utilize to get our point to everyone across the country. Media leverage may be the most powerful tool we have left.
--blueliner