Why do I need to keep in contact with my customers?

Building and maintaining relationships with your current customers is often an overlooked strategy to generate sales for your business.  Yes, thats right - relationship management with your customers can directly inc...

Email Marketing

You are currently selling products and services to your consumer base on a daily basis. They like doing business with you, and you have a lot of repeat customers. Have you ever thought of using them to solidify relationships, and increase sales and referral...

Modern tools increase employee productivity and improve accuracy.

I’ve heard some co-workers talk about how they kept track of everything on long ledger paper, inventory, dealer accounts, payroll, payables, and sales. This method used to meet needs, but as a bus...

“We may need to Get External to notice.” 

The Landscape Industry has experienced steady growth between 2010 and 2015, with an average annual increase in revenu...

I'm sure you've heard the saying "Time is money." An overused cliche yes, but nonetheless its underlying meaning will always hold true. So, I ask you this: Is your outdoor power equipment dealership running efficiently, or is there room for improvement? With the limited resources that small- and ...

Of course, it's that time of year again, time to prep your outdoor power equipment dealership for the Springtime surge in business. In our industry, there are always elements that we can improve. This time of year is the perfect opportunity to consider what you can...

As an outdoor power equipment dealership, you are always trying to find ways to maximize your selling potential. Equipment demo programs are the perfect way to gain more customers by creating a hands-on environment for buyers, AND they give you an edge over competi...

As an outdoor power equipment dealership, you are always trying to find ways to maximize your selling potential. Equipment demo programs are the perfect way to gain more customers by creating a hands-on environment for buyers, AND they give you an edge over competi...

Tried-And-True Marketing Tactics You Should Try in 2016

When you are busy running an outdoor power equipment dealership, it can be hard to find time to take on the task of marketing. We often push it to the back burner because of the varying degrees of trial and error...

This past year, KPM worked with Alex Goldfayn to incorporate some of his Evangelist marketing ideas into our own business. One specific thing that Alex explains to his clients is how to incorporate client testimonials into your company’s communications.

Recently, Alex gave this&n..

Most outdoor power equipment dealers contain their business inside their four walls, and they wait for potential customers to come inside the dealership. They have created a comfort zone where they feel at ease completing the same day-to-day tasks that have always been on the age...

2015 was somewhat of an unusual year for the outdoor power equipment industry in the Northeast.

Sales and service of snow and ice handling equipment started out extremely strong due to the frequent and large amount of snow and ice we received throughout our region from mid...

Starting The Process

Have you been debating whether or not to expand your client base to include municipal and government entities? While this may seem like the perfect way to expand your profits, pursuing this type of customer is not for ev...

Dealers who have worked with manufacturers directly in the past may wonder how distributors fit into the equation and what value distributors can add to their retail business. When I speak with dealers who purchase and promote power equipment available through distribution, I hear a wide range of...

This October, Louisville, Kentucky, hosted the annual GIE Expo, a premier outdoor power equipment industry event and one of the largest tradeshows in the U.S.  The vast majority of companies in the industry attend...

This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 28. It’s a day that encourages consumers to shop small and local. Since American Express started the initiative in 2010, eighty-eight million people have shown up to “shop small.”

In the outdoor power equipment industry, s...

In today’s environment, technology is a vital part of most areas of business. So, it’s no wonder that business management systems (BMS) are making their way into outdoor power equipment dealerships. In fact, a high-quality...

Have you ever walked into a store and encountered a display that was almost empty? I have, and the thing that comes to mind is “this store doesn’t carry the merchandise I need.”

As a customer, that can be a very frustrating experience. A...

We cannot begin a conversation about a customer-centric business approach without first defining “customer centric.” To make it simple, it is putting the customer at the center of your business. Understanding what the customer needs and putting them fir...

Steve Redan founded Kenvil Power Mower in 1957 as a retailing, servicing outdoor power equipment dealership after the untimely passing of his dad.  With the need to support his mom and siblings, Steve’s mom signed him out of high school, and with a modest loan ...

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of small business births is exceeding the exit rate of companies, or company closures—a positive trend we haven’t seen since 2007.  With increasing competition, how can your small business stay ahead of the pa...

So where do you begin? Begin by investing some time organizing yourself. Invest time in writing a job description and preparing yourself for the interview process. You will either spend your time on the front end organizing or on the back end dealing with the fallout from hiring the wrong person....

An increasing number of Lawn and Garden dealers are starting to realize the benefits of selling plows in addition to lawnmowers.  They can satisfy more of their customers’ needs during the summer and winter months as their current landscape customers who are cutting grass from May to S...

More and more commercial landscapers have grown their companies into year-round businesses.  They are not only cutting grass and maintaining lawns throughout the summer growing season, but many commercial landscapers have matured their business to include snow...

KPM's first guest blog post comes to us this week from Joe Miller, the Marketing Director at c-Systems Software, Inc.  Joe is an outdoor power equipment industry leader in software, and works closely with KPM on a host of dealer-focused enhancements to c-Systems’ BMS.&...

Social media is playing a larger role in driving traffic to retail businesses.  Not only are more people engaging with brands on social media networks, but social media is also impacting how your business ranks on Google.  Potential customers may do an online search before deciding wh...

According to eMarketer, online shoppers surveyed prefer to shop local retail businesses, primarily due to the level of personalization and customer experience. “More than nine in 10 said local businesses were more trustworthy and better at treating them fairly, and a similar percentage sa...

As a dealer, you likely devote a fair amount of time to inventory management, right? Parts to keep your customers going, the optimal level, make-up and display of equipment to maximize your sales? Of course! But what about the other inventory you purchase with each payroll? That’s right, sh...

Want to change or expand the product mix at your dealership but don’t know when to start the transition?  The best time to take on a new lawnmower line tends to be sometime between late summer and late fall (September – December).

On the flip side, the best time to take on...

Soon, the leaves will be falling causing a frenzy among landscape contractors to get their customers’ properties cleaned up before the snow flies. Be prepared to help your customers and make the most of this selling opportunity.

Here are some tips to maximize sales.

Soon, the leaves will be falling causing a frenzy among landscape contractors to get their customers’ properties cleaned up before the snow flies. Be prepared to help your customers and make the most of this selling opportunity.

Here are some tips to maximize sales.

Here are two suggestions from KPM dealers that may work for your dealership – and a tip from KPM.

Dealer Suggestion #1 - Use retail financing plans and the associated monthly payment

By marking the equipment you have on your floor with a mon...

Be Proud of Your Business Impact 

When asked about your business or what type of work you do, how do you respond? Is it, “we sell lawn mowers,” or “I work for so and so and I fix mowers?” Why are we so modest when talking about our ch...

Independent We Stand

Independence Day, America’s birthday, the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. One of the most important days in our history. We will celebrate with family and friends, each in our own way.

I plan t...

Key Factors Contractors Consider

Over 90% of landscape contractors surveyed pointed to three key factors that influence their buying decision when purchasing equipment: Durability/Reliability, Productivity/Performance, and Brand Loyalty.

Successful Dealers

The most successful dealers can differentiate themselves from the competition (other independently owned dealers and the big box stores) and do not compete using price as a primary differentiator. Instead, they consistently deliver a unique bundle of ser...