Simple Actions Grow Dealership
BioZyme® dealers Tod and Sondra Brancel, Next Generation Genetics at Endeavor, Wis., wear many hats. They work together to manage and operate a registered cow herd, both work off-farm jobs and are raising two children involved in activities. Despite their busy schedule, they have experienced significant growth in their BioZyme business and their action rewards points in their second year as dealers. Sondra says their success stems from following the golden rule.
“We try to treat people the way we’d want to be treated if we were the buyer. Be good to all people,” she said. “We aren’t high-pressure sales people. But we’ve used the product, and the product has allowed for us to be not high-pressure sales people because it sells itself.”
The Brancels first started using VitaFerm® products after conducting their own research and trying the products on their cows that were experiencing lowered conception rates, likely due to high iron in the water source. Once they started using Concept•Aid® and saw the results, they became dealers. Word of mouth and their peers knowing they use the product have been good marketing tools.
“Sometimes I feel like we don’t do enough because our lives are so busy, and we are going in so many directions, but I think we just try to keep things simple and let people know about the products we have. The fact that we use what we’re selling, and we first believed in the product before we decided to become a dealer, that holds value for people.”
Sondra also emphasizes that keeping a small, realistic inventory is key to keeping happy customers, while making economic sense to her and Tod. They don’t keep an extensive inventory but do know what their customers need and try to have it because she knows not everyone plans ahead.
“We are willing to have products a customer uses on hand, even if we don’t use them ourselves. I try to circle back with regular customers to make sure their needs haven’t changed before I place an order,” she said.
Involvement with industry organizations and communication with BioZyme staff are also important steps that Tod and Sondra take. Sondra has helped ASM Kevin Arand staff the booth at the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Meeting. Tod and Sondra are also active in the Wisconsin Hereford Association and have hosted a tour stop at their farm, allowing other cattle producers to learn more about the VitaFerm products.
“The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s is a small enough trade show space that we get noticed, have an attractive booth, and other producers like to see me there as a producer who actually uses the products and carries the product. We don’t run down a competitor, but rather show them the data and research behind the products. The product they are using might be just fine for them, but our product might go above and beyond for them if they give it some time. You can’t buy six bags of mineral and expect to see a change overnight,” she said about working the trade show.
In addition to industry involvement and peer interaction, Tod takes his training as a veterinarian and embryologist to help others understand how good nutrition ties back to reproductive health. He is able to create partnerships based on his practical knowledge of using the products and his academic training to explain how and why the products work. He also works closely with Kevin to help customers test feed samples to make sure the customers are getting the right supplements for their animals.
Simple human interactions along with knowledge and tools are what have helped Next Generation Genetics grow their business. Sondra offers four final pieces of advice to any new dealers or those looking to grow:
1. Set goals on what you want to achieve.
2. Be honest and fair with people.
3. Know your product and know why someone would use it.
4. Be knowledgeable; use the tools BioZyme provides so people will turn to you as a trusted source.
“If you are confident in the advice you’ve given your customers, use the sales tools and product information that you’re provided as dealers, and treat others the way you want to be treated, you should experience growth,” Sondra said.