The John Deere Way

The John Deere Way presents timeless business lessons from one of America’s top brands. Even as many American manufacturers struggle with low-cost foreign competition, John Deere has not only prevailed, but increased its market share by offering superior quality products built tough and in accordance with time-tested business values. This book shares the company’s management principles and corporate values and shows how those values guide the company to increasingly greater success. For business owners and leaders who want to know what real long-term success constitutes—and how to achieve it—The John Deere Way is the only way.

DAVID MAGEE is the author of five books, including Ford Tough: Bill Ford and the Battle to Rebuild America's Automaker and Endurance: Winning Life's Majors the Phil Mickelson Way, both from Wiley. He lives with his wife and three children on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.

As many former giants of the American industrial heartland fall prey to low-cost foreign competition and high domestic manufacturing costs, one U.S. company stands out as a shining example of growth, brand recog- nition, and phenomenal success in a globalized world. John Deere has done more than prevail in its primary market: With $19.9 billion in annual sales and 46,000 employees, this global power- house has expanded its highly respected brand name beyond agricultural equipment to become the world leader in forestry harvesting equip- ment and a major supplier of equipment for con- struction, lawn and turf care, and golf course maintenance, as well as financial services and managed health care. How can a company founded in the early nine- teenth century maintain such a high level of vitality in the constantly changing business climate of the twenty-first century? Can other organizations crack the secrets of this enduring firm's success and use them to enhance their own growth and profitability? In The John Deere Way, celebrated business author David Magee takes you behind the scenes to discover the timeless underlying principles and innova- tive practices that have enabled John Deere to continue to leap ahead of the competition for nearly 170 years. Given unfettered access to the company, its archives, and its CEO Robert Lane, Magee soon discovered that the driving force behind this dynamic organization is a set of values and principles instilled at its inception by John Deere himself. From the day Deere developed the world's first commercially successful self- scouring steel plow in 1837 through to a remarkable series of innovations spearheaded by Robert Lane today, these principles have guided the company through good times and bad, helping it survive depressions and wars while making the most of prosperous times. From "I will not put my name on a product that does not have in it the best that is in me," to "You cannot have enduring performance with- out trust," The John Deere Way shares each of these secrets for the first time. Then, it exam- ines how Deere employees, from the CEO on down, strive to express each principle through their actions in the workplace every day. This close examination translates each of Deere's values into useable and proven leadership lessons that can invigorate any company of any size in any industry. Complete with an insightful introduction from Deere & Company Chairman and CEO Robert Lane, The John Deere Way offers compelling and important reading for anyone interested in industrial history; cutting-edge business practices; or a good, old-fashioned American success story.

Timeless business lessons from an American giant Few companies have stood the test of time like John Deere, one of the worlds most beloved and trusted brands. Since blacksmith John Deere developed the first commercially successful self-scouring steel plow in 1837, the company has provided customers the right products at the right time. From its trademark green and yellow tractors of all sizes to the popular Gator utility vehicle, the company is the leading provider of equipment and services for those who love and work the land, from farms and fields to golf courses to suburban backyards. The secrets to John Deeres enduring success go far beyond its well-known popular products, however. The John Deere Way examines the qualities that have led to the companys enduring performance, providing useful lessons for business managers and people in their everyday lives. These include: The importance of integrity All relationships must be win-win Grow on the strength of your roots Put your brand to work (and protect it at all costs) Create change through innovation This straightforward insight into one of the worlds greatest companies is a must-read for anyone who loves John Deere or is interested in learning how its commitment to simple-but-timeless values has led to more than a century-and-a-half of serving customers.

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