“As the calls come in, I take care of my customers, that’s my goal,” says Terry Reed, Field Service Technician with Jenner Ag for the past 17 years. Terry attributes that attitude to what has allowed him to create bonds with a lot of his customers. “We as technicians create trust with our customers,” says Terry. “If they have an issue come up, they will ask our opinions, and most of the time they trust in those opinions and go with it.”
Creating that trust goes deeper than relationships; it also comes from the trust in your knowledge of their equipment. “I am always doing training courses, whether they are from Jenner Ag, Case IH, New Leader, you name it. They all offer training so we can stay current on the latest technology and continue to successfully do our jobs,” says Terry. “We as service techs have to balance our daily jobs as well as ensure we are staying up to date with our training.” He says that in the field, you have to be able to rely on yourself. The best way to do that is to stay educated.
Even though in the field it can feel like you are completely on your own, Terry says technology is there to help you. “I have my laptop right there with me, so as long as I have an internet connection, I can pull up schematics and diagnose an issue a piece of equipment might be having,” he says. But, if you still can’t find a solution, Terry says you can always phone a friend. “Usually someone on our team is just a phone call away.”
At the end of the day when Terry is in the field, he can handle any issues he has on his own terms. “When I am in the field, I’m like my own boss. I schedule my time as I see fit. As long as I do my job and keep my customers happy, everything works out,” says Terry. “With the agriculture industry coming up on planting season, we will have customers with sprayers, anhydrous bars and planters going. It will be a busy time. I just remember to keep my composure and get the job done. We are what helps keep our customers going, so we can’t drop the ball.”