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November 17, 2009 Sign up Forward Archive Advertise Read more at SmartBrief.com News for the outdoor power equipment industry       Industry Buzz  AGCO will eliminate some brands AGCO is reducing the number of brands as part of a new strategy, according to the North American Equipment Dealers Association. Changes include phasing out the AGCO name over time and putting a new focus on marketing products under the Massey Ferguson and Challenger names. Company officials said they will clarify the changes with dealers in the near future. Wisconsin Ag Connection/USAgNet (11/16) Deere & Co. won't seek legal costs in benefits case Deere & Co. has withdrawn its request for legal costs it incurred when defending a lawsuit brought by a group of retirees who objected to a change in the company's health care benefits. A district court ruled in the company's favor. Deere waived its right to legal fees, and, in exchange, the retirees agreed not to appeal the decision. Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (11/17)   Trends and Innovations  New lab lets Caterpillar test equipment's strength Caterpillar recently began testing its equipment in a new durability-testing lab in Mossville, Ill. The lab puts the equipment through a cycle of damaging events to evaluate strength and durability. "This is like a mini-earthquake we've created in here for this testing. It's a lot like they would do to make sure a building in California can withstand an earthquake," noted engineering supervisor Pam Roberts. Peoria Journal Star (Ill.) (11/17) Industrial stocks post gains Industrial companies are leading the stock market as investors start to regain confidence, Wall Street analysts say. They expect industrial firms such as Caterpillar to continue to perform well as more cash flows into the stock market. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)/Market Blog (11/16)   Best Practices  To encourage innovation, show your softer side If you want to foster innovation, you need to embrace your neuroses, writes Saul Kaplan. Only by recognizing that something's missing, being unsparingly self-critical and welcoming even the most brutal feedback can you create something new. "The cliché that innovators have thick skin is true -- but it isn't impenetrable armor," Kaplan writes. "It is a semi-permeable membrane that enables a free flow of ideas and experiences in both directions." BusinessWeek (11/11) How to take advantage of current trends Deb Purcell, director of client services for Pitney Bowes Business Insight's Strategy and Analytics Group, says small businesses can take advantage of some opportunities now. Purcell tells BusinessWeek columnist Karen E. Klein that retailers can set up a temporary storefront, firms can negotiate cheaper rent, and emphasizing value may attract customers. BusinessWeek (11/13)   Lawn and Landscape  Slate wall, evergreen leaves create unique setting The combination of a curved slate wall, evergreen leaves and soft lighting creates a stunning ambiance for a backyard garden, writes Elspeth Thompson. Thompson notes that the wall doubles as backyard seating during outdoor parties. Telegraph (London) (11/16) Competition recognizes water-wise landscapes Residents of Cedar City, Utah, recently competed for the title of best water-wise landscape. The Water Efficient Landscape Program considered the presence of native grasses and efforts taken to conserve water when it evaluated the entries. Meanwhile, observers say water-wise landscapes have the potential to cut water use by up to 50%. The Spectrum & Daily News (St. George, Utah) (11/16) Other News Column: Don't let leaves, twigs go to waste The Tuscaloosa News (Ala.) (11/16)   Featured Content    Small Business Grant Programs Worth a Look Polly Schneider Traylor Minding the Petty Cash Drawer? Michelle V. Rafter You Can Laugh at Your Unemployment Worries If You Follow These Guidelines Scott Ginsberg Word of Mouth Today Steve Strauss The 5 Deadly Signs of Business Decay Laurel Delaney   Policy Update  Senate Democrats hope to pass climate bill in "early spring" Democrats in the Senate are pushing for the climate bill's passage in "early spring" of 2010, said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., further muddling expectations for a United Nations conference on global warming set for next month. Kerry last week expressed hope that a draft version of a compromise climate measure could be worked out before the international summit. The lawmaker, however, chose not to detail the bill's "framework" ahead of the meeting, which will be held in Copenhagen. Reuters (11/16) Federal government will create Florida pollution standards An agreement approved this week by a federal judge will allow the Environmental Protection Agency to set water pollution standards in Florida. The agreement is the result of a lawsuit filed against the EPA by several environmental groups. In the suit, the groups alleged that the state had not complied with an EPA decision requiring it to set limits on farm and urban runoff. Observers say the agreement could serve as a model for other states. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.)/The Associated Press (11/16) Proposed Calif. ordinance aims to boost water conservation A proposed ordinance aimed at conserving water moved forward in Paso Robles, Calif. The planning commission recommended that the City Council approve the ordinance, which would require irrigation audits for new and retrofitted landscapes that are an acre or larger, among other things. Paso Robles Press (Calif.) (11/16) Other News Fla. community mulls $1,000 fine for overgrown lawns The Palm Beach Post (Fla.) 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