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Super 6 in '06
1 Jan, 2006 By: LM Staff Landscape ManagementOur editors pick trends sure to become the Next Big Thing
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Business owners are constantly on that elusive search for the Next Big Thing. There's always something on the horizon, something that will make the job less labor-intensive, more productive and yes — more profitable. Is it a piece of equipment? A technology? Something so breathtakingly simple it's been under your nose the whole time?
Look no further. The editors of Landscape Management pick six trends we predict will change the way you do and manage your jobs in the near future. Some of these products and technologies are new; some have been around a while and are just now starting to catch on with landscape, lawn service and grounds operations.
Sure, new gadgets always have a "wow" factor, and it's good to be a trendsetter, but what sets the trends we identify here apart is their usefulness. We know you're after efficiency and profitability, but we also know you don't have the time or capital to try everything out there. So we're your eyes and ears on the road, at the shows and with the manufacturers.
These trends have a common thread: They're productivity all-stars that address the challenges you face today. Every single one either helps you cut down on manpower, or use that manpower more efficiently to accomplish several tasks at once. We've got mower technology and engineering trends, advancements in aerators, anti-theft devices, new fuel sources and yes, GPS (our No. 1 pick that we predict will change the way you do business big time).
We do mention some product names in our trend spotting, and we point you to their Web sites. If you know of others out there that fall into these categories, let us know.
1. GPS TRACKING
The future in home and property service businesses is GPS vehicle tracking. For a growing number of landscape/lawn service companies, that future is now.
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David Pyron is serious about growing his 6-year-old company. His company, which recorded sales of $750,000 last year, offers a range of maintenance, design, installation and construction services.
"I had no idea what I was getting into," he says half in jest. Even so, he's pushing his company to the next level. He's adding three or four service crews and trucks.
But, like all owner/operators, especially those who also serve as head salesman/installation coordinator, it's impossible for him to monitor the activities of his employees during the workday even though most of his company's service occurs in a tight 10-mile radius in and around Atlanta.
That was the main reason why he decided to purchase the TeleNavTrack GPS-based system. TeleNavTrack is bundled into his Nextel service and adds an extra $9.99 per unit to his monthly phone bill.
 What GPS tracking can do |
"The reasons I signed up were, first, to monitor the locations of my crews," says Pyron. "Second, I think it will help us with our routing efficiency as we can monitor a cookie crumb trail trough a maintenance crew's daily progress and point out any shortcuts to the foremen."
Pyron says he can now monitor his crews' whereabouts from any computer. You can even do it from your truck if you use a BlackBerry or a wireless laptop.
Another fleet management system that is finding favor with landscape/lawn service providers is a company called Navtrak, Inc., not to be confused with TeleNavTrack.
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