Insights from the fourth annual The Lighting Summit, hosted by McKay Landscape Lighting. When it comes to your marketing scheme, “don’t walk over dollars to get to pennies,” says McKay Landscape Lighting Owner Jerry McKay. Marketing was the theme at The Lighting Summit, held Jan. 18-19 in Omaha, Neb. For the fourth annual event, McKay Landscape Lighting—which performs 100 percent... read more
Why one landscape company turned a one-time thing into a monthly event. What started as a one-time celebration to reward the team for a job well done has turned into a monthly event for A+ Lawn & Landscape, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. A few years ago after a good month, management rewarded the team with a barbecue. It was... read more
Eminent business thinker Peter Drucker is known for saying “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” He believed culture trumped all. His words are taken as gospel. This thinking is misplaced when it comes to small and midsize green industry firms. Here’s what I’ve found to be true. Most firms in our industry spend more time focusing on culture than strategy. A... read more
Kelly Dowell Business Developer Dowco Enterprises Chesterfield, Mo. Education Lafayette High School Wildwood, Mo. Class of 2006 “Before college, I worked at Bath & Body Works, Best Buy and places like that. I learned retail was not for me.” Lindenwood University St. Charles, Mo. Bachelor of Arts Business Management Class of 2011 Work Experience 2002-2007 Dowco Enterprises Administrative Assistant 2008-2010... read more
What cleanup equipment do you prefer and why? Mike Ruegsegger Owner, Mike’s Lawn Service Gaylord, Mich. “The (Grasshopper) PowerVac system works great. There’s not a better collector available—even with wet leaves. By the time leaves fall in Michigan, snow is right behind it—sometimes just a couple weeks away. So there’s a limited window to get them picked up. The PowerVac... read more
What’s the biggest barrier for companies when it comes to adopting new technology? Landscape Professionals Richard Bare Arbor-Nomics Turf Norcross, Ga. “Getting your human beings on board with the new technology. Change is really hard, especially the kind that makes you have to work harder.” Chris Joyce Joyce Landscaping Cape Cod, Mass. “The biggest barrier for existing companies when it... read more
