It’s that time of year again. Time to sharpen the pencils, clean the eyeglasses and put new batteries in the old calculator. But business planning doesn’t have to be so difficult. Close your fiscal snapshot by finishing the financial aspects of your new business plan, establishing new sales goals and reviewing your human capital needs. Now’s the perfect time to... read more
In 2006, I learned a valuable lesson about customer service. My company had recently completed a beautiful project for a wonderful client who happened to be a 9/11 widow. She was quite pleased with her new backyard patio and waterfall until she was hit with a flood that washed through her yard, overwhelmed the development’s storm drains and flooded her... read more
I’ve been involved in certification for several years as a candidate, certified individual and volunteer. My motto is “I’m certifiable, and so are you.” If I grabbed your attention, my mission is partially accomplished. Getting your attention is important, but encouraging you to act is essential. My sole purpose is to convince you to become Landscape Industry Certified. My story... read more
What’s the most valuable yet underutilized resource in your business? For most small businesses, it’s customers. One of the web’s principles is to serve consumers first and businesses second. So, as customers move online in greater numbers, their collective voice will become stronger, thereby creating disruption in every business sector, including the Green Industry. This is why it’s essential for... read more
Preparing a business for sale usually isn’t one of a landscape contractor’s highest priorities for two reasons: A Green Industry business owner usually doesn’t start his business with the goal of selling it, and the complications of a daily business operation often keep business owners from planning for the future effectively. Nevertheless, business owners have to confront the reality of... read more
Roger McCarthy and Sue McCarthy met in 2003, got married in 2004 and started working together soon afterward, when Sue “temporarily” joined Roger’s business, McCarthy’s Landscaping & Irrigation, after being laid off from an environmental services company. Eight years later, she’s still there. And she’s been an integral part of the 15-year-old, West Boylston, Mass., firm’s growth. The couple has... read more
