LM EAB January 2022: What to prioritize in the new year

(Graphic: LM Staff)

What should landscape professionals prioritize in the new year?

Landscape Professionals

Richard Bare
Arbor-Nomics Turf
Norcross, Ga.

“In planning for the new year, I will be concentrating on budgeting for inflation and on hiring practices. The experts are recommending a 12.5 percent price increase across the board, but I’ve seen 20 percent with very little customer pushback.”

Troy Clogg
Troy Clogg Landscape Associates
Wixom, Mich.

“Pay attention to the forces we cannot control … and raise your prices accordingly. Do not leave one single price the same from ’21 to ’22.”

Paul Fraynd
Sun Valley Landscaping
Omaha, Neb.

“Taking care of your people and helping them live their best lives at work and at home.”

Jerry McKay
McKay Landscape Lighting
Omaha, Neb.

“For everyone, it depends on what they need to work on the most. We are working on perfecting our processes and retaining our employees in 2022.”

Bryan Stolz
Winterberry Landscape & Garden Center
Southington, Conn.

“Focus on your people. Create a destination company where your people feel valued and supported and where they have clear paths to build a career.”

Greg Winchel
Winchel Irrigation
Grandville, Mich.

“Now more than ever, I think the relationship you have with your vendor and how you pay your invoices to them will have a direct impact on your ability to get limited inventory items.”

Industry Consultants

Marty Grunder
The Grow Group
Dayton, Ohio

“Your priorities ought to be on taking care of your team and training and empowering them to do more and be responsible for more, in addition to taking care of clients in such a way that they don’t think of going anywhere else.”

Phil Harwood
Grow the Bench
Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Employee engagement, resulting in higher retention and stronger referrals.”