LM EAB March 2022: How to start spring off right

(Graphic: LM Staff)

What’s the No. 1 thing green industry business owners should do to start spring off right?

Landscape Professionals

Richard Bare
Arbor-Nomics Turf
Norcross, Ga.
“The one thing that we got away from in years past was not having weekly management meetings. When things went south, we started having a weekly meeting on Wednesday mornings and lunch together. We set and discussed goals and saw how we were hitting the goals/budget.”

Paul Fraynd
Sun Valley Landscaping
Omaha, Neb.
“Practice makes perfect. Have a plan for your service execution, your team, training and equipment. Draw it out, just like a basketball play, and involve your team in the process.”

Bryan Stolz
Winterberry Landscape & Garden Center
Southington, Conn.
“Start early. If the weather cooperates, a ‘soft start’ with a portion of your crews is a great way to train, work out the winter bugs and cut into the overtime that will hit later in the spring without reducing capacity.”

Industry Consultants

Marty Grunder
The Grow Group
Dayton, Ohio
“Make sure your team and your clients are clear on expectations. So many problems can be avoided by making sure you can deliver on what is expected. Does your team know what you expect from them? Do they know what a win looks like for their role at the company and the company overall? Do your clients know what you are going to do for them? Details matter. Get the year started on the right foot, and you are greatly improving your chances for success.”

Phil Harwood
Grow the Bench
Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Make sure everyone is on the same page with your plan for the season — strategic goals, operational goals, sales goals, financial rolling budgets and incentives for exceeding goals.”

Jeffrey Scott
Jeffrey Scott Consulting
New Orleans, La.
“Owners need to overcommunicate their plan for the year. Share with everyone the 10 key metrics that the company needs to follow and hit. Explain how it all holds together and then help each employee set individual goals to help do their part. Each month, give an update on the metrics.”