How can companies lay the groundwork for a successful 2021?
Landscape Professionals
Richard Bare
Arbor-Nomics Turf
Norcross, Ga.
“We are going over every molecule of 2020 to see where we can improve operations and profitability. For instance, can your credit card fees be lowered? Can you do better on your workman’s comp rate? How can we lower our mod rate? Truck accidents, reducing employee turnover, can we improve what our customer service reps are doing? By improving 500 things, you can save more money than by just one or two big things.”
Troy Clogg
Troy Clogg Landscape Associates
Wixom, Mich.
Groundwork for 2021 should involve training existing team, seeking out and adding new team members … and the same goes for clients .. by that I mean share wisdom and knowledge with your existing clients and locate more clients through sharing knowledge and helping future clients via all your social channels, newsletters and every face-to-face chance your have.
Paul Fraynd
Sun Valley Landscaping
Omaha, Neb.
“Visualize where you want to be on 12/31/21 … what do you need to do starting today to ensure you get there in 15 months? Think backward and focus on the MOST important items that will improve your business in the mid- to long term. By ending this year with strong production and sales, we can kick off the next season already ahead of the game!”
Chris Joyce
Joyce Landscaping
Cape Cod, Mass.
“Companies can lay the groundwork for a successful 2021 by identifying the largest problems their companies had in 2020. Once they have identified those problems, they need to have a plan in place to repair and improve the problems long before 2021 arrives.”
Jerry McKay
McKay Landscape Lighting
Omaha, Neb.
“Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that speaks specifically to ‘beautifying your existing spaces.’”
Industry consultants
Marty Grunder
The Grow Group
Dayton, Ohio
“Someone once told me, ‘all planning is good.’ I love that statement. How would you know that 2021 was successful? Be as specific with your answers to that question as possible and then put an action plan in place to accomplish that and be realistic.” Your team won’t relate to ‘pie in the sky’ talk. Teams relate to what they understand and believe; keep that in mind.”
Phil Harwood
Grow the Bench
Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Clearly identify strategic and operational goals for 2021.”
Kevin Kehoe
3PG Consulting
Laguna, Calif.
“Client retention, early renewal and booking construction work now.”
Jeffrey Scott
Jeffrey Scott Consulting
New Orleans, La.
Grow what’s working well. Fix what’s under profiting. And be willing to shut down or pivot what’s clearly not working. Your plans should improve your performance not just growth for growth sake. Make clear but flexible plans: reset your three year goals and lay out what you need to do in 2021 to achieve those. Involve your entire team from front line to execs. Get everyone excited. But be willing to pivot just like you did this year.
