Strategies you can use to keep crews motivated in the heart of busy season

What strategies do you suggest to keep crews motivated at this point in the season?

Landscape Professionals

Richard Bare
Arbor-Nomics Turf
Norcross, Ga.

“Keeping crews motivated when the season is winding down means cookouts at the lake, great meetings, prizes for goals and things like that.”

Troy Clogg
Troy Clogg Landscape Associates
Wixom, Mich.

“If you have been measuring your crews’ efforts and reporting and sharing with them their wins and losses weekly, then in August, it’s time to celebrate! Do something to serve your team and thank them and their families for all their hard work.”

Paul Fraynd
Sun Valley Landscaping
Omaha, Neb.

“The dog days of summer require empathy, encouragement and alignment. Set up your logistics so crews work early in the day, ensure crews have adequate resources (water, rest, equipment) and be visible and present with them. Remind them of the big picture and honor the work they do for clients in tough conditions.”

Jerry McKay
McKay Landscape Lighting
Omaha, Neb.
“Culture-building events like golf or food trucks. Also, small personal gifts make a big difference. Everyone likes to be recognized!”

Bryan Stolz
Winterberry Landscape & Garden Center
Southington, Conn.
“Share the numbers with your people. Summer is a great time to reinforce these metrics when your management has more time to teach what they mean and how your team impacts them.”

Industry Consultants

Neal Glatt
GrowTheBench
Boston, Mass.
“Focus on growth and development. Crews become motivated by an inspiring picture of the future that only managers can provide.”

Jeffrey Scott
Jeffrey Scott Consulting
New Orleans, La.
“Everyone needs a break. Make sure your team gets theirs too, be it longer weekends or full vacations.”