Recently I read an article in the New York Times about the ambitious plans Sweetgreen, a chain of salad restaurants, has embarked on. Started in 2007 by a group of young college grads with a single storefront in D.C., the company was an early success; today it boasts 103 outlets and an astounding valuation of $1.6 billion. Now the company... read more
In this go-go economy, many business owners today struggle to provide excellent customer service. Their service is inconsistent and reactionary, and it will ultimately harm their business. The root of the problem is the false belief that excellent service is a luxury they can sacrifice: choosing short-term profit over sustainable growth. The next recession will remind everyone of the enormity... read more
Find out how software can help you connect your landscape business with more customers and give them a better experience. read more
How do I compete with these guys? This is a common question I hear from our clients. The concern behind the question is real. It’s mostly expressed in terms of competing with contractors who may lowball their prices or when going head-to-head in bids with regional or national companies. The simple answer is deliver a superior service experience consistently. It... read more
Why is it that so many business owners and sales professionals put forth focus and effort toward obtaining the business of small, low-margin clientele, while completely ignoring the high-dollar “big-fish” opportunities? Much could be said on this topic (and rightfully so) from a philosophical perspective. Shoot for the stars. Be all that you can be. Dream big. You know the... read more
An Austin, Texas-area firm grows by putting the customer first—and marketing, marketing, marketing. In 2006, Luke Hawthorne was fed up with the corporate lawn care scene. He’d entered the industry in 1993, grateful for a $10-an-hour gig. After a few months as a technician at a local company, he joined TruGreen. For the next decade, he served as technician, salesman... read more
