The path to 12% profit: The labor KPI
Landcape Management columnist Kevin Kehoe explains how landscape companies can reach 12 percent net profit via the labor key performance indicator. read more
High Performance: Where’s the beef (aka gross margin variance) on your jobs?
Remember the Wendy’s commercial with the grandma staring down at her burger, shouting “Where’s the beef” at the attendant? She was obviously expecting to see something that wasn’t there (a larger beef patty). In the world of landscape contracting, the “beef” is gross profit margin variance. It should always be seen but often is not. Let me explain. Gross profit... read more
Profit Power: Unlock the value of your business
A few weeks ago I interviewed green industry acquisition expert Ron Edmonds for 60 minutes on the topic of “What is your business worth?” We had a lively debate! Here are nine insights from that conversation—and from my own investigations and experience—that will help you unlock the value of your business. 1. If you plan to retire or are even... read more
Zero-debt growth
Can you grow fast and still maintain a zero-debt company? The answer is undeniably yes. But it takes time, effort and saved-up capital before your growth will accelerate. Why do contractors run debt free? They do it for peace of mind, better negotiating terms, stable home life, less money stress, personal philosophical reasons and simply because of habit. Here’s a... read more
Ep. 120: Subcontracting your design work
Patrick DuChene of DuChene Design Solutions and Jody Shilan discuss the pros and cons of working with an independent designer for your company. DuChene and Shilan explain the concept of outsourcing your design work to an independent designer as opposed to hiring someone to do the work in-house. As an independent designer himself, DuChene pointed out that he is like... read more
February 2015: Editorial advisory board
What’s one easy way a company can improve cash flow? Landscape Professionals Richard Bare Arbor-Nomics Turf, Norcross, Ga. “Research every nook and cranny of the business (or hire a professional business analyst/consultant to do it). For instance, how much are you paying to take credit cards? Maybe what you’re paying makes it cost prohibitive to take the leading card. (For... read more
