Daniel S. GordonNov 3, 2023
A reader recently asked us to cover the topic of finances for the “smaller” operator with just a few employees and less than $250,000 in annual revenue. I thought about it and recognized successful finances have nothing to do with…
LM StaffNov 3, 2023
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…
They say “cash is king,” and the reasons why are many. To name a few: Lack of cash can damage relationships essential to business success. Consider the repercussions when you can’t pay vendors or make payroll. Cash flow is a…
Kevin KehoeNov 3, 2023
The most successful salespeople are the best listeners. Yes, successful salesmen must be articulate, but listening is where you build rapport. And it’s rapport that a salesman needs to increase closing success. Rule No. 1: If you’re talking, you’re not…
Casey PaytonNov 3, 2023
Crape myrtle pruning helps trees bloom and profits grow at Thompson Landscape. In the 1990s, customers repeatedly asked Thompson Landscape to add crape myrtle trimming to their yearly landscape maintenance contracts, so the Plano, Texas-based company decided to name and…
LM SponsorFeb 27, 2023
Are you trying to increase your profits in 2015? Jeffrey Scott of Jeffrey Scott Consulting is hosting a two-part webinar series, "Planning for Profits in 2015," to help you reach your company’s goals. The first webinar, "People-Driven Profits," took place Nov. 20 and…
The job has been designed and sold. You've got your estimate, including material lists and man-hours, along with your projected profits. Now it's time for production. Who plans the installation? Who tracks materials and man-hours? Who compares actuals to…
Judy GuidoNov 3, 2023
A question landscape professionals frequently ask me is, “What percentage of revenue should I allocate toward my marketing budget?” To gain their undivided attention, I quickly respond with “zero”—as in zero-based budgeting. Think of zero-based budgeting as a blank-sheet-of-paper approach…
Jonathan GoldhillNov 3, 2023
The truth is many landscape contractors know little about marketing. Honestly, what do you know about marketing? Is yours even working? Do you know for sure? How do you know? I’m sure some of you are muttering: “Half the money…
Mark BradleyNov 3, 2023
Another day, another tool forgotten at the shop. Someone left the site to drive back to get it. Then someone else had to drive to a vendor to get more stakes. The Simpson job was supposed to be finished in…
Bill RoddyNov 3, 2023
Dear LM readers, I’m sure in one way or another nearly every person reading this magazine has been affected by cancer. Whether you know someone who’s fighting cancer now, someone who’s survived cancer or someone whose life has been taken…
Monica MuirNov 3, 2023
Who doesn’t want to have money coming in sooner? While there are generally accepted practices within any industry, changes in the following 10 areas could help quicken payment. 1. Invoice quickly. The sooner you send an invoice, the sooner you…
LM SponsorOct 14, 2014
LandOpt specializes in working with independently-owned landscape contractors across the U.S., enabling them to manage their businesses more systematically for increased profitability, cash flow and revenue. Via ongoing coaching and training, our whole-business approach provides proven systems and processes designed…
Jeff HarknessAug 15, 2023
Right now your phone probably is ringing with every “business broker” and “deal guy” saying they have a deal for you. Sound familiar? Are you ready to sell? The industry has been buzzing as word spread about a mega deal…
Marisa PalmieriAug 14, 2023
The landscape industry has received some interesting outsider attention over the past week. For starters is The Financial Times article about a potential merger between the industry's two largest players: ValleyCrest Cos. and the Brickman Group. (Read our follow-up report…
Accessibility Tools