Perceptions don’t always match realities.
Most of you probably read that sentence and thought, “Wow … really? Thanks for the breaking news, Capt. Obvious.” And most of you would probably be right; as a general rule, our perceptions about people, places and things rarely come close to matching the realities that we discover about them.
But regardless of how obvious that statement is, I did think about it several times as we were working on this issue of LM, which puts a spotlight on technological advances in the compact equipment used in the landscaping industry. In particular, I thought about it when I saw the confused looks and blank stares from friends and families after they learned what I was working on, folks who were obviously struggling to reconcile their perceptions of the tools used by landscaping companies and lawn care operators and the cutting-edge, high-tech realities in the industry.
I didn’t really blame them, I guess. Among the uninitiated, I’m sure they see this industry as one built on push mowers, shovels and wheelbarrows, manual labor and little else. It’s a perception I encountered regularly during my time in the golf course maintenance industry (I promise I’ll stop referring to my old job at some point here; I figure I have a six- or seven-month grace period) and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it applies in landscaping as well.
The reality, though, is quite the opposite, even if hand tools and hard work are part and parcel of any successful operation. Just tell a nonbeliever about the systems that guide modern landscaping equipment, the ongoing embrace of alternative power sources to move those machines and the myriad software solutions used to manage staff, equipment fleets, irrigation systems and more, and you’ll see the light bulb go off.
I can’t say I was in a similar situation when I began my journey in this industry. I had my own “aha!” moment when I first entered the golf business years ago (again, sorry), so I had a decent understanding of just how advanced landscaping has become and the level of comfort that most operators have with that technology.
That doesn’t mean you can’t teach an old dog a few new tricks, though, and I picked up some of those in talking with product experts at the manufacturers of compact equipment and some of the end-users who put those machines through their paces. I mean, who knew that some mini excavators come with remote control options, or that the GPS telemetry systems on a skid steer loader can be used to track and protect those machines from theft? Well, most of you reading this probably did, but still.
My crash course into the landscape industries’ increasing embracing of technology to boost efficiency, cost-effectiveness and solve labor challenges didn’t end there. Not long after wrapping up this month’s cover story, LM got an exclusive, up-close-and-personal look at a company dedicated to bringing electric autonomous mowing solutions to landscapers and lawn care operators.
It was a fascinating visit that showcased not only a high level of product innovation, but also a high level of innovative thinking driven by a desire to both solve problems landscape companies face every day and to help those same companies operate as sustainably as possible. In upcoming issues, we’ll tell you much more about this company and the host of others who are bringing these autonomous solutions to the market, so stay tuned.
Perceptions often lead to assumptions, and I think most of our parents told us what happens when you make assumptions. That’s why I hope this issue of LM helps just a little bit to replace those perceptions with the realities of the advances the industry has made and how that technology is helping you do your jobs better, faster and more efficiently.
