Bruce WilsonNov 3, 2023
Everywhere we go, we meet with landscape leaders who are looking to offer a greater service experience, higher quality work and become a great place…
LM StaffNov 3, 2023
Kevin Shackleford, owner of Shackleford Landscape Group in Bear, Del., has replaced most face-to-face meetings with tools like iPhone’s FaceTime or Skype. Surprisingly, there’s been…
Seth Downing Owner, Downing Lawn Care Hilliard, Ohio “We use Dimension herbicide because it gives us more flexible crabgrass control. Crabgrass grows later in the…
Marisa PalmieriNov 3, 2023
Welcome to the Business Planner 2017: The People Edition. We hear repeatedly from our readers that labor and personnel are the most significant challenges they…
Ben GandyNov 3, 2023
In the landscape maintenance field, clients are like stock portfolios. Some yield great returns; others don’t. In either case, you’re spending resources—including crew time, equipment…
Monica MuirNov 3, 2023
During your offseason, review what’s worked and what hasn’t. One area you should review is finances—both your numbers and your software. The software contains information…
Jeffrey ScottNov 3, 2023
A wise old man once told me your definition of wealth will change as you accumulate it and grow older. In my work with large…
Phil HarwoodNov 3, 2023
Several large-scale studies have shown that most organizations in the U.S. haven’t embraced strategic planning as a regular, ongoing, essential business process. Strategic planning is…
Frank RossNov 3, 2023
If I had to grade the economy during the past three years, I’d probably rate it OK. Certainly not great, but compared to the years…
James Cali and Jason NewNov 3, 2023
Everyone knows companies that have solid client relationships have successful businesses. As your company grows, how do you take the client information in your head…
Kevin KehoeNov 3, 2023
Business owners are in charge of getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats. The business plan provides the destination and…
Emily SchappacherNov 3, 2023
Compassion makes the difference at Lisa Torgersen’s Texas landscape firm. One of the first questions Lisa Torgersen asks a new client is, “Do you have…
Daniel S. GordonNov 3, 2023
How do you keep score in your business? How do you know if you’re winning or losing? Is it money in the bank? Profits? Growth?…
Ken ThomasNov 3, 2023
I started my career in the green industry working summer jobs at landscape companies. After college, I threw out a hard-earned biology degree and entered…
Peter HoltonNov 3, 2023
As the year closes, it’s important to understand the value of your business. Agreeing on your company’s value will make or break a potential merger…
Tim SmithNov 3, 2023
In the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, landscape contractors must plan for 2016 and critically evaluate their success in 2015. This planning and evaluating…
Jeff KorhanNov 3, 2023
When hiring, many business owners say they value attitude and personality more than expertise and skill because the latter can be learned. If this claim…
After two instances of equipment theft, Level Green Landscaping, based in Washington, D.C., invested in a GPS system for its 70-vehicle fleet. “Our trucks would…
Mike Mason Vice President/COO The LawnPro Louisville, Kentucky Education Jeffersontown High School Louisville, Ky. Class of 1993 University of Kentucky 1993-1994 University of Louisville Louisville,…
To avoid the breakdowns that often occur as ideas progress from the abstract to the actionable, all owners M-U-S-T do the following things to ensure…
The best time to plan for the following year is… Landscape Professionals Richard Bare Arbor-Nomics Turf, Norcross, Ga. “…in the fall.” Chris Joyce Joyce Landscaping,…
Dillon StewartNov 3, 2023
What’s in landscape contractors’ heads as they select which brand of skid-steer, compact track loader, mini excavator or other machine to buy? We found out. Dealer…
LOCATION: New York City COMPANY: Town & Gardens, Long Island City, N.Y. THE DETAILS: To match the developer’s vision for these contemporary condos in Manhattan’s…
Lauren DowdleNov 3, 2023
How and why sprayheads are becoming more efficient. "If it’s not broken, why fix it?” may be the mantra for many landscape and irrigation contractors, but…
