Small businesses make up a large percentage of the landscaping and snow removal industry, which in my opinion is a big reason why these industries are so great. But because small business owners operate, manage and execute many key functions of the business (sales, operations, scheduling, customer service, ordering materials), it’s easy for business owners […]
Excerpts from this article originally appeared in the October 2014 Issue of Snow Business. Recruiting and retaining employees at landscaping businesses is always tough, but with added restrictions and recent changes to the H-2B guest worker program, green industry companies are scrambling to fill positions this year more than ever. In light of these issues, I thought it might be […]
When I first started my business in 1979 I mowed lawns, mulched yards, cut firewood, cleaned gutters, and did just about everything else my clients asked me to do. As my business grew and I began taking on more clients, I started to realize that it’s too hard to be everything to everybody. At the […]
If you’re selling commercial landscaping, snow removal or pavement maintenance services, your point of contact is most likely a property manager. Property manager’s are busy people. They often manage dozens of properties, all with different needs and requirements, and they’re often reviewing multiple estimates for multiple properties simultaneously. With that said, it’s a great idea to […]
This article originally appeared in the March-April 2013 issue of Snow Business. Most contractors are involved in too many things. Their businesses are going in too many directions. Many feel overwhelmed and out of control. Their problem is simple—they lack focus. Lack of Focus Leads to Chaos There’s an old adage that says, “Person who chases […]
This article appeared in the July-August 2013 issue of Snow Business. I know that when I began my business enterprise value wasn’t something I necessarily put under the microscope. I was much more focused on survival and just getting any kind of work. Over time, I learned the benefit of focusing on a market and standardizing the […]
This was featured in the October 2014 issue of Snow Business As we gear up for another winter, it’s a good idea to get dialed in with your sales team and have a handle on your sales numbers before the first event occurs. There are several numbers you need to dissect in order to help […]
This article originally appeared in the May-June 2013 Snow Business. All too often in this industry owners spend too much time focused on getting the work done and not enough time focused on developing their team. We all know how limited we are when we try to do everything ourselves, yet we still have a […]
This was featured on GoPlow.com We are frequently asked at Go iLawn about implementing new technologies. People want to know what type of software solution to add and when. I wish I could say there was a simple answer, but this isn’t a simple subject. Starting Points There is so much technology to choose from: time […]
This post includes excerpts from my October 2013 Snow Business column. As your business evolves and matures, your growth strategy and business plan likely will, too. When I first started my company in 1979, I took any and all business that I could. My customers would ask if I could do something for them aside from the […]