Why Go It Alone? Twenty+ years ago when I took over the helm of my family’s business, I searched for a group of peers to help me make better decisions and give me support. Not just because it’s lonely at the top. But also because I needed better ideas and critical...
Some of my clients are concerned about the weathering of an upcoming storm. With hints of recession, the common advice is to "save up cash and grow your maintenance." But the advice doesn’t make sense! You can’t pivot suddenly and pretend that you are making a quick...
There is more than one way to make a first impression. With economy in a state of flux, I am advising all of the landscape professionals to re-energize their customer service focus, and ensure they are not taking clients or prospects for granted. In the past, you...
Jeff McManus is the Director of Landscape Services at the Univ. of Mississippi with 70 direct reports. He owns his own landscape business and is the author of the best-selling book "Growing Weeders Into Leaders". Currently he teaches leadership development to...
How Is Your Lead Flow? According to a recent poll I conducted with over eighty people, around 40% are feeling a softening in the market, yet another 44% are having their best year ever. Is This A Tale Of Two Cities? What Are You Experiencing? Even if you are having...
With the economy being shaky, I urge you to take Jack Welch’s Advice on how to prepare. But first, let’s deal with some recent negative press about Jack Welch and his legacy as the CEO of General Electric. Some say he cheated by manipulating the profit numbers and...
My son (a professional musician, and leader of his band) shared with me the secrets to building a band that will stick and grows together. It sounded a lot like how to build a leadership team. Now I am sharing his advice with you! (Note: There is also a photo of my...
Matthew Gramer is the founder and majority owner of NatureWorks Landscape Services in Walpole MA. He has honed the focus of his business on the high-end residential client, and proactively staffs the business with key employees. This including a General Manager from...
There is a catchy phrase in business: Revenue is vanity, profits are sanity, and cash is king. In other words, bigger is not better. I agree with this in theory BUT did you know that there are companies in the landscape industry that have become much more...
Keeping clients happy during the busy season takes both good systems and the right company culture and training. Right now with strong consumer confidence, it is hard to stay on top of everything. But now it matters more than ever. As soon as there is a slow down, the...
