by Carolyn Edsell-Vetter 2015 was an important year for A Yard & A Half Landscaping Cooperative. This year marks a decade since we made the leap to transition all of our maintenance clients off of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In 2005, few contractors were even offering an organic option, so we had to do a…
Business Tips
Hindsight Is 20/20: The Importance of Off-season Planning
by Laurence Coronis Right about now most Green Industry professionals are burnt out. They can’t wait for the end of the busy season and are looking forward to enjoying a break. But the upcoming winter months are the most important time for you to plan and prepare for your future success. The old adage, “hindsight…
Seven Steps to Building a Winning Team of Employees!
by Frank Crandall A major issue facing many small businesses, especially horticultural firms, is attracting quality employees and then finding ways to retain them. Lack of good employees will limit the growth of your company; however, hiring the right employees will provide you with the opportunity to assemble a winning team. With a team of…
Five Steps to Increase Your Operational Efficiency
by Laurence Coronis Labor is the largest expense for almost all landscape operations. Your organizational skills and processes are important factors in your company’s efficiency in regard to your labor expense. I will outline five areas that you can focus on this year and explain why they are important to pay attention to.
The Importance of Seasonal Cash Flow
by Frank Crandall I do not have to remind horticultural businesses of the significance of ensuring seasonal cash flow to pay bills throughout the winter months. As we wind down our landscape, the busy season for maintenance, garden center, design, and nursery businesses, it is time to evaluate, assess, and plan for 2013. Top on…
Budgeting – The Keystone to Success and Profitability
by Laurence Coronis “How come my operation isn’t more profitable?” is usually the first question I hear from a new consulting client. Upon reviewing many operations, I am amazed that a majority of my new clients do not have an annual budget.
“It’s All About the People”
by Laurence Coronis The quote in the title for this article is a comment made by Burt DeMarche of the Laurel Rock Company at a recent landscape association meeting, and it reminded me of the importance of taking care of your team. This really is the secret to achieving your competitive edge. After all, we…
Five Tips on Handling Difficult Customer Situations
Reprinted from Planting Seeds, Volume 3, Issue 3, with permission of the ISA. You are at a jobsite and there’s a mistake. Your client is not pleased with the outcome and is sharing that dissatisfaction with you. However, don’t think you have a lost cause on your hands. How you respond can win back their…
Business Practices Spotlight: Keeping Employees Satisfied
Reprinted from Planting Seeds, Volume 3, Issue 3, with permission of the ISA. Employees are critical to the success of any business. Investing in your workers is important to keep you from dealing with a high turnover rate.
