Oct 2015 Preparing to take your business to the next level – on a small or larger scale
This article is for any owner of a landscape construction or maintenance business, whether you run a 2 man or 20 man team. It’s about preparing mentally first to take your business to the next level.
Not everyone wants a $1million business and that’s fine
Not everyone wants to have a 6 man team and sales of a $1million a year and that’s fine, you can still take your business to the next level without having too many staff.
Regardless of how big or small you want your business to grow, taking your business to the next level might mean putting on another team member or team, improving your systems like your quoting and tracking systems, introducing incentives like profit share for their key guys so they stay long term and improving team management and business culture. The important point I am making is, it doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, we can all improve our business and take it to the next level (whatever that means to you).
Don’t let fear or past failings stop you from going to the next level
I have worked with many clients that came to me and said, “John, I love being a landscaper but I’m not good at running a business, my wife and I have discussed our situation and decided we have 6mths to turn our situation around otherwise, I will have to work for someone else”. With my guidance, systems and the owners commitment, most of them turned their business around pretty quickly and continue to work for themselves making a good profit and enjoy running their own business.
It is easy to make the same mistakes or do that same thing that isn’t working because no-one has shown you a better way, and yes, we are all creatures of habit. Don’t let your past struggles like not finding staff or training someone and then he leaves to work for himself or barely making a profit stop you from creating a better business in the future. Just be aware that there is always a way of tweaking some of your systems and processes to get a much better result. Just be open to a better way of doing things, and therefore changing your reality for the better.
Commitment to your Vision and Plan
It’s amazing what can happen when someone is committed to making their vision a reality. I have seen it happen with many of my clients. Just for a second, think about a recent goal you achieved. Say you decided it was time to drop some weight and get fit and you gave yourself 6 mths. You commit to the goal and plan of eating less at night (cutting back on alcohol and bread) and going to the gym or exercising 3 times a week. And 6mths later you are feeling pretty damn good.
Taking your business to the next level is the same, decide what you want your business to look like – what systems, profit, how many team members, what services you offer, then write out a simple plan that addresses your project management, quoting, marketing, team building, recruiting new staff and managing financial information. And don’t worry if you don’t know some of this info, there is lots of information available on the net or you can ask me for help.
No I don’t need to do anything, my business is fine
Even a progressive profitable business will have business owner/s that are always looking to improve, they never stand still, which is why their business is in a good situation and changing with the times.
Taking your business to the next level is an exciting goal that will benefit your staff, your business, your clients, your family and you enormously.