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Apr 2015

Posted at 08:03h in Blog, Project Management, Systems

I often hear landscapers tell me that they should plan their jobs better but they just don’t have enough time, because one job finishes late and the other is late starting. Ironically, the investment in planning your jobs better will save you much time throughout the week in phone calls and extended site visits or having to pick up tools and materials you have forgotten to plan, not to mention saving money and increasing profit because your jobs run smoother and with less mistakes. But every

Apr 2015

Posted at 07:55h in Administration, Blog, Quoting + Tracking, Systems

When I met Steve, a landscape contractor, he said he felt that there was never enough time in the day to do everything. Work on site and instruct the guys, buy materials, see new potential clients, draw up designs, work out estimates, do invoicing and basic bookwork and then have some time with his family at night and on weekends. He needed a better way of managing his time. He said, "John, I need your help, my business is taking all my time and thoughts". So I

Aug 2014

Posted at 01:22h in Blog, Money, Sales

How long does it take to really improve a business? Much less time than you think. I have seen many businesses improve quickly by focusing on 2 fundamental questions to begin with. These 2 questions are fundamental to a landscape business. So here are 2 questions that help you improve yours. Question 1 Where do my leads come from and is that source still working? Most Landscapers don’t give this fundamental question anywhere near enough time each week. They know they should be doing more but choose to get involved

Jul 2014

Posted at 06:18h in Blog, Entrepeneurship

I was talking with a landscape contractor last week and he was saying that he is tired of experiencing some growth and success in his landscape business but he never allows himself to really take his business to the next level. I said that is pretty common in business, many business owners experience that 2 steps forward and 1 step back pattern. He acknowledged that a subconscious self sabotage was probably at play because he secretly had a fear of success and what increased sales and

Jul 2014

Posted at 06:12h in Blog, Entrepeneurship

Think about this guy for a moment. His name is Jake, he has run his landscape construction business for 11 years and has 5 employees. Jake struggles everyday to manage his guys, oversee the jobs, buy materials, do quoting, sales and marketing. When you talk to Jake you know that his working life is a struggle because he tells you. “I have been winning a lot less jobs and making less money per job than ever before. And my guys can’t do anything without calling

Jul 2014

Posted at 06:03h in Blog, Entrepeneurship, Systems

The problem many landscape contractors around the country have is they have created a stressful business, that requires them have many responsibilities and while earning below average earnings. But it wasn’t meant to be that way when they got the idea to go into business for themselves. Starting a business meant doing something they loved doing (landscaping), being their own boss while earning much more money than if they were in a management role at another landscape business. If it hasn’t worked out as you

Jul 2014

Posted at 05:44h in Blog, Money

This is a question i get asked every couple of weeks. It is a good question because two of the main reasons we are all in business is to improve our lifestyle and make a healthy profit. Over the years, many business owners have told me they have been working very hard all year to generate enough revenue to cover costs and make some profit but at the end of a financial year there isn’t enough profit to smile about. I know we can all relate

Jul 2014

Posted at 04:49h in Blog, Leadership

Many Landscape business owners have expressed frustration regarding their employees’ lack of initiative to take full ownership of their roles and responsibilities and deliver a consistent effort. They want a team of employees that put in 95% effort, arrive on site before 7am ready to start on time, be well presented with the right enthusiastic attitude and work hard and smart all day. They want employees that value their job and treat their job in a similar way that they do. Now you may be thinking

Jul 2014

Posted at 04:41h in Blog, Quoting + Tracking, Systems

No I am not speaking literally, I am speaking metaphorically. Let me explain.. Have you been quoting projects recently that you shouldn’t be? Have you been wasting time on quotes that will not produce much profit. The same goes for maintenance, are you quoting jobs that will be a waste of time because they won’t make much money and the client causes you too much stress. Quoting jobs that you shouldn't, waste a lot of your time or your estimators time and prevent you from quoting better jobs. And

Jul 2014

Posted at 04:34h in Blog, Money, Project Management, Systems

The landscape Industry has had a much needed resurgence and the end of 2013 and 2014 looks to be very promising, but don't waste the opportunity in your business. In landscape construction Plan your projects properly with your site managers, supervise jobs regularly and eliminate job mistakes so you don’t blow potential profit. It is easy to blow profit, when your crews are rushing from job to job and you are trying to maximise earning potential while the sun is shining. This approach usually costs businesses more

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