Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/267037
1 Not running your business like a corporation Without question, one of the biggest stumbling blocks to long-term success is not acting like a pro- fessional. "Everything you do communicates to the client and the general public a perception of the entire profession," says Phil Allen, PhD, landscape indus- try certifi ed manager and professor of landscape management at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. "Make sure you have the appropriate licenses, certifi cations and insurance. Bill in a timely manner and be willing to seek outside expertise, such as an accountant versed in small businesses, when it comes to crucial issues such as taxes." 2 Underbidding to get the job Repeatedly lowballing bids just to keep your crews busy is not a sound business decision. "We've all done that at one time or another to get a foot in the door," says George Pacheco, president and CEO of Pacheco Brothers Garden- ing Inc. in Hayward, California. "But that can get you in trouble if you're working on volume alone. Know your break-even point. Know your expenses exactly. If you're consistently making your margins, you won't go out of business." business bests 18 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m M A R C H 2 014 3 Not training employees adequately You know not to bury the top of a tree's root ball with shovels full of topsoil, but do your employees? "You've got to foster a learning environment within your company," Allen says. "You also need to emphasize a culture of safety. Especially in smaller companies, one safety mistake, and you can be out of business." Make employees understand that wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential, not optional. Encourage crews to warm up and stretch before getting to work to avoid injuries. Invest in education with regular training sessions, whether it's informal one-on-one time with a shovel or weekly tailgate chats about safety.