6 December 2014 Business Planning Guide www.greenmediaonline.com
EXPANDING YOUR BUSINESS MODEL
Best Practices for Extending
a Seasonal Business
For seasonal business owners who provide services such as
landscaping and lawn care, the off-season can bring a set of challenges
when it comes to budgeting income, staffi ng appropriately, and
staying profi table year-round. As a solution, investing in an add-on
franchise offers business owners and contractors the opportunity
to generate signifi cant revenues during a time that is typically
slow for many competitors. An add-on franchise's established
brand and reputation can help pull in new customers or attract
existing customers to the new service or offerings. While managing
a dual operation may seem intimidating, many green industry
professionals have found success investing in various franchise
concepts as a complement to their existing business. The following
are several key advantages to extending a seasonal business.
• Diversify services. Investing in an add-on seasonal franchise
provides business owners the opportunity to expand their offerings
to better serve clientele year-round. In addition to generating a
consistent cash fl ow, consistently offering services throughout the
year also puts business owners in the position to be considered a
one-stop shop for their client's specifi c needs. When determining
a suitable second product or service to offer during the winter
months, business owners should choose related services that are
easy to incorporate into their current model that will allow them to
leverage the skills they have already developed. It is also important
to keep in mind the type of equipment needed for each trade. For
example, it would make sense for someone who landscapes all
summer to offer outdoor professional decorating services during
the winter months.
• Maintain key employees. While hiring temporary employees
can provide low-cost support during peak season, operating a
dual-seasonal business allows owners to maintain a full staff year-
round — rather than dealing with the hassle of hiring, terminating,
and training employees each season. It also allows the opportunity
to assess employee performance and decide which employees
to promote and keep on board the following year. Additionally,
business owners are able to put more time and money into training
their employees, which leads to higher-quality results for clients.
To alleviate the pressure of juggling multiple operations, it is smart
to hire a separate manager for each season so owners can plan far
ahead leading up to each business' seasonal peak.
• Offset overhead costs. Extending a seasonal business allows
owners to use similar assets to capitalize on the changing climate,
and ultimately use each business to promote the other. Rather
■ BY BRANDON STEPHENS
ALL
PHOTOS
PROVIDED
BY
CHRISTMAS
DECOR
