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Most landscape companies invest in equipment, operations, and sales, but account management keeps those investments paying off. If your account managers aren’t trained or provided regular refresher training to retain clients, drive enhancement sales, and strengthen relationships, you’re leaving money on the table and giving competitors an opening. That’s like signing up for an Ironman

In today’s competitive landscaping industry, account managers play a crucial role in maintaining client relationships and ensuring seamless project execution. However, as client expectations rise, so does the need for efficient, tech-driven solutions to enhance communication, streamline workflows, and personalize service. From VR-powered consultations to AI-driven chatbots, technology is transforming how landscaping businesses engage with

If your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning, so too are the consequences of a tough call. Ethics and decision making are an essential part of business. But what exactly are the ethics of leadership, and what does it mean in the daily running of your business? As a business owner, you

In his article “Hunches Go Better with Facts”, Bruce Wilson, Wilson360 founder, reminds us:  “Every day, landscape owners make difficult decisions with incomplete information. With large contracts at stake, issues of urgency—such as client complaints, employee matters, tight bidding, etc.—can lead to decisions that may not be in your company’s best interest.”  This insight resonates

Campobello, South Carolina – March 6th, 2025 – Wilson360 is pleased to announce the addition of Daniel Grange, a seasoned expert in construction project management and workforce development, to its consulting team. With over fifteen years of experience in both residential and commercial landscaping, Daniel brings deep industry knowledge and hands-on expertise to Wilson360’s growing

Every business leader wants a strong team, but too many fall into the trap of hiring for convenience rather than culture. In The Ironman Mindset for Entrepreneurs, I emphasize the importance of resilience, discipline, and a commitment to excellence—qualities that don’t just shape great athletes but high-performing teams. Without a strong cultural foundation, even the

The Future of Hiring & Retention in Landscaping The landscaping industry faces ongoing challenges with hiring, seasonal labor shortages, and employee retention. Finding skilled, reliable workers for specialized roles—such as hardscaping, irrigation, and landscape design—has never been easy. But hiring isn’t just about filling positions. Landscape leaders need smart, sustainable talent strategies to build high-performing

Most entrepreneurs chase growth like a mirage in the desert: They fail not because of a lack of passion, but because of a misunderstanding of scaling. Your business isn’t a product. It’s a potential ecosystem. The Scaling Principle When I first understood the satellite model, it was like seeing through corporate fog. Most founders build

Campobello, South Carolina – Wilson360 is proud to announce the launch of its new monthly virtual series, Wilson360 People Sessions with Shelia, hosted by Shelia Matthews, the Chief People Officer at Wilson360. The 30-minute, people-focused conversations will take place online each month, offering business leaders, executives, and HR professionals actionable insights and strategies to improve their

As we step into 2025, we’re not just facing a new year; we’re facing a whole new set of opportunities. Yes, challenges will arise—there’s no avoiding that. But every challenge comes with the chance to adapt, innovate, and grow. What we do in the face of those obstacles will define our success. From the grind

Every January I include my goals for success. This year, I’m prioritizing real human connection and breaking up with the bot. A quick Google search pulls up the #1 key leadership topics for 2025, and it turns out I’m not alone. The “human factor” is trending. The hard truth is our workplace has changed and

  Denver, CO – Steve Steele, Financial Services Practice Leader at Wilson360, has been honored with the prestigious John Garvey Person of the Year Award by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) for his distinguished service during 2023. This recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to the landscaping industry, his exceptional service to the ALCC,

I always wanted to be fair to employees who were struggling. Once I left a manager in place too long thinking I was being fair to him. The result was that the team underperformed and missed out on bonuses. When I finally changed the situation, the employees asked why I hadn’t acted sooner. I then

Sharing your company’s vision goes beyond words—it’s about cultivating a shared sense of purpose that resonates throughout your organization. When employees see how their work contributes to the bigger picture, they feel more engaged and connected to your company’s goals. These seven strategies offer business leaders a practical framework to transform their vision into an

In today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, staying ahead requires more than just hard work; it requires smart, data-driven decisions. One of the most powerful tools for achieving this is financial benchmarking. For professionals in the landscape industry, benchmarking allows you to measure your company’s performance against industry standards and competitors, offering insights into where you’re

In the competitive landscape of modern business, the subtlety of gratitude can be a game-changer. It’s not just a matter of politeness; it’s a strategic tool that shapes corporate culture, drives performance, and strengthens client relationships. Beyond its immediate feel-good factor, gratitude creates a ripple effect of positivity that can yield long-term benefits. Let’s explore

Navigating the complexities of business management requires a clear understanding of the critical role operational processes and checks and balances play in achieving stability and growth. At Wilson360, we’ve seen firsthand the advantages that come when businesses prioritize these fundamental practices. Strong systems can transform potential challenges into opportunities for growth and help businesses thrive,

CAMPOBELLO, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 2024 – Responding to the growing demand for women-focused leadership programs, Wilson360 announces the launch of its Executive Women’s Peer Group. This new initiative caters to female C-suite leaders in the landscaping industry, offering a unique, confidential space for collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. “We are thrilled to meet the

If you’re looking for ways to accelerate growth, an outside group of professionals can help you become more effective at accomplishing big goals faster. I often get asked, when is a board necessary? It is not an easy question to answer. It depends on the size and structure of your company, its strategic requirements and

Does your company have the right blueprint for operational success? As landscape professionals, we recognize the impact our work has on the communities and customers we serve, as well as creating a natural beauty within our world that everyone can enjoy. We also know that there is no silver bullet that will set us apart

As a business leader and 4-time Ironman, I’ve discovered that the same discipline and strategies I use in athletic training apply directly to success in the business world. Whether you’re aiming for athletic greatness or professional growth, the principles remain the same. Here are the lessons that have shaped my journey—take these insights to improve

In the HBO drama “Succession,” the failure of its corporate patriarch to plan for the future of his family empire turned out to be a sobering lesson for business owners of what can go wrong when you keep your succession cards too close to your vest. As a business owner, it’s hard to imagine your

As your company begins the march toward next year’s strategic planning, it’s easy to focus solely on numbers—revenues, budgets, and growth projections. But here’s a secret that successful business leaders know well: the true pulse of your company is found in the voices of those closest to it—your clients, customers, and employees. When was the

Is your landscaping business truly prepared for what lies ahead? Effective succession planning is not just a safeguard—it’s a strategic tool that ensures your business remains robust and responsive in the face of inevitable leadership changes. Succession planning is the process of preparing for the future by identifying and developing employees who can take over

As we wrap up another quarter, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, laser-focused on hitting those numbers. But as a leader, it’s your responsibility to pause for a moment and ensure your team is on track—not just in terms of performance metrics but also in terms of morale, engagement, and professional

Every year, we see the same familiar pattern. You kick off January with bold ambitions and laser-focused goals—revenue targets, profit margins, and personal milestones all carefully laid out. Things feel great. Then, the “Spring Rush” hits. The whirlwind of projects, client demands, and daily fires that need extinguishing throws you off course. Before you know

Ten-to-fifteen percent annual growth is not a stretch for most landscape companies. It’s a bit above average, but it can be done if you do one thing exceptionally well — generate high quality referrals by regularly exceeding expectations on quality work and excellent service. I have used and recommended referrals as a growth strategy throughout

Like any industry, collecting feedback is key in the landscape industry, but it’s only the first step; the true impact lies in how that feedback is used. Surveys provide critical insights into your customers’ experiences, shedding light on what’s working, what needs improvement, and where new opportunities exist. However, even the most thorough surveys lose

LOUIS, MO, [August 30, 2024]—Wilson360 is excited to announce the launch of its Regional BootCamp series, a sequence of specialized day-and-half events designed to provide landscape professionals with concentrated industry knowledge. The upcoming session in St. Louis on October 15 -16, 2024, marks the beginning of this exciting new Wilson360 series, which aims to host

As we edge closer to the final quarter of 2024, the strategic deployment of innovative marketing practices becomes crucial for landscape businesses aiming to thrive in 2025. This guide outlines five key marketing strategies that are not only reactive to current trends but proactive in shaping your business’s future. Implementing these will ensure your company

“You can’t be successful with other people if you haven’t paid the price of success with yourself.” For employees and teams watching your leadership example, the most important ingredient you put into your relationship with them is not what you say or what you do. Instead, it’s about who you are and the example you

The Wilson 360 Annual Thought Leaders Retreat (TLR24) is just days away. If you’re still not sure that attending a conference generates enough value, then keep reading.  Sure, virtual meetings and webinars are convenient, but there’s something uniquely powerful about gathering with peers face-to-face. Attending conferences offers value that goes far beyond standard learning and

From one big happy family to innovation-based environments, most companies have a workplace personality and a framework for “the way we do things around here.” Like DiSC for people, organizational culture profiling is essential for understanding how companies work. And for good reason: Companies with great cultures also have great people. In a war for

I have long been a fan of sustainable landscaping, smart land use and smarter ways to use water. I’ve loved the outdoors since I was a farm kid in upstate New York, never dreaming it would evolve into one of the greatest opportunities in my life when I joined the green industry out of Cornell.

“Good financial management consists of actively controlling what is in front of you, not passively observing what is already behind you.” When landscapes spring into action with bursts of color and growth, the wheels of the landscape business shift into high gear. What makes the business of landscaping thrive is often what you don’t see:

Congratulations to Cheryl Steelberg for being inducted into the TOCA Hall of Fame. The well-deserved honor was announced at the 35th annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) held April 29-May 1, 2024, at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, NV. The award was presented by Cindy Code, Executive Director

GREENVILLE, SC, May 21, 2024 – Wilson360 has announced that strategy consultant Shelia Matthews has joined its team as culture practice leader and first-ever chief people officer. She will lead people and organizational performance consulting for Wilson360 clients. Matthews has served diverse industries, including private equity and Fortune 500 firms, before joining the startup world,

If you need to improve your financial health or cut costs, adopting an Ironman mindset can help. Achieving success in an Ironman competition requires unwavering discipline, strategic planning, and relentless focus—equally critical qualities in business. By setting clear goals, empowering your team, and applying a structured approach to expense management, you can turn financial setbacks

Everyone, it seems, is looking for a silver bullet. They want the one thing that will solve a problem or be the quick fix that will make a difference in their business. And while there’s no such thing, business owners seeking the latest, most exciting breakthroughs still hope to find it. Secrets-to-success themes fall into

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are often siloed measures within organizations, which can limit their effectiveness in providing comprehensive insights. Michael Schrage at MIT has discovered that by employing artificial intelligence (AI), these various KPIs can be interconnected to offer more meaningful insights. This groundbreaking study co-published by MIT and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) builds on

Competency is not just a buzzword. Competencies are fundamental sources of competitive advantage that show the public what you’re good at and why your business is different. There is no fixed number of competencies, but the more ways you can define and measure your vision and mission — from morale to profitability — the more

In the evolving narrative of the landscape industry, sustainability has transformed from a mere buzzword to an essential ethos, marking a pivotal shift in how we interact with our environment. As businesses seek innovative ways to blend aesthetic appeal with environmental stewardship, technology emerges as a key enabler of this green revolution. The Rise of

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the soul of a company lies not in its products or services, but in its culture. “Culture is King” is more than a catchy phrase; it’s a mantra for organizations striving for greatness in an era where the heart and spirit of the workplace drive innovation and success. Ask yourself,

Customers have changed. Here are 3 ways to get up to speed or get left behind. The way customers think about your business has changed. Loyalty has lost out to low bid and “right now” has replaced getting it right. Customers are less able and willing to spend, they have shifted their priorities, and the

One of the defining characteristics of the landscape industry is the essential role subcontractors play as a way to provide specialized services we don’t have in-house. Yet despite how important the relationship between landscape contractors and subcontractors are to project outcomes, the relationship remains ad hoc and needs-driven. Not surprisingly, the last few years of

In the dynamic landscape of today’s business world, the saying “your network is your net worth” has taken on a deeper significance. Networking transcends the mere exchange of business cards at formal events; it’s an essential skill, a crucial survival strategy in the competitive corporate ecosystem. The Evolution of Networking Gone are the days when

Do you ever find yourself at a crossroads when giving or receiving feedback within your team? If so, you’re not alone. Many leaders, including CEOs I’ve had the privilege to coach, share this challenge. The discomfort in addressing performance issues or the lack of psychological safety for open discussions often hinders team progress. But what

The best way to attain profitability is to get pricing right. Yet, for all its importance, an effective pricing strategy that maximizes profitability can be an ongoing challenge. In fact, how to price strategically is one of the how-to questions I get asked most often. There are four critical factors to build a good pricing

GREENVILLE, SC, February 1, 2024 ~ Wilson360, a leading green industry business consulting firm, today announced the launch of Wilson360+, its new digital community and engagement space.   “This marks a new era for us,” said CEO Robert Clinkenbeard. “Wilson360+ is not just a canvas for participation but a game-changer that will enable business owners

GREENVILLE, South Carolina—Wilson360 announced that entrepreneur, software developer, and business consultant Willard Moore has joined the team as chief technology officer and engagement consultant.   “As Wilson360 scales to new heights, Willard brings unique knowledge in interactive media to accelerate our growth,” said Robert Clinkenbeard, Wilson360’s chief executive officer. “Willard’s impressive expertise in gamification technology

Brandt Vroman has joined the Wilson360 team as a strategy consultant, leadership coach, and CEO peer group facilitator. Brandt brings four decades of leadership experience to his new role, including having served as start-up founder and CEO of Northwest Landscape Services of Oregon, which was sold to The Brickman Group in 2007.  Post-acquisition, Brandt remained

If you’ve ever found yourself agonizing over whether you’re going too fast or too slow, you’re not alone. Leading a business is an endurance sport. You can’t outrun your ability or lose steam before the finish line. I recently completed my 30th Half Ironman, a challenging one-day event consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 56 miles

In the intricate world of business and entrepreneurship, the linchpin of success often hinges on one key element: effective leadership. Leadership is not merely a role or a set of tasks; it is an art form that requires continuous cultivation, a refined skill set, and a commitment to personal growth and evolution. In the realm

When I first started in the landscape industry, I worked at Green Valley Landscape in San Jose, California, a company owned by Joe Marsh, a retired geologist with Standard Oil Company (Chevron Corporation) and a passionate gardener. He believed in hiring college graduates with bachelor’s degrees in horticulture because he knew they understood how landscapes

By CEOs, for CEOs. Bruce Wilson re-imagined the peer group concept and brought it to the landscape industry on a national scale with a new strategic purpose. Today, our CEO Peer Groups bring together market innovators and bold thinkers, all seeking entrepreneurial excellence, fresh ideas, different perspectives and a sense of what comes next. These

As a cornerstone of effective management and employee performance, accountability standards provide a structured framework that benefits managers in tracking progress and empowers employees to excel in their roles. Let’s explore a few of the benefits of establishing accountability standards for both managers and employees and take a look at a few examples of Key

Finding first mover advantage is like a treasure hunt. Being the first to uncover hidden insights or deliver something customers actually want is indispensable. Every year, the amount of information increases exponentially and the sheer volume and speed at which data comes in makes it almost impossible to leverage its potential. By 2030, it’s estimated

In the lush landscape of the green industry, the ebbs and flows of finance play a critical role in shaping the terrain of your business. It’s where art meets numbers, creativity meets capital, and growth meets governance. However, not every landscaping company can afford, nor do they require, a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This

Owning a landscape company is an adventure. It involves passion for the outdoors, dedication to your craft, and an intimate understanding of your market. But there comes a time in every business owner’s journey when the prospect of selling becomes a tangible consideration. As the owner of a landscape company, you’ve likely poured your heart

As landscape professionals, we recognize the impact our work has on the communities and customers we serve, as well as creating a natural beauty within our world that everyone can enjoy. We also know that there is no silver bullet that will set us apart from our competition. To excel in our industry, it’s essential

Char Farley Chacon, division manager at Denver-based Designscapes, a member of the ALCC’s board of directors and the committee chair for ALCC’s Women in Green, is challenging barriers to the advancement of women in the green industry. Well-known across Colorado for her fierce commitment to ALCC’s LatiKNOWs diversity and empowerment program, which gives people across

MINNETONKA, MN – Tom Prosser, Rainbow Companies’ Founder and current CEO announced the appointment of Bruce K. Wilson to the firm’s Board of Directors. Bruce has more than four decades of executive experience in the landscape industry and is a long-standing champion of raising awareness, understanding, and appreciation of landscape performance and its positive impact

When I get asked by an owner about selling their company, my answer is always the same: always be building. You never know what the future will bring. Some owners have a long-range plan that envisions a legacy, with sons and daughters taking over. Some owners get surprised when they realize that the family has

Robert Clinkenbeard, Chief Executive Officer of green industry firm, Bruce Wilson & Company, today announced the company has rebranded to WILSON360, a strategic move that includes a refreshed visual identity, an updated website, and integrated services platform. The official announcement was made at the firm’s annual innovation and thought leadership event, held this year in

Are you perpetually stuck in the weeds? This useful tool will help you find and root out the weeds in your business landscape. To be fair, as CEOs we’re all guilty of jumping into too much detail. We know how to roll up our sleeves and get it done. But knowing how to let go

These past few years have been all about acceleration: ramping up the speed at which we work, adopting automation, and building a resilient, integrated business ecosystem run by technology. Up until now, companies were able to use a number of different options to address their needs. We didn’t just have hybrid work, but hybrid solutions.

David Anderson, global leadership expert and former Global Board Chair for Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) joins WILSON360 and WILSON360+ Multimedia as a consultant and affiliated partner. “David will augment an impressive cross-functional team responsible for high quality insight and a relentless commitment to personal service. David will work closely with a range of Wilson clients on