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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
