Learning doesn’t stop once you’ve gained experience in the industry. Seeking out training material regularly can help validate, sharpen and challenge how your approach to different parts of the business.
“After 35 years in the landscaping industry, I still make it a point to stay engaged with new ideas, trends, and educational opportunities that can help me continue growing both personally and professionally,” says Tom Lupfer, president of Lupfer Landscaping, based in Lyons, Illinois.
One of the resources available to NALP contractor members is the Landscape Business Management Training Courses, which are designed to cover key business areas such as corporate finance, strategic planning and human resource management.
These courses are self-paced, online and offer comprehensive education for landscape company leadership.
Expanded Industry Knowledge
If you have up-and-coming employees in your organization, these courses are ideal to help them become stronger leaders and make better business decisions.
Jennifer Melson, partnership executive with Sullivan’s Landscaping & Maintenance, based in Milford, Delaware, says she was introduced to the program by Joel Sullivan, owner of Sullivan’s.
“Transitioning from a regional manager role in community management into the landscaping industry was a significant career shift for me,” Melson says. “While I had exposure to landscaping through managing common interest communities, I quickly realized how much more there was to learn. I wanted to deepen my understanding of the industry and strengthen my leadership skills, so I could be more effective in my new role.”
Melson says while she had a foundational understanding of business leadership principles, she had a knowledge gap on the technical side of things.
“The depth and complexity of these areas really opened my eyes to how specialized this field is,” Melson says.
Brandi Moore, business administrator with Coldwater Landscapes, based in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, says she also sought out the courses to gain knowledge to help in her career. She says she was already familiar with some of the coursework, but the ratio analysis portion was an area where she was weaker.
Lupfer says he completed the courses because he maintains a beginner’s mindset and wanted to measure what he truly understood versus what he had simply learned through experience over the years.
“I expected much of the material to be familiar, and on the surface, it was,” Lupfer says. “What the course revealed, however, was that familiarity and mastery are not the same thing. It exposed areas where my practical knowledge was strong, but where my depth of understanding could still be improved.”
Jonathan Maceira, Gulf branch manager for ASI Landscapes, a Yardnique Company, based in Thonotosassa, Florida, says he was introduced to the program during a performance review, and the courses helped him gain a deeper understanding of strategies related to leadership, financials, management and business.
“The training helped me better understand financial statements, key performance indicators and how to use the data to make better decisions,” Maceira says.
Tangible Takeaways
Melson says one of the most valuable takeaways she gained from the courses was understanding the importance of structured processes and proactive communication.
“The training helped me refine how I communicate value and structure proposals, which has contributed to stronger client alignment,” Melson says. “It has also enhanced internal collaboration by ensuring clearer expectations and more efficient processes.”
Lupfer says one of the first things he did after completing the program was to rework their contracts and conditions, realizing there were liabilities and areas of exposure he hadn’t fully considered.
“I also applied several of the strategic planning principles from the course to accelerate our implementation of newer technologies and improve operational systems throughout the company,” Lupfer says.
Maceira says one of the most useful concepts he learned was understanding how financial performance connects directly with the daily operations and how small decisions made every day can impact the profitability and efficiency of the overall business.
Increased Confidence
Upon completion, participants earn individual certificates for each course, a comprehensive Business Leadership Certificate, or can specialize in Human Resources or Operations Management with dedicated professional certificates.
A common result after completing the training courses was a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
“I feel proud,” Maceira says. “I’m more confident in my leadership abilities. The course gave me practical tools and a better understanding of business management that I continue to use every day.”
Lupfer says the program sharpened his focus and reinforced the importance of intentional leadership and strategic thinking.
“It also gave me greater confidence in speaking about these subjects with authority, both within my company and within the industry as a whole,” Lupfer says.
Lupfer adds that as a business owner, it serves as a form of validation.
“Nobody really reviews your work or measures your knowledge against broader industry standards,” Lupfer says. “Completing the course confirmed that many of the systems and philosophies I’ve developed over 35 years are aligned with a high level of professional expertise, while also reminding me that there is always room to improve.”
Melson says aside from feeling more confident and comfortable in her role, the courses have motivated her to continue her education. This led her to complete the Landscape Technician Course and earn that certification as well.
Who Should Take the Landscape Business Management Training Courses
The Landscape Business Management Training Courses are suited for both those entering the industry and those with experience who want to strengthen their leadership and business knowledge.
Moore adds that anyone reviewing a landscape company’s financials should take the Landscape Business Management Training courses.
“I would recommend to anyone looking for the opportunity to grow as leaders in the landscape industry,” Maceira says. “Supervisors, account managers, operations managers and branch managers. The course provides valuable tools that can help you become more effective in your role.”
Lupfer says aside from owners and CEOs, even designers, sales staff, HR professionals, and emerging leaders within a company can benefit from this training.
“Strong organizations are built when leadership development happens at every level,” Lupfer says.
Each course takes two to three hours to complete. Moore recommends taking your time and making notes. How long it will take to complete all eight course modules will vary based on your schedule and workload, as Melson finished in five days, while Maceira says it took him several months.
“I completed one section per week during the off-season, so it was very manageable and never felt overwhelming,” Lupfer says. “The key is consistency and sticking with it.”
Maceira says while the courses require commitment, the knowledge and the skills gained are worth it.
“Whether you are new to the industry or have years of experience, there is always something new to learn,” Melson says. “The more you invest in understanding both the technical and business sides of landscaping, the more successful you will be.”
The Landscape Business Management Training Courses are part of NALP’s comprehensive online training, available free to contractor members. To access the full suite of resources, visit the Learning Hub.
