Operations Archives - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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Operations

Making the Most of Your In-House Mechanics

If you’re going to invest in an in-house mechanic role, you want to make sure their time is being used in a productive manner. ā€œFor us, in the early days there were days where mechanics might not have something to work on,ā€ says Kevin McHale, principalĀ of McHale Landscape Design, Inc.,Ā based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. ā€œYou […]

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Is It Time To Find an In-House Mechanic?

When you’re running a lean operation, chances are you’re reluctant to increase overhead, but the position of an in-house mechanic can pay for itself in increased productivity if the role is created at the right time. Benefits of an In-House Mechanic Without an in-house mechanic, when a piece of equipment goes down, you are at […]

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Designing a Fail-Safe Client Experience: Building Consistency, Trust and Long-Term Loyalty

You’re never judged just by your finished project. Clients frequently determine the value of your work by the entire experience they have interacting with you, which is why it is so critical to fail-safe the customer journey. ā€œWe all know what it feels like to have this great work, do this really great project, and […]

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Getting Deposits Right: Creating a Policy That Works for You and Your Clients

Requesting a deposit before starting on a client’s project does more than just provide cash to cover the costs you’re about to incur. It also indicates mutual investment. ā€œIt shows the client’s serious,ā€ says Rob Ambler, president ofĀ Ambler Industries, based in Furlong, Pennsylvania. ā€œThey understand that there’s the financial commitment to it, and then we […]

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Technically Speaking: Helping Cool-Season Lawns Recover from Summer Heat

If your clients’ cool-season lawns appear to have been burned to a crisp during this summer’s brutal heat, the fall months are an opportune time to go beyond just repairing the damage. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass are prone to go dormant during the summer. Yet with the […]

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Protecting Your Business: Finding the Leaks in Your Operations Before They Sink Profitability

Whether you have one gaping hole or a thousand tiny punctures in a ship, it will eventually fill with water and sink. The only difference is how long it will take. The same can be said for inefficiencies in your landscape business. ā€œMost landscape companies don’t struggle because of one catastrophic problem,ā€ says Fred Haskett, […]

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People, Process or Leadership? Diagnosing the Root Cause of Operational Issues

No landscape company will ever be completely perfect, but choosing to be proactive by looking for operational inefficiencies and making small improvements can provide massive competitive advantages. ā€œIt’s far better off to be in the fire prevention department than the firefighting department,ā€ says Marty Grunder, founder and CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co. and The Grow […]

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How to Manage Overtime Before It Becomes a Profit Leak

Overtime can be the deciding factor in finishing a job or missing a deadline. These extra hours can be beneficial in the moment but can also dig into your bottom line if not managed properly. Like many aspects of business, having a system in place is key for healthy profit margins, and overtime is no […]

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How to Preserve Quality When Crews Are Moving Fast

In the landscape industry, you are selling labor hours, so it’s natural to want your maintenance crews to complete as many jobs as possible in a day, but it’s critical to ensure quality isn’t sacrificed in the process. Define Your Standards Before your team members even leave the yard, you need to guarantee that everyone […]

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Tree CSI: How Forensic Analysis Reveals the Real Cause of Tree Death

It’s common for a forensics team to be called in to investigate the questionable death of a person, but are you taking the time to conduct a forensic analysis when a tree dies on your customer’s property? ā€œConducting forensic analysis on dead, dying or failed trees can give a plethora of information and insight into […]

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