business smarts Archives - Page 2 of 14 - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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business smarts

Mindset Shifts Industry Titans Have Made Over the Years

How often have you changed your mind about a belief you’ve held? Sometimes, an outlook that may have gotten you to where you are today no longer serves you or could even be holding you back. Below are some of the thought processes that industry leaders admit they’ve had to outgrow as they’ve scaled their […]

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The Titans’ Playbook: Five Tips To Growing Your Business

While there isn’t one simple formula for growing a successful lawn or landscape business, there are some common pieces of advice that leaders in the industry have found to play a major factor in the growth of their companies. NALP’s Titans share their guidance with others looking to scale their business up to the next […]

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The Secret to Manager Loyalty in a Competitive Labor Market

It takes time and money to develop quality managers on your team, so the last thing you need is for them to walk out the door. Additionally, the tenure of your managers has a direct impact on the trust you are able to generate with your clients and other team members. ā€œThe retention of these […]

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Why In-Service Documentation Is an Excellent Risk Management Tool

In-service documentation may seem like just more admin work for your crews, but it is a powerful form of insurance that can protect your business from serious legal expenses. Claims arise for every type of business. While good documentation is a common practice for those in snow and ice management, it is also a strong […]

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Are You Guilty of the 7 Deadly Sins of Marketing?

Gone are the COVID years of easy sales and relaxed marketing efforts for landscaping companies. As 2026 and 2027 will have aĀ weaker business cycle, now is the time to review your marketing practices and make sure your strategies are dialed in. Below are some of the key mistakes when it comes to marketing. 1. Marketing […]

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Need a Creative Reset? Where to Find Landscape Design Inspiration

If you want to enter the new year with fresh ideas for your design/build projects, it may be time to seek out new sources of inspiration. One of the best ways to expand your toolbox of design concepts is to visit other gardens and landscapes. These locations can expose different approaches to common landscape challenges […]

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What’s Your Reverse Resolution for the Year?

Are New Year’s resolutions even worth making when all too often they are mocked as something a person will only stick with until February? If you are tired of setting out with good intentions to develop a new habit but failing to stick with it long-term, consider making a reverse resolution this year. A reverse […]

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Business Smarts: How to Protect Your Profit Margins from These Hidden Expenses

There are multiple expenses associated with running a landscape business. However, monitoring your numbers closely and addressing some of these hidden costs can make a difference in your company’s profit margins. ā€œEvery bit counts – we are in a low margin industry and every decision that can decrease costs while maintaining quality is an important […]

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Business Smarts: How Project Post-Mortems Drive Continuous Improvement

Once your team has completed a job, do you take the time to conduct a project post-mortem, or are you so busy that you simply rush on to the next task? If you aren’t pausing to evaluate what went right and what went wrong on a job, your team will be doomed to repeat itself […]

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Business Smarts: Establishing Vendor Relationships That Protect Your Margins

Poorly managed material costs can shrink your already tight margins. However, if you take the time to develop strong vendor relationships, you can ensure you’re getting the best pricing for this expense. ā€œBy negotiating better pricing or terms, businesses can improve their profit margins without sacrificing quality,ā€ says Mary Angebranndt, a purchaser for Ruppert Landscape, […]

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