It is without a doubt the busiest time of the year for most landscape professionals across the country, and during this busy time it's easy to become so focused on getting the work done that we move too quickly, make mistakes, and waste our precious time. 

Before we start another week, take a moment to slow down. For golf fans reading, you might be familiar with the saying “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” Processes that are repeatable and consistent are what enables companies to operate smoothly.

Ask yourself these 3 simple questions:  

  1. Our company has a standardized and efficient process for our morning roll-out. Yes or No?

  2. At job sites, our production crews are careful to park in the client-approved space that will enable them to unload with the fewest steps. Yes or no?

  3. Our team leaders are trained and empowered to lead. Yes or no?

How did you score? Do you know how to fix any "no" answers? If you had three "yes" answers, that's great. Do you know how to maintain that, and keep constantly improving the systems you have in place?

We know we're the question master this week, but we want you to really think about the systems you have in place and whether or not they're working for your team. Systems should be making everyone's jobs easier, reducing confusion, and saving valuable time. So this week, take a minute and review three systems at your company:

  1. Your morning roll-out: How can we use our indirect time more efficiently?

  2. Where you park your trucks: How can we maximize efficiency on a jobsite from the moment a crew arrives?

  3. Your training program: How can we train consistently each week so that our crews can operate efficiently and with minimal management oversight?

These three areas are the easiest places to make small improvements that allow you and your team to be more productive, and more profitable, right away.

Have a great week!

The Grow Group

P.S. Our popular Profit Pros Virtual Workshop is returning on April 15, where Marty Grunder and Vince Torchia of The Grow Group will share best practices for maximizing efficiency and profitability before, during, and after a job. This workshop is all about how your company's systems can be maximized to save you time and money, register now on our website.