BALTIMORE, Md. - The pathway to success makes Frosts’ road not taken look like an exit to a scenic route. There is no clear-cut road to profit, growth and efficient operations, however, there are a few right turns contractors can take to get on the right road.
David Minor, former owner of Minor’s Landscape Service and currently a green industry consultant, offered 10 tips for success at the Associated Landscape Contractors of America Business Boot Camp in Baltimore, Md. If business owners keep in mind these business and communication basics they can be trailblazers rather than Sunday drivers.
Maintain quality and efficiency. “Quality is a Given,” Minor stressed. “If you don’t give quality service, someone else will, and you have to do it efficiently.” Quality isn’t enough for clients, he added. Service must be executed quickly and at the right prices. Efficiencies will allow business owners to pass on cost savings to customers.
Customer service. This is built into the mission statements of many companies, and Minor noted that it doesn’t hurt to be “obsessed” with customer service. “There is only one boss – the customer,” he identified. “And he can fire everyone by taking his business elsewhere.”
Goals. Personal growth and success is only achieved when an individual knows where to aim. Minor suggested writing down business, family and personal goals. Then, managers should follow four crucial steps: Define, monitor, feedback and reward. Identify the goals, ensure their progress, note their success and celebrate the achievement.
Communication. Keeping an open forum for learning, feedback and response from both employees and customers will help contractors reach their goals, Minor pointed out.
Adaptability. This is the No. 1 trait of successful entrepreneurs, Minor noted. They must understand that plans change – goals change – and they must be willing to alter their schedules, systems and plans to meet the immediate needs of their company.
Time Management. “Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed,” Minor emphasized.
Leadership. Leading by example is not enough, Minor said. Business owners need to treat people fairly, be sensitive to employees and let them know they are important to the organization. “People will run through walls for good leaders,” he pointed out. And if this is the case, managers are wise to serve their internal customers – the employees.
Positive Attitude. “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Minor borrowed this quote from Zig Ziggler, who apparently knows a few things about viewing the glass as half full. Deal with the day’s issues in the proper perspective and remember, “Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it,” Minor recommended.
Learn to handle adversity. Plans fold. Goals fall through. Employees resign, customers cancel and bills pile up. Every job comes with its sore points, and managers need to accept this reality while keeping the issue in perspective.
Continuous learning. Education doesn’t stop in the classroom. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new – whether it be in a field seminar, from a customer or from a mistake. “Always focus on continuous self improvement,” Minor advised. With growing opportunities in the industry, knowledge will put companies ahead of the masses.
The author is Associate Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine.
