SCOTSDALE, Ariz. - With more than 5,000 employees in 22 states, Scott Brickman, president and chief executive officer, The Brickman Group, Chicago, Ill., knows that people are the key to success.
During an opening presentation at Lawn & Landscape's second annual Business Strategies conference in Phoenix, Ariz., he pointed out six key elements that his company focuses on to realize success and keep his key asset - his employees - satisfied in their jobs.
· Be a national provider of landscape services
· Cultivate long-term loyal customers
· Be the most efficient provider
· Deliver high standards of quality and service
· Create a culture of trust, honesty and respect
· Create a learning organization that works to constantly improve
Putting people first takes committed leadership, Brickman stressed. Influenced by W.Edward Deming's theories for management, he offered some key concepts gathered from A Theory for Management.
· Constant focus on improvement
· On-the-job training
· Institute leadership - help people do a better job
· Drive out fear so everyone can work effectively
· Break down barriers between departments - work as a team
· Eliminate work standards (quotas) in the field and substitute with leadership
· Remove barriers that rob the hourly worker of his right to pride of workmanship
· Institute a vigorous program of education and self-improvement
The author is the Associate Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine.