Lawn & Landscape Online Holds Live Discussion

Featured guest and green industry consultant Jim Paluch of Painesville, Ohio-based JP Horizons Inc., a consulting firm in business since 1989, interacted with users about the benefits of establishing a mission statement and using it as a base for running a business.

Users logged in from across the United States from Ohio to Texas. One user, Derek Blumberg from Minnesota, even logged into the discussion room via a wireless connection from his laptop computer in his truck.

An interesting exchange of ideas flowed between discussion attendees and Paluch. Those ideas are available below in the transcript of the discussion. Enjoy reading the transcription and be sure to join Lawn & Landscape Online for additional online discussions regarding professional and personal development. Stay tuned to www.lawnandlandscape.com for upcoming live discussions.

For more information about featured guest Jim Paluch, please visit the JP Horizons web site at www.jphorizons.com or hear Paluch speak at the International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo in Louisville, Ky., July 22-24.

Live Online Discussion Transcription – Weds., June 28, 2000, 7 to 8:15 p.m.

admin - Welcome to Lawn & Landscape Online’s LIVE Online Discussion. Thank you for logging on to this service of our web site. Tonight’s featured guest is Green Industry Consultant Jim Paluch, who will be "speaking" about the "Power of a Mission Statement.
I will get us started by asking Jim the first question. Please feel free to ask questions and offer your opinions throughout the discussion.
Jim, please define what a mission statement is and what it means to a business.

JIM PALUCH I would first like to start with a little audience participation

admin - certainly

JIM PALUCH If you have a mission statement type a 'y'

Alan Skoog - y

Derek Blumberg - Y

JIM PALUCH if not type a 'n'

Carl - n

Lawndude - n

JIM PALUCH Have they made a difference to those that have one?

Derek Blumberg - Yes

Alan Skoog - Prior to the Challenge, no. But in the two short weeks I believe it is starting to sink in.

JIM PALUCH My thoughts on a mission statement is it is a powerful tool to make a difference in a company. A mission statement is not what we want to become. It is what we are becoming. When this gets defined you can then build plan, recruit, sell etc. from it.
We will talk later how to create a mission statement. But a definition of a mission statement is the where you are going, what you believe in and why you will succeed.

Alan Skoog - Can the mission statement be both what we are and also what we want to be?

JIM PALUCH Great question Alan.

Derek Blumberg - We had a long one once, then a smart man asked me what it was, I could not tell him. Well we all got together and re-wrote it and now everyone knows it by heart.

JIM PALUCH KNOWING IT IS SO important.
Keeping it short is so important.

Derek Blumberg - Repeating it also.

lawnmom - What has been the history of effectiveness of mission statement?

JIM PALUCH Lawnmom here is an answer for you. Great name by the way.
I have worked with the green industry for a long time. Several years ago, MS's were not so common. Today, nearly 90% have a mission or know they need one. The green industry today is much more successful and progressive

contractor1 - How do you keep your mission a focus with employees on a day-to-day basis?

JIM PALUCH I'll answer in a minute.
I worked with a group this past weekend in another industry. Who were not well-tuned on mission statements. They were so far behind what I see in the green industry. Companies with mission statements are more successful.
David Minor, Who writes for Land L. And also owned a great company in Texas that grew to 11 million before he sold it. Said that he talked about the mission everyday.
EVERYDAY! Think about it.

Alan Skoog - I am now wondering if our mission stmt is in fact one by your definition. If things get slow maybe send it out for critiquing

JIM PALUCH Y or N have you mentioned the mission to your company.? Today?

Alan Skoog - y via challenge session

contractor1 - Not today

JIM PALUCH One thing to take from this chat room is to set a goal to mention it everyday. When you meet with production in the morning.
In a sales call.
Hiring someone.
There are many opportunities to use the mission statement.

Alan Skoog - please expand on the how and why of a sales call.

JIM PALUCH Great question.

JIM PALUCH The mission statement in a sales call. It is an awesome way to introduce you company. To tell the client your mission statement and to way here is what that means to you Mr. client.
Shows a level of professionalism.
Tell the client that everybody in the company focuses on this mission.
Another good reason is that your clients, especially high end residential, have all heard about mission statements in their companies. They will be impressed that you have one and focus on it.
It is all about professionalism and separating yourself from the next company that comes in. USE IT IN A SALES CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan Skoog - This alone has made my time worth while---forget about my other pay we discussed before starting!!!

JIM PALUCH Derek, what is your mission statement?

Derek Blumberg - It is on the back of our business cards.
"Never settle for anything less than the best for our clients and ourselves."

JIM PALUCH Take a look at Derek’s statement.

Derek Blumberg - We support each other with that and our clients

contractor1 - Do you just say "This my MS," or do you weave it into the discussion on sales calls?

JIM PALUCH I would say , let me introduce you to our mission statement.

contractor1 - I like Derek's MS

JIM PALUCH Derek’s is one of the best I have seen in the country.

Derek Blumberg - I hand my card out upside down and they see the MS, then they check to see if it is a card and flip it back over to read the MS. Is that clear?

JIM PALUCH You can build an entire sales presentation on that missions statement. You can talk about how you train to teach the crews what is the best.

Alan Skoog - Is the "we support..." part of the mission stmt or a comment?

JIM PALUCH Derek? I think it is a comment.

Derek Blumberg - That is the result of the MS

JIM PALUCH It is a great comment, because it is exactly what the mission statement should do. It creates support and direction.

Derek Blumberg - A smart man taught me that.

contractor1 - By having it on the business card, you guarantee they see it...that's a good plan
Guest - have any of you guys used the Wright stander mower?

Derek Blumberg - Jim I have to run, can I get a copy of this when it is over?

JIM PALUCH Derek, You are awesome.

Alan Skoog - thanks for sharing Derek

JIM PALUCH Admin can you answer?

admin - Derek, yes...I should be able to transcribe this and then have it up on the Lawn site sometime tomorrow

Derek Blumberg - derekb@qualityseasons.com

admin - got it Derek!

Derek Blumberg - Thanks guys, As Jim would say, GO GET'EM!

JIM PALUCH thanks Keep sellin

JIM PALUCH Alan, what is your mission statement?

Alan Skoog - it will take a moment

JIM PALUCH While Alan is typing, welcome to the new guests that have arrived

Guest - anyone use the Wright stander mower ?

JIM PALUCH We are focusing on mission statements

admin - We are talking about Mission Statements tonight

Guest - mission stm for what

admin - perhaps the Wright mower question might be better suited for the L&L bulletin boards.

Alan Skoog - To imagine, design, construct and/or maintain environmental improvements for our clients by maximizing our resources resulting in satisfaction for ALL the people involved.

JIM PALUCH Alan. . . GREAT MISSION STATEMENT. Can we talk about it?

admin - I agree!

Alan Skoog - please do

Guest - thanks for the l and l tip

JIM PALUCH To imagine, design, construct and/or maintain environmental improvements for our clients

Guest - where is l and bulletin board

JIM PALUCH I like when a mission statement has powerful words.

admin - www.lawnandlandscape.com/messageboard/. But please stay on board for this valuable chat.

JIM PALUCH IMAGINE … THAT is a great word. You could do an entire meeting on that word alone for your company.

contractor1 - Imagine makes me think of creativity .. that's good

JIM PALUCH Exactly.
Try asking the staff what IMAGINE means to them. It could also mean how to get a job done.

Alan Skoog - Tied into this -- we don't have a design department, our l.a. is in the imagination dept

JIM PALUCH great department. Great word to sell from also.

Guest - I’m a two crew turf maintenance company, I don’t think I belong in this chat

Alan Skoog - wrong

JIM PALUCH Stop guest. You need to be here. JPH is a five person company and our mission statement is a powerful force. A mission statement could get you to a three crew next year and then a four.
GUEST DO YOU HAVE A Mission?

Alan Skoog - or a more successful 2 man if that is your desire--right?

Guest - I need accounts for the crews

JIM PALUCH A mission can help. . . separate you from the competition for those accounts. It is about professionalism. And planning for the success of your company. Once you have a mission, then you build from there. Want to know how?

admin - Jim, what kind of mission could help Guest get started?

JIM PALUCH Great question. Guest would you like to develop a mission statement on line,

User [Guest] left forum

JIM PALUCH We scared him away.

admin - Oh, we could have helped him tonight!

Alan Skoog - his loss

JIM PALUCH I hope he finds a Wright Stander. . .
Using the mission statement. . .

Alan Skoog - a short term mission!!

JIM PALUCH We keep it short and support and support it with a set of Action statements. Action Statements focus on

User [Guest] joined forum

JIM PALUCH All right your back!!!!!!!!

FOCUS ON Market
teamwork
training
systems
cost control and rewards
6 Fundamental business Issues.

Guest - growth

JIM PALUCH When you have a mission statement ask the question what do I need to do

Guest - grow

JIM PALUCH to support this mission from a market, teamwork etc. . . .

Alan Skoog - I am confused as to what you are saying with the one word lines a while back?

contractor1 - Were those the action words?

JIM PALUCH 6 Fundamental business issues: Market teamwork, training, systems, cost control, and rewards these are the issues to think about in your business and create a plan for each that supports your mission. A little deep?

Alan Skoog - Got cha!

contractor1 - do you focus on all at once?

JIM PALUCH Check our web-site under ORGANIZATIONAL EXCITEMENT later for more detail explanations.
Great question contractorl

Guest - how is a mission stm going to get me 3 more accounts next year

JIM PALUCH GUEST stick around I will answer that question.

JIM PALUCH Contractor l . . . you can, but usually there are one or more that needs more focus. Training for instance is a big problem in a lot of companies. You might put a plan together that will lead to a successful training program that leads you toward you mission. . .

WorkForce International - I know they are all interrelated, but is there one that is so important that it has to come first?

JIM PALUCH You can put together a plan for each of those 6 F B I's but one may need more focus than the other depending on your company.
I think market is first Work Force We must understand who we are going to serve. then plan from there. FIND and define your niche. Then teamwork, What team do you need to put together to serve the market you are in. Then Training, how will you train that team. Then what systems are needed to support the team. Then how will you educate the team on controlling costs. EDUCATE is the big word there.
THEN after you have mastered the first five, how will you share in the rewards. That explanation is how I see successful companies that I work with becoming more successful.

Alan Skoog - could or should this be summarized in a vision stmt??

JIM PALUCH We have companies summarize it in a one page document and call it an ACTION STATEMENT. This one page document can literally be a strategic plan when worked correctly. BUT IT ALL BUILDS OFF OF A SOLID MISSION STATEMENT That is the first step.

WorkForce International - How often should the "action statement" be revisited/updated?

JIM PALUCH GREAT QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!

JIM PALUCH When you feel your are straying from it. The reason you may be is because your company has changed ore the market has changed. I believe you should revisit it everyday but changing it may happen at a management retreat or annual company meeting. I feel it is ok to change it. It is healthy to change it. . . we are changing as people Ask your staff the question periodically, does this still apply

WorkForce International - So that it is more of a set of guidelines, than commandments?

JIM PALUCH Well said work force. It is an aim instead of goal

Alan Skoog - All of the "it" you are referring to is the action stmt--correct?

JIM PALUCH The it is the Mission Statement. Sorry. When we talk about changing it, the mission, does not mean that we must change it. In 11 years we have changed the mission once at JP HORIZONS. That was to shorten it and make it more exciting.

contractor1 - Who do you involve in the process of writing/changing a MS?

JIM PALUCH Your questions are super.
EVERYONE!
I will try and explain a process: You can first begin with the management team. even if it is you and your wife. or a large ten person team. Get away from the office. we take people away for a day, and get creative. I have them draw a picture of what the company will look like one year from today.
From those pictures we pick out similar values. Happy people, dominating the market, profits etc . . . Those values then get worked into a mission. The draft is then put together and brought back to be presented to the team it is presented with the question. WHAT DO YOU THINK. . .
That is a very important meeting. You want to get some buy in.

Dave - What does the "systems" Action Stmt involve?

JIM PALUCH I will get to that Dave. . .

If the team wants to change something great! It means they care. Usually they accept it after a discussion. That is how you get everyone involved. Here is something to try as a contest.
Tell them you will give 10 dollars to who ever can stand and recite the mission from memory. it gets everyone thinking about it. Then at every company meeting, have someone talk about it or recite it. That is a quick look at the process to get everyone involved.
Dave your question. . .

WorkForce International - So that change is seen as a positive action, not a reaction to something negative.

Dave - "systems"?

JIM PALUCH well said. SYSTEMS . . . The systems action statement may look like this. . . In order to have everyone in the company understand and adhere to the systems that will help us reach our mission we have created a systems manual that is referred to and updated by every team member. The action is statement gives a plan. We will not get into them tonight, but the next step is PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT STATEMENTS that will tell who will create and maintain this book

Alan Skoog - Do you buy into Michael Gerber's stuff?

JIM PALUCH MICHAEL GERBER > > > !

Alan Skoog - is that a yes?

JIM PALUCH His stuff is right on when you read his book. I am not so sure I like his approach of implement, especially in the green industry. But if you read the e-myth you will benefit from it.
One last thought

Alan Skoog - if others are interested, please expand on your implementation stmt?

JIM PALUCH on Mission Statements.

Alan Skoog - sorry I got us off the trail

JIM PALUCH Quickly. . . I will comment, thanks Alan. He has created to tedious of a process that not only loses the landscape contractor it becomes expensive to them as well. I'm not sure he has clients in the green industries best interest in mind. I don't mean that as negative as it sounds. Just my opinion.
One last thought!!!!!!
PERSONAL Mission Statements. Have you written a statement for yourself? What are you becoming. It is a valuable exercise. one that causes you to look at your self as a business owner our leader or husband, parent etc.

Alan Skoog - By way of Gerber's "Primary Aim"

JIM PALUCH I challenge you to do so. Primary Aim. . .

Alan Skoog - It is a lot tougher to write, live & do than a business mission stmt

JIM PALUCH You are right Alan. I have struggled putting one together and still not sure I have it but it helps.
One more last thought. SPANISH!!!!!!!!!

WorkForce International - What about Spanish?

admin - Spanish is key, as I'm sure WorkForce agrees!

JIM PALUCH SPANISH! Put your mission statement out in Spanish. The Hispanic workforce is very interested.

WorkForce International - I love you, man.

JIM PALUCH THANKS ! ! !

Alan Skoog - Assume you mean business m.s.?

JIM PALUCH It is fun to get the gringos saying it in Spanish and the Spanish saying it in English. Everytime I have had the chance to work with Spanish on a mission statement they throw their heart and soul into it.
GET THEM INVOLVED.
Alan Skoog - We have our mission and vision stmts in English & Spanish framed side by side where all the company walks by.

JIM PALUCH great Alan.

admin - As it is nearing our scheduled end time, I'll have to ask Jim if he needs to go. So we should probably wrap this up shortly.

JIM PALUCH The training challenge is going great for you?

Alan Skoog - able to do that because of the translating website you told us about

JIM PALUCH I need to go. . . Please check out our website

admin - Thank you for joining Lawn & Landscape Online and our featured guest, Mr. Jim Paluch, green industry consultant. He's at http://www.jphorizons.com. Some valuable information has been shared about establishing a mission statement

Alan Skoog - Thanks for arranging it and for your time Mr. P.

WorkForce International - Thank You, Mr. Paluch.

JIM PALUCH my pleasure

admin - Yes, Thanks Jim!

Alan Skoog - good night from the Midwest!!

admin - Thank you all!

END