Lawn Care Business Owners - Dont Buy Yourself A Job

Most businesses consist of the owner only or the owner and a few employees. The owner continues to do the same activity whether it is labor or crew management for many years. He gets into the"comfort zone" or "rut" and does the same thing day in and day out.

You need to put your time and energies into growing your lawn business or landscape business. This needs to be directed toward advertising, marketing, or other services.

Good employees are needed to run the daily activities of a lawn business.The things you are doing now.Filling your labor or management position is crucial for your continued growth.

Some people tell me that it's tough or scary to let the employees run a large part of the business.

Yes, it may be uncomfortable but you need to ask yourself "Do I want to be doing the same activity in my business 5, 10, or 15 years from now?" If you do that's fine.

So what we have are 2 choices

1. Do the same activity in your business years from now that you are doing today

2. Put some major responsibility on the eployees and GROW your business.

Number 2 is not easy and can be difficult and stressful.

You have to, have to, have to think about the FUTURE and the end result.

Your business should not become dependent on you. Additionally, I've seen many employees actually do a better job in the position the owner gave up than the owner.

The owner should spend time

1) Advertising

2) Marketing

3) Making the business more profitable

4) Building relationships w/ customers

5) Internet and website6) Adding additional services

Write a plan and clear objective of how to make a successful lawnbusiness run without you.

Don't just turn your employees lose and say go get em.Make sure they all know their job. Everything will work much smoother thisway.

Give employees titles and certain responsibilities, and hold them accountable. Titles can make employees feel wanted and appreciated. When they do something good, acknowledge it and praise them. If they screw up, introduce them to a better way to avoid the problem the next time. Encourage them to ask questions.Tell them there are no stupid questions just stupid mistakes.

You must listen to their needs not just hear what they are saying. Ask them occasionally, "Do you see any areas that can be improved upon or do you have any suggestions to make the business run smoother?" Ask them about the chemistry of the crew such as "Is there someone here slowing the crew down or is a disruption to the performance?"

We talked about the comfort zone earlier. I want to share with a short story..

There was a native tribe in South America who had been dying prematurely from a strange sickness for many generations.Scientists were sent in to find out the cause of the strange disease. It was finally discovered that the disease was caused by the bite of an insect, which lives in the walls of their homes.The natives had several options:

(a) They can destroy the insects with insecticides

(b) They can destroy and rebuild their homes

(c) They can move to another location where there are no such insects

(d) They can continue to live at the same place and die early, as they had been doing for generations.

The saddest thing is that they chose to remain as they were and died early.

THE POINT IS- It is sad that most people have fear and don't like change. They are comfortable with what they are, where they are, and they would rather die than change. The comfort zone is a dangerous place to be in, and you may not even realize that you are in it.

You have all this money invested in equipment and if you are doing the same activity in the business that you really aren't happy doing, you have actually "Bought Yourself a Job". Please don't make that mistake.

Best of Luck

Kevin Whiteside

Kevin Whiteside is the owner and editor of LawnForum.com Monthly,an online newsletter and website for lawn and landscape professionals.Get a FREE subscription here mailto:LawnForum@aweber.com

He is also the author of "Turn High Grass Into Cold Cash- How to Start the Ultimate Lawn Business" http://www.GrassToCash.com

You can use this article as long as the bylines are included.

In The News:

---

Sign up for landscaping, garden classes now
Mirror, MI - Jan 4, 2009
Michael Saint, a certified master gardener and owner of Good Earth landscape Institute, will show you how to turn a neglected entrance, courtyard or side ...

Green stuff
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 15 hours ago
Aerin Moore discusses "How to Create a Beautiful Garden: Landscaping Techniques." 1 pm Tues. Public Safety Bldg., Alex Clark Room, 880 Tennent Ave., Pinole. ...

Gardening angel spruces up shop
Contra Costa Times, CA - Jan 6, 2009
That could have happened here, but thanks to a gardening angel, it didn't. Mitchell wrote to Kevin Davis of CLS Landscape Management Inc. in Chino and told ...

In the Garden: Resolutions for a gardening year
Peninsula Gateway, WA - 5 hours ago
30 for a seminar at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show (www.otshows.com/THS), “Edible landscaping with veggies and herbs.” In garden design, I see more yards ...

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Jan 3, 2009
Everything from design, home improvement, décor, home entertainment, landscaping, gardening, and much, much more will be on display at this event. ...
Seeds: Budding gardeners can take home a seedling Sacramento Bee
all 2 news articles

Last opportunity to join Master Gardener class
Blanco County News,  USA - 12 hours ago
Some of the volunteer projects have included: the support of the Bindseil Park, landscaping at Gem of the Hills, speaker at the Lavender festival with ...

Gardening Calendar, updated Jan 7
TCPalm, FL - 9 hours ago
"Florida Native Landscaping": University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; 2199 S. Rock Road, Fort Pierce; 4-7 pm, ...

January education opportunities
Examiner.com - 13 hours ago
Daugherty designed many garden and landscapes around the city of Atlanta. The exhibition runs through March 28 th . For full information check: ...

Ice on the shrubs is no reason to put off early spring cleaning
Reno Gazette Journal, NV - 17 hours ago
It's cold out there, so I have gathered up my past issues of some gardening books, and some of my older landscape books, and a sketch book. ...

California Farm Bureau
Ag sectors smart from housing slowdown
California Farm Bureau, CA - Jan 6, 2009
Cash-strapped homeowners facing foreclosure don't spend money on gardening materials. The abrupt halt to building and development leaves landscape ...

landscaping gardening - Google News

Lawn Moles and Proper Lawn Care

Are your making mountains out of your molehills? Although lawn moles are underground creatures, the benefits they add to your garden are clearly visible and far outweigh... Read More

New for 2006 - Granite Flexible Preformed Rock Ponds

Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome and difficult to transport. For example, a typical preformed pond kit would come in a box that... Read More

The Difference Between Large and Small Ponds

If you think that a large pond is simply a small pond that "grew up", you're in for some pond maintenance problems. Let's start off my defining... Read More

Make Your Fresh Cut Roses Last Longer!

Women adore getting flowers, most especially roses, as it is a symbol of love and affection. Price of roses vary from state to state and flower shop... Read More

Porch Swing Places: Where to Put a Porch Swing

So you've purchased a Porch Swing (or are about to) and you plan to hang it on the Porch? Not so fast!Where you install your Porch Swing... Read More

Frame Your Garden With Edging

You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs and even added a bird bath and a few garden decorations, but what's missing? Could it be the edging?Almost... Read More

Plant A Simple Tea Garden

Materials Needed 1 decorative clay or metal planter 1 package of clay pellets (approx. 30 pellets) 3 packets of organic tea leaves seeds (YOUR CHOICE) Grow-rich or... Read More

Camellias

Camellias Named by Linnaeus in 1735 in honour of the Jesuit priest and naturalist Georg Josef Kamel, Camellia is a genus originating mainly from China but... Read More

Garden for Birds #3

Well, another week is passing us by.I want to thank everyone who writes me back.Gardens and birds can bring total strangers together.ISN'T IT GREAT!I feel as though... Read More

Understanding Weeds - But mostly How to Kill em

When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions. The pretty yellow flowers were small, colorful, and looked nice tucked behind my ear! However, if one... Read More

Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us

Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past 20 years the orchid supply has become almost limitless. All in all orchid care leaves is becoming... Read More

How to Grow Snow Peas

Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight their light green pods look as if they might be tinged with frost. One of the oldest... Read More

Make The Most From Your Vegetable Garden

All your hard work has paid off, and now you are presented with a dilemma, too many vegetables! After sharing your wealth with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors... Read More

How to Grow Hydrangeas

Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,, or Mopheads, growing Hydrangeas in the home garden can be an enjoyable experience. They are lovely, whether... Read More

5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies

If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide your hardy water lilies, don't worry, it's not too late. Although springtime is the best time, you've... Read More

y, Fun Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here's one to try. It's called Sea Holly, and it's actually in the thistle family.Sea Holly... Read More

Backyard Bird--The Catbird

It's quiet now.Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing sounds as you jump from branch to branch safeguarding your territory against all trespassers.Gone too is the... Read More

Create and Furnish Your Outdoor Room

More and more people are enjoying their time spent outdoors by creating outdoor rooms. Whether your plans for outdoor living involve a grand plan or a more... Read More

Mowing the Lawn

This is more of a follow up on my original article posted yesterday. As I have now finally managed to buy a new lawn mower, with safetey... Read More

With Outdoor Lighting You Can Enjoy Your Garden Into The Evening Hours

It is a beautiful evening and you are relaxing on your patio, enjoying the cool summer air. The flowers are blooming, the lawn is green and lush,... Read More

Basic Lawn Care - Mowing, Scarifiers, Aeration, and Watering Tips

The arrival of summer heralds a time of increased wear and tear for the average garden lawn. Children's yard games, barbecue parties, outdoor sports and generally more... Read More

How To Plan A Garden Right

Gardening is a hobby that brings joy, entertainment, and a better quality of life. It is a creative activity, the result of which is a more aesthetically... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Plan to Plant

In the previous article I discussed design for your new wild flower garden. The next stage is planning the planting. This is an exciting stage, we are... Read More

Brilliant Beetroot!

Are you looking for a truly versatile vegetable to grow and serve? Try beetroot! It has the most amazing colour and texture. Varieties range in colour from... Read More

Wind Chimes Soothe The Soul

They can be pretty to look at and soothing to hear, but did you know that that wind chimes also have healing effects? Just listening to the... Read More

A Compost Primer

Most gardeners and landscapers will agree almost unanimously that the single best thing you can do for your lawn is to add compost. Good, organic compost can... Read More