A thought provoking piece of commentary from Tony Bass, a leading industry consultant. I'm sitting in the van waiting for our tree guys to turn up at site, reading his article and thought it worth sharing...
""Now it's about business....
Back in the 1980s, '90s and even 2000s, new landscape companies were typically started by individuals with a passion for agronomy. That's still true today, but not to the same degree. “Larger and more organized companies are emerging at a much faster rate today,” Bass says. “This industry is reaching maturity in its policies and processes, which is evidenced by the number of franchises etc in existence today. So gone are the days where someone passionate about turfgrass goes out and starts a thriving landscaping business. “Many of today's start-ups are displaced executives. These guys understand planning, forecasting and procedures. They're also aggressive when it comes to training, education, and acquiring the necessary tools to grow sales and profits.”"
Mmmhhh, interesting view.....
What do you think it means ?
Do you recognise the situation ?
Finally, any plans to address any issues facing you ?
God, I love good business articles, gets the old brain thinking outside the box on these wet and miserable days :-)
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Replies
Do I recognise the situation?
Sounds like he is talking about me. I'm not going to forget the management expereince that I have gained else where.
I also think it is possible to be professional and passionate.
As to your last statement...ABSOLUTELY. Get that right and you're away.......:-)
James Dixon said:
I like the 'back in the 1980's, 90's and even 2000's' phrase..................I started before then....in the 70's, when to be a 'Landscape Gardener' was usually met with the question 'A what?'
Maybe the issues raised aren’t so new though. I went from an office background in the City of London to use a couple of week’s holiday helping out one of the few local Landscape Gardeners (it was a ‘new’ industry then). It opened my eyes to another way of life and within 3 years(1976) had started our business. This ‘office’ background(although only 6 years) has helped immensely and we have always pushed on, moved with the times and still do. Our workload is as heavy as ever and we have kept 4 guys employed for many years.
There always has been a cross section of Gardeners/Landscapers - the semi retired with car and trailer, the all singing dancing guy with ‘all the gear but no idea’, the solid small company and of course the National companies.
So, having to ‘up our game’? It should be an ongoing process for all - competition is good!
Assuming it's Tony Bass, the American, and he's speaking of the US market, but the same might apply over here to an extent, just not sure. Not been aware of any ex-corporate execs starting up landscaping businesses, not down in this neck of the woods at least, or excessive numbers of franchises other than turf care or stump busting.
He's a Tony Robbins type motivator, and his basic tenet is that a landscaping business needs to work efficiently and effectively to reach its goals, but that goes for any business, either side of the pond, regardless of the owner's background.
Will be interesting to see in future whether this version holds true here, more widespread franchising etc. They always say that where the US leads the world follows.
Yeah Gary, I really see that today. Our local greenthumb guy is an ex "Operations Manager for a busy local haulage firm".
In my foundation degree there is a fair number of people too that had jobs with 'responsibility' are now planning on gardening full time. But I'm not sure if they plan to take on the world.
I seem to be breaking the mold coming from within the industry (Greenkeeping) to start my own lawn care business. Seems to me most of the people around here I live don't have much horticulture experience but are out there doing it.
Those that keep an open mind, digest what is going on in our 'markets', suck up knowledge, good business's practices and use it to good effect in THEIR business will be the ones that survive and grow.
Brian, I'm up for that with those of similar outlook to business......I have posted similar ideas, etc in KBO in the past.
Colin, you're right the issues are not new to us oldies, but to many on here I suspect they are judging by posts, chat etc. I love your story. Many, many parallels ;-)
Does no harm to revisit Business 101 occasionally ;-)
I know of at least 6 or so related landscaping franchises that are sucking in hi roller money...however what happens in the franchise market is relevant if you are looking for additional business opportunities - even if you never go the franchise routes. It's a good 'indicator'
Franchises are not the main thing I took from this article, it's the fact we are running businesses and those with good business skills stand best chance of surviving and growing.
For some business types, such approaches maybe irrelevant, but I always read, take in and use what I can. I think of it as CPD.