Prosperity Partners
Sep 5, 2023
Paying a living wage vs minimum wage
This is a new era. One in which we have the best opportunity to raise our charge out rates (along with every other trade), in order to pay our staff well, to live well
Jul 14, 2023
Overhead Recovery 101
If you find yourself asking why you don’t have enough profit at the end of every year, you’re not alone.
Jun 2, 2023
Simple math can make a huge difference
Do you price your newly acquired work the same as the work you’ve already sold now?
Dec 6, 2022
Inspire, protect and grow the next generation
2023 is your chance to level up your business, despite any downward economic pressures you might need to navigate and despite the challenges of trying to find new staff in 2022.
Nov 8, 2022
Motivating and engaging your team
Companies who successfully engage this vibrant, bright and curious generation are those who have shifted the leadership paradigm around the meaning of hard work and life balance.
Oct 12, 2022
Job hopping is here to stay — Adapt, or miss out
Some key facts to help you attract, hire and retain the next generation workforce.
Aug 30, 2022
It’s good to be sticky
Many employers simply either haven’t or don’t know how to chart a path for employees to follow.
Jul 4, 2022
Merely urgent vs really important — The difference matters
How to categorize and prioritize everyday problems so you can focus on the things that matter most to the success of your business.
Apr 1, 2022
Becoming an Employer of Choice
A blueprint for future seminar and program participants to come together and implement what they’ve learned.
Mar 8, 2022
Building strategic relationships — Part 2
Exploring the opportunities to build better relationships in your business.
Feb 9, 2022
Building strategic relationships — Part 1
A few key, solid, well timed relationships can launch your business to the next level.
Dec 16, 2021
How to keep the employees you have
Gone are the days when one plan suited all, and where one plan was seen as a true benefit to everyone to the same degree.
Nov 3, 2021
Defining your ideal client avatar
When red flags pop-up as warning signs for the sales and design team, they act on it, using their intuition to inform decisions whether or not to take on a client.
Oct 12, 2021
A strong communications system will ensure your team meets its obligations
I believe there are few events in business that may derail a customer’s trust and confidence more than a broken promise.
Sep 8, 2021
Taking the temperature of company culture
This is a great time of year to really step back and assess the pulse of your company culture. Slow down and take stock.
Jul 6, 2021
Thank you Landscape Ontario!
We have an amazing community for mutual benefit and improvement — we are a “Landscape Nation.”
Apr 6, 2021
Be a supportive and responsive employer
Online forum allows business owners to discuss various forms of anxiety.
Jan 5, 2021
Silver linings of 2020
A retrospective on some of the surviving legacies of the pandemic year gone by.
Dec 15, 2020
Are you taking care of yourself?
It can be difficult for many entrepreneurs to find time for self care at the best of times, let alone in such an unprecedented year such as this.
Nov 4, 2020
It’s November. Already
Now is the time of year to sit down and gather all of those thoughts and ideas for making improvements or trying new ways of doing work.
Sep 2, 2020
Change is always a good thing
What have you changed as a result of the pandemic, that your team and company will keep in place going forward?
Jul 4, 2020
Staying the course
We’ve all made it this far after a very uncertain and stressful spring. So far, (hopefully) so good.
Jun 15, 2020
A leadership blueprint
There’s a long, long list of leaders who have stepped up amidst rapid and uncertain change.
May 6, 2020
What? So What? Now What!
Some great advice from professional business coaches on how to get through the pandemic.
Apr 3, 2020
Fear and forward thinking
LO members are connecting more than every through the online Peer to Peer Network.
Mar 15, 2020
Top five reasons your team isn’t engaged
So, why do so many company managers struggle with finding, engaging and keeping great team players?
Feb 4, 2020
Peer Network helps John Larsen to grow
Atmosphere of peer group members made it easy to contribute and learn together.
Feb 4, 2020
Peer to Peer Network continues to grow
Collaboration, trust and a willingness to improve helped to set the tone for the year at the annual Congress session.
Jan 4, 2020
The Boom-X Paradigm shift
Gone are the days of hiring labourers and treating them as such.
Dec 15, 2019
It’s time to get to know your business
Some keys to success to ponder before diving deep into next season.
Nov 15, 2019
Learn a lot from fellow business owners
Business owners share takeaways from recent two-day summit in Muskoka.
Nov 15, 2019
Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s professional development season
It’s a great time of year to consider giving the gift of professional development to your company.
Sep 15, 2019
September Summit: The Peer to Peer Network signature event
Make the time to leave your business for two days and you'll be glad that you did.
Jun 21, 2019
Celebrating shifting attitudes toward women in horticulture
A group of strong female leaders have paved the way for others to succeed in the profession.
Jun 15, 2019
Your business needs your work — even in June
Knowing your business well can help to easily identify when things start to go wrong.
May 6, 2019
Company culture part 2: Engaging your team to focus on wellness and safety
Business owners are responsible for providing support to those who need it.
Apr 1, 2019
Company culture part 1: Communicating and engaging your team
Clearly define your company culture with help from peers.
Mar 7, 2019
Take the pulse of your recruiting style
Job applicants under 30 will go straight to your Facebook and Instagram pages to see if your company culture matches their values.
Jan 29, 2019
Get real-time support for your business
LO's Peer to Peer Network offers business owners help online and through events held across the province each year.
Jan 7, 2019
The power of peers working together
Members of LO's Peer to Peer Network share the benefits they have received from time invested in the group workshops.
Dec 12, 2018
The curious entrepreneur
The last in a series of skills required by successful entrepreneurs.
Nov 6, 2018
Self reflection — a paradigm shift
To Millennial business owners, people are not a commodity.
Oct 10, 2018
Polished salesmanship
Mastering the art of salesmanship is just one key quality for successful entrepreneurs.
Sep 15, 2018
The focused entrepreneur
A successful business owner must master the art of focus in order to be successful.
Jul 15, 2018
The resilient entrepreneur
Resilience is the key to moving through failed leadership, failed plans, or both.
Jun 15, 2018
Top skills of great entrepreneurs
A fully engaged business owner must include three main actions as part of their daily habits.
May 31, 2018
Peer to Peer Network is priceless for LO member business owner
Lindsey Ross believes every business owner and manager should belong to LO's peer group.
Apr 5, 2018
How to stop babysitting
The need for a structured hiring and onboarding program and clearly defined company culture.
Mar 15, 2018
How to attract talent in a new era
Attendees at the recent peer session learned from some top HR managers.
Mar 14, 2018
Peer Network resonates with business owner
Group participation shows owners are not alone.
Feb 15, 2018
If you aim at nothing...
Knowing what to measure in your business can be a difficult thing to determine.
Jan 15, 2018
Where there’s passion, there’s hope… and help
LO member business owners are getting results through participation in the association's Peer to Peer Network.
Dec 15, 2017
Become a master at what you do
It's time to look back and reflect on the past year of your business.
Sep 15, 2017
Lead your business and your people Peer To Peer Network Muskoka Summit
An outline for this year's two-day summit in Muskoka, Ont.
Jul 15, 2017
Measure only what you monitor, and monitor what you measure
Set aside a couple of days mid-season to ensure a solid finish to the year.
Jun 15, 2017
Notice what’s going well
Spend 30 minutes with each employee a couple of times each season.
Feb 15, 2017
Intentional improvements
Involve your team in developing processes to improve and celebrate success.
Jan 15, 2017
Abracadabra! Three unexpected steps to improved team results
A few simple steps to strengthen your team.
Dec 15, 2016
What’s lurking in your invisible arena? – Part one
Two distinct areas in which business owners must excel in order to reach their goals.
Jun 15, 2016
Keep it simple, keep calm and carry on
Managing a change from something simple to something complex or complicated is very tough.
Apr 15, 2016
Manage outcomes more than people
A look at the leadership style of a successful association.
Mar 15, 2016
Prosperity among peers - Mark Fisher
Mark Fisher explains how participating in Landscape Ontario's Peer to Peer Network has helped his business.
Mar 15, 2016
We are a landscape nation
Inaugural LMN Leaders Summit in Collingwood, Ont., was a must-attend for landscape business owners.
Feb 15, 2016
Prosperity among peers - Lexi Dearborn
Lexi Dearborn talks about her involvement with Landscape Ontario's Peer to Peer Network.
Jan 15, 2016
Navigating the invisible parts of your business
Business improvement steps for the year ahead.
Dec 15, 2015
The founding vision of Prosperity Partners
Many of you have made improvements in your business and career paths thanks to the Prosperity Partners program over the past 10 years.
Nov 15, 2015
Professional development season is here
This is the time of year when most of us in this industry breathe at least a brief sigh of relief, and start to think about winter month plans for you and your staff’s training and development.
Oct 15, 2015
Taking the pulse of 2012
This is the perfect time of year to check how your profits and systems performed in 2012.
Oct 15, 2015
Standing in the presence of greatness
Every now and then, all of us who run our businesses with a combination of passion and professionalism have very special and memorable moments.
Sep 15, 2015
Checking in at the half-way mark
Four down, four to go. We’re at the half-way mark of the snow off-season.
Jul 15, 2015
Getting to the ROOT of business
Landscape Ontario has been offering an owner/manager workshop, entitled Build Your Prosperity, to our members since 2006.
May 15, 2015
The rubber hits the road
This month marks the start of the 2015 system test for your business.
Apr 15, 2015
It's all about teamwork
Hang on to your hats. Here we all go…Boldly into the 2015 green industry season with hopes, budgets, goals, and a team to make it all happen.
Mar 15, 2015
Hiring smart — Who do you want to work with?
I think most of us turn the page of our calendar on the wall with a degree of hesitation at this time of year.
Feb 15, 2015
Peers share top five business concerns
On Warm Up Monday at Congress, Tim Kearney CLP and I delivered a session to launch the Peer to Peer Network.
Jan 15, 2015
Celebrate success
Happy New Year! Every year at this time, many of us take stock and make resolutions of one kind or another to change something in our lives, our routines, or both.
Dec 15, 2014
You’re in good company
The newest resource offered to business owners by LO’s Prosperity Partners program is the Peer to Peer Network.
Dec 15, 2014
You’re in good company
The newest resource offered to business owners by LO’s Prosperity Partners program is the Peer to Peer Network.
Oct 15, 2014
Bake business thinking into your business
Remember last month I wrote about a young local baker who was striving to make a go of his branded product?
Sep 15, 2014
Diamonds in the rough
Just prior to sitting down to write this article, I wandered into a new store in my home town.
Aug 15, 2014
Professional development: ‘Tis the season to start your plan
As August is upon us and you look forward to a break, I encourage you to spend a couple of quiet hours reflecting on your year-to-date.
Jul 15, 2014
Managing customer experience, Part 3
Consider whether everyone you work with has their priorities straight.
Jun 15, 2014
Managing customer experience, Part 2
Slow down, take a breath and shift your mind from the rough waters.
May 15, 2014
Managing customer experience, Part 1
Some tips on how to improve your customer's experience.
Apr 15, 2014
Hiring headaches
One of the most talked about challenges in this industry across every sector is finding good people.
Mar 15, 2014
Members helping members: New tool on the horizon
The Prosperity Partners Team at LO continues to move forward by building a new peer network resource for you.
Jan 15, 2014
Staying the course
Mark Fisher has turned his company around using knowledge from the Prosperity Partners program.
Nov 15, 2013
The November files
Make notes all season long and time time now to review them before next season.
Oct 15, 2013
Explore Prosperity Partners’ path
Exciting new program designed to help business owners succeed.
Aug 15, 2013
Think about your future in your business
Most entrepreneurs are juggling the day-to-day challenges of their business, leaving no time for planning an exit strategy.
Jul 15, 2013
Keeping your stick on the ice
Bruce Morton, owner of Greenscapes Irrigation in Ottawa, shares his thoughts on the Prosperity Partners program.
Jun 15, 2013
Profit doesn’t grow on trees
Jacki interviews Lindsay Drake Nightingale, owner of Yorkshire Garden Services serving the GTA.
May 15, 2013
Balancing business with volunteering: A success story
Mark Fisher explains how the Prosperity Partners language and business concept has helped his business over the past five or six years
Apr 15, 2013
An interview with Grant Harrison
This month, I’ve interviewed Grant Harrison CLT of Escapes Outdoor Living in London.
Mar 15, 2013
An interview with Erin Schuler-Van Gilst
Last month at the Green Trade Expo in Ottawa, I met with Erin Schuler-Van Gilst, owner of Create It! of Williamsburg.
Feb 15, 2013
Great reviews for Effective Management Short Course
During Warm-up Monday in our Congress Week, the latest Prosperity Partners offering the Effective Management Short Course brought many new tools, ideas and group dialogue around the challenges of management.
Jan 15, 2013
Why do you do what you do?
"When we are surrounded by people who believe what we believe, something remarkable happens...trust emerges.” Simon Sinek
Dec 15, 2012
Your personalized navigation system
I think it’s safe to say that at some point in time every business owner attends a seminar or two looking for new ideas and solutions.
Nov 15, 2012
Connecting the dots
LO's Prosperity Partners program helps to connect members with each other.
Sep 15, 2012
The cost of not making people changes
It’s very common with small business entrepreneurs to avoid letting people go.
Aug 15, 2012
The work/life balance
We’ve had many business owners and managers engage in the Prosperity Partners Program searching for a work/life balance.
Jul 15, 2012
Be tech savvy or step aside
When I think back to when I started my business in 1991, I realize how much has changed in the way we now do business.
May 15, 2012
Networking is opportunity to share goals and solutions
I hope when you mange to take time out of your frantic schedule to read this, it might help you examine the many levels of stress you have experienced during this crazily busy month.
Apr 15, 2012
The lid just blew off... time to step back to identify gaps
Many of you are looking at dormant turf and soil instead of snow, at the time I am writing this in mid-March.
Mar 15, 2012
How do we navigate the uncertainty of 2012?
An unprecedented number of Prosperity Partners business owners are coming back looking for advice on the current reality.
Feb 15, 2012
Standing room only at Congress 2012
There is an amazing energy that emanates from a roomful of peers, all of whom are looking for answers to the same questions.
Jan 15, 2012
Connecting the dots
Within the community of governance at Landscape Ontario, there’s a movement afoot to ‘connect the dots’ between members and the value they receive from belonging to the association.
Dec 15, 2011
Prosperity Partners solves business headaches – from the ground up
Here’s a simple five-point test for you to see if the Prosperity Partners Build Your Prosperity seminar will help reduce stress and headaches at work.
Nov 15, 2011
Managing the experience
The Prosperity Pillar Customers for Life is all about using this type of management tool (or your own similar invention) to track who says what to whom, when and why.
Oct 15, 2011
Leadership is a daily requirement for success
I’ve learned that without a doubt, leadership is a huge component of both productivity and morale
Jun 15, 2011
Leadership — Never let ‘em see you sweat
When it comes to leadership, the expression, ‘Never let ‘em see you sweat,’ fits like a glove – figuratively speaking.
May 15, 2011
Professional operations: The glue that holds your work together
April has been most unkind in the weather department.
Apr 15, 2011
Well-planned quote is a key to success
An accurate, well planned quote is a win-win for you and your customer
Feb 15, 2011
New tools will help improve your Prosperity
The winner of this year’s Prosperity Partners Engagement Award is Pete Vanderley.
Jan 15, 2011
Prosperity Partners applies its own tools to re-adjust program’s path
A program to help industry members elevate their level of business acumen and professionalism.
Dec 15, 2010
Taking people management to the next level
In the Prosperity Partners program, we have a framework which supports the key aspects and activities of every business.
Nov 15, 2010
Proud of LO’s prosperity
As many probably know, attending the Build Your Prosperity seminar is a mandatory requirement for new members.
Oct 15, 2010
Gearing for winter improvements
By the time you read this, the growing season is shifting gears, as plants of all descriptions prepare for the coming winter. Are you preparing for the coming winter?
Sep 15, 2010
Managing consistent effort in your business
The Prosperity Partners program offers peer-based training to help business owners and managers map a route to a better business balance.
Aug 15, 2010
Step back to gain perspective, before you’re forced to
Last month I had an opportunity to catch up with one of the Prosperity Partners program graduates.
Jul 15, 2010
Prosperity is a company-wide benefit
Make the time to come in from the frantic pace of your business, and get a handle on your journey to prosperity.
Jun 15, 2010
Benefit of Prosperity
I am writing this article while I watch one of my landscape maintenance crews working outside of my office window.
May 15, 2010
Networking: A journey to success
There is no doubt in my mind that joining Landscape Ontario launched my business success in ways that I never anticipated.
Apr 15, 2010
Ready? Set? GO!
It’s April! And for an industry of plant lovers and outdoor space creators, we’re off to the races.
Mar 5, 2010
A new economy means new thinking!
This is a bold time for business owners in all industries.
Jan 15, 2010
Prosperity Partners: Face-to-face
It seems like yesterday that we were scurrying around making frantic preparations to ensure that Y2K wasn’t going to melt down computers around the world.
Dec 15, 2009
The fastest long winter on record?
By the time this hits your desk, we’ve all shoveled a bit of snow, spun a tire or two and resigned ourselves to digging an extra layer out of the hall closet, rather than heading outside in shirtsleeves.
Nov 15, 2009
Waiting for Godot
I speak with hundreds of business owners each year, who in a sense are waiting for their Godot.
Sep 15, 2009
Time to reflect on your season
I have a new set of questions for this month’s article. Rather than focus on one Prosperity Partner business, I want you to focus on yours, whether or not you have yet engaged in the Prosperity Partners Program.
Aug 15, 2009
Transferring the reins of ownership
Every business needs a bright future in order to keep all the players inspired.
Jul 15, 2009
Staying at the top of your game — and on top of it
This is the time of year when we are all at the top of our game.
Jun 15, 2009
Sometimes, we just need to take a breath
Breathe. Just breathe. In my experience, this is one of the hardest months in our industry.
May 15, 2009
Faster than a speeding bullet
We are all riding an unprecedented wave of rapid change, which influences every part of our personal and professional world.
Mar 15, 2009
These times, they are a’changin’
It can be frustrating at times living in the shadow of the American Dream.
Feb 15, 2009
It’s a time of opportunity
The year 2009 is going to be a time of opportunity for the optimists in our industry.
Jan 15, 2009
Refuse to take part in the recession
Welcome to 2009! This is a fresh new year for you and your business.
Nov 15, 2008
Program will help chart your business’s direction
Essentially, to make changes you must decide what needs to be done differently.
Oct 15, 2008
It’s time to ask better questions
While sitting in my comfy chair with a cup of tea, wondering what stroke of genius I was going to put on paper for you this month, I came to a realization.
Sep 15, 2008
New partners, new opportunities — our community for mutual improvement
I’d like to introduce you to three new Prosperity Partners, our new program instructors: Sally Harvey CLP, Tim Kearney CLP and Terry Murphy CLP.
Aug 15, 2008
There must be a better way …
I received an e-mail this week from an exasperated landscaper.
Jul 15, 2008
The November files
Here’s your invitation to improve the challenges that have kept you up nights this season, and working longer hours than are reasonable for any sane person.
Jun 15, 2008
Expanding the prosperity circle
As I sit on my porch typing this in early May, listening to songbirds chattering away in the wetland across the road, swatting blackflies, and enveloped in a cloud of mosquito coil smoke, I am thinking, “Just how energetic am I going to feel when this publication lands in my hands? Will I have tons of energy to multi-task and solve every challenge thrown at me creatively, like I am forging ahead now?”
Apr 15, 2008
Do more of this!
It’s April, the snow’s gone, and the lid just blew off of your down time.