Systems For Success

One of the best things we ever implemented was pre-screening our applicants.

You don’t have to run an open-book company to build a company of entrepreneurs.

Build a repeatable process that walks both you and the client through a set of questions and potential issues to avoid problems and create clear expectations.

Are you really too busy to take a couple hours a month to review estimates? Or, are you too busy because your operations people never had a chance to improve your estimates?

Try adjusting the way you sell your jobs, based on your customer’s personality.

This month, Dan’s spring schedule is in full swing, but things are just OK at Danscaping.

Creating procedures, policies and systems that allow a business to run effectively.

The saga of Dan and his landscape company illustrate some of the problems that Dan is struggling with while running his company.

With the first month of the year nearly over, and the busy work season fast approaching, Dan knew it was time to sit down for another informative chat with Bill.

Last time Dan and Bill met, Bill revealed his secret to becoming a profitable company.

It’s January, and Dan is eager to set up his budget for the 2011 season.

Dan and Bill decided to meet and discuss some ideas to improve their businesses in the coming season.

After three consecutive years of no profit, Danscaping had the best year on record.

If you really want your business to succeed, you need somebody in your company who embraces technology.

Dan spent years doing snow and ice control. He believed snow was profitable, but some of his equipment sat idle during the summer. What was that costing him?

In this month’s article, Dan and Bill discuss the issue of equipment costs compared to labour costs.

In this month’s article Dan and Bill discuss the importance of recruiting and hiring the best people.

Dan learns how to price his work for profit.

In this month’s article, Dan and Bill discuss Dan’s overhead budget and overhead cost recovery.

Dan and Bill discuss the next key component of his operating budget: the equipment budget.

Dan and Bill discuss the next key component of his operating budget: the field labour budget.

In this month’s article, Dan and Bill discuss a key piece of his operating budget: the sales budget.

Bill, Dan’s long-time friend and mentor, who after carefully listening to Dan’s account of the problems, agreed to try to help him fix his business.

The following is the first article in a series that follows one landscaping company’s struggle to improve operations, profitability and quality of life.