Coping with an Industry-Wide Labor Shortage
Greetings!
You would think that record unemployment would correct our industry's labor shortage.
Unfortunately finding qualified labor is still a huge issue.
Contractors report that they can attract applicants. Some show up and even start work. But then its a revolving door when they find less strenuous work. What do the experts recommend?
The Team at MPR Supply
Yes, it's September. And it seems way too early to think about selling and installing professional holiday decor for your clients.
But just a FEW MINUTES of planning this month will help you maximize your profitability from this service in the weeks ahead.
We expect even higher demand for decor this year as stay-at-home customers will want larger outdoor displays (instead of holding indoor parties).
Here are two things to do to be better prepared:
Employee Appreciation is Needed Now More Than Ever
Landscape employees crave appreciation more than money, say experts.
Because showing appreciation for your employees' good work is harder with all of the stresses of COVID-19, you need to make a special effort to make it happen.
Some of the traditional ways to reward employees -say with a buffet lunch, don't work as well now. Get creative with new ways like packaged snacks, gift cards or a chance to go home early with pay. Do consider asking your team for their reward preferences.
A hearty "thank you" and verbal appreciation can make a big difference - and costs nothing. Make it powerful by making it specific to the individual: "Sergio, your effort getting that project finished helped us keep the customer happy" has a greater impact than "Great job, team." Try to "spread the love" with specific instances with several team members. Even those not named feel good that one of their co-workers was praised. Often they'll display extra effort to try to gain similar praise.
Because "appreciation" doesn't have to be completed by a certain deadline, it often gets overlooked. Don't wait for "employee appreciation day". Go ahead and put it on your schedule - and reap the benefits!
Learn the fundamentals of smart dripline irrigation design with the updated XF Series Dripline Design, Installation and Maintenance Guide from Rain Bird.
Get layout recommendations for on-surface and sub-subsurface dripline applications, learn the right way to adjust for narrow plantings, trees, and slopes, and understand how to calculate zone flow and application rate with this guide.
Click here to download the full guide.
(Takes time to download, file size: 25mb)
With a tall tree, downlighting can simulate the impression of moonlight and, with a gentle breeze, you will be able to see the shadows of branches and leaves at play on the ground.
Place one Small VLO 60° accent light at least four feet above the lowest tier of branches. About 20-25 feet from the ground is ideal. Point the accent light downward, experimenting with the right direction for creating shadows with the branches below.
You can place the light lower or higher, but you want to avoid situations where the light is buried behind too many branches or where the light is visible or blinding from below. Kichler Lighting offers a variety of cowls that reduce the visibility of the light source.
How many times have you had to repair a broken or leaking PVC irrigation system only to have the repair itself leak?
The most frequent problem reported to PVC fitting manufacturers is linked to the failure of solvent cementing processes.
When installing or repairing PVC joints, there are steps you can take to ensure good results time-after-time.
Click to download LASCO's article on how to make leak-free joints.
Artificial grass putting greens are a surging in popularity today's home-focused customers. Whether your client is looking to improve their short game, spend quality time with family, or play around with friends, artificial grass putting greens are the perfect solution. The artificial grass has a realistic, lifelike appearance that looks great and is fun to play on.
There is little maintenance with an artificial grass putting green, which completely eliminates the time-consuming upkeep of watering, mowing, reseeding, and weeding. In addition, they are designed to perfectly mimic the grade of professional facilities. Artificial grass putting greens are completely customizable and can be designed with varying speeds and undulations that are specific to the playing level of the customer.
EasyTurf putting greens offer a realistic ball speeds and a natural ball roll which can drastically help to improve the short game of any golfer. EasyTurf also offers products that can work as first cut fringe and slightly longer blades that work to simulate Fairway shots. In addition, EasyTurf carries accessories to dress up the yard including cups, pins, and flags. Give your customer a complete at-home practice center. Ask us how to get started.
Consumers are strongly influenced by on-line reviews. When customers search on-line for landscape professionals, Google makes it easy for them to each company's review score and to dive in to read candid reviews.
Sometimes customers take out their frustrations by posting bad reviews. And once you have a bad review, it's hard to make it go away. "The fastest growing part of my work with top landscapers is helping them correct bad reviews and gather more good reviews to improve their ranking" said industry consultant Jeff Carowitz.
It's a misconception that asking for more reviews will gather bad ones. Most often when we approach customers, it's the happy ones who take the time to write a review.
You would think that record unemployment would correct our industry's labor shortage. Unfortunately finding qualified labor is still a huge issue.
Contractors report that they can attract applicants. Some show up and even start work. But then its a revolving door when they find less strenuous work. What do the experts recommend?
- Have a dedicated resource focused on recruiting and training - Either establish an in-house position for finding, hiring and training new employees or enlist the support of a HR staffing service. Avoid burdening your crew leaders with the double whammy of tight project schedules AND a new crop of rookies to train on the job.
- Raise your prices on project work - When there's plenty of demand for your services, like there is now, you should adjust your prices. (By the way, raw material costs on PVC resin and copper are starting to climb, so many system components will soon be rising in price too.)
- Stop looking for perfect candidates - All of the good service technicians and landscape experts are already employed. They're well paid and not interested in changing jobs. Look for candidates from similar industries that have experienced layoffs (commercial contracting, building maintenance, auto repair) and be prepared to retrain these workers.
The Team at MPR Supply
Be Ready for the Most Profitable Holiday Decorating Season Order Ahead - This Season Is Going to Be Huge!
Yes, it's September. And it seems way too early to think about selling and installing professional holiday decor for your clients.But just a FEW MINUTES of planning this month will help you maximize your profitability from this service in the weeks ahead.
We expect even higher demand for decor this year as stay-at-home customers will want larger outdoor displays (instead of holding indoor parties).
Here are two things to do to be better prepared:
- Get familiar with new products - and plan needs. Download our 2020 supplies order form. It will help you plan ahead so you can rest easy.
- Order your holiday decorating marketing materials. Let your customers know you will be offering holiday decorating services. Order stuffers for your fall invoices. Plan e-blasts and social media posts. Order magnetic signs for your trucks. Ask us if you need resources for these items.
Employee Appreciation is Needed Now More Than Ever
Keeping Your Team Motivated During COVID-19 Stress
Landscape employees crave appreciation more than money, say experts. Because showing appreciation for your employees' good work is harder with all of the stresses of COVID-19, you need to make a special effort to make it happen.
Some of the traditional ways to reward employees -say with a buffet lunch, don't work as well now. Get creative with new ways like packaged snacks, gift cards or a chance to go home early with pay. Do consider asking your team for their reward preferences.
A hearty "thank you" and verbal appreciation can make a big difference - and costs nothing. Make it powerful by making it specific to the individual: "Sergio, your effort getting that project finished helped us keep the customer happy" has a greater impact than "Great job, team." Try to "spread the love" with specific instances with several team members. Even those not named feel good that one of their co-workers was praised. Often they'll display extra effort to try to gain similar praise.
Because "appreciation" doesn't have to be completed by a certain deadline, it often gets overlooked. Don't wait for "employee appreciation day". Go ahead and put it on your schedule - and reap the benefits!
Updated Rain Bird XF Dripline Design, Installation and Maintenance Guide
Learn the fundamentals of smart dripline irrigation design with the updated XF Series Dripline Design, Installation and Maintenance Guide from Rain Bird. Get layout recommendations for on-surface and sub-subsurface dripline applications, learn the right way to adjust for narrow plantings, trees, and slopes, and understand how to calculate zone flow and application rate with this guide.
Click here to download the full guide.
(Takes time to download, file size: 25mb)
Kichler Tip: Downlighting is a Mood-Enhancing Option That Makes Your Designs Stand Out
Among the many landscape lighting techniques, downlighting makes a space inviting and creates a special experience without the lighting itself being obvious.With a tall tree, downlighting can simulate the impression of moonlight and, with a gentle breeze, you will be able to see the shadows of branches and leaves at play on the ground.
How to Create Downlighting
Identify a large deciduous tree on the property that is a focal point of the landscape or near an outdoor living space. A large, tall tree is best, with branches that start high up, although you can use a smaller tree too.Place one Small VLO 60° accent light at least four feet above the lowest tier of branches. About 20-25 feet from the ground is ideal. Point the accent light downward, experimenting with the right direction for creating shadows with the branches below.
You can place the light lower or higher, but you want to avoid situations where the light is buried behind too many branches or where the light is visible or blinding from below. Kichler Lighting offers a variety of cowls that reduce the visibility of the light source.
LASCO Tip: How to Make Leak-Free PVC Joints
How many times have you had to repair a broken or leaking PVC irrigation system only to have the repair itself leak?The most frequent problem reported to PVC fitting manufacturers is linked to the failure of solvent cementing processes.
When installing or repairing PVC joints, there are steps you can take to ensure good results time-after-time.
Click to download LASCO's article on how to make leak-free joints.
Stay-at-Home Customers Want a Backyard Putting Green!
EasyTurf artificial turf putting greens are easy to install and profitableArtificial grass putting greens are a surging in popularity today's home-focused customers. Whether your client is looking to improve their short game, spend quality time with family, or play around with friends, artificial grass putting greens are the perfect solution. The artificial grass has a realistic, lifelike appearance that looks great and is fun to play on.
There is little maintenance with an artificial grass putting green, which completely eliminates the time-consuming upkeep of watering, mowing, reseeding, and weeding. In addition, they are designed to perfectly mimic the grade of professional facilities. Artificial grass putting greens are completely customizable and can be designed with varying speeds and undulations that are specific to the playing level of the customer.
EasyTurf putting greens offer a realistic ball speeds and a natural ball roll which can drastically help to improve the short game of any golfer. EasyTurf also offers products that can work as first cut fringe and slightly longer blades that work to simulate Fairway shots. In addition, EasyTurf carries accessories to dress up the yard including cups, pins, and flags. Give your customer a complete at-home practice center. Ask us how to get started.
How to Gather More Great On-Line Reviews for Your Business
Consumers are strongly influenced by on-line reviews. When customers search on-line for landscape professionals, Google makes it easy for them to each company's review score and to dive in to read candid reviews.Sometimes customers take out their frustrations by posting bad reviews. And once you have a bad review, it's hard to make it go away. "The fastest growing part of my work with top landscapers is helping them correct bad reviews and gather more good reviews to improve their ranking" said industry consultant Jeff Carowitz.
It's a misconception that asking for more reviews will gather bad ones. Most often when we approach customers, it's the happy ones who take the time to write a review.
How do you grow your list of positive ratings and reviews?
Don't rely on just one approach. Do a mix of these things:- Be worthy of a great review. Deliver an experience that stands out from what's expected. Carowitz notes two items that consistently boost review scores: 1) the technician taking time to slow down and answer clients questions (and asking if they have more) and 2) automated messages to the client that confirm appointments and let clients know when the technician is on the way.
- Have the technician leave a card with the customer requesting a review. The card should provide encouragement and instructions on how to gather the review.
- Provide a means for the customer to easily click to complete a review. Modern software like ServiceTitan provides a follow-up method to collect reviews automatically. Contractors using this software see a 200-300% increase in review rates.
- Go back to past customers. Reach out to past clients and ask them to review you. This can also trigger them to order new services.