Landscape Management, December 2014
recoMMenDer Construction equipment Which do you use and why LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET December 2014 10 by bruce wilson Create an aCtionable plan lanning is crucial to proftable business growth but few companies ever realize their plans full potential Here are four ways to execute and stay on track 1 Reach out to employees Use a facilitator to help the process remain open and objective A facilitator gives the employees protection to offer up their very valuable opinions without having to give them directly to you the owner Often the best insight is in the things left unsaid 2 Set stretch goals The best plans stretch your team You can and probably should give your banker a conservative budget but why not have a stretch budget Planning should involve some realistic assessment of whats likely going to happen if you do or change nothing It also should focus on what you can do to achieve something special 3 Factor in contingencies A robust strategic plan must be grounded in your companys economics and marketplace variables It involves shrewd forecasting and evaluating uncertainties The best planners plan for both best and worst case scenarios especially when it comes to weather Its a lot of work but preparation prevents failure 4 Monitor and measure The plan is not an end in itself It must be monitored and measured Be sure to give regular updates at management meetings create ownership of actionable goals so someone is accountable stay committed through due dates review your plan against reality every quarter target sales and marketing tools to align and link them between your business goals and revenue and reward success Measure whats important not whats easy David DeFranco president of DeFranco landscaping excavating with a Kubota u35 ANThoNy DEFRANCo DeFranco lanDscaping Hague N Y Weve used Kubota equipment for over 20 years We use the U35 mini excavator and M59 backhoe every day from loading materials in our yard to getting into the tightest areas on our job sites We couldnt run our business without them TiM JohNSoN ii presiDent tiM Johnson lanDscaping StateSville N C The Vermeer S650TX is in a league of its own when it comes to tracked mini skidsteers We use it for everything augering trenching light grading hardscapes mulch etc It is a game changer for us especially on smaller tighter properties FRANk NiCASTRo nicastros lanDscaping liNColN MaiNe The John Deere 110 TLB is the best versatile machine out there Within seconds you can put a rake rototiller Bush Hog and or sweeper on it The machine is compact for tight places and versatile Its a big strong machine in a small package Its the best thing I did for my family business Photo DEFRANCo LANDSCAPING the author of the Wilson oyler Group is a 30 year industry veteran Reach him at bwilson@ wilson oyler com
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