Most small businesspersons – myself included – start out wearing almost all the hats (serving in multiple positions) in the business. But as the business grows, hopefully we begin removing some of those hats and passing those areas of responsibility to trusted employees and consultants. Yes, I know they may not be able to work those areas as well as you can – or so you think – but if you don’t pass some of those hats to others, you will never grow your business, and you will never be able to take a two-week vacation away from it either.
Read MoreBeing quick on your feet is almost counterintuitive to what we’ve been taught by business coaches who tell us that those who fail to plan, plan to fail…that we’re to look before we leap…and that we’re to measure twice and cut once. All these sound business practices are still valid. But there’s no time to think and plan or measure when your car died on the tracks and the train is heading straight for you. That’s when being quick on your feet has to kick in and get you to safety. There is room in your business life for both approaches. You can both walk and chew gum, right?
Read MoreLife brings with it opportunities, and you must be prepared to act on them when they come along. You take the right classes, you get the right licenses, you align yourself with the right suppliers, and you make sure you can “staff up” when that opportunity becomes a reality. In a sense, you take control of the future by preparing for it today.
Read MoreIf I had to define in one word how we were able to grow Landscape Warehouse from a little blue house next to a lawnmower shop in Pasadena to eight irrigation supply and nursery locations in three counties, that would be the Spanish word “albur.”
Read MoreThere is a philosophy I have adopted over the years that involves the closest people in my life. I call it my Circle of Friendship and it includes family members, dear friends, key customers, and a few additional special people as well. Whether planned or it just evolved, I realize it determines how I think about these folks, how I interact with them, what they can expect from me, and what I might expect from them. I can count on them, and they can count on me. Just consider for a moment the tremendous value in that statement!
Read MoreIn the early days of Disneyland, patrons needed to buy books of tickets to be used on the various attractions. The tickets came in different colors with a big, bold letter signifying on which group of rides they could be used. The E-Tickets were the best ones and got you on all the major rides, including the big rollercoasters. The term remains as something adventurous, long after its original meaning is no longer. (Ask someone over 50!)
Read MoreMost of us are still recovering from all the activity of the Holidays, with our personal and business get-togethers, shopping sprees, and delicious but fattening Holiday foods. In our industry, business is generally a little slower this time of year, which gives us the chance to re-charge, re-stock, re-think, and to reinvigorate our staff and crews as we prepare for the excitement and crazy increase of activity just around the corner…when springtime arrives.
Read MoreIf you want the New Year to be better for you than the old one, then it would be wise to include some new projects, doing old things in new and better ways, and even adding new suppliers and new technical people to the way you do business. As difficult as it may be to add the right new things to your New Year’s to-do list, letting go of familiar things – and people that may be holding you back from making the changes you need to implement – is a hundred times more difficult.
Read MoreDecember is finally here and with it we close another successful CLCA year… in spite of COVID. For some of the year we had great gains and at other times a few losses directly related to the COVID shutdown. But without doubt we close 2021 overcoming adversity and looking ahead to a successful 2022.
Read MoreHaving your trees removed is not as simple a task as one might think. Before removing trees, it is important to know whether it is your best option. There are several factors that go into determining whether tree removal is necessary or if the tree can be saved. Furthermore, Los Angeles is filled with protected trees that, if removing, require certain standards be met and permits acquired.
Read MoreImmutable laws always work. They never get out of order as the laws are exacting and they never go wrong. There is a definite way immutable laws work, but they must be understood in order to be available to us. In our professions we learn the techniques involved. Our choice of thoughts is so very important in our creative endeavors. Sluggish thinking brings sluggish results and wandering thinking brings unproductive results. Think as you want your experience to appear. Keep out any doubt or uncertainty. Make plain what you desire and expect it so it will be unquestioned.
Read MoreThere is an infinite creative life within every person – yes, even me. So many terrific books and even novels awaken within us so many possibilities for greatness that are already within us. In our professions and vocations, we have recognized this as a matter of study and experiences.
Read MoreIt is nearly impossible to scroll through news feeds without reading about intense drought conditions sweeping through the western United States. On June 8, Governor Newsom declared a drought state of emergency. That same day, he signed an executive order calling on all Californians to help save water. This order is what has sparked the most inquiries among our landscape and irrigation customers. The most common question being, “How much does it affect our landscapes?”
Read MoreJuly is special to just about all Americans…as it should be. Yes, business is up and thankfully, landscape projects are in at a rate that fills the workload. This is due in part to the COVID pandemic slowly approaching the exit door because of the vaccination program.
Read MoreIt is now the middle of the year, and if you have not already done so, it is time to reflect. You have either accomplished most of your goals so far or fallen behind on your plans. In either case, if you have helped your community in some way – in spite of the COVID shutdown – it will have rewarded you with that feeling of accomplishment you will need to tackle the second half of the year.
Read MoreSpring – few other professionals are as coalesced with the season of spring than Landscapers. We literally manage the entirety of spring. Flowers, trees budding with leaf break, irrigating, lawns greening up and needing to be mowed weekly are the iconic signals to even the lay person that spring has arrived. It can be perceived by sight, sound, and smell.
Read MoreAs of April 2021, there are very few options for the disposal of hazardous treated wood waste in California. Furthermore, the limited options that do exist involve managing the treated wood waste as a fully regulated hazardous waste, which is procedurally more difficult and costly. For many generators, temporarily accumulating the treated wood waste is an available option that should be considered.
Read MoreSpring is just around the corner, so let’s get ready to prepare our landscapes for summer. Although we have had some rain here and there, it still is not enough to get us out of a drought. With this information, we should all prepare to educate our clients and customers on how to deal with our gardens with water conservation in mind. Our work should focus on keeping gardens pretty with less water and dealing with the very warm weather that is expected.
Read MoreNo doubt things are still pretty rough all around with this pandemic. But they are starting to look a little brighter with less cases reported, vaccines beginning to be available, and some businesses slowly starting to open up. For the construction and landscape industry work has been steady, at least for most, but it can always be better. All the changes we have had to make will certainly help us for the future, as it will not be the last time we will have to adjust.
Read More2020 was definitely a year most of us are glad to put behind us. For a few people it may have been great, for most it was pretty bad, and very little in between. With everything that’s happening, life still goes on and bills still have to be paid. Adapting was the only way to pull ahead.
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