Having standard operating procedures in place from the start can help your company continue to grow rapidly, as every new team member you bring on is on the same page with the rest of your staff. Without detailed and clear SOPs, everyone will have different approaches to certain tasks. While some methods may reach the […] The post The Power of Standard Operating Procedures: How SOPs Save Time and Reduce Mistakes appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professio...| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
If you want to start your season off on the right foot next year, conducting strategic planning is fundamental practice you need to master. “I think for those who are not sure about investing the time, you really have to ask yourself, ‘Where do you want to be in 10 years?’” says Justin White, owner […] The post How to Hit the Ground Running with Effective Strategic Planning appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
If your company is constantly exploring the latest and greatest in new marketing techniques, sometimes the simplest practices can fall by the wayside. “There’s a belief that an outside force will make me successful, as opposed to having to deal with the discipline and rigor of everyday habits,” says Robert Murray, co-founder and CEO of Intrigue […] The post Back to Basics: Three Easily Overlooked Marketing Strategies for Lawn and Landscape Companies appeared first on The Edge from th...| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Tree and shrub fertilization is not a one-size-fits-all service, and it should be approached with caution, especially in the fall. “In most cases, this type of approach will cause more harm than good for woody plants,” says Matt Evans, director of arboricultural training for Ryan Lawn & Tree, based in Merriam, Kansas. “Educated arborists look […] The post Tree Nutrition: Focusing on Prescription Fertilization appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Pro...| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Sponsored content Every lawn tells a story, and for lawn care operators (LCOs), the goal is to make sure it’s a healthy one. But tough sedges, grassy weeds, and broadleaf invaders don’t go quietly. They show up in every corner of cool-season turf, putting pressure on even the most experienced pros. And with customer expectations […] The post Cover More Ground With a Full-Defense Weed Strategy appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Fostering employee engagement is a critical aspect of your business, and failing to do so can result in costly turnover and lost productivity. As your company grows, ensuring a cohesive culture and regular communication with your teams can be a challenge, especially if you expand geographically. One tool that you can use to your advantage […] The post Team Building: Exploring Internal Social Media Platforms appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
High achievers understand that those who hustle are rewarded. “Unfortunately, there’s a really dark flip side to that, where people ruin their health,” says Erin Stafford, social psychologist and best-selling author of The Type A Trap: Five Mindset Shifts to Beat Burnout and Transform Your Life. “We all know the people who are perfectly healthy […] The post Burn Bright, Not Out: The Blueprint for Leaders and Teams to be Unstoppable appeared first on The Edge from the National Associ...| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
When Angelica Negrete left Colombia with her husband due to safety concerns, she had to start over from scratch in the U.S., including learning a new language, building new connections, and adapting to a new system. With her background in business, she knew she had transferable skills and saw the landscape industry as a blank […] The post Faces of the Industry: Angelica Negrete appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
For nearly 15 years, this park has been a highlight of the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, Texas. But it hasn’t always been this way. Before 2011, the site was underused and covered in pavement. As plans came together for a change, the goal was clear: Create a native plant community in the heart […] The post Landscapes of the Month: Creating a Sustainable Native Ecosystem appeared first on The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
If you’re looking to stay competitive in the quickly evolving landscape industry, there is no better place to find fresh, forward-thinking content and proactive peers than at ELEVATE, presented by NALP and powered by Cat. “ELEVATE has always been one of my favorite weeks of the year because I get to connect with so many […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
See the latest from NALP. Stay up to date on the latest trends and strategies for landscape and lawn care businesses.| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
If you’re looking to branch into design/build work, a critical element to master is navigating the permitting process so your projects can be approved in a timely manner. “I think people can underestimate the permitting process in general,” says Hayden LaForge, operations manager for Landscape Creations of RI, based in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. “It’s easy to […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
In response to drought conditions, many municipalities have rolled out water restrictions that result in tree deaths and increase the heat island effect as they label turfgrass and green spaces as part of the problem. Recognizing this challenge for the irrigation and landscape industry, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Hunter Industries, Rain […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Marketing is an important line item in your budget, but you can easily end up wasting your money if you aren’t regularly measuring and adapting your methods to changes in the market. Setting Your Budget It can be tempting to not increase your marketing budget as you grow to limit your expenses, but it’s best […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
As you implement more technology in your landscape business, you can easily become overwhelmed by the amount of data at your fingertips. “Paralysis by analysis is a real malady today because you’ve got so much stuff that you’re just inundated with on a daily basis, and you get a lot of disparate data that’s […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Among the busy streets of Washington, D.C., is a historic home with an elegant landscape. Not long ago, the owners purchased two properties to add a guest house to the main home. The family also wanted to renovate the existing landscape to match the beauty of the surrounding neighborhood. They brought in McHale Landscape Design, […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Klausing Group, PBC, based in Lexington, Kentucky, has always believed that businesses can be a force for good. They decided to take that belief one step further by becoming a Certified B Corporation. CEO Roscoe Klausing announced his company’s decision to pursue B Corp certification at Leaders Forum in 2023 as part of their strategy […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Guest post by Bob Williamson, pest & lawn director for Cetane Associates We all like convenience in every aspect of our lives. No one likes to wait, and it’s easy to become frustrated when things aren’t resolved promptly or when we don’t get what we want right away. Growing your business means being ready to […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Equipment theft is a costly headache that causes a ripple effect throughout your operations as you scramble to fill the gap. Economic pressures have been known to drive more individuals to theft, as well as the increased value of assets. AMAROK anticipates thieves will increasingly target the construction, landscaping, and trucking industries for valuable equipment […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
When it comes to exit plans, ESOPs are often overlooked. Yet Larry Ryan, founder and chairman of Ryan Lawn & Tree, made the bold decision to sell the company to his employees just 11 years after its founding. He wanted to grow the business to $100 million by 2030 by creating a team of long-term, […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Manufacturers are currently in pursuit of battery cell technology that will allow them to provide faster charging times for landscape companies. As technology advances, below are some of the areas to be mindful of as you scale with battery power and what to expect in the near future. Faster Charging Considerations One of the […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Level Up: Monarch Landscape Management Focuses on Their Long-Term Vision| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Our Level Up series shares the strategies that help landscape and lawn care companies get to the next level. In the next 10 years, Monarch Landscape Management, based in Houston, Texas, is looking to become a $100 million company. Currently, the company is at $14+ in annual revenue. Jason Mathers, president of Monarch, says the […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Time flies when you’re busy executing work. Yet it’s essential to pause and review if you are on track to reach your goals before the end of the year. Ideally, you should be checking on your company’s performance at least on a quarterly basis, if not monthly or weekly. However, a mid-year check-in specifically can […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
The NALP Foundation launched Landscape Design Empire, an immersive experience on the Roblox platform, last year and it has now reached the milestone of 100,000 unique visitors. Less than 1% of Roblox experiences reach this metric. “When we started our initiative with Roblox, we knew it was a great avenue to get in front of […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Training is critical to your landscape company’s overall success, but it is often a task that falls by the wayside during the busy season. Thankfully, there’s no one right way to train your team. What works for your operations may not be a good fit for another landscape business, but you can always gain inspiration […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
Taking your employees to industry events can help boost camaraderie, personal growth, network connections and their overall understanding of the landscape industry. If you’re mulling over bringing some team members to your next event, here’s some advice from landscape company owners who see the value in bringing their staff with them. Select The Right People […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
When the project began, this Philadelphia backyard was nothing more than a sloped yard of turf with drainage issues. However, GreenWeaver Landscapes, based in Lenni, Pennsylvania, quickly transformed the space into an inviting and functional garden with water features, natives, and a spacious patio. Jennifer Nichols, president of GreenWeaver Landscapes, says winning a 2023 Gold […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals
The West loop of Chicago is a hub of activity with numerous office buildings surrounding the Chicago River. One of these properties is River Point, a beautifully designed building created in 2016. This highly manicured property has a gorgeous view of the Chicago River and the skyscrapers that cover downtown Chicago. Each day, between 1,500-4,000 […]| The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals