Irrigation & Green Industry - Business Articles

Passing the Baton -

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

In the landscape business, as in life, nothing is as simple as it seems.

You work your tail off getting your business started in the hopes that it will earn you a comfortable living. Yet you find that with growth comes more staff, more equipment, and more headaches. You hope that your headaches will be offset by greater profitability. Then, as you settle in for the long haul, it’s still a constant challenge to run your business efficiently.

Accidents Can Be a Disaster, Safety Can Be Profitable -

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 PDT

While our work can be hazardous, it does not have to be deadly.

However, according to the recent Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, between 2003 and 2006 there were a total of 789 deaths “due to traumatic injuries among landscape services workers and their first-line supervisors.” Of those deaths, “nearly 80 percent occurred in the landscape services industry.”

The New Landscape of Landscape Business Taxes -

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 PDT

The first thing to remember, is that the deadline to file your taxes is not April 15th this year," says small business tax specialist Steven Aldrich, CEO of Outright, the tax software system for small businesses that operates out of Mountain View, California. "It's April 17th, because the 15th is a Sunday and the 16th is a holiday in the District of Columbia. So it's the 17th, unless you file for an extension. If you file for an extension, that gives you an additional six months."

Digital Design Software -

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

IF YOU ARE A NEWBIE TO THE WIZARDY of digital software for landscape, landscape lighting, and irrigation design, be prepared to be dazzled. With a few keystrokes or a simple click, drag, and drop on your laptop or desktop computer, you can create exciting knock-it-outof-the-ballpark photorealistic designs—and you can do it lightning fast.

Go iLawn -

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

Landscape companies of all sizes are being pushed to achieve increased capacity and better margins. Today’s business climate requires contractors to squeeze higher volume and productivity out of the same 24-hour day.

Case Study: Franchise Power -

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 PST

WHAT LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR’S eyes wouldn’t light up at the prospect of ten to fifteen percent of business growth a year, every single year? Or new accounts where the work is under written contract? Or when you’re able to pay your bills on time, every time?.

Say "Mowed it!" to Inefficiency -

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 PST

When you’re busting your butt in a challenging economy to run your business—and even trying to grow it—few things are as frustrating as wasted time and effort. Each is a giant sucking sound on your company’s bottom line, but avoiding inefficiency seems like avoiding a winter cold.

IT´S A FAMILY AFFAIR: Handing Down the Family Business -

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 PST

Remember when you first started your business? Those early years were nervewracking, exciting and certainly challenging. Over the years, you built a solid business and raised a family. Being a small family business, your kids grew up ‘in the business;’ after all, they listened to business talk every night at the dinner table.

Turning Okay Years Into Good Years! -

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 PST

Let’s face it, all good companies that have been in business for any length of time are pretty well booked from April through July, sometimes even into August. Why? Customers are motivated to buy because they have a sense of urgency.

Hats off to Outsourcing -

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 PDT

REMEMBER WHEN YOU STARTED your business? You were embarking on what you hoped would be a lifelong career path. As a landscape contractor, you wore many different hats. On any given day, you’re mowing lawns, spreading fertilizer, controlling weeds and performing a variety of other routine jobs for your clients.

Waterscapes products -

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PDT

Pondless Waterfall Vault Aquascape introduces its Pondless Waterfall Vault, designed for small to midsized waterfall projects. The unit handles pumps up to 12,500 gph and provides efficient water circulation through horizontal and vertical water intakes.

A Partnership for Success -

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PDT

Even the landscape industry. “The best candidates for the franchise business model are landscape contractors who are looking to grow their existing business and aren’t exactly sure how to go about doing it,” says Scott Frith, president, Lawn Doctor, Matawan, New Jersey.

“I Don’t Have Time” is a Lie -

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PDT

You’ve heard people say this over and over again: “I don’t have time.” The fact is that we all have the same number of hours in each day and we choose what to do with those hours. We choose whether to stay in bed, get up and go to work, or show up at our exercise class.

Managing Your Business Under Adverse Conditions -

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 PDT

This story begins and ends with the perspective that “No one was hurt.” Considering the damage, that’s a miracle in itself.

U.S. Lawns Celebrates 25 Years -

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 PDT

Like many entrepreneurs, Tom Oyler had a dream. He wanted to build his Florida landscape maintenance business, Oyler Brothers Landscaping, into a giant company that could service the needs of customers in many different climates and regional areas.

Follow the Money: Prevent Embezzlement -

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 PDT

With the economy improving, John was thrilled to see his small company starting to boom. With all the new business

BMPs Will Keep Your Business Growing -

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 PDT

Ever wonder how one of your competitor’s small business grew from a few employees pushing around mowers into a large operation with multiple crews, managers and millions of dollars in revenue?

Social Media Safety in the Workplace - Tips to Protect Your Employees

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 PDT

There are many stories out there, comments. And of course, there is the social networking has its supporters which any manager will share ubiquitous case of the worker who and its detractors.

It’s Not Personal . . . It’s Just Business -

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 PDT

If you’ve ever been in business with a family member, you know there are several advantages, but even the most dedicated, hard-working family member can experience or create tension, stress and conflict in the company.

Taxes: How to Maximize your Deductions -

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 PDT

Do you have a closet of ‘keepers?’ You know, financial records—invoices, receipts, revenue and expense reports. Are they categorized and filed? If asked, could you produce an accurate profit or loss report?