Читать книгу Start & Run a Landscaping Business - Joel LaRusic - Страница 6

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Sizing Up The Business: What You Need To Know Before You Begin

1. Is This Business For You?

Gardening is many people’s favorite pastime. They love to putter in the garden, snipping back a few daisies, turning over the soil in the bed here and there, cutting the lawn at a nice leisurely pace. Who wouldn’t want to do that for a living?

Well, this business is a lot of things, but puttering is not one of them! In my ten years in the business, I don’t think I have puttered even once. Instead, I’m usually on the go. It is a job that requires a lot of energy and a lot of motivation, and before you invest too much time and money in starting your own business, you should take a step back and assess whether it is right for you.

2. Your Personal Improvement Plan

It’s important to assess yourself as accurately as possible. You should consider carefully if you are cut out to run your own landscaping business. If you aren't cut out for this, it’s better to find out now, before you have spent money on a truck and equipment and advertised for your first customers.

Make your own action plan based on the things you think you need to improve or gain to be the best you can in this business.

When considering your action plan, think of what you might do to improve a particular skill. For example, if you realized that landscaping can involve lifting 60 pounds but you can't yet lift that much, you might write, “Work out in gym until I am able to lift 60 pounds into my truck.” Or if you aren’t confident about writing letters, you might write, “Read books on writing successful business letters. Practice.”

Make it a personal goal to follow through on all of your action items. Make these goals important to you because they will help you succeed in your business.

3. Resources For Further Help

As you go through your self-assessment and think about how you can improve on those areas in which you may need help, remember that you are not alone. There are thousands of other people in the landscaping business. Some, like you, are starting out. Others are long-term veterans. Most are willing to share their experience with you if you only ask.

Landscaping associations give you the chance to network with other businesspeople. Doing so benefits everyone, as you will learn from other people’s experiences and they can learn from yours. The industry as a whole is bettered. Associations can also be your voice in government and keep you abreast of laws and bylaws in your area that may affect your business.

Such associations often offer certification programs, and I recommend that you complete such a program. If and when you have staff, support them in becoming certified too. If you are certified, you can display the certification logo on your advertising material, proving that you have met certain criteria and possess certain competencies.

You usually have to pay an annual fee to become a member of an association or similar organization. This money is well spent. As a member, you will be offered direct savings such as fuel discounts. Also, your membership may win you customers. Belonging to these organizations will not make your phone ring off the hook, but if you are competing head-to-head with a nonmember, you are more likely to come out on top.

• In the United States, contact the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). Their website is www.landcarenetwork .org.

• In Canada, contact the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA). Their website is www.canadanursery .com. Each province has a chapter.

There may be other organizations and associations in your area, such as the local chamber of commerce, that can be helpful and provide good networking opportunities. Ask if the member list is available so you can review how many people are involved and what they do for a living. This may help you determine if the cost and time investment are worth the potential new business you might secure.

Another good source of information is the Internet. If you do not have a computer and an Internet connection, I would highly recommend getting both. There is a universe of information at your fingertips when you are online. Sometimes you must sort through a lot of fluff to get some quality information, but once you have found some good sites, you can visit them again and again.

For a start, check out my own website, www.MowBoy.com. It provides a bulletin-board-style forum so you can talk to other lawn care operators and ask questions. There are many tips on horticulture and business, as well as a number of links to other quality sites. Finally, I also offer business consulting services, in case you need a little help getting your business up and growing.