Decisions, decisions

In the landscaping industry, decision making involves a delicate balance between art and science, combining emotional intuition, experience-based gut feelings and factual data. With more than 30 years of experience as a landscape business owner, and more than 20 as a consultant and coach, I can attest to the complexity of this process and its critical importance in moving a company forward successfully.

Poor decisions not only result in financial losses — sometimes substantial — but also cause significant delays in achieving company goals, potentially stretching for months or even years.

In our business, there are essentially three main areas that require decisions: strategic, operational and financial. The key is to employ a unified decision-making framework that applies consistent criteria across these areas, ensuring that decisions align with the company’s objectives regardless of the specific area.

Planning

One effective way to aid the decision-making process for owners is to conduct annual planning sessions with your staff. During these sessions, the company’s vision, mission and values are reviewed and clarified for everyone. When each of these aspects is crystal clear to all team members, future decisions in these areas become straightforward. For instance, if during the season an account manager has the opportunity of offering a proposal to “Mr. Big Shot in Paradise Cove,” it’s evident that this conflicts with the prior decision made during the planning session to focus exclusively on commercial projects. Therefore, the decision on how to proceed has already been made.

Overthinking

Overthinking and indecisiveness often act as significant roadblocks to a company’s progress. Many owners find themselves paralyzed when faced with various choices, leading to inaction. This frustration extends to their employees, causing the company to stagnate. In such cases it becomes clear that the owner needs help with this problem.

Decision fatigue

Another substantial challenge is decision fatigue experienced by many owners. This issue significantly impacts a business owner’s ability to make sound decisions. It typically arises due to a lack of delegation and the absence of time away from work to clear the owner’s mind. This is precisely why taking breaks from the business, attending industry conferences and going on vacations are crucial.

Technology

In today’s world, technology plays a pivotal role in decision-making. Embracing technological advancements and understanding how to assess new tools are critical for staying ahead in the landscaping industry. For example, modern software can automate the scheduling of multiple jobs, eliminating the need for constant decision-making in this area.

Practical Decision Example

Now, let me provide an example of the criteria necessary for making a well-informed decision. Suppose everyone in the company agrees that to fulfill the company’s vision and mission, an improved software system is needed because the current one is inadequate. For the sake of this example, let’s say the team has narrowed down their options to two software programs.

Together, they should review and put to writing their findings in each of the following eight areas when making the decision:

Purpose: Define the software’s purpose and how it will benefit the business.

Comparison: List the features of both software products including functionalities, unique features, additional tools and how each software aligns with your specific needs.

Usability: Assess the user-friendliness of both options. Arrange demos to gain hands-on experience or consult with other business owners for their opinions.

Integration: Evaluate how well each software will work with your existing systems and whether integration will disrupt current workflows.

Cost: Compare the upfront and long-term costs of both options.

Customer Support: Speak with current users of each software to gauge the quality of customer support.

Testimonials: Look for customer reviews, testimonials and case studies. Spending time with current users of each software is essential.

Flexibility: Consider the adaptability of each software to accommodate future changes in your business needs.

Can you imagine making such a crucial decision without conducting the due diligence as described above? Unfortunately, this happens every day. As mentioned earlier, the key is to remove emotions from the decision-making process and select the best choice based on these criteria and other factors that the company deems important. And, like when purchasing a car, don’t let salespeople cloud the facts.

These insights and strategies provide only a glimpse into the intricate world of decision-making. If you are interested in delving deeper and equipping yourself with more comprehensive tools and knowledge, watch for details on my March webinar titled “Making Better Decisions.” The webinar goes beyond conventional formats, offering practical, real-life scenarios that can transform your decision-making process.

I hope this information on making better decisions will help you “Harvest Your Potential.”