 Marty Grunder |
Every year I speak to green industry professionals all over the United States and each time I do, I learn something from the sharing that goes on – sharing of information, sharing of ideas, sharing of problems and sharing of successes. Sharing is a good thing; it’s healthy and smart leaders realize that when they share, good things can happen. Let’s talk about the power of sharing.
Ditch Witch, one of my clients, is one of the world’s finest manufacturers of construction equipment. What got them to where they are today is sharing. I took this straight from their website:
“The Ditch Witch organization is understandably proud of the many innovative products we’ve contributed to the underground construction industry, but we reserve the full force of our pride for the thousands of employees, past and present, who have made these products possible. They share more than a place to collect a paycheck, a mission statement, and a strong work ethic. They share a bloodline.”
Note the use of the word share. Annually, they bring in countless clients from all over the U.S. and abroad and take them to their “test farm” where clients run their equipment under the watchful eye of the engineers and sales force. These clients share their ideas and suggestions on how Ditch Witch equipment can be improved. I’ve been to this event; it’s an incredible way for Ditch Witch to improve their company. Sharing is part of the culture of Ditch Witch.
In Sylacauga, Ala., there is another incredible example of sharing in the green industry. FarmLinks was founded in 1999 by the Pursell family.
This beautiful spread is a one-of-a-kind research and demonstration facility that includes an 18-hole, 7,444-yard championship golf course that is open to the public. The learning center, aptly named the Experience Center, is a partnership with top names and innovators in our industry. Equipment manufacturers, chemical makers, fertilizer companies and others share their knowledge and test their products on this living laboratory. Green industry leaders from all over the world come into this place all year long to share and get better. Sharing is the foundation to FarmLinks. Check it out at www.farmlinks.org.
And every October the greatest sharing in our industry takes place at the annual Green Industry Conference PLANET puts on in Louisville, Ky. If you attend this event regularly, you know the sharing that goes on. If you have not attended, it’s time you put this event on your calendar. The main reason you should go is to learn. No matter how big or how small your company is, you have something to share. In fact, I have learned a ton of ideas from some of the smallest companies in our industry. I hope you’ve got the conference on your calendar already.
Sharing is a great asset. There is a tendency to not want to share, thinking that somehow you have some secret that if someone else gets hold of it, it could hurt you. I used to think that way. But, you know what, sharing feels so good and it has helped my business. The pros far outweigh the cons. So, in this New Year, let’s all try to share a little bit more. History proves that sharing helps us find success faster than not sharing.
Marty Grunder is a speaker, consultant and author; he owns Grunder Landscaping Co. See www.martygrunder.com; mail
marty@gie.net.
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