Keeping up with the times

When the second generation of the Pattie family took over The Pattie Group, a 55-year-old landscaping business, Co-Owner Jonas Pattie says technology was top of mind.

Jonas took over alongside his brother, Brian. Their parents had run the business since 1968. The transition was completed in 2015 after the Great Recession forced the company to go from 100 employees down to 50.

“We were young, scared new owners having bought a cash-strapped company,” Pattie told attendees during his presentation at the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference, which took place in August in Las Vegas. “One that hadn’t made an investment in technology in over eight years.”

Having grown up in the family business, Pattie says he recalls when everything from job estimating, proposals and all landscape designs were done by hand.

“I watched all the ways of the past become old, some become obsolete, and some be reinvented,” he says. “And I’ve watched its impact on us, our culture and on the landscape industry.”

To better embrace technology over the years, The Pattie Group has built its own CRM, estimating software and job tracking software.

When investing in technology, Pattie says the business had several focuses when going through the process. They leaned on long-term staff, plus added staff, that complimented the company’s strengths and helped overcome weaknesses, streamlined processes and systems, redefined and reaffirmed company values.

“We aren’t experts but we’re light years away from where we’ve been and we’re improving,” Pattie says of the company’s technology usage.

In recent years, The Pattie Group has completed a laundry list of technological achievements, including:

• Switching accounting software
• Dumping its custom-built estimating system for new more modern one
• Put file servers in the cloud
• Added GPS tracking to trucks
• Upgraded and expanded social media
• Implemented company-wide texting
• Instituted Dropbox links for staff to upload field photos and videos
• Employment Candidate Tracking System
• Secured facilities with cameras and Wi-Fi-enabled locks
• Redone website twice (and now it’s more mobile-friendly)
• Purchased laser engraver to make custom gifts for customers and clients
• Upgraded all trucks and most equipment
• Added sidewalk plow attachments for some mowers
• Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation clocks and lighting systems on smart apps
• Upgraded cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc.

“We’ve cut our paper use in half,” Pattie adds. “This was a lifesaver during COVID when we had to social distance. And it’s virtually eliminated lost data as well.”

Pattie also notes that many of the improvements made weren’t initiated by him at first, but rather his team and crews bringing new technology to leadership for consideration.

“Many of the things weren’t us finding them or pushing them through — it was our team,” he says. “Implementing technology has less to do with what you spend your money on and more with the culture of your company. Your culture drives everything in your company. It will dictate how successful you are with anything you undertake.”

And getting the right team in place is crucial for making the most out of technology. Pattie says it’s all about diversifying your team.

He suggests companies embrace younger generations as well as relying on their seasoned, experienced staff members.

“If you’re afraid of someone’s age, you are missing out,” Pattie says of Millennials and the next generation of the workforce. “They tend to be adaptable, open to change and help create an atmosphere full of creativity and growth.”

However, while Pattie believes young people are essential for growth and momentum, he urges companies not to alienate their older staff with too many tech burdens.

“Don’t cram technology down their throats for the sake of change,” he says. “You don’t saddle your thoroughbreds with the unnecessary — you let them run… there are exceptions in every company.”

Though Pattie says anyone at any age can embrace technology.

“Our 72-year-old mother has also converted into doing some of these things,” he quips. “And AI is going to add to this even more.

“The AI tidal wave is about to change the world,” Pattie adds. “Every day it sounds like we’re about to take another step into Tomorrowland.”

Another way to get everyone on board with advancement is allowing them to grow and continue to learn. The Pattie Group mandates 45 hours a year of continuing education for every one of its employees.

“We talk about making it easy for clients to work with us, but how about make it easy for your employees to work for you,” Pattie says. “Whether you spend one day, one month or one decade with us you are going to grow.”

Pattie also advises to keep employees at all levels abreast of any major changes or technical advancements. And don’t be afraid to embrace something new.

“It’s a lot harder to sell your team after the fact than it is to bring them in throughout,” he says. “Make a few mistakes together — they are opportunities to learn and for your people to get better. They really aren’t that big of a deal.”

The author is an associate editor with Lawn & Landscape magazine.