Three questions to help you stay on the cutting edge in 2025

No matter where you live and work, and no matter the size of your business, you remain concerned about increased operating costs, material prices, fuel costs and inflation. Controlling costs in an unpredictable environment has been increasingly difficult for most small- to medium-sized businesses. So, while you’re not alone, there’s little comfort in the unknown.

But the outlook ahead is not all doom and gloom. Despite ongoing inflation and interest rate uncertainty, the economy is growing — and the landscaping industry overall has remained resilient. What’s more, there looks to be hope on the horizon for some interest rate relief which will hopefully relieve some pressure.

So, as we look ahead to 2025, we do so with some renewed, yet still cautious, optimism. If we’ve learned anything so far in the 2020s, it’s to “hope for the best but prepare for the worst” while not abandoning our business plan and opportunistic growth mindset.

That’s why the offseason is a good time of year to take stock of your needs and plan to close any gaps in your short- and long-term business goals. Here are a few questions to ponder as you plan ahead:

1. What do you need to do to grow in 2025? Make a list and prioritize it. Is it identifying new prospects, diversifying your services, doing more targeted marketing? Start small and work your way to the more challenging tactics.

2. What will set you up for the most success? Is it acquiring new talent, purchasing new equipment for your fleet, upgrading to new technology or making business infrastructure investments? The answer should help you prioritize efficiency so you can more swiftly achieve your goals.

3. How do you need to adapt to ever-changing customer expectations? Find ways to tap into your local market trends to pivot wherever needed — is there continued popularity for drought-tolerant features, a trend toward more green space for native or edible grow-your-own-food gardening projects, and less hardscape projects? Let the trends help guide you to what’s new and next.

Whatever your scenario, constant assessment, refinement and goal setting helps to overcome the potential threats to your business. That’s how we do things at Kubota, and we do so with a philosophy we call “On Your Side,” where we work alongside our employees, dealers and customers to achieve collective success.

That commitment to you starts by constantly introducing new products, dealer programs and service initiatives to help keep you working so you can get more done. For products, we are proud to offer a complete mower lineup that includes two award-winning mowers, the Kubota ZD1611 zero-turn mower and the Kubota F3710 front-mount mower, each recently recognized among ‘Top 20’ new products and ‘Editors’ Choice’ award programs. When added to the Kubota one-stop-shop fleet program, your dealer will have the newest award-winning equipment, backed by extraordinary service programs, ready for you to tackle the busy spring season ahead.

But first, start planning for 2025 with some gap assessments and refined goal setting— along with a strong equipment partner on your side — and you’ll be set up for even greater success in 2025.

Sincerely,
Paul Manger