Pictured above: The Harvesters advise Michael Mould and Tiffany Tucker on adjustments that need to be made at New Visions Lawn & Landscape. Photo by Jon Arman.
New Visions Lawn & Landscape is doing well following the plan on the Turnaround Tour: seeking commercial clients, shaking the bushes and even turning away residential work. March was their best month ever and they’re making a great impression on the community. Sales are booming and landscape enhancements are through the roof.
Now that the owners, Michael Mould and Tiffany Tucker, know their numbers and their costs, they’re estimating much better and achieving much better gross margins.
In the next three months, they’ll be putting another truck on the road with a third crew. They also plan to get a separate enhancement crew running on their own.
The company is on track to do $1 million this year, up from $418,000 last year.
The challenge: Training people to perform quality work. Even offering incentives isn’t helping the company find good workers.
The solution: Be where your potential employees will be. In this case, New Vision will look to the Hispanic community. Look for them by finding Hispanic stores, and advertising in Spanish newspapers. Also try advertising in Spanish on Craigslist and Indeed.
The challenge: Training and keeping morale high is difficult.
The solution: Meeting with crew members regularly and spending time with them. Listen to them and let them know that their voices matter. The company is also hosting Bible studies on Tuesdays and inviting participants to dinner.
New Visions is also trying to keep crew members’ work weeks between 40 and 50 hours per week.
