HOW TO BUILD A STRATEGIC PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
By Bill Arman and Ed Laflamme of The Harvest Group, NALP consultant members
O
ne of my clients told me landscap- ers don’t plan because they’re addicted to the adrenaline rush of doing everything the last minute. As much as these folks complain about all the work they have they love being in the center of a whirlwind of activities. They get a high from making last minute decisions, shouting orders and trying to make or- der out of the chaos, mostly from the re- sult of the lack of planning. Landscapers tell me they don’t plan because “we’re all ‘ADD’”. Many owners feel it’s a waste of time, or it’s only for the really large businesses and some don’t because they say nobody follows the plan anyway. Regardless of the rea- sons just mentioned, or others, planning is essential to the success of any business big or small. As organizations grow, so do the “sea of details” and the possibility of making mistakes. The busy season begins, and they find they don’t have the right people on board, bidding the wrong jobs, needed equipment wasn’t or- dered, and running out of cash. Many companies grow themselves right out of business because of this. Much of this could be avoided if they just stopped long enough at various times of the year to reflect on the past and plan for the future.
During our session at LANDSCAPES 2016, we’ll get in the trenches with you and walk your through plans that will help you do the following:
• Establish clear and specific financial and sales goals • Decide on strategy’s to gain competitive advantages, enhance sales and profits • Remove uncertainty about where you are going • Review your strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats.
• Study your competitors
• Think about what technologies you could/should be using
• Bring key people together so they’re on the same page and work in harmony
• Create action items so plans are fully executed NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS 21
I can testify from personal experience how beneficial planning is because I ran my business for 15 years without it and 15 with it and what a difference a plan makes. The results are both amazing and rewarding as you fulfill your planned goals. 7
About Head Harvesters Ed Laflamme and Bill Arman. Ed is a 45-year veteran and a Landscape Industry Certified professional. Bill is a 40-year veteran, 2006 National Landscape Leadership Award recipient. Ed built the largest company in Connecticut and while doing that Bill worked for the ValleyCrest Companies leading a $25 million dollar portfolio. Bill & Ed co- founded the Harvest Group in 2007 where they consult with companies in 45 states and five countries. Reach them at,
Bill@harvestlandscapeconsulting.com and Ed@
harvestlandscapeconsulting.com.
LANDSCAPES It’sGOTime!2016
Go more in depth during their session ‘How to Build a Strategic Plan and Stick to It” at LANDSCAPES 2016 on October 19th, 9:30 – 11:30 am
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