It’s Game Time: Win with 3 Blocking & Tackling Basics
For many landscaping and hardscaping companies, this season is go-time. But the most successful organizations among us run like well-oiled machines not because of fancy new systems and the latest-greatest technology, but because they’re committed to getting the basics right.
The leaders of winning home-services companies spend a significant amount of time planning and preparing to take on each and every year. Before the busy season sets in, they think about and plan for:
- Budgets
- Sales and marketing approaches
- Reviewing and modifying existing processes
- Educational and certification programs
- Trade shows
- Etc.
But once the preparation is behind you, it’s game time. How will your plan hold up when the rubber meets the road? If you’re starting to feel you’re on shaky ground, it may be time to get back to basics—and make sure you’re ready for the unexpected.
Overcoming Obstacles to Your Plan
No matter how well you’ve planned ahead, when things get busy, you will inevitably come up against obstacles and opportunities that might cause you to rethink your strategy. For example:
- Filling positions for new craftspeople to perform the work sold
- Keeping on track with budgets
- Continuing to grow your team and company to the next level
- Staying current with trends
- Increasing your efficiency
- Redefining your purpose or vision
- Living your core values
Checking items off a list like this isn’t simple. It’s one thing to accomplish them while remaining a viable business in your industry—but another to continually stay on top of them and ensure everything is getting the attention it deserves.
Obstacles and opportunities are constant. But while handling them, a leader cannot forget the basics of business: the blocking and tackling that needs to happen every single day to keep the business humming.
3 Blocking & Tackling Basics of a Successful Business
#1: Taking Care of Your Clients
Taking care of your client is an absolute must. As the old adage goes, if you don’t take care of your clients, someone else will.
Taking care of your clients is really quite simple when you think about it. There are only a few things that need to be done consistently:
- Show up on time
- Call them back
- Listen to them
- Give them what they want and need (not what you think they should have)
- Operate with integrity
If nothing else, abide by this acronym:
DWYSYWD (Do What You Said You Would Do)
That will handle half of the battle, right out of the gate.
#2: Delivering a Quality Product
This very important basic is actually what sparked the idea for this blog post.
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time out on sales calls—many of which, sadly, were for repairs to shoddy workmanship installed by companies that I hope are either out of business or have greatly improved their installation techniques.
Take a peek at a couple of the photos here:
Both show poor installation, but if you look closely, you will see
- Heaving pavers from a poorly constructed drain
- Inconsistent riser heights
- Improper slope
- A segmented retaining wall being utilized outside of its intended purpose
Projects like this give our industry a black eye.
Notice that none of the above people got return business. Instead, one of their competitors (me) got an opportunity to show up and provide a great service.
Delivering a quality, professional product should always be your top priority.
#3: Standing Behind What You Do
We have all made our fair share of mistakes throughout our journeys. The most important part is what you do about them when they arise.
If you are genuinely committed to building a great business and product, you will always do what is best for your client.
One great example of a business doing this happened with my sister-in-law, so I’ll share the story:
She purchased a Fitbit and wore it religiously. One day, she noticed it wasn’t on her wrist and couldn’t imagine for the life of her how it came off.
She contacted the company and told them about the mishap and expressed her disappointment that something like this could have happened. They took her information, and she received a replacement within a week at no cost.
It’s safe to say she will buy from them again in the future because of the way they handled her situation.
That’s how you get repeat business: do great work and stand behind it.
How can you apply this to your own business? Too often, we would rather argue with our clients to prove them wrong and/or get ourselves out of a sticky situation.
No good ever comes from that.
Instead, always do what’s best for your client, even if you may disagree. This will build trust and a strong business.
If you struggle with this, Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People is a great book to read.
Building a Business with Integrity
No matter the state of the economy, if you want to stay successful, you must remain loyal and committed to your clients.
Remember to operate with integrity and deliver a quality product that will stand the test of time. And above all, always stand behind what you do.
Pitter patter, let’s get at ‘er.
Matt!
