I have been stirring in my thoughts about this topic since Thursday night when Daniel, our owner, and I had attended the PAA Business Exchange. There was a lot going on, from the panel discussion to the social mixer to the reverse trade show and everything in between, but the one thing that really stuck out to me was from the panel discussion. Mr. Tonaus John from DBC Real Estate Management made a comment to one of the panel questions. I can’t remember exactly what it was, but his response was something directed specifically at the landscape industry that obviously piqued my interest. He mentioned how landscapers have a knack for calling out other landscapers on their poor craftmanship when visiting a site and how it is mainly a pet peeve of his that there is this vicious cycle in the industry, being unhappy with their current supplier and hiring a new one, only to have a third, fourth, fifth supplier rinse and repeat the same down talking of another company.
I have seen this firsthand from others in the industry as well while on group property walks looking at the scope of work for an open RFP. I have had other contractors call me out while still physically standing on site of a property I managed, telling me I was doing it wrong mid-project. I have heard from property managers such as Mr. John as to what he was told from another company that was wrong with their site. The scenarios are endless.
The second half of Mr. John’s comment was based on being able to hire someone that does not immediately start throwing someone under the bus, but instead becomes a problem solver and mentions the things that they could do to correct an issue and make a site better. That the people who speak of fixing the problem instead of blaming the problem, are usually the ones who will communicate effectively and be trustworthy in building a long-lasting relationship with, allowing a property management company to find comfort knowing they do not need to search every year for a replacement in the merry-go-round. I am obviously paraphrasing Mr. John’s comment but I hope you understand the point he was making, and for the simple fact that while he was speaking, I could do nothing but smile.
It made me smile because I know that I am the latter group when it comes to those that he is referencing. I have always tried to make it a point in life, let alone business, to never speak down upon someone. Nothing good comes from it. It is a waste of my energy to try and tear someone down, especially not knowing anything about them or their knowledge on a subject. I have nothing to gain going into something with that approach, and likewise, that approach usually never has the results you’re looking for in the long run anyways.
While I am on a property walk, there are always things that the property manager or facility supervisor will bring up as to something that is not the way that they would like. My initial response is usually always something in the form of me not knowing why the current supplier would do whatever is present in the moment, but I would do X, Y, and Z to help alleviate the issue at hand. Giving a solution to a problem leads to results, and if done correctly, leads to satisfaction of both parties involved.
Now of course, there are certainly instances where there is tangible evidence that can be and should be called out while on a site that can only benefit telling a property manager to alert them of more serious potential issues down the road. The biggest example that I can give that almost all proper landscapers in the industry can agree upon, is showing up on a site and seeing “mulch volcanoes” that are choking out plants that will lead to larger issues with those plants. Examples like that, that are detrimental to a site can only further show you care about what you do and will hopefully show whoever you are speaking with that you also care about their property.
“Bring me solutions, not excuses.” This was a phrase from one of my bosses when I was fresh out of college and it resonated with me to this day. It is a driving force as to why I smiled when I heard Mr. John’s response. Excuses gets you nowhere in life. It creates a stagnant path that keeps you stuck in a routine that eventually breaks you apart from things, and in the service industry such as being a landscaper, it breaks you apart from creating the relationships necessary for a thriving business.
As we begin our third year in business, I can only hope I don’t lose sight of that phrase. I know this was mainly geared towards the commercial world, but it also can apply to putting a proposal together for a homeowner as well. People want to enjoy their outdoor spaces and beating around the bush/calling out flaws to their property, only degrades that relationship and trust in why they called you. Being able to communicate in a positive way of what you see through your eyes based on their project, only strengthens your time spent with them. I look forward to a great year and hope we can earn business through our problem solving and not only through our skills and quality, although we enthusiastically back those up and are highly confident in those as well!
