The busy season for outdoor activities is slowly -- but surely -- revving up. People are waxing their boats in an effort to prepare them for summer and pulling out their lawn furniture so they can fire up the grill for cookout sessions. Getting ready for warm weather pleasures is not the only activity high on the list. You also need to do the same for your green industry business. Gear up now to maximize your returns for your business.
Get Your Equipment in Top Working Order
Ideally, you checked your equipment over thoroughly -- by cleaning it and replacing worn parts -- before storing it for the off season. Even if you were diligent in doing so -- or if your business is located in a climate that provides year round services -- carve out time to give it a comprehensive assessment. Put an order in now for any equipment that needs to be replaced. Be sure to also order any additional components that you think can be a valuable addition to your business.
Line Up Employees
If you are like many businesses in the green industry, you cut back to a skeleton crew during the slow season. Now is the time to assess your manpower needs and secure hard-working and reliable employees. Fortunately, there will likely be many older high school and college students who are eager to work outside while earning some much-needed money. Meet with your managers to bring them up to speed on any new strategies, such as new scheduling and routing software that you want your lawn care business to implement for the upcoming season.
Get Organized
Staying organized is crucial to running a successful business. Ideally, once you set up a system for organization, your business should tick along like a well-oiled machine. Choosing the right field service software that is designed for the specific needs of your green industry business is a important factor in not only getting organized in the first place, but also staying that way for the long term.
Invest in Mobility
There is a reason why there seems to be an app for everything these days. Using the right app for your business can ensure that everyone stays on the same page -- whether this means having access to the same information or knowing the schedule for the day. Consider the apps you integrate into your small business carefully, though. You want a seamless implementation from the software you use in the office to your employees out in the field.
Kick Up the Advertising
Start now -- while you are still trying to ready the other aspects of your business for the warm season ahead -- and increase your advertising budget. If you get a jump on other local businesses in your area and get ahead of the cacophony of marketing techniques of the other irrigation businesses in your area, you are more likely to fill up your schedule early. Consider offering special incentives for residential and commercial customers if they book your services by a pre-determined date. Another idea is to offer a percentage off for return customers or those who refer someone to you.
With a solid strategy, you can ready your business for the non-stop action of the busy season ahead. By constantly evaluating the elements of your strategy that seem to be working as well as those that can use some tweaking, you can position your business for its best spring and summer yet.
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