Steve Cesare brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources, backed by a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. His career spans both the green industry and major organizations, including NASA, Citicorp, and Sentara Health Systems, giving him a unique blend of practical and high-level HR expertise.
With hands-on experience as an HR Director in the landscape industry, Steve understands the real challenges business owners face when it comes to managing people, staying compliant, and building strong teams. His approach is practical, efficient, and focused on helping companies avoid costly mistakes while improving performance.
Employee Handbooks
Your employee handbook isn’t just a document—it’s your first line of defense.
Steve works with companies to review, update, or completely rebuild employee handbooks so they are clear, practical, and fully compliant with local, state, and federal laws. The result is a handbook that not only protects your business but also sets clear expectations for your team.
Stay compliant, reduce risk, and create a stronger foundation for your workforce.
Steve’s Speaking Topics
Steven Cesare, Ph.D., has more than 25 years of human resources experience. Currently, Steven is a Principal Consultant with the Harvest Group, a nationwide landscape consulting firm with four regional offices, emphasizing improved organizational performance through operational efficiency, entrepreneurial sales and marketing techniques, and a straightforward approach to human resources excellence. He can be reached at 760-685-3800 or via email.
Performance Management: How to Motivate, Coach, Discipline, and Terminate Employees the Right Way
Dealing with problem employees is one of the most stressful tasks for managers. They often lack the skill to do it correctly. They often don’t understand the legal considerations involved. They seldom think about its impact on the employees, customers, and the organization. They simply don’t want to do it.
But it has to be done, and it has to be done right. So, let’s do it the right way.
By doing performance management the right way, the manager will experience less stress, the company will be more productive, and the employees will be less likely to file or win a wrongful termination lawsuit. This presentation provides simple, practical information on motivating employees to improve their job performance, coaching employees constructively, and conducting disciplinary meetings and terminations legally, fairly, and effectively.
A Building Block Approach to Human Resources: A Step-by-Step Guide for Building an Effective Human Resources Function
Whether a landscaping company has 10 employees, or 50 employees, or even a couple of hundred employees, it must have a human resources function that is simple, legal, and results-oriented. Regardless of organizational size, the human resources plan must be developed according to systematic best practices that minimize legal liability, ensure efficiency, and promote sustained company success.
This presentation offers a step-by-step guide to building an effective human resources function in any company, grounded in professional fundamentals, legal compliance, and organizational goals. By focusing on the fundamentals and avoiding bureaucratic distractions, the human resources function can deliver value to the company. The information in this presentation is based on best practices from various landscaping companies across the green industry and will be shared in a simple, easy-to-follow, and actionable manner.
The Leadership Hierarchy: How to Leverage, Develop, and Optimize the Leadership Talent Throughout an Organization
Leadership is the most important aspect of any company. Effective leadership is solely responsible for achieving profitable goals, making correct decisions, and positioning the company for mature growth. Ineffective leadership typically lacks a plan, makes reactive rather than proactive decisions, and spends more time working in the business than working on the business. It’s easy to see how important leadership quality is to a company’s results, status, and viability.
This presentation offers a simple and practical overview of leadership within the landscaping industry. Whether it be Foremen, Account Managers, or owners, their individual and collective leadership skills must be clearly defined, appropriately developed, and effectively evaluated to reach their leadership potential. This presentation focuses on how all levels of leadership within a company must be coordinated, balanced, and integrated so each contributes meaningfully to organizational success.
Steve Cesare Ph.D.
has more than 25 years of Human Resources experience. Prior to joining The Harvest Group, Steve worked with Bemus Landscape, Jack in the Box, the County of San Diego, Citicorp, and NASA. Steve earned his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Old Dominion University, and has authored 68 human resources journal articles. As a member of The Harvest Group, Steve’s areas of expertise include: staffing, legal compliance, wage and hour issues, training, and employee safety. Read Steve's full bio.