 |
| The Almanac |
 |
|
To give you a better idea of what we do and how our methods have helped people like you to harvest their potential — we’ve picked real examples from real companies. The following case studies show some of the challenges our clients faced, the steps we took to help them meet them, and the results they produced.
|
|
| Extreme Landscape Makeovers |
Type & size: |
Residential design-build landscape company with $2 million annual revenue. |
Condition: |
This company was rolling along pretty well, focusing on new homes.
As the Southern California economy changed however, the competition for this market became fierce, with a shift towards low-price shoppers. Revenue dropped like a stone and what little work did sell, did so at very slim margins. |
Assessment: |
Dropping revenue and margins; and market niche had disappeared. |
Our Solution: |
After several months of hard work, we developed a creative branding program and consistent quality delivery process that helped the company transform itself and develop a new market niche, “extreme landscape makeovers.” |
Result: |
Sales stabilized and gross margins increased by 20%. |
| Quality, Not Quantity |
Type & size: |
Established, 30-year-old maintenance company with $5 million annual revenue. |
Condition: |
After 30 years in the business this company had hit the wall in revenue growth and gross margins were low. Extra work sales were not what they should be. And they were over stocked with one market customer type. |
Assessment: |
The company desperately needed a makeover, a new identity to help get the existing book of business up to par and to develop new market customer types. Plus, extra work sales needed to be brought up to speed. |
Our Solution: |
We focused on raising the quality of the service, installing a quality assurance program that gave specific feed back to all crews and field leaders. The quality reviews uncovered extra work opportunities and proposal presentation skills were integrated into the business. Now, each job receives a financial review and a course is set to achieve higher margins. |
Result: |
Contract sales rose 15%; extra work sales went up and are expected to reach the goal increase of 30%. Plus, the quality of work improved and retention rate is over 90%. |
| Diversify and Conquer |
Type & size: |
Landscape construction, golf course irrigation and maintenance company with $10 million annual revenue |
Condition: |
Slumping economy caused major drop in construction and golf course irrigation work. |
Assessment: |
This company needed to diversify with its construction work and build its maintenance division. |
Our Solution: |
The Harvest Assessment identified key areas for improvement and an action plan was put in to play. The Harvester recruited a senior business developer, who was added to the team. Now, the focus is on getting construction work that feeds the maintenance division with long-term clients. We also set up estimating procedures as well as a construction turn over process and put a maintenance program in place. |
Result: |
These improvements have already positioned the company for long-term, sustainable success. This was all accomplished in the first 45 days. |
Are we a good fit? |
"The reason I chose Ed was because he’s not a made-up guy. With a lot of the other consultants there’s a lot of flash and not a lot of substance. Ed’s got such a breadth of knowledge. He’s got every area covered."
-- Rud Mason,
Owner Princeton Scapes |
|
| A Decision to Make |
|
Type & Size: |
Small full-service maintenance company. |
Condition: |
In business for more than 5 years; “stuck” and unable to grow. |
Assessment: |
They lacked a vision, a goal and were about to take a job working for somebody else. |
Our Solution: |
We agreed on a specific five-year goal, created a plan and as part of The Harvest Membership program began weekly coaching. |
Result: |
By the end of his fourth season they grew 888%! They also purchased a great property for the business. |
Green Acres
|
Type & Size: |
Small full-service landscape company. |
Condition: |
A former marketing director of an international company gave up the corporate world for the freedom of his own landscaping business but was struggling and thinking about giving up. |
Assessment: |
A strong marketing background was certainly helpful but operations, personnel and finance skills needed honing. |
Our Solution: |
The Harvest Assessment revealed the areas which most needed improvement. He immediately decided to become a Harvest Member, and we began to systematically work on his most urgent items.
|
Result: |
At the end of the year the company was profitable, with a much smoother running operation that has doubled in size! |
| “I Don’t Want To Grow, Just Make More Money” |
Type & Size: |
Well-established landscape architect, in business ten years. |
Condition: |
Plenty of business, and didn’t want to grow any larger; the goal was to make more money in the existing business. |
Assessment: |
An analysis of every part of the company revealed the sales process needed to be improved. |
Our Solution: |
We offered specific suggestions about how to improve and create a more professional proposal package and polished sales presentation. |
Result: |
Owner began charging an average of 10% more per project, began going after larger jobs and without increasing sales, profits went up 50% over the previous year! |
|
Po-ten-tial - adjective.
The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.
Everybody has capability. Yet without the right knowledge, systems and tools it often goes untapped. But when potential is nurtured some pretty incredible things can happen— people, teams, customers and businesses begin to blossom; bottom lines begin to grow and dreams come true. |
|
|
“Ed holds us accountable. The stuff he told us about, we knew we had to do. But now we’re actually doing it because he’s holding us accountable.”
-- Jon Baedke
Smitty's Lawn and Landscape |
|
If you’d like to see more case stories or if you’d like to talk to some of the folks we’ve helped grow, just give us a holler.
|
| [ Back to top to page ] |
|
|
 |
