Growing Concern
The
August 2016
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N
2016 OLA Facility Tour Registration PAGE 22
Snow & Ice Management Clinic Registration, Sponsorship and Mini Trade Show Opportunities PAGES 16 & 17
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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N
BRYAN TAYNOR Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc.
GOING FOR GOLD... BUT ARE YOU BRINGING IT HOME? As the 2016 Summer Olympics kick off this month, I can’t help but think of all the athletes involved and what must be going through their heads. Whether it’s an individual or team competition, these athletes have been preparing most of their lives for this moment in hopes that they will bring home a gold medal, not only for themselves, but for their country, as well. It’s hard to imagine the preparation and training these athletes must go through on a daily basis. And while getting to this point alone is a big accomplishment, to be the best your country has to offer in a particular sport must be a tremendous feeling. In life and in business, whether it’s at our position at work, or some other personal goal we have set for ourselves, most of us want to be the best at what we do. Do we not tell our clients and prospects that we are the best? Do we not tell potential recruits that we are the better choice when it comes to which landscape company to work for? Olympic athletes put in countless hours of training to be able to compete at the level they do. It takes hard work, dedication and true commitment to reach a goal – and the goal they set for themselves is nothing short of the gold medal. So what gold medal are you striving for?
Just as Olympic athletes constantly practice and train, we must also do the same in our businesses in order to succeed. For me, my goal this year is to get healthy through some lifestyle changes. Like many men my age, I fell into the trap of working too much, not eating right, and not exercising like I should. And like many others, I make that same resolution – year after year – to do something, but never do. So, this year I finally committed to it! I realized I needed help though, so I started to see a trainer on a regular basis and he helped me set realistic goals. Now, through proper diet and exercise, he guides me toward my goal by holding me accountable each week. Setting goals for you and your team requires more than just writing a number on the board and hoping you hit it at the end of the month. You must have a game plan comprised continued on page 6 The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 3
TAB LE OF CON TEN TS AU G U S T 2 0 1 6 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002, or 1.800.335.6521 Fax: 440.717.0004 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Jim Funai, LIC, Cuyahoga Community College Shelly Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Bryan Taynor, Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc. ON THE COVER: 19th Annual Landscape Ohio! Award winner, Yard Solutions.
FEATURES
3 8 12 18 23 24 28 29 30
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
Going For Gold
PERENNIAL FOCUS
Hibiscus
FOR SAFETY SAKE
Lightning Strikes
PLANT OF THE MONTH
ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll at rick@ ohiolandscapers.org. DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any prodcut(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.
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OFFICERS President Bryan Taynor
OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley
FISCAL FITNESS
President – Elect Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA
Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.
FEATURE ARTICLE
Treasurer Marie McConnell
Membership Coordinator Noreen Schraitle
Financial Humor
Hired Guns: Bringing in the Next Level of Management for your Snow & Ice Control Company
DIRECTIONS
It’s Up to Us
ADVERTISING INDEX WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
4 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
Immediate Past President Steve Moore DIRECTORS Eric Brubeck, ASLA Adam Capiccioni James Funai Jacob Grimm Nathan Kowalsick Domenic Lauria
C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS UPCO M I N G OLA MEETINGS , EDUC AT I ON SE MI N A R S, A N D OT H E R G R E E N I N D UST R Y EV ENT S
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
AUGUST 4, 2016 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 OLA LANDSCAPE FACILITY TOUR AT SCHILL GROUNDS MANAGEMENT
NOVEMBER 17, 2016 OLA ANNUAL MEETING
Join us for a fun day of golf, networking, food and liquid refreshments at Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-3356521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
AUGUST 9, 2016 NGLCO FIELD DAY This year’s field day will be again hosted by Chalet Debonne Vineyards in Madison, Ohio. For more information, contact Annette Howard at 440-241-7969, info@ nglco.com, or visit nglco.com.
AUGUST 25, 2016 OLA SNOW AND ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC Whether you have been in the snow and ice management business for years, or are new to the industry, you and your management staff will benefit from this interactive day. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
Join us for a behind the scenes tour of Schill Grounds Management. Whether your client base is commercial or residential, and whether you do landscape management or design/build/ install – Schill has implemented many interesting and innovative ideas that you can use in your business. Held at Schill Grounds Management in North Ridgeville. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 2 to attend. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-3356521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
Details TBA. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
JANUARY JANUARY 26, 2017 OLA MEETING Details TBA. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
OCTOBER
FEBRUARY
OCTOBER 19-21, 2016 LANDSCAPES 2016
FEBRUARY 3 - 12, 2017 GREAT BIG HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
Formerly known as the Green Industry Conference (GIC), this is a large landscape and lawn care industry educational conference held in Louisville, Kentucky in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO and Hardscapes North America trade shows. For more information contact the National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly PLANET) at 1-800-395-2522 or visit landscapeprofessionals.org
OCTOBER 19-21, 2016 GIE+EXPO AND HARDSCAPES NORTH AMERICA These two tradeshows are co-located at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky and are held in conjunction with Landscapes 2016. Indoor displays along with a vast outdoor equipment demo area make this a fun show to attend. October 19 is reserved for dealers only. For more information to go to gie-expo.com.
Held at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Opportunities to meet and greet the public by staffing the OLA garden. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
MARCH MARCH 9, 2017 OLA MEETING Details TBA. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.
The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 5
PR E S IDENT’ S C OL UMN continued from page 3 of the steps necessary to reach that goal. And when setting goals, they must be attainable. Setting goals with unrealistic expectations is only setting yourself, and your team, up for failure. Goals should be based off of historical data, such as previous sales, production rates, etc. Knowing the true capabilities of what you or your team can perform is key to setting realistic and attainable goals. Once you have a goal set, it’s time to roll out your game plan. Set smaller goals along the way to achieving the larger goal. Sometimes looking at the larger goal, such as a sales or production number, can seem overwhelming. So, put smaller goals into place, such as quarterly, monthly, or even weekly goals. Hitting those smaller goals along the way helps build momentum and keeps you and your team focused and engaged.
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As owners and managers, we need to be providing guidance to our teams and staff at all levels. Coaching them in the ways of best practices, which we have learned from our past experiences, will help them reach the goals they need in order to succeed at their position. In some cases, outside coaches and consultants can also help, but regardless, have someone by your side who has gone through it before to help you. So, as we start to close out the summer and look towards the end of the year and into next, what are some goals you have for yourself and your team? Think about the improvements you want to make both personally and professionally. Set realistic, achievable goals, and then implement your game plan to practice and continually work towards those goals. Bring home your gold medal!
6 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
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PEREN N I AL FOCUS
BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb
HIBISCUS What perennial has flowers as large as dinner plates? I can only think of one and that is Hibiscus. Hibiscus moscheutos (Common Mallow) grows wild along the shores of the East Coast and is hardy to zone 5. Most of the old cultivars grow quite large, but the hybridized cultivars we see in the trade today have been bred for cold hardiness, gorgeous flowers, and especially, more compact growth habit. However, compact does not necessarily mean small – merely dense. The maple-like leaves are large and lovely, unless they’ve been decimated by Japanese beetles. That said, I have not seen these pests as a problem in the Cleveland area. I fell in love with two of the truly compact cultivars several years ago, ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Pinot Grigio.’ Each one grows only 2.5 feet high and wide, making quite a statement as a specimen plant. ‘Pinot Noir’ has huge, ruby-red flowers,
8 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
while those of ‘Pinot Grigio’ are white with a dark, rose eye. As the blossom ages, it develops a pale-pink rim. Another cultivar in the Vintage Series is ‘Bordeaux,’ a deep-pink that grows a bit taller, to 3 feet. These were all developed by Yoder and all three fit right in to the middle of my borders. continued on page 11
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PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 8
Hibiscus ‘Pinot Noir’
Walters Gardens has also been developing Hibiscus cultivars, the most notable of which are ‘Cranberry Crush,’ ‘Heartthrob,’ and ‘Summer Storm.’ ‘Cranberry Crush’ is a true-red with overlapping petals, and is only 4 feet tall and wide. ‘Heartthrob’ is a strong, dark-red that grows to 4 feet. Both are better suited to the back of a border, or the middle of a deeper border. ‘Summer Storm’ is lightpink with rose-red veins that bleed into the petal, until it is rose-pink with a red eye. It has dark leaves and will supposedly grow 7 feet high. Happily, for me, it has only grown 4.5 feet high. All of these Hibiscus cultivars are deer and rabbit resistant. Grow them in full sun with lots of moisture. I have found, however, that they will bloom in part shade, as long as they receive bright light for at least half of the day.
Hibiscus ‘Pinot Grigio’
Hibiscus ‘Bordeaux’
Two warnings. One – Hibiscus foliate very late, so leave the stalks up during the winter to mark their spot. I planted my first Hibiscus in spring of 2005. The following April, I looked at it and, unknowingly, decided it was dead. Therefore, I got out my spade and proceeded to dig it up. However, as soon as I saw the roots, I realized that it was merely dormant and replanted it. Do not expect Hibiscus to foliate until late May in North East Ohio. Thus, a word to the wise. Second – Deadheading is essential to its appearance. The browned flowers look like rotten lettuce. Happily, they break off quite easily. Once your plant starts blooming, it will keep blooming into October. If you want a perennial with impact, Hibiscus is it.
Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four season landscapes. In addition to being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). She currently serves as chair of the ONLA Plant Selection Committee. She can be reached at (216) 752-9449.
The Growing Concern | August 2016 | 11
FOR SAFETY SAKE
LIGHTNING STRIKES Workers whose jobs involve working outdoors in open spaces, on or near tall objects, or near explosives or conductive materials such as metal have significant exposure to lightning risks. Landscaping and lawn service workers among those at higher risk for lightning hazards. Precautions should be taken to prevent worker exposure to lightning. Employers should recognize lightning as an occupational hazard. Supervisors and workers at outdoor worksites should take lightning safety seriously.
REDUCING LIGHTNING HAZARDS FOR WORKERS Employers, supervisors and workers should understand lightning risks and precautions to minimize workplace hazards. Lightning is unpredictable and can strike outside the heaviest rainfall areas or even up to 10 miles from any rainfall.
If you hear thunder – even a distant rumble – get to a safe place immediately. Thunderstorms always include lightning. In fact, any thunder you hear is caused by lightning. According to NOAA, nowhere outside is safe when thunderstorms are in your area. OSHA and NOAA recommend that employers and supervisors follow these lightning safety best practices for workers whose jobs involve working outdoors:
• Check NOAA weather reports: Prior to beginning Many lightning victims are caught outside during a storm because they did not act promptly to get to a safe place, or they go back outside too soon after a storm has passed. If signs of approaching thunderstorms occur, workers should not begin any task they cannot quickly stop. Proper planning and safe practices can easily increase lightning safety when working outdoors.
12 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
any outdoor work, employers and supervisors should check NOAA weather reports (weather.gov) and radio forecasts for all weather hazards. OSHA recommends that employers consider rescheduling jobs to avoid workers being caught outside in hazardous weather conditions. When working outdoors, supervisors and workers should continuously monitor weather conditions. Watch for darkening clouds and
FOR SAFETY SAKE PREPARE AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
increasing wind speeds, which can indicate developing thunderstorms. Pay close attention to local television, radio and internet weather reports, forecasts and emergency notifications regarding thunderstorm activity and severe weather. • Seek shelter in buildings: Employers and supervisors should know and tell workers which buildings to go to after hearing thunder or seeing lightning. NOAA recommends seeking out fully enclosed buildings with electrical wiring and plumbing. Remain in the shelter for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last sound of thunder. • Vehicles as shelter: If safe building structures are not accessible, employers should guide workers to hard-topped metal vehicles with rolled up windows. Remain in the vehicle for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last sound of thunder. • Phone Safety: After hearing thunder, do not use corded phones, except in an emergency. Cell phones and cordless phones may be used safely.
Employers should have a written emergency action plan (EAP), as required by federal regulations. The EAP should include a written lightning safety protocol for outdoor workers. This lightning safety protocol should:
• Inform supervisors and workers to take action after hearing • • • • •
thunder, seeing lightning, or perceiving any other warning signs of approaching thunderstorms. Indicate how workers are notified about lightning safety warnings. Identify locations and requirements for safe shelters. Indicate response times necessary for all workers to reach safe shelters. Specify approaches for determining when to suspend outdoor work activities and when to resume outdoor work activities. Account for the time required to evacuate customers and members of the public, and the time needed for workers to reach safety. continued on page 14
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FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 13 Employers should also post information about lightning safety at outdoor worksites. All employees should be trained on how to follow the EAP, including the lightning safety procedures.
LIGHTNING SAFETY TRAINING Employers should adequately train all workers on lightning safety. Training should be provided for each outdoor worksite, so that supervisors and workers know in advance where a worksite’s safe shelters are and the time it takes to reach them. Employers should train supervisors and workers to provide lightning safety warnings in sufficient time for everyone to reach a worksite’s safe shelters and take other appropriate precautions. An employer’s EAP may include lightning warning or detection systems, which can provide advance warning of lightning hazards. However, no systems can detect the “first strike,” detect all lightning or predict lightning strikes. NOAA recommends that employers rely on NOAA weather reports, including NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards. Commercial lightning detection and notification services are available to monitor for lightning activity. These notification services can send alerts when lightning activity develops or moves to within a certain range of a work site. In addition, these commercial systems can provide mapped locations of lightning strikes from an approaching storm. However, these systems cannot predict the first lightning strike. In some cases, simply listening for thunder or watching the sky may be a better indication of a developing or nearby storm.
IF CAUGHT OUTSIDE IN A THUNDERSTORM If you find yourself caught outside during a thunderstorm, there may be nothing you can do to prevent being struck by lightning. There simply is no safe place outside in a thunderstorm. This is why it is very important to get to a safe place at the first signs of a thunderstorm. If you are caught outside follow NOAA’s recommendations to decrease the risk of being struck.
• Lightning is likely to strike the tallest objects in a given area. You should not be the tallest object.
• Avoid isolated tall trees, hilltops, utility poles, cell phone • • • •
towers, cranes, large equipment, ladders, scaffolding or rooftops. Avoid open areas such as fields. Never lie flat on the ground. Retreat to dense areas of smaller trees that are surrounded by larger trees, or retreat to low-lying areas (valleys, ditches), but watch for flooding. Avoid water and immediately get out of and away from bodies of water. Water does not attract lightning, but it is an excellent conductor of electricity. Avoid wiring, plumbing and fencing. Lightning can travel long distances through metal, which is an excellent conductor of electricity. Stay away from all metal objects, equipment and surfaces that can conduct electricity.
Do not shelter in sheds, pavilions, tents, or covered porches, as they do not provide adequate protection from lightning. Seek fully enclosed, substantial buildings with wiring and plumbing. In modern buildings, the interior wiring and plumbing will act as an earth ground. A building is a safe shelter as long as you are not in contact with anything that can conduct electricity (electrical equipment or cords, plumbing fixtures, corded phones). Do not lean against concrete walls or doors (which may have metal bars inside).
Reprinted with permission from David Rountree, editor of Total Landscape Care. The safety recommendations within were compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). David Rountree can be reached via email at davidrountree@ randallreilly.com, or via phone at (800) 633-5953, Ext. 1524. Total Landscape Care’s website can be accessed at http://www.totallandscapecare.com/
14 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
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www.masonsteel.com The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 15
SNOW & ICE M A NAG E M E N T
S P O N S O R S HI P CURRENT SPONSORS
SPONSORSHIP / EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES The OLA would like to invite you to participate in our 2016 Snow & Ice Management Clinic!
Our Snow & Ice Management Clinic is a can’t miss event for anyone in or thinking about being in the snow and ice business. Designed for both business owners and employees, the clinic will include group discussions and great information from snow and ice industry experts.
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SPONSORSHIP/EXHIBIT INFORMATION
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snow and ice related businesses. Exhibitors may set up their exhibits on August 25, beginning at 7:00 am. All exhibit
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Sponsorship & exhibit opportunties are available to all Green Industry suppliers - even non
spaces will be located on pavement and should be interactive for attendees.
COST & BENEFITS
GREENMARK CONSULTING
10x10 Outdoor Space
• • • • • • • •
LANDOPT LEPPO RENTS PAT O’BRIEN CHEVROLET OHIO CAT SHEARER EQUIPMENT ZORESCO EQUIPMENT
Includes attendance for up to 2 people - All attendees receive breakfast and lunch Signage with company name displayed at the event Company will have the ability to display equipment within their 10x10 outdoor space Company logo will appear on all email blast communications promoting event with a link to company website Company logo and link to website will appear on the Snow & Ice Clinic page of our industry website with event information Company will be recognized at the event and will have the ability to pass out marketing materials to attendees Company receives a complimentary event attendance list, including attendee’s company name, contact person, mailing address, & phone number Cost: OLA Member - $400; Non Member - $550
30x40 or 20x60 Outdoor Space
• • • • • • • •
Includes attendance for up to 3 people - All attendees receive breakfast and lunch Signage with company name displayed at the event Company will have the ability to display equipment within their 30x40 or 20x60 outdoor space Company logo will appear on all email blast communications promoting event with a link to company website Company logo and link to website will appear on the Snow & Ice Clinic page of our industry website with event information Company will be recognized at the event and will have the ability to pass out marketing materials to attendees Company receives a complimentary event attendance list, including attendee’s company name, contact person, mailing address, & phone number Cost: OLA Member - $600; Non Member - $800
SIZE AND BOOTH # REQUESTED
30x40 Outdoor Space #_______
20x60 Outdoor Space #_______
10x10 Outdoor Space #_______
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sponsor Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)
Zip
Fax (______) Email
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Check # Enclosed
Charge $
MasterCard
Visa
Please send an invoice (Invoices will be sent upon receipt of this form.) Acct. No. Exp. Date Name on Card Signature Billing Address + Zipcode for Card
Last Three Digits on Signature Line
SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147 Register online, by mail, by phone, or by fax: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 • www.ohiolandscapers.org
SNOW & I CE M A NAG E M E NT
REG IS T R ATI O N SNOW BUSINESS SUCCESS
PRESENTED BY
Whether you’re the owner, operations manager, person that answers the phone, or anyone in between, this is a can’t miss event! You will be treated to diverse, interesting topics, focused on making your company even better when handling the “white” side of your business.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 1: STEVEN COHEN Business & Financial Balance for Snow Business Success
While snow & ice management services present many great opportunities to balance your seasonal business, there are challenges achieving this successfully. This session offers an overview of snow market segments, contract types, and strategies to identify what you do best and how to optimize that for snow business success. A Strong Management Mindset for Snow Operations Success
EVENT INFORMATION August 25, 2016
Your thinking is critical to the success of your snow & ice management business, regardless of the size of your company. This session will outline the critical questions that you must ask yourself while building your snow business model and provide the best practices to implemement as you prepare your team for customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 2: DAVID GALLAGHER
St. Michael’s Woodside 5025 East Mill Road Broadview Heights, OH 44147
Sales – It all starts here
We will look at the value of a sales process, solution sales approach and snow specific strategies to put you in the driver seat of your Snow Sales. We will review the key steps in a sales process. Discuss the difference between bidding and selling, relating the difference to solution selling. We will also look at the defined outputs and inputs necessary to effectively sell snow and not just win priced based bids.
Qualifies for 5.5 CEUs for Landscape Industry Certified
ALSO FEATURING: Mini Trade Show, Roundtable Discussions, Drawing for Prizes... Special Price! ~ Register one person from your company and each additional person from the company is only an additional $69! Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds will be issued for cancellations 7 days or less prior to the course, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full. Register On Time, Payment Received Before 8/14/16
OLA Members
$99
NON Members
$149
Register Late, Payment Received After 8/14/16
OLA Members
$129
NON Members
$179
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SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147 Register online, by mail, by phone, or by fax: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 • www.ohiolandscapers.org
PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH
JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College
SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ is no exception.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
ARALIA CORDATA SPIKENARD
Inspiration for trying new plants can come from many sources. Shelley discovered this month’s plant growing in a bed during one of our many visits to the botanical gardens. And now, every day that we walk in our front door, we are lucky enough to pass by it, because we were able to purchase it at the end of the NGLCO Field Day a few summers back. Nestled behind the broad leaves of Hosta ‘Paul’s Glory,’ fronted by Astilbe ‘Fireberry,’ with a splash of Asarum europaeum, European Ginger, we designed a beautiful planting combination. The Astible and Spikenard mirror leaf shapes and textures, while the Hosta and Ginger provide a broad-leaved contrast to that feathery pairing. Bloom times are in perfect succession, offering months of beauty and interest - a true design masterpiece! Ok…so, maybe we should be a bit more forthcoming when it comes to this “design masterpiece.”
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Plants entering our landscape are purchased for two reasons. 1) They are awesome, and 2) We need that! Where exactly it will be planted is pretty far down the list, and usually requires us keeping the plant in our holding area for a few weeks while we walk the garden trying to fit it in somewhere. Truth be told, the combination mentioned above just kinda happened…and then we made-up the fancy sounding description to hide our plant obsession! Had you fooled, right?
One Stop Shop
In all honesty, we love discovering new plants and getting to know them, especially those that are new to us! A big part of the fun is watching them over the years, observing the different ways in which they can add beauty to our landscape. It was a similar love of plant discovery that brought this plant to our industry. A great plant explorer named Barry Yinger, who has dedicated his life to exploring Asian nations for worthy introductions to our industry, first visited Japan in 1974. Learning Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai to help him explore the rural countryside in search of great plant introductions, he has helped bring hardy Camellias from North Korea, as well as a great number of Asian Asarums and one of our favorite vines, Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight,’ from Japan. Barry discovered Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ at a Japanese nursery and brought it back for all of us to enjoy. In an interview with Horticulture Magazine, in May of 2007, Barry admits that one of his biggest struggles has been getting our industry to realize the many great plants available from this region of the world. That said, this month we are donating to the cause – helping him in his mission – by suggesting you to try Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ in one of your gardens this year. While this plant is related to our native Aralia spinose, Devil’s Walking Stick, it is much smaller in habit and less spiky, or intimidating. It is closer to being a Japanese version of our native Aralia racemose, American Spikewood, which many readers may not be familiar with either. We love the Sun King Spikenard for its mastery of the part shade. While this plant needs several hours of sunlight to pull the best color out of the leaves, when the shade comes, these leaves glow a brilliant bright golden-chartreuse color, reminding us of Spirea ‘Gold Mound,’ with contrasting red-brown stems. Growing to a compact size of 3 feet by 3 feet, this plant can be very useful in a massing, or as an accent plant. While this plant can be left to grow each year, and may eventually reach closer to 5 feet, it may be just as easy to cut back each year like a perennial, in effort to produce the densest habit. About the time you are reading this, this plant should be in full bloom, with spikes of white flowers held in clusters, just like last month’s plant which is a cousin in the Araliaceae family! These flowers too will soon be followed by tiny purple-black fruits. And, while the flowers and fruit add to the ornamental beauty of this small shrub, we feel the best way to use it is as a bright foliage accent in the shrub and perennial border.
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continued on page 21 The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 19
Check us out on the web at www.davistreefarm.com
20 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
We Deliver!
6126 Neff Rd. Valley City, OH PH: 330-483-3324 Fax: 330-483-4483
PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH continued from page 19 We have found this plant to be pretty tough once established, requiring no care, unless cutting back for more density and size control. Pest and disease issues are minimal, provided you do not plant it in an overly dense soil that is constantly saturated. The straight species of Aralia cordata is native to Japan and can be found growing on well-drained slopes in bright light.
Give this gorgeous Aralia a shot in your next part-shade landscape planting. Try pairing with some Hostas and Astible, perhaps sprinkling in some Ferns and a Spirea too, to help keep your new plant anxiety at a minimum. You’ll love the combination, and more importantly, your client will appreciate the unique touch.
It really is amazing the vast amount of plants that we have available in our line of work, yet how easy is it to keep using the same pallet that we have become accustom to. This is why plants like Spirea ‘Gold Mound,’ and many others, are so popular. Easy to propagate, easy to handle, easy to plant, and easy to maintain is the name of the game. With that in mind, there are a great number of other plants which fit that bill, IF we are willing to learn about them and put them in the right place with the proper planting techniques.
Jim Funai is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program offering many paths to higher education in the green industry. He is pursuing a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care. Both are graduates of The Ohio State University. Contact Jim and Shelley via email at hortsquad@gmail.com.
Aralia ‘Sun King’ is truly one of the most amazing new perennial introductions in the last decade! With a few hours of sun, the foliage remains bright gold through the summer.
The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 21
2016 FACILITY TOUR
Information
HELD AT SCHILL GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 5000 MILLS IND PARKWAY NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OH 44039 AGENDA 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm REGISTRATION 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm FACILITY TOUR 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm NETWORKING/SOCIAL HOUR/ FOOD SERVED REGISTER TO ATTEND BY SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30
Hosted by
LANDSCAPE FACILITY TOUR September 15, 2016 Schill Grounds Management exclusively serves commercial properties in Northern Ohio, from downtown Cleveland and its suburbs to Akron and Canton and west to Sandusky and the Lake Erie shore communities. For 20 years, they have built expertlevel capabilities and a smart, professional team to meet the yearround needs of commercial clients who want beautiful, affordable landscaping and rapid clearing of snow and ice. With multiple facilities across the region and a large staff of landscaping and snow management specialists, they can handle any commercial client’s needs. Schill is Northern Ohio’s leader in sustainable practices that help protect the environment. From propane-powered mowers, to bio-nutritional fertilizers, to green waste recycling, they have made a pioneering commitment to commercial grounds management solutions that are cleaner, safer, and cost-neutral. They help customers develop a site maintenance plan that outlines long-term strategies and short-term actions to achieve sustainable maintenance goals. Schill’s client mandate can be summed up by their C.A.R.E Commitment: Consistency, Accessibility, Reliability, and Expertise. With an in-depth audit system, scheduled service calls and digital service help desk to keep them organized, customers always receive dedicated and personalized service.
QUALIFIES 2 CEU’S
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S FULL MEETING SCHEDULE ARE NOW AVAILABLE! CALL 440.717.0002 FOR MORE INFO.
The Schill team operates by the Sundown Rule, meaning they address any issue a customer has by sundown of the same day. They recognize that commercial property managers have a lot of responsibilities — worrying about landscaping problems shouldn’t be one of them. This is why we make every attempt to address issues by the end of the day whether that means resolving the problem, or communicating a plan of action to be taken as soon as possible. Schill Grounds Management has many innovative, interesting ideas that can be incorporated into your landscape business whether you focus on commercial, or residential clients. Join us for an enjoyable and informational evening.
RSVP TO ATTEND BY SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG OR CALL THE OLA OFFICE AT 440.717.0002 OR EMAIL INFO@OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG
F ISCAL FI TN ESS
FINANCIAL HUMOR It’s about that time again, since the market just wants to trade in the same range over the last year or so. What time? It’s time for jokes! Stockbroker: What’s a million years like to you? God: Like one second. Stockbroker: What’s a million dollars like to you? God: Like one penny. Stockbroker: Can I have a penny? God: Just one second… The economy is so bad that Exxon-Mobil laid off 15 congressmen. A woman hears from her doctor that she only has six months to live. The doctor advises her to marry an economist. The woman asks, “Will this help me live longer?” The doctor answers, “No. But it will seem longer.” The market may be bad, but I slept like a baby last night. I woke up every two hours screaming and crying. A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain. It was graduation day and Mom was trying to take a picture of their son in a cap and gown, posed with his father. “Let’s try to make this look natural” she said. “Junior, put your arm around your dad’s shoulder.” The father answered, “If you want it to look natural, why not have him put his hand in my pocket?” From a trader after a market crash: “This is worse than a divorce. I lost half my net worth and still have a wife!”
MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN King Financial, Inc.
Einstein dies and goes to heaven only to be informed that his room is not yet ready. “I hope you will not mind waiting in a dormitory. We are very sorry, but it’s the best we can do and you will have to share the room with others,” he is told by the doorman. Einstein says that this is no problem at all and that there is no need to make a fuss. So the doorman leads him to the dorm. They enter and Albert is introduced to all of the present inhabitants. “Here’s your first roommate. He has an IQ of 180,” says the doorman. “That’s wonderful!” says Albert. “We can discuss mathematics!” “And here is your second roommate. His IQ is 150!” “That’s wonderful!” says Albert. “We can discuss physics!” “And here is your third roommate. His IQ is 100!” “That’s wonderful! We can discuss the latest plays at the theater!” Just then another man moves out to capture Albert’s hand and shake it. “I’m your last roommate and I’m sorry, but my IQ is only 80.” Albert smiles back at him and says, “So, where do you think interest rates are headed?” If you think no one cares about you, try missing a few payments.
After years of scrimping and saving, a husband told his wife the good news: “Honey, we’ve finally got enough money to buy what we’ve been saving for since 1993.” “You mean a brand new BMW?,” she asked eagerly. “No,” said the husband, “a 1993 BMW.”
Michael J. Donnellan is President of King Financial, Inc., with offices in Strongsville and the M3 Wealth Management office in North Royalton, Ohio specializing in stock selection and retirement planning. Phone:(440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com
The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 23
F EAT UR E A RT IC L E
HIRED GUNS
BRINGING IN THE NEXT LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT FOR YOUR SNOW & ICE CONTROL COMPANY Building a successful snow and ice control business has evolved since I owned my first plow truck. The ‘mom and pop’ business model has morphed into a highly sophisticated one, often expanding well beyond the company’s initial capabilities. And after years of blood, sweat and tears having been poured into growing such a business, there may be nothing standing in its way of achieving long-term success, other than the right management. 24 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
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L EMENT C
GUEST SPEAKER
Steven Cohen, Principal of GreenMark Consulting Group, is a business management and operations consultant with more than 25 years of landscape/snow industry experience. He has an extensive background in managing cross-functional business operations, business strategy and market growth projects. He prides himself as being an analytical and conceptual thinker who partners with owners to assess opportunities, facilitate strategic decisions, and drive successful implementations. GreenMark Consulting Group specializes in helping growth-oriented companies see through challenges, and operational growth strategies. www.greenmarkgroup.com/www.greenmarkbootcamp.com
While many companies operate under what is known as a “self-performing model” – performing your work in-house – some companies have opted for what’s called a “managed-service model” – managing the contractual obligations, but hiring outside contractors to perform the work. Some companies opt for a combination of both.
Regardless of the model chosen, with operational infrastructure being such an integral part of a snow company’s success, business owners usually see hiring an operations executive as one of the first key hires in moving the business to the next level. Many times, this key hire is brought in from outside continued on page 26
STEVEN COHEN GreenMark Consulting Group The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 25
FEATURE ARTI CLE continued from page 25 of the company, mostly because the level of talent needed does not currently reside within the company, and the owner is seeking a higher level of specialized expertise. Knowing when to hire this executive is no easier than growing your company. Determining the ideal time to hire a person with executive-level experience usually occurs when the owner of the business has realized that his/her experience level no longer meets the current needs of the business, or when he/she realizes their time is better suited toward working on the business, rather than in the business running the day-to-day operations. While the aforementioned is a very cliché statement, the reality is that it is one of the biggest challenges for a business owner to adapt to.
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR As the industry continues to grow, so does the level of skilled talent you will need to hire in order to manage and grow your business. Because operations are such an integral part of any snow company, the role of a snow removal operations executive requires a highly talented individual. They must be capable of multi-tasking – pre and post-season – versed in planning, equipment acquisition, account management and human resources management. The right person will have sales experience, excellent communications skills, and the ability to coordinate equipment and personnel logistics. Most importantly, they will have the ability to think bigpicture – having a broad-vision of what is happening, sometimes over a large geographic footprint. As I mention, hiring this key person is not easy. In our organization, we work closely with our clients to identify not the person first, but the real needs of the position. We highly suggest that a client identify six to eight key attributes that the position requires, because there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It really does differ from company to company. An example of key attributes required for a position in executive leadership in a snow services company might be: • • • • • • •
Leadership Abilities Strategic Thinking & Strategic Execution Team Building/Relationship Building Skills Technical/Technology Skills Communication & Presentation Skills Change Management/Culture Transformation Skills Honesty & Integrity
Next, once you have identified the attributes you want, develop the core responsibilities of the position. These should be 12 to15 short sentences, including a brief description, explaining those
26 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
responsibilities. This portion of the process is similar to any typical job description. The real focal point here is to match the candidate’s natural attributes to the ones you’ve developed, so that they best serve your company and clients’ needs. Matching of a position’s key attributes to the natural attributes of a candidate can typically be done with some type of pre-employment assessment tool. The reality of the situation: Finding the right person for your business is like finding a needle in a haystack – it is a process, and it will take time.
ATTRACTING AND SECURING THE RIGHT CANDIDATE While compensation is always a key factor in attracting top-tier talent, so is the opportunity itself. I personally believe that a great vision can attract loyal followers. I often suggest to my clients to story tell. Share with your candidate where the company has been, where it is today, and where it is going. The key is making the candidate feel like he, or she, will play an integral role in shaping the company’s future. Also, never underestimate presentation. People will tell you that a good salary is great, and a comprehensive benefits package is important, yet I always suggest to my clients to get creative when they can’t meet, or beat, a candidate’s compensation needs. This can include ancillary benefits, profit sharing, discretionary bonuses, company vehicles and business expense accounts – anything that might possibly secure the employment of the truly exceptional candidate. Finally, whatever you do to be creative in trying to win over top talent, the one thing you cannot undervalue is a positive, productive, and appreciative work environment and company culture. This is something you should communicate from the outset. The likelihood that you can get a candidate to buy-in on a reasonably attractive salary, benefits and ancillary package, coupled with your vision and the promise of unlimited personal, professional and financial growth, is something I have always won on. So can you!
A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD Today, I have found that many snow companies are actually looking outside the snow industry to hire operational executives from other service related industries, the mindset being that operations paradigms are similar in all service companies. Basically, this means that if a COO or Director of Operations can run a company well, it shouldn’t really matter what type of company it is. Before going this route, I suggest that
you carefully align the needs of your operations with a wellstructured organizational chart. Seeing what you need often helps determining your next steps. In most instances, business infrastructures require a strong manager to generate sales, and another to manage operations. Sometimes, by not hiring the right level of talent at either level, the company runs the risk of becoming stagnant. The advantage gained from hiring an outsider, with high-level business acumen, is often very clear. Experienced managers already have training in how to get things done. They can also bring business systems and strategies with them, with a bit of a fresh perspective. Bringing in additional talent at this level allows an owner to delegate with less effort, potentially allowing the business to do substantially more revenue and profit. In the end, talent acquisition is a vital and fundamental business goal. Getting the right skills in the right person, and getting them aligned with the organization, is often the biggest challenge.
PUSHING TO THE NEXT LEVEL While it’s potentially a big expense, you must remember that you get what you pay for. The cost and your return on investment (ROI) will vary depending on your talent acquisition strategy. Regardless of your budget, you want to have a specific understanding of your needs and the desired outcome. Simply stated, you must determine a timeframe and measurable outcome. While ROI looks different for each situation and company, having a plan with set benchmarks as a guide should strengthen your successes for on-boarding your new executive. As both a former snow business owner and upper-level industry executive, when I’ve hired key executives, I’ve learned that the value comes in how much money they either make the company, or save the company. In the position of operations, this success is paramount. His/her ability to harness human capital to perform at its peak in meeting operational metrics is imperative at all times, as there are many internal and external factors involved in managing a snow business. To close, the snow business is a seasonal one, and you have a lot to win, or lose, in only a few months. In today’s business climate, if you really want to grow your business, you must factor in the expense of hiring good key contributors, with the idea that savings will come, in time. The goal of the executive hire is to find a good balance of revenue increase and expense decrease, all while maintaining a positive work environment and building an exceptional service delivery model for your business. The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 27
D I RECTI ON S
SANDY MUNLEY
IT’S UP TO US
Executive Director The Ohio Landscape Association
I don’t think there is anyone in the green industry who would disagree that we have a severe lack of good employees in the green industry. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying; I am not criticizing the people we currently have. Some of the best people I have ever known are in our industry – we just don’t have enough of them! Not a week goes by that I do not get a phone call from a member asking me where to find good employees. My question is, “What are YOU doing about it?” I am talking about ALL of YOU – ALL of US! It is up to US to develop our workforce. It is up to US to tell our story of the great career people can have in the green industry. Are you doing that? And is your company one that you would want to work for? The OLA staff was recently invited to attend a Come Alive Outside event presented by Jim Paluch and his son, Andy Paluch, that was hosted by MTD at their beautiful campus in Valley City. We talked about the biggest issues facing the green industry on a day-to-day basis. And the winner was – drum roll please – staffing our companies/labor shortage. The youth in America are spending less and less time outside. They spend hours and hours watching TV, playing video games, texting friends and using social media. These indoor activities are keeping children from experiencing the great outdoors and developing a love of nature, our environment, and getting a little dirty! Indoor entertainment is replacing outdoor activity.
28 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
As a matter of fact, the New England Journal of Medicine reports, “For the first time in two centuries the current generation of children in America may have shorter life expectancies than their parents.” That is scary! Finding ways to get kids and families outside is a win-win proposition. Not only is it healthy for the kids and families to lead an active outdoor lifestyle, but it can also lead to more landscape sales, a healthier society, and perhaps children developing an interest in our profession. As they say at Come Alive Outside – Everybody wins when somebody goes outside. Jim Paluch asked the question, “How many of you have more scars on your knees than your children?” More than half the room raised their hands. Here we are in the landscape and nursery industry and we haven’t fostered the love of our industry/the outdoors in our own children! So, what can you do? Promote being outdoors! Public service projects can bring your company, our industry and the great outdoors into the forefront. Be creative and get involved with continued on page 30
A D V ER T IS ING INDEX
2 Botson Insurance Group, Inc. 10
Burns / JCB
20
Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc.
29
Empaco Equipment Corporation
30
Fairlawn/Medina Supply
19
Irrigation Supply, Inc.
31 Landscape Ohio! Awards
Equipment Corporation
YOUR CENTER FOR
PATIO BUILDING
MATERIALS Natural Stone
15
Mason Structural Steel, Inc.
>
30
Medina Sod Farms, Inc.
> Bulk Aggregates
15
Oliger Seed Company
15
O’Reilly Equipment, LLC
9 10 6 20
Premier Plant Solutions
> Quick & On-Time
Delivery
Servicing NE Ohio
2958 Brecksville, Rd Richfield, OH 44286
330.659.9393
Sales Manager: Greg Schrank SchrankG@EmpacoEquipment.com
Royalton Supply / Abraxus Shearer Equipment Sohar’s /RCPW, Inc.
6
Three-Z Supply
7
Unilock
32
Valley City Supply
13
VanCuren Tree Services, Inc.
27
Zoresco Equipment Company
DISTRIBUTOR The Growing Concern x August 2016 x 29
DIR EC TIONS continued from page 28 your local community. There are landscape contractors in the United States and Canada who have created community events with permanent or temporary adventure playgrounds where children can play with sticks and logs and dirt water and use their imagination like many of us did when we were children. Work with an established community event, or create your own. Go to ComeAliveOutside.com for more ideas and to see what has already been done. I also urge you to seek out schools in your area that teach horticulture and see how you can help. They may need your expertise in a certain area, or perhaps the use of equipment or some materials for a project. Check with your schools to see if they have a day when you can talk about what you do for a living. Find out if you can work with a teacher to teach a science class or lab that involves plants. Be creative. Be fun. But above all…do something! It’s up to us!
FAIRLAWN MEDINA
Topsoil Mulch Seed Straw Fertilizer Gravel Limestone Much More
330 864 8031
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS The Ohio Landscape Association is delighted to welcome the following new member to the association:
REGULAR MEMBERS: Wally’s Landcape Inc. 9832 Page Road. Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-626-2738 Linda Rydzinski WC Landmark Lawn & Landscape 6673 Lake Drive West Chester, OH 45069 513-755-7500 David Helm Landscapes by Terry, Inc. 5965 Wilcox Place, Suite A Dublin, OH 43016 614-873-6242 Jeff Stroupe
ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Classic Auto Group 1700 Mentor Avenue Painesville, OH 44077 440-639-4500 Lance Simmons
30 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
Ohio grown proudly for over 50 years! Mineral & Peat Grown Sod Blue Grass Blend Improved Tall Fescue Fine Leaf Fescue Blue Grass Mix Bark Mulch Ties Shredded Topsoil, Peat, and Custom Blending
(330) 683-2916 www.medinasodfarms.com
Get the recognition your company deserves! ENTER TODAY
Ohio’s most prestigious landscape enhancement awards program. 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Oh 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002 Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521 Fax: 440.717.0004 OhioLandscapers.org MyOhioLandscape.com
DEADLINE TO ENTER DECEMBER 16, 2016 RULES, REGULATIONS & ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE @ OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG
9240 Broadview Road Broadview Hts., OH  44147-2517
08/16
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