The Growing Concern August 2022 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

AUGU S T 2 0 2 2

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

Snow & Ice Management Clinic

August 25, 2022 / St. Michael’s Woodside (Broadview Heights, OH) / PAGE 18-19

NE Ohio Landscape Facility Tour

September 14, 2022 / J. Barker Landscaping Company (Bedford, OH) / PAGE 7

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

NEED A BREAK? Over the past three weeks, my family and I vacationed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kelleys Island, Ohio; and Indianapolis, Indiana. We spent a minimum of four days in each location, with a day of travel in between. By no means do I mention this to boast. I’m simply want to illustrate for you what enables me to spend time away from the office without worries and/or anxiety about my lack of presence. I also want you to know that it is possible! You too can be away from work and return with everything intact. To begin, getting to this point took preparation, planning, and practice. Also, let it be known that this article doesn’t only apply to the owners out there. It should resonate with every administrator, manager, supervisor, and team member within your company. I feel very fortunate to be where I am today and there were three steps that got me here: development, concrete systems, and (this one was the most difficult for me) trust. As most of you already know, I’m a firm believer in developing each and every one of my employees. This belief is the foundation for being able to take a day off work without worrying that the world will end. What I have found is that, as I invest in individuals who want to advance their careers, lifestyles, knowledge, etc., they will want to learn. And, as they learn, they will want me to be gone from the office so that they can show me that the trust I place in them is well deserved... enough so to allow them to hold on to the reins of a successful business and drive that success themselves. Through development, we create

BRIAN MAURER, LIC Brian-Kyles

pride in individuals. And, when they take pride in their work, my job becomes relatively easy. This isn’t something we only do with management, and/or administrators, either. It is done with all our employees, new hires included. It amazes me to see so many companies spending more time on hiring and firing than development. Regardless of how new, slow, or stubborn someone is, you must give them the time and tools to succeed. The second key to taking time away is creating concrete systems. In thinking about this, I kept using the word systems, but it’s imperative that those systems be clear and concise – concrete. Everyone should know exactly what is expected from each individual teammate and when they should cross paths to help. Also, employees need to be cross-trained. The administrative staff should have a pretty good understanding of what roles each player (employee) does within their own role. This allows for others to pick up the pieces in someone’s absence. And, when they are filling in and/or are helping with another role, how do they know all the details? How do they know that the account manager has a strict adherence to returning calls within 24 hours? How do they know what the timeframe is for presenting a proposal to a client? All of this is conveyed through competency models and SOPs, which help guide our staff. There should be a task list of all things administrative, who is responsible for each task, and who the backup is just in case that person is not available. Your managers should know what each manager does, and who is the most ideal to fill in if one of them is unavailable. continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON AL G REEN I N D UST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002 Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, M3 Wealth Management Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Brian Maurer, LIC, BrianKyles Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Cover: Landscape Ohio! merit award winner, Vizmeg Landscape, Inc., in the category of Commercial Installation. ADVERTISING INFORMATION

FEATURES

3 5 8 12 20 28 32 38 39

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of magazine publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org.

FISCAL FITNESS

DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(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.

FOR SAFETY SAKE

OFFICERS President Brian Maurer, LIC

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

PLANT OF THE MONTH

President – Elect Stephanie Gray, LIC

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Need a Break?

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS PERENNIAL FOCUS

Rudbeckia subtomentosa: Sweet Coneflower Why Invest?

Power Saw Safety: How Much are Your Fingers Worth? Great Western Plant Explorers: Alexander Von Humboldt

FEATURE ARTICLE

26 Strategies to Recession-Proof Your Business

DIRECTIONS

OLA Members Help Build Strong Communities

ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Treasurer Cameron Maneri Immediate Past President James Funai, PhD DIRECTORS Brandon Barker Ryan Drake Tina Graver, LIC Rob Morel Bob Ramser, LIC Kate Stone, OCNT

C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS U P C O M I N G O L A M E E T I N G S , E D U C AT I O N S E M I N A R S & E V E N T S

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST 4, 2022 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC

SEPTEMBER 14 , 2022 NE OHIO FACILITY TOUR (J. Barker Landscaping Company)

Join us at Mallard Creek Golf Club for the OLA Scholarship Golf Classic! Our golf outing was created to help generate funding for our scholarship program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the green profession. Pictures taken at the event will be available online at www. ohiolandscapers.org/golf-outing.

J. Barker Landscaping Co. provides unparalleled attention to detail in their design process and their dedicated staff bring superior service and “know how” to all projects. Join us as we tour J. Barker’s facility, located in Bedford, Ohio, to find out what has made them so successful for over 45 years. See page 7.

AUGUST 11, 2022 WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE MEET-UP

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MEET-UP

Our Women in Landscape Group was created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the industry, while amplifying the voices of our current & future leaders. Held at River Tap & Social, located in Rocky River, OH. See page 26.

Our Young Professionals Group was created to provide a platform to connect, share experiences, and exchange ideas with peers in our industry. If you are under 40 years old, you are invited to join. Held at Old River Tap & Social, located in Rocky River, OH. See page 27.

AUGUST 16, 2022 IRRIGATION CLINIC A hands-on training opportunity for field technicians to learn the basics of irrigation repair and troubleshooting. Participants will learn to identify the components of an irrigation system, operate and adjust irrigation controllers, and troubleshoot irrigation issues that commonly occur on job sites. Sponsored by Wolf Creek Company.

AUGUST 25, 2022 SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC This year’s Snow & Ice Management Clinic will focus on Best Plowing Practices, Mechanical Walkway Removal, Calibration of Anti-Icing Agents and Salt Tracking Technology. Vendors may call the OLA at 440.717.0002 for available booth/sponsorship opportunities in our mini-trade show exhibit. See page 18 & 19.

OCTOBER OCTOBER 6, 2022 CENTRAL OHIO FACILITY TOUR (Environmental Management Inc.) Adhering to an impeccable business model, Environmental Management Inc. (EMI) has become the largest individually owned landscape firm in Ohio. Join us as we tour EMI’s facility, located in Plain City, Ohio, to find out what has made them so successful for 30 years. See page 17.

OCTOBER 13, 2022 PLANT HEALTHCARE DAY This full-day workshop combines all aspects of Plant Health Care (PHC) for both technicians and managers, with live demonstrations of PHC techniques. Held at Secrest Arboretum, located in Wooster, OH. See page 16.

OCTOBER cont... OCTOBER 20, 2022 WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE MEET-UP Our Women in Landscape Group was created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the industry, while amplifying the voices of our current & future leaders. Held at Old River Tap & Social, located in Rocky River, OH. See page 26.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS The Ohio Landscape Association is happy to introduce its newest members.

REGULAR MEMBERS Augustine Landscaping 4437 Renaissance Parkway Warrensville Hts., OH 44128 (440) 527-3996 Fred Augustine Keller Group Limited 3909 Groves Road Columbus, OH 43232 (614) 402-9702 Alec Brown Lowe’s Landscaping, LLC 16540 Chillicothe Road Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (440) 543-5123 Bob Scott Rock-n-Scapes 4355 Edgewater Drive Vermillion, OH 44089 (216) 538-4944 Nikky Schilling Ryan’s Signature Landscaping 7290 Fayette Blvd. Chippewa Lake, OH 44215 (330) 635-4315 Ryan Manthey The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 5

PR E S IDENT’ S C OL UMN continued from page 3

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Your field staff should be able to function consistently for a day or two if their supervisor is not present. So, what is a competency model? A competency model should be a step-by-step process to help navigate an unfamiliar person with a job “role.” Each function within an organization should have a competency model if it is considered an important step, or part of an individual’s job. A competency model can be as simple as: HOW TO WASH A TRUCK • Pull truck to wash bay • Mix ½ cup of soap with 5 gallons of lukewarm water in yellow mop bucket • Pre-rinse truck with water • Use sponge on all painted surfaces to scrub truck down with soapy water in a circular fashion • Use brush to scrub all tires, rims, and wheel wells • Rinse truck with water • When finished dump soapy water down the sanitary sewer and rinse mop bucket, sponge, and brush • Turn water off and coil hose • Put all away in designated areas As silly as these seem, creating these throughout an organization will help ease the burden when you ask someone to “help out.” It also helps with our team atmosphere, in general. The third and final part is trust. As mentioned, this one was hard for me – to put years of blood, sweat and tears into someone else’s hands to manage. That said, I have learned to start with the field person. If I am a team leader and have an employee that works with me, I should trust that employee with my most prized possession. And, while I certainly don’t expect this trust to come overnight, through development and system implementation we can begin building a team that quickly learns to trust in one another. In just a few short weeks we’ll know if that prized possession can reside in that employee’s hands, or if we should hold on to it for now and look for another teammate. If they have proven through pride, initiative, integrity, etc. that they belong, then it is time to allow the development and systems to once again take their part in our success together. I have heard too many say they wish they could get away more, or if I just find the right person. If you feel this way or maybe have even mouthed these words, I will ask “what have you done to develop, systemize, and build trust in your team?”

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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Member of the Ohio Landscape Association for over 25 years. Members of the GCSSA, Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, and ONLA

OLIGER SEED COMPANY

89 Hanna Parkway, Akron, OH 44319 Phone: 330-724-1266 • Fax: 330-724-4810

VISIT WWW.OLIGERSEED.COM

OLA MEETINGS SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 29 E TAYLOR STREET BEDFORD, OH 44146 AGENDA REGISTRATION 5:00PM to 5:30PM FACILITY TOUR 5:30PM to 7:45PM NETWORKING/FOOD SERVED 7:45PM to 8:45PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $50 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

SPONSORED BY

EMERALD SPONSOR

HOSTED BY

CENTRAL OHIO LANDSCAPE FACILITY TOUR Environmental Management, Inc. Established by Mark Wehinger and Gary Clark in March of 1992, Environmental Management, Inc. (EMI) started with 2 employees and 20 customer accounts. By the end of that year they had generated a revenue base of $350,000 and had lofty goals to continue this growth. In 1996, EMI expanded their maintenance operations to include an award-winning Design/Build division and continued to experience tremendous growth over the next 20 years, increasing services to include Commercial Installation, Irrigation and Water Management services, and more.

Superior Results. Local Pride.

Now, in their 30th year, EMI has grown to achieve an average annual revenue of 65 million dollars with a full time staff of 185 landscape professionals and a seasonal staff of 235, making EMI the largest individually owned landscape firm in Ohio. EMI is the only landscape company in Ohio to earn the prestigious National Landscape Industry Accredited Company designation and currently employs the most nationally recognized Certified Landscape Industry Technicians and Managers. In addition to an impeccable business model, EMI is passionate about improving our environment. Through their innovative Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle program, EMI continues to improve the environment while minimizing their footprint. EMI recycles 100% of the yard waste collected and composts it into usable mulch/soil. Their Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices can bypass the use of pesticides using natural effects and their mower fleet uses electronic fuel-injected mowers (reducing fuel usage by 20%).

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S MEETING SCHEDULE ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR INFO. 2.25 CEU’S

Join us, October 6, 2022 as the EMI team gives us a peek into what has made them so successful for 30 years. Space is limited.

SN OW & ICE M A NAG E M E N T

SP O N S O R S HI P SPONSORS A & A HYDRAULIC & EQUIP. ABC EQUIPMENT ABRAXUS SALT AG-PRO BAKER VEHICLE SYSTEMS BIGFOOT LANDSCAPE MATERIALS BOTSON INSURANCE GROUP BURNS JCB OF OHIO CENTURY EQUIPMENT CENWELD CHARDON WELDING CUB CADET ENVIROTECH SERVICES, INC. LEPPO RENTS / BOBCAT M3 WEALTH MANAGEMENT MARSHALL EQUIPMENT MEYER PRODUCTS O’REILLY EQUIPMENT OHIO CAT PROJECT EVERGREEN SIMA SOUTHEASTERN EQUIPMENT VERMEER MID ATLANTIC ZORESCO EQUIPMENT CO. BOOTH SIZE REQUESTED

SPONSORSHIP/EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES

It’s back! The OLA is happy to announce the return of our Annual 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.

SPONSORSHIP/EXHIBIT INFORMATION

Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities are available to ALL Green Industry suppliers, including non snow and ice related businesses. All Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities include:

• • • • • •

Your choice of exhibit size. (Subject to availability. See below for more details.) Your company name displayed on signage at the event. Your company logo, linked to your company’s website, on all email communications promoting the event. Your company logo, linked to your company’s website, on the Snow & Ice Clinic landing page of our industry website. Your company will be recognized at the event and will have the opportunity to pass out marketing materials to attendees. A complimentary copy of the event attendee list, including attendee’s company name, contact person, mailing address & phone number. BOOTH/EXHIBIT SIZES

Booths will be sold on a first-come, first serve basis, once last year’s sponsors have had the opportunity to renew. Exhibitors may set up their booths beginning August 25 at 7:00am. and have until 8:15am to complete set-up. All exhibit spaces will be located outdoors on pavement and should be interactive for attendees. Booths will need to be vacated by 2:00pm.

OPTION #1 10 x 10 BOOTH OLA Member - $400 Non Member - $600

OPTION #2 20 x 30 BOOTH OLA Member - $500 Non Member - $700

OPTION #3 30x40 or 20x60 BOOTH OLA Member - $600 Non Member - $800

Includes: • 10 x 10 Exhibit Space • 2 Exhibitor passes • Breakfast and Lunch

Includes: • 20 x 30 Exhibit Space • 3 Exhibitor passes • Breakfast and Lunch

Includes: • 30 x 40 or 20 x 60 Exhibit Space • 3 Exhibitor passes • Breakfast and Lunch

PLEASE NOTE: 10 x 10 booths are for TABLETOP DISPLAYS ONLY. Absolutely no equipment will be permited in a 10 x 10 booth. 20 x 60 booths will be created by combining (2) 20 x 30 booths. The same can be done for extra 30 x 40 booths.

 10x10 Outdoor Exhibit Space

 20x30 Outdoor Exhibit Space

 30x40 Outdoor Exhibit Space  20x60 Outdoor Exhibit Space

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sponsor Company

Contact

Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

PAYMENT INFORMATION

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

Acct. No.

Exp. Date

Name on Card

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147 Register online, by mail, or by phone: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • www.ohiolandscapers.org

Security Code

SN OW & IC E M A NAG E M E NT

R EG IS T R ATI O N SNOW BUSINESS SUCCESS

EVENT INFORMATION AUGUST 25, 2022 Whether you’re an owner, operations manager, laborer, or anyone in between, the OLA’s Annual 8:30AM - 3:45PM

Snow and Ice Mangement Clinic is a can’t miss event for any company focused on improving how they handle the “white side” of their business. This year’s focus will be on “Understand Your Clients’ ‘Real’ Expectations – Before It Snows” & “Do The Right Thing – Training Trainers and Your Team.” In addition, we will be holding small group instruction covering: Salt Tracking Technology, Anti-Icing/ Liquid Calibration, Mechanical Removal and Sidewalk Removal.

LOCATION ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE 5025 EAST MILL ROAD BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH 44147 AGENDA 8:30AM - 9:00AM REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

KEY NOTE PRESENTER

PHILL SEXTON / WIT ADVISERS Phil Sexton has 30+ years of experience developing and growing businesses in the Landscape, Winter and Facilities Management Industries. As a former technician, manager, executive & company owner, he’s developed a growing concern about the environmental impacts of his trade, and has developed best practices that enable companies to take a sustainable approach to winter management.

9:00AM - 12:00PM PRESENTATION & TRADE SHOW

Understand Your Clients’ ‘Real’ Expectations – Before It Snows • Learn talking points to initiate with clients • Learn to define Scope of Work (SOW) and Level of Service (LOS) expectations • Understand Cycle time and Production Rates for determining resource capacity • Discuss extreme weather event planning

12:00PM - 12:45PM LUNCH

Do The Right Thing – Training Trainers and Your Team • Understand the categories of curriculum content needed to develop internal operator training • Learn techniques for delivering training • Discuss standards of practices for plowing, sidewalk operations and ice management • Learn what to include in a site safety hazard assessment Also: Industry leaders will lead breakout groups focused on helping you find solutions to your labor, equipment, and fuel needs.

MINI TRADE SHOW

Visit industry vendors to see what’s new with displayed snow & ice equipment and products. Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds or credits 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.

12:50PM- 1:55PM PRESENTATION 2:00PM- 4:00PM SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION COST MEMBERS BEFORE 08/11/22 - $89 AFTER 08/11/22 - $119 NON MEMBERS BEFORE 08/11/22 - $139 AFTER 08/11/22 - $169

2022 SNOW & ICE CLINIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 08/18/22

(Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147)

Company

Contact

Address City Phone (______)

State Fax (______)

Zip

NAME OF ATTENDEE (S)

FEE $ $ $

TOTAL DUE

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

Acct. No.

Exp. Date

Name on Card

Signature

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover Security Code

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card 4 CEU’S

F OR SAFETY SAK E

HOW MUCH ARE YOUR FINGERS WORTH? POWER SAW SAFETY It’s impossible to put a price on a good, faithful dog. Or a good, faithful friend. Or one of your fingers or an eye or a hand. Workman’s comp has developed some formulas for the value of a finger, eye and hand, but no one wants that money in exchange for any one of those things. Leaving the grim power saw accidents and emergency room visit statistics behind and seriously focusing on masonry saw safety bodes well for preserving those body parts and more.

Attitude: Needs to be respectful of the danger that power saws represent along with appreciation for their value in speed and efficiency to get a job done.

There are many safety measures in every equipment manual. OSHA and other organizations have compiled copious safety rules, regulations and documents. Employers are required to provide some measure of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the industry, kind of work and other factors.

Alertness: Contributes positively to any saw operation by being well-rested, without distraction, hangover or drowsiness.

But deliberate, safe performance with power saws begins with personal responsibility and the attitude, alertness, training and vigilance of the user.

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Training: Is imperative on every power saw, and includes reading the entire operations manual and being shown how to check, prep, operate and shut down the equipment before using it. Vigilance: Is being aware of the nearby environment, yet totally continued on page 22 attentive to the task at hand.

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LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS BENEFIT FROM A SPECIALIZED INSURANCE PROGRAM. Botson Insurance Group is an expert at insuring companies in the green industry. With over 25 years of experience in protecting landscape contractors, we understand your business and know what it takes to keep you up and running if and when something unfortunate happens. We offer over twenty-five (25) industry specific landscape insurance coverage policies.

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NEED ADVICE? GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

440.537.2292

BOTSONINSURANCEGROUP.COM The Growing Concern | May 2022 | 21

FOR SAFETY SAKE

continued from page 20 Concurrence comes from industry professionals like Product Manager Thomas Techow with Stihl, Inc. “Prior to operating any cut-off machine, or concrete cutter, STIHL recommends that machine users review their product’s [respective] instruction manual, which can also be found on [the manufacturer’s] website to become familiar with the product features and safety information.”

According to Husqvarna [and every other saw manufacturer], “Protecting operators and the surrounding environment from airborne dust is one of the biggest safety concerns facing contractors today due to OSHA’s silica regulations. Silica particles are a severe health hazard and containing dust is now a mandatory part of every contractor’s workday. When dry cutting bricks and blocks, dust can fly everywhere.”

EQUIPMENT

That is one major reason manufacturers have developed “dry cutting” vacuum attachments for their masonry saws. “The addition of the vac attachment makes it possible to cut dry. It is easy to install and once attached, it can stay on the saw all the time. It is also simple to use and as effective as possible when collecting dust,” says Jamie Krueger, Product Manager for Masonry Equipment.

The safety checklist for masonry saw equipment is much the same as for all power saws: • • • • • • • •

Fitted with proper blade Blade is sharp, not dull Cord not worn or broken; ground pin exists on plug Water pump connected, tank full, valve in line with water flow if wet sawing Belts, motor, etc., in good condition Guard rails properly positioned Conveyor free of obstacles or debris Saw support on level, stable ground, wheels locked; using a hand-held circular saw, it’s important that the user is on stable ground and in a solidly supported body position

22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

“Wet cutting” is a sure way to reduce silica dust, but it has its own safety precautions since water and electricity are not exactly compatible elements. Norton, a brand of StainGobain, offers this advice: • • •

Prepare the water supply. Install the water curtain on the cutting head pivot bar. Be sure the water pump is plugged into the connection

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- ALL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP OR DELIVERY Call: (330) 274-2569

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on the masonry saw motor and thatWorkers it will start whenjobs the Prioritize workplace flexibility. prefer main switch ismore turned on. that provide flexibility over those that offer more • The handle onTo thethe small valve shouldgive be positioned in vacation days. extent possible, workers a say line withschedule, water flow. in their work conditions, work organization, • Start motorand andwork be sure that both sides of the blade work the location, tasks. getting adequate water. Use self-paced work, self• are Match tasks to abilities. • At all times, level tasks. covers the screen directed rest make breaks,sure andthe lesswater repetitive the bottom of the pump. work. Prolonged, sedentary • at Avoid prolonged, sedentary • Do or dirtatget deepage. enough in thesit/stand pan to worknot is let badsludge for workers every Consider block the pump workstations andinlet. walking workstations for workers who traditionally sit all day. Provide onsite physical activity A saw guard, or blade cover, is an integral part of the opportunities or connections to low-cost community equipment to prevent those precious fingers from based options. encountering a spinning blade,noise, as well as keeping • Manage hazards. Including slip/trip hazards,small and chipsphysical from becoming missiles. evolves, hazards – flying conditions thatAs cantechnology challenge an aging product developers workforce more. continue to create innovative cutting solutions - such wheel ergo-friendly brake technology while keeping • Provide and asdesign work- environments. safety as a top priority. Workstations, tools, floor surfaces, adjustable seating, better illumination where needed, and screens and TRAINING surfaces with less glare. Training smooth, safe operation any • Utilizeis imperative teams andforteamwork strategies for of agingpower equipment. Two ofsolving. the mostWorkers commonclosest scenarios for associated problem to the saw problem accidents,areespecially circular saws,theare often bestwith equipped to find fix.kickback and lock-in. Kickback occurs when the blade jams or hits a •

foreign objecthealth and jumps back toward user. Itinterventions can happen, • Provide promotion and the lifestyle too, including when the physical blade is being placed back into a partial cut. activity, healthy meal options, tobacco cessation assistance, risk factor reduction and screenings, Lock-in can move away from the operator when coaching, andeverything onsite medical care. Accommodate the blade jams in concrete stone. Proper on use medical self-care in theorworkplace and training time away for of the saw, visits. like making sure the blade is sharp and spinning health at capacity to cut, can reduce or even • full Invest in before trainingbeginning and building worker skills and eliminate the chances of kickback andHelp lock-in. competencies at all age levels. older employees adapt to new technologies, often a concern for employers PERSONAL and older PROTECTION workers. While employersmanage have some mandates on providing personal • Proactively reasonable accommodations and the protection equipment (PPE), anyone a full-time career return-to-work process after illnesswith or injury absences. or part-time work in stone masonry,skills on construction • steady Require aging workforce management training for job sites or evenInclude cuttinga brick home ways should supervisors. focus or on concrete the most at effective to invest in his/her own, well-fitting workplace. items like: manage a multi-generational • Gloves • Hard hat •This Respirator filters on the The National Institute for article firstand appeared •Occupational Safety goggles glasses with(NIOSH) side shields Safetyorand Health’s website, located at •www.cdc.gov/niosh. Steel toe bootsNIOSH’s mission is to develop new knowledge •in the Snug clothing safety and health and to transfer that fieldwork of occupational •knowledge Ear protection into practice. Their vision: Safer, Healthier Workers. continued on page 24 • Brightly colored vest

The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 23 The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 23

FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 23 Instruction manuals also contain guidance on personal protective equipment. And, it bears repeating as many times as it takes to become embedded in the mind of a mason not to wear jewelry, open shirts, ball caps or other hats that can slide off in a sweat, tool belts, loose pants or non-secure eye glasses or sunglasses while operating any power saw. If you think it’ll never happen to you, ask someone who has been injured in a power saw accident if they thought it would ever happen to them. Few or none will say it was on their agenda.

ENVIRONMENT The environment in which stone or brick cutting occurs can have a major impact on safety. Cars or trucks passing close by kicking up their own dust can be both a distraction and a danger. People milling around who are not professional workers can pose hazards unwittingly and may inhale silica dust. Nearby generators and other open equipment can be damaged with dust settling onto and into them. Ideally, a power saw cutting stone should be 100 ft. from unprotected people and uncovered equipment. The operator’s feet should be on firm ground, and if it’s muddy, planks or boards should be placed under the saw and operator. Everyone using a saw should be cognizant of what is behind him or her, so there are no surprises while the machine is running. This includes loose dogs, kites, traffic, etc. — anything that could startle or interrupt the cutting task. Leave taking chances to the card table or buying Monopoly property with your kids and grandkids. And keep in mind six of the many safety reminders airplane pilots embrace before every flight: • • • • • •

Shortcuts can be lethal. Only proficiency counts. Know your airplane [saw] ~ know it well! By controlling yourself, you can control the airplane [saw]. Be the best you can be. As a pilot [stone mason], you don’t need to prove anything to anybody.

This article was written by Joanne M. Anderson, a Southwest Virginia freelance writer and frequent contributor to Masonry Magazine and Mason Design Magazine. More safety articles like this may be found at www.masonrymagazine.com/blog.

24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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AR T IC L E

FOR SAFETY SAK E NETWORKING EVENT

WOMEN IN LANDSCAPE

Professional Networking Event Women started owning landscape maintenance companies 40 or more years ago. At the time, society was slowly changing toward respecting women working. However, the green industry has been slower towards embracing these gifted women - a group that shares strong qualities, such as tenacity, determination, and the strength to rise above any discrimination they receive in the landscaping industry.

COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: NO CHARGE

The OLA’s Women in Landscape Group was created for the purposes of connecting, empowering, and advocating for women in the landscape industry. We want to help drive the change necessary to recruit and retain female professionals while amplifying the voices of current & future women leaders. If you are female, you are invited to join this FREE networking group. (Note: Based on group consensus, males may be invited to join from time to time.)

FOOD/BEVERAGE: ATTENDEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FOOD AN BEVERAGE PURCHASES.

Our second & third meetings, scheduled for August 11, 2022 and October 20, 2022 will be informal events used to determine future topics of conversation for the group. You may sign up for one, or both events online at ohiolandscapers.org/meetings.

NOTE: NON-MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THEIR FIRST MEETING FREE OF CHARGE. THEREAFTER, THEY WILL NEED TO HOLD A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IN ORDER TO ATTEND.

GUEST MODERATOR

KATE STONE/ YARD SMART LANDSCAPING INC.

Graduating with Bachelors Degrees in Business Management and Marketing from Tiffin University in 2018, Kate utilizes her education to fulfill many roles within her family’s company. She is eager to fill any position as needed and is currently learning the processes of the company both in the field and alongside Bruce. Kate is certified by the Ohio Landscape and Nurserymen’s Association as an Ohio Certified Nursery Technician (OCNT). NOTE: The moderator for our October meeting will be announced at the conclusion of our August meeting.

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Old River Tap and Social transformed a former long-time bar/restaurant into a cool industrial modern spot with two distinct spaces. The Tap Room, upfront, is perfect for your lunch or night out with comfortable seating spread across our bar, tables and open drink rails. And our Social Room in back provides just the right amount of fun to enjoy a game of cornhole, some table games or grab a seat at our open air bar to watch the games on TV.

F EATUR E

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DATE & LOCATION SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 OLD RIVER TAP AND SOCIAL 19245 DETROIT RD, ROCKY RIVER, OH 44116 AGENDA NETWORKING & DISCUSSION 6:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN LANDSCAPE Professional Networking Event

Interestingly enough - and to many people’s surprise - the average age of a landscape contractor is over 40 years old, representing over half of the population. With demand for our industry’s services at an all-time high, and because Father Time is still undefeated, we must turn our focus toward the next generation of rising talent.

COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: NO CHARGE

The OLA’s Young Professionals in Landscape Group is being created to provide a platform to connect, share experiences, and exchange ideas with peers in our industry, within the state of Ohio. If you are under 40 years old, you are invited to join this FREE Young Professionals Network and connect with people who are on a similar career path and share your passion for our industry.

FOOD/BEVERAGE: ATTENDEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FOOD AN BEVERAGE PURCHASES.

Our second meeting, scheduled for September 29, 2022, will be an informal event used to determine future topics of conversation for the group. Sign up for this event online at ohiolandscapers.org/meetings.

NOTE: NON-MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THEIR FIRST MEETING FREE OF CHARGE. THEREAFTER, THEY WILL NEED TO HOLD A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IN ORDER TO ATTEND.

GUEST MODERATOR

CAMERON MANERI / WOLF CREEK COMPANY

Cameron is an experienced Branch Manager, currently working for Wolf Creek Company, a wholesale trade distributor specializing in irrigation, landscape lighting, water feature, drainage and related products., He previously served as Store Manager for Kurtz Bros., Inc. With 11+ years of industry experience, Cameron has Foreman experience, having worked for H.A.M. Landscaping, and is considered a Hardscape Specialist. He holds an Associate’s degree in Business Management from Lakeland Community College. Cameron is also currently an Adjunct Professor with Cuyahoga Community College.

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JIM FUNAI, PhD

Cuyahoga Community College Alexander von Humboldt: The man who made nature modern.

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC

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GREAT WESTERN PLANT EXPLORERS ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT Alexander von Humboldt was born in 1769 in Berlin, Prussia, which eventually became Germany about 100 years after his birth. Born to a high-ranking political family, his older brother was a Prussian Diplomat vital to the Congress of Vienna (1815), which redrew the map of Western and Central Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Unlike the rest of his family, Alexander had little interest in politics. Instead, he was drawn to the natural world and its exploration. Known for his ability to study, he became an expert in many different fields of science. His education at the Freiberg School of Mines led to a position with the Prussian government as a mine inspector. During this period, he discovered more gold than the empire had ever found prior to his appointment and became known for labor reform changes that were instrumental in improving the working conditions for miners. His love of learning took him across Europe, where he met and befriended some of the greatest minds of his time.

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

As he learned and became more connected, in addition to having access to his family’s wealth, his ability to explore the world around him expanded. In 1799, he solicited sponsorship from the Spanish government to begin his first major expedition to Venezuela. He then traveled to Cuba, the Andes, New Spain (Mexico), and onto the United States in 1804 where he became good friends with President Thomas Jefferson. Later in life, he explored across Russia (1829). In 1859, he passed away at the age of 89 in his continued on page 30 home city of Berlin.

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continued from page 28 It feels wrong to attempt to summarize this incredible scientist’s life in a few paragraphs, so we recommend a fascinating book, Alexander von Humboldt: How the Most Famous Scientist of the Romantic Age Found the Soul of Nature. This book will take you through his expeditions, discoveries, and publications. It is no exaggeration to say, his discoveries have an impact on your every-daily life. Humboldt’s work spanned the disciplines, so there are more than just plants named after him. Many animals incorporate his name, such as the Humboldt Penguin, Humboldt Squid, and Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk. He has a mineral named after him; Humboldtine. Countless geographic locations are named after him; Humboldt Bay (California), Humboldt Range (Nevada), Humboldt Glacier (Greenland), Humboldt Peak (Colorado), Humboldt Falls (New Zealand), Humboldt Redwood State Park (California), and many more. There are numerous cities across the world bearing his name. There’s even a feature on our moon named after him. If you are an arborist, you may recognize the name of one of the notches we use in felling a tree – the Humboldt notch. You get the point! In the plant world, Alexander von Humboldt was well known for working closely with indigenous populations to explore

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

their natural world. While he made every effort to learn from them, but not exploit their culture or treasures, eventually his introduction of hundreds of plant species to the western world unintentionally helped fuel the Imperialist Age which exploited much of South and Central America. Here are just a few of the plants named after Humboldt: Quercus humboldtii – The Andean Oak is a beautiful, evergreen oak found in Columbia and Panama. It is a vital part of the montane forests of all three ranges spanning the Andes through Columbia. While you can find this plant in southern botanical gardens here in the US, you won’t find it in Ohio, as it grows in regions that don’t get nearly as cold as ours. Unfortunately, this species is losing habitat due to development for cattle farms – a major factor in rapid global climate change. In turn, this change is heating the mountains where it grows, further changing the forest’s ecosystem and expediting its demise. More likely than not, this oak will become extinct in the next 50 years. Lilium humboldtii – Humboldt’s Lily is a beautiful, orange lily that reaches about 8 feet tall. It is native to California and Baja California, yet can be found in the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and other southern costal ranges. It prefers the steep

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slopes of these ranges. Ironically, this plant is also endangered due to human encroachment on its habitat, increased wildfires, the rise in global temperatures and drought. There are several butterfly species which are dependent on this plant and will also become extinct as it fades from our natural world. Annona humboltii – Known as “Custard Apple,” this tropical plant of Cuba and Central America is closely related to our native Paw-Paw (Asimina triloba). In fact, our Paw-Paw is the only non-tropical member of the family. Since this plant is a food plant, it has found increased cultivation and can now be found in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Australia, and Africa as a commercially produced fruit. Geranium humboltii – This is an endangered species of Geranium which is native to Ecuador and Peru. Like many of the plants discovered by von Humboldt, human interruption is a major threat to the continued existence of this plant. While we may not be talking much about specific plants this month, we thought a discussion of Alexander von Humboldt would be much more interesting. He moved away from the mainstream politics of his time and become a major player in the “Enlightenment.” Focused on botany, geography,

and geology, along with human rights and environmental protection, he fought against the bourgeoisie (middle class that held economic power) to spread scientific understanding and care for our world among the proletariat (working class). Humboldt’s writing shows a desire to build the economy through empowering and paying the working class in a way that preserves the natural world and creates sustainable ecosystems, much like we desire in the Green Industry today.

Jim Funai, PhD is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He has 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.

The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 31

FEATURE ARTI CLE

STRATEGIES TO RECESSION-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS When business owners wear many hats and are crunched for time, the basic practices of good business hygiene often are the first to be put on the back burner, along with practices surrounding planning, cultivating business strategies, and investing in growth. Yet during a recession, these practices may make all the difference to a business’ success. To insulate your business against the next recession, choose the most appropriate from among these 26 strategies categorized into four buckets: good hygiene, preplanning, cultivation and investing.

GOOD HYGIENE 1. Create a cash flow plan. Running out of cash is always a top concern for business owners, but it becomes especially important during a recession. Start by getting a handle on your current cash balances and monthly sources and uses of cash. Create a rolling cash flow forecast for the next quarter to guide the management team and serve as an early warning tool that alerts them to variances. 2. Assess workforce needs. Take stock of the number of employees and their skills to ensure they align with what your business may need during a recession. Be ready to make adjustments so that employees work efficiently and are organized in a way that maximizes their potential.

32 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

3. Operate within your budget. This tip is the core of good business hygiene. It makes intuitive sense to operate within your budget, so that the business is in the best possible position should a recession hit. In fact, following a budget or operating plan is a best practice at all times. 4. Build up employee skills. You’ll need to rely on your team to help your business stay flexible, pivot, and think creatively during a recession, so it’s important that employees are in prime shape to meet these challenges. Building up skills and cross-training staff can help achieve that end. As a practical matter, investing in employees can help them feel more connected to the business and more willing to go the extra mile when they are called on to do so.

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5. Track marketing key performance indicators (KPIs). It’s critical to track marketing results and continue to monitor marketing KPIs. Only campaigns that are achieving their desired results should continue; those that aren’t should be stopped. 6. Beat the competition. This is a popular rallying cry for many businesses, but it takes a different turn as part of recession-proofing. Recessions have a way of weeding out certain companies as they jockey for their share of a shrinking market. Some companies can’t ride out longer recessionary periods. For these reasons, it’s important to be a market leader, collecting intel on your customers before a recession hits. You can start by gaining an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses compared to your competitors’ — from the customer’s perspective. 7. Be patient. Several studies indicate that medium-to-large family businesses have particular success weathering economic downturns. Their success is partially credited to multiple generations having the wisdom and experience to patiently ride out the ups and downs of many business cycles. The resulting levelheaded crisis management and long-term perspective supports their ability to be patient.

PREPLANNING 8. Know your liquidity options. Investigate potential sources of capital before you’ll need to use them. Consider revolving loans, owner infusions, alternative financing, private equity and government resources, including loans backed by the Small Business Administration. 9. Establish flexible client agreements. One way to help build customer loyalty is through negotiated flexibility, where one hand washes the other. One idea is to customize offerings in exchange for faster payment terms. In addition to enhancing variables that help stabilize revenue streams, being flexible can create goodwill and repeat customers. 10. Create a business emergency fund. Just as every financial planner tells individual savers to establish an emergency fund to cover personal expenses, a cash cushion is a wise business investment, too — especially for smaller companies that can’t easily tap debt markets the way a large enterprise might. Create an emergency cash fund that can cover up to six months of essential costs, including payroll, inventory and utilities. Aggressively collecting receivables can help get you started. Consider business continuity insurance as a different path to the same objective. continued on page 34 The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 33

F EATURE ARTI CLE

continued from page 33 11. Assess your organization’s risk tolerance. Do a gut check on how much risk your organization can handle, its risk attitude, and how much additional risk it’s willing to take on. It’s important to do an honest assessment of your leaders, your staff and your systems to determine how adaptable they are and how much risk they can absorb before cracking under pressure. Layer in the hard costs of missing goals as well as the soft costs, such as reputation management. With that background, consider how much additional risk your business is willing to take on and create a range of tolerance, along with metrics for measuring it. 12. Pay down debt. Coming into a recession as debt-free as possible positions a company to have the highest amount of capital available to draw on in the future, should you need it. Prepayment of debt may also save some interest expenses, which can be tucked away in cash reserves (see No. 10). 13. Find ways to cut back. Cutting back operating expenses can be a challenging task, since maintaining a services’s level of quality is particularly important during a recession. Whatever you decide to cut should be invisible to customers. When looking for ways to

34 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

cut back, it’s helpful to start with the biggest costs and see if there are small tweaks that can result in big expense reductions, such as taking advantage of early pay discounts from suppliers. 14. Create an action plan before business slows down. It’s a good practice to do scenario planning and develop action plans — which can be done well before a crisis hits. Creating thoughtful action plans can help minimize errors made under stress or bad decisions made in the moment. Soliciting employee ideas can prebake their buy-in. 15. Reduce overhead. Overhead costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of revenue, so they become particularly problematic in a recession. But a slash-and-burn approach can cause more harm than good, so it’s helpful to identify three stages of overhead reductions: easy trimming, cuts that require process changes, and drastic cuts. Easy trimming might include renegotiating contracts with suppliers, or reducing or eliminating staff perks. The next stage might include outsourcing certain functions of your business. Drastic overhead reductions are those that can yield the most savings but are the most disruptive, such as employee layoffs, or real estate consolidation. Identifying ways to reduce overhead in advance of a recession can help with scenario planning (No. 14).

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16. Downsize inventory. Inventory costs money and requires careful monitoring. During a recession, when inventory turnover may be slow, inventory can become even more costly, since it becomes more susceptible to obsolescence, theft, damage, and higher costs for longer storage. While inventory managers may be predisposed to downsizing inventory to combat these costs, it’s important to maintain a balance between converting inventory to cash and retaining the ability to fulfill orders. Stockouts mean lost revenue and can impair customer relationships. Downsize the less popular, less profitable and more easily replaced inventory to increase cash flow while also evaluating the supply chain and considering stocking up on best sellers. 17. Consider financing before an emergency happens. It’s a good idea to do some prework on financing before you need it. Some examples include appraising assets that might be used as collateral, discussing trade credit options with vendors, improving your business’ credit rating, or renegotiating extended payment terms on existing loans.

CULTIVATION 18. Create multiple revenue streams. This strategy requires some out-of-the-box thinking about

how your business can tap into new revenue streams using its current infrastructure. The concept involves capturing new money without making a major investment. 19. Modify your offerings. Identify ways to modify an offering to make it more attractive to customers during a downturn. Modifications can be made to the product/service itself, how it’s delivered, or how it’s priced, in order to cater to the way customer needs might change during an economic downturn. Examples include offering new service packagess, customer-friendly payment plans, or offering services at different intervals. 20. Invest time in client relationships. Staying close to your customer makes sense in all economic climates and especially during a recession. Understanding their changing needs may put your business in a position to preserve revenue and even penetrate the market more deeply. 21. Strategize as if you plan to sell your business. Many businesses rely heavily on a few key people to keep running. However, business owners should set their businesses up to survive on their own, similar to the role of continued on page 36 parents launching capable children. The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 35

F EATURE ARTI CLE continued from page 35 One way to achieve this objective is to set up a business and its processes in a way that would continue to be successful if the company were sold to an outside entity. Often this requires changing processes, delegating authority and a lot of staff training. This idea makes sense regardless of the macroeconomic conditions, but it is especially important during a recession because it allows the business owner to steer the ship rather than row the boat. 22. Niche down. Take a page from some of the recession-proof industries, whose customers continue to purchase goods and services perceived as essential. Create a similar sentiment among your customers even if your product or service is not as essential as, say, ambulance services. One way to achieve this is to niche down. Niching down means to cater so much to a specific need that your business becomes the essential go-to for it. Instead of an all-purpose bakery, become a glutenfree bakery. Instead of running a sporting goods store, become a soccer store. Instead of being a realtor, be a firsttime homebuyer consultant. You get the idea. But you must choose wisely: Niching down requires truly mastering the niche. Otherwise customers will become dissatisfied and alienated. It’s not an easy strategy to execute, but if it’s done well, customers will be more likely to support your business, preserving your revenue. 23. Invest in strategic partnerships. Sometimes there can be strength in numbers. Some strategic partnerships can help make products or services more attractive to customers. Other times, it’s an unfortunate way of slicing up a smaller revenue pie. Choose partners that increase the perceived value of your product, since value, quality and durability tend to be key attributes customers seek out during hard times. 24. Consider the pivot. In business, pivoting means adjusting your path to meet customers where they are going. Pivoting is not a wholesale change. Instead, it leverages the current business in a different way. Sometimes a pivot can be planned, but more often it involves making in-the-moment calls on the field after the market has started to decline. It can be a recession-proofing strategy or simply a way to survive the decline of a specific market. A successful pivot requires staying in close contact with customers and maintaining a willingness to step away from tried-and-true thinking. Examples of successful small business pivots can be seen in the restaurant industry, where

36 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

businesses pivoted from offering fine dining experiences to boxed meals for takeaway, or cafes pivoted into small grocery stores. A corporate example of a pivot, and probably one of the most notable, would be Netflix’s move from delivering DVDs to your mailbox to streaming content provider.

INVESTING 25. Diversify investments. At first glance, this strategy may conjure ideas of diversifying a personal investment portfolio — a good idea and applicable if the business holds investments. However, this strategy is meant to challenge business owners to think about where they have invested capital, such as fixed assets and external partnerships. Analyze the return on investments for current holdings and consider shifting funds to existing and new investments with higher returns. For example, there may be opportunities to purchase new machinery or even another firm at a bargain price. 26. Don’t skip nurture campaigns. Since a key focus of recession-proofing is preserving revenue, it’s important to continue marketing and promotion efforts. Loyalty campaigns geared toward recapturing past customers or increasing penetration with current customers can help keep the customer base healthy. Often, it’s more costly to find new customers than to stimulate current ones. Targeted promotions, especially those that align with customer pain points, can help increase market share if competitors go dark.

CONCLUSION By the time business leaders know they’re in a recession, many may feel it’s too late to do anything more meaningful than slash costs. Recession-proofing a business must begin long before the economic downturn arrives. Recessionproofing is best approached in a thoughtful, measured way to avoid potential errors, which are more likely to occur when managers are ill-prepared for a crisis. It requires a balance of surgical cost cutting, smart customer marketing and strategic investment. Consider these 26 recession-proofing tips to help your company survive or even thrive during an economic slowdown.

This article was written by Kristina Russo, CPA, MBA, and Author. She is a New York-based writer with expertise in accounting, finance, marketing and business management. This article appeared on the Oracle Netsuite blog, located at www. netsuite.com/portal/resource/articles/business-strategy

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OLA MEMBERS HELP BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES How many of you ever stop to think about the impact you have on others because of what you do every day? If you don’t, you really should, because The Green Industry impacts everyone. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. We build and maintain stronger, healthier, and more beautiful communities. WE provide homeowners with an outdoor sanctuary, a space that promotes outdoor family activities, a space for entertaining family and friends. WE increase curb appeal and home values. WE provide businesses with beautiful campuses that attract customers and employees alike. Just think about all of the municipalities, residential developments, and college campuses that show off photos of their landscapes in their brochures because it is appealing to potential residents, clients, and students. You cannot step outside your home, business, or school without seeing trees, shrubs, perennials, grass, etc., that would not be there without Green Industry professionals. You are all rock stars! That said, sometimes there are public green spaces that are never going to see money budgeted to improve them. A prime example of this is Helen Simpson Park in Cleveland. The park was built and dedicated to one the first black women to

38 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

become an executive in the broadcasting field after she was tragically murdered, in 1972, on her way home from work. This park is heavily used by the surrounding residents in homes and apartments and is the only nearby green space in walking distance. Over the years, this park began to look tired and neglected. That’s when Project Evergreen stepped in. Project Evergreen, a national non-profit dedicated to revitalizing park and public green spaces (amongst other things) invited OLA to be part of a donated community service project focused on

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It was so inspiring to see how quickly a group of lawn and landscape professionals – people who had never met before – could quickly work together like a well-oiled machine. When we pulled up in the morning, the space looked drab, uninviting, and certainly didn’t pay proper respect to Helen Simpson, nor did it provide the local community with the type of outdoor space they desired.

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renovating the park. Our board of directors was quick to agree to participate and OLA members jumped right in to help! It all came to fruition on June 29th. Stephanie Gray (BrightView) and Tri-C students helped to plan the landscape beds. Kurt Kluznik (Yardmaster) did takeoffs of materials required and planned the work that needed to be done, as well as provided staff members, hand tools, wheel barrows, and a truck and trailer to take away the yard waste. Davey Tree Expert Company and Bartlett Tree Co. provided much needed tree work. Advanced Turf donated fertilizer and grass seed. Klyn Nurseries and Lake County Nursery donated plant material. Buyansky Outdoor Supply donated topsoil and mulch. Nate Rumple (Leppo Rents/Bobcat of Cleveland) came with a Bobcat and saved us a lot of hours and sore backs! WeedMan also provided lawn care services and lunch for everyone helping out on project day. We also met new friends from Turf Pride Lawn Care and Paradise Landscapes who both provided staff members. (We hope they will become members in the near future, as they share the same sense of community that OLA fosters!

As the trucks pulled away that afternoon, everyone could be proud of a job well done. The park was renewed. The sidewalks and landscape beds were edged, existing trees and shrubs were pruned, new plants and trees planted, mulch spread, and lawn treated. Helen Simpson Park is once again an inviting place to sit or play thanks to our community of professionals serving a local residential community. I am so proud of everyone involved! To watch a cool video about the project, go to www.ohiolandscapers.org.

The Growing Concern | August 2022 | 39

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Cleveland, OH Permit No. 2280

9240 Broadview Road Broadview Hts., OH 44147-2517

08/22

Mid-States

DARE TO COMPARE

Ditch Witch Stand-On Skid Steers - Built to OUTperform

SK600

Small

SK800

Big

1-888-DITCHWITCH ditchwitchmidstates.com

SK1050

Bigger

SK1550

Biggest

Columbus, OH Full Service Branch

Louisville, KY Full Service Branch

Pittsburgh, PA Full Service Branch

Erlanger, KY Service Branch

3660 Interchange Rd, Columbus,OH 43204 400 Sparrow Dr, Shepherdsville,KY 40165 Phone 614-443-9751 | Fax 614-443-9219 Phone 502-543-3309 | Fax 502-543-9613 9052 Marshall Rd, Cranberry Twp,PA 16066 3461 Piedmont Cr, Erlanger KY 41018 Phone 724-742-2844 | Fax 724-742-2877 Phone 859-263-5050 (by appt. only)

SK3000-Full Size CTL

“The Beast”

Cincinnati, OH Satellite Service Phone 513-672-3060

Cleveland, OH Satellite Service Phone 330-220-6585

Rochester, NY Satellite Service Phone 585-334-2920