The Growing Concern July 2021 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

JU L Y 2 0 2 1

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

And the Award Goes to...

See the full list of 2020’s Landscape Ohio! Award Winners / PAGES 21-27

Snow & Ice Management Clinic July 22, 2021 / Broadview Heights, Ohio / PAGES 38-39

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

JAMES FUNAI, Ph.D. Cuyahoga Community College

THERE’S MORE TO EVERY STORY PRACTICE KEEPING AN OPEN MIND As I sit down to write to you, I am beginning to look forward to the return of many of our in-person events, including; OLA’s Landscape Ohio! Awards, our annual Plant I.D. Clinics, our annual Snow and Ice Management Clinic, and our NEO Facility Tour (taking place at award-winning OLA member KGK Gardening & Design, located in Hudson, Ohio). Our greatest strength as an organization is our culture of sharing and discussing issues, which helps our entire membership thrive. With that in mind, the training exercise I’d like us all to engage in this month centers on our ability to hear other’s ideas. The 14th incarnation of the Dalai Lama perhaps said it best by stating, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” What a powerful revelation for each of us to consider. As a country, we are emerging on the other side of extremely turbulent times, fraught with political chaos, anger, confusion, and fear. We’ve allowed our national discourse to become hateful, swimming in blatant disregard of those who are simply seeking the truth. Social media has thrived on beating people down with opinion, while our news media chases story after story, pushing a fear-driven narrative in the absence of

truth. The common thread in it all: We’ve forgotten how to listen. EVERYONE is talking. NO ONE is listening… and it’s about time for us to emerge and shed this horrible way of living by starting to hear one another, again. That being said, let us try to listen more as we continue to wade through COVID confusion. This summer and fall we will undoubtedly find ourselves on the COVID rollercoaster, full of opinion, health orders, advisories, and “facts.” As of writing, the country is around 50% vaccinated, with Ohio hovering right around 45%. We do not know how those numbers will change but, likely, we will face plenty of challenges as we are not near herd immunity as far as science goes. To that end, I would like to encourage everyone to consider something. You do not need to share your opinion about masks, or vaccines, or any other personal choices that someone else makes. If a business has a sign up asking you to wear a mask, that is their right and there are reasons they made that choice. If you see someone wearing a mask, leave it alone. It is not your business, but it is their right. There is more to their story and if they want to share, you can listen. If not, assume they have a continued on page 6 valid reason and just move on. The Growing Concern | July 2021 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS J U L Y 2 0 2 1 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 DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr.

COVER: Landscape Ohio! Honor Award winner, McCaskey Landscape & Design, for their entry in the category of Residential Installation.

FEATURES

3 8 12 18 21 28 32 40 44 46 47

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

There’s More to Every Story: Practice Keeping an Open Mind

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Salvia: Perennial Sage

FISCAL FITNESS

Establish Investing Goals

FOR SAFETY SAKE

8 Simple Tips for Summer Safety

LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARD WINNERS PLANT OF THE MONTH

Orixa Japonica: Japanese Orixa

REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org. 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. OFFICERS President James Funai, PhD.

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

President – Elect Brian Maurer, LIC

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

FEATURE ARTICLE

5 Simple Strategies to Grow Your Landscape Business

Treasurer Stephanie Gray, LIC

FEATURE ARTICLE

Immediate Past President Domenic Lauria

The Power of Peer Networking

DIRECTIONS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

DIRECTORS Brandon Barker Keith Clapper Ryan Drake Cameron Maneri Rob Morel Jeff Rupp

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

JULY

OCTOBER

JULY 22, 2021 OLA ANNUAL SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT CLINIC

OCTOBER 7, 2021 PLANT HEALTHCARE DAY

Whether you’re an owner, operations manager, dispatcher, or anyone in between, this is a can’t miss event for any company focused on improving how they handle the “white side” of their business. This year’s event will focus on Chemical & Salt Applications, as well as Site Engineering & Planning, and will feature a spreader calibration demonstration focused on increasing your company’s bottom line. Call the OLA at 440.717.0002 for available booth/sponsorship opportunities. See pages 38-39 for more details.

This full-day workshop combines all aspects of Plant Health Care (PHC) for both technicians and managers, with live demonstrations of PHC techniques – services based on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and proactive tree care management. Held on the grounds of Secrest Arboretum. Registration will open soon.

JULY 27, 2021 (CENTRAL OHIO) JULY 29, 2021 (NORTHEAST OHIO) OLA PLANT I.D. CLINIC These clinics are a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews, covering the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Many of the plants that will be covered are on the plant list for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test. Sponsored & hosted by Davis Tree Farm & Nursery (NEO) and Premier Plant Solutions (Central Ohio). See page 7 for more details.

OCTOBER 14, 2021 (TENTATIVE) CENTRAL OHIO FACILITY TOUR (Yard Solutions) Established in 1990, Yard Solutions is an organization with a strong set of values and is dedicated to providing outdoor environments that enrich people’s lives. They are committed to employee development and the customer experience. With over 25 years in the Property Maintenance and Design/Build industry, their organization understands the business from every angle. Join us as we tour Yard Solutions’ facility, located in Groveport, OH. More information to come in August.

AUGUST AUGUST 5, 2021 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC 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. Call the OLA at 800-335-6521 for available sponsorship opportunities. See pages 16-17 for more details.

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 NE OHIO FACILITY TOUR (KGK Gardening & Design Corp.) KGK conscientiously seeks perfection – and it shows! Their team of professionals has earned an unsurpassed reputation in NE Ohio for creativity and excellence in the field of landscape design and construction. Join us as we tour KGK’s exceptional facility, located in Hudson, Ohio, to find out what has made them so successful for nearly 30 years. See pages 43 for more details. Note: This event has limited capacity.

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PR E S IDENT’ S C OL UMN continued from page 3 Let us also try to listen more to those youth who are actively trying to enter the workforce. Until this happens, we will continue to struggle finding people who want to work in our businesses. As I stated in last month’s article, we’ve all heard the discussion plenty of times; “No one wants to work for a living.” And we all continue to repeat this, as if it is something we innately “know.” However, what if we tried to actively listen to the types of people we are ultimately looking to attract?

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I hear a lot of people talking about raising the minimum wage, increasing employee benefits, providing more work/life balance. That seems like something we should at least listen to, no? Granted, there are some outlandish statements that have been made, and certain jobs that seem unsustainable at $15 an hour, but there are also some good points being made that deserve to be heard. I can certainly say companies seeking our graduates are most successful well above $15/hour. Having to work overtime to make enough money to raise a family? That is not something that grabs attention. A 40-hour work week should be plenty to make a living on and this is what the new workforce is demanding. There are a lot of ideas to pay people well, give them the work/life balance they need, provide benefits, and give them a career they can be proud of. Listen to the ideas. Consider them. See what can be applied to your company, and what cannot. Finally, let’s try to listen to people who do not vote the same as us. Politics don’t have to be so ridiculously polarizing. We’ve allowed our politicians to build this narrative that issues can only be viewed as right or wrong – good or evil – American or Communist/Socialist. The truth is, nothing in the political realm is black and white and we need to open our ears more than we open our mouths. You have a right to your opinion, as does everyone else in the country, and we all need to listen more and work together in order to find common ground. This means each party gives some to find peace and fairness. I, for one, would love to see us get back to a place where we listen to one another and realize that we have WAY more in common than what it is that polarizes us.

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This is a great industry. We are doing great things for the world. We are future focused and on the front line of combating the speed at which our climate is changing. As we gather more this summer and fall, let’s all promise to listen more and consider others’ views as valid, then keep working together to find the common ground on which we all stand. I cannot wait to see all of you out at our events and get back to building our great organization together!

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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PL ANT OF THOLA E M ON TH EDUCATION SERIES

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COURSE INFO JULY 27, 2021 PREMIER PLANT SOLUTIONS 6981 SCIOTO DARBY RD, HILLIARD, OH 43026 (30 PERSON CAP)

PLANT I.D. CLINIC

JULY 29, 2021 DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY 6126 NEFF RD. VALLEY CITY, OHIO 44280 (30 PERSON CAP)

Those who should attend are plant installation staff, maintenance staff, garden center staff, foreman, and anyone studying to take the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test.

AGENDA STAGGERED STARTING TIMES 8AM TILL 9:45AM (REGISTRANTS WILL BE ASSIGNED START TIMES ONCE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.)

This Plant ID Clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews that will cover the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Many of the plants that will be covered are on the plant list for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test, including: perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, as well as trees and shrubs – both evergreen and deciduous.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This seminar is hands-on training with live plant material. Attendees will need their own notepad and pen, and will need to dress appropriately for outdoor practical training. Due to current social distancing requirements, class/group sizes are limited and will be deligated starting times on a first come, first serve basis.

INSTRUCTED BY

STAGGERED ENDING TIMES 1:45PM TILL 3:30PM CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED COST OLA MEMBERS - $79 NON MEMBERS - $109

Wendy Moore Davis Tree Farm

Marie McConnell Lake County Nursery

Robin Knaup Premier Plant Solutions

Jason Veil Secrest Arboretum

Jim Funai, Ph.D. Cuyahoga Community College

Instructor TBD Premier Plant Solutions

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. Register early as class size is limited and will sell out quickly.

2021 PLANT I.D. CLINIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 07/20/21

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

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

NAME OF ATTENDEE

FEE

 July 27th, Hilliard, OH

 July 29th, Valley City, OH

 July 27th, Hilliard, OH

 July 29th, Valley City, OH

 July 27th, Hilliard, OH

 July 29th, Valley City, OH

 July 27th, Hilliard, OH

 July 29th, Valley City, OH

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

Acct. No. Name on Card

Exp. Date

Security Code

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card 4.5 CEU’S

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb Purple works with any color scheme. My front gardens are pink, purple, and white in spring and early summer, so the use of Salvia is a natural.

SALVIA

PERENNIAL SAGE One of the mainstays of the perennial garden is Salvia. Say Salvia to a gardener and there’s a good chance that what will come to mind is one of the annual Salvias, either the bright red, 12 inch one that’s often used in red, white, and blue combinations, or the 18 inch Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria’. More recently, some of the taller and larger leafed salvias like ‘Rockin Purple’ or ‘Black and Blue’ have become somewhat trendy. However, the perennial Salvia species best known and most widely used is Salvia x nemerosa (formerly superba) and its cultivars. All are clumpers and have ovate, slightly toothed foliage that is dark green and slightly aromatic as a result of being a member of the mint family (without being an aggressive spreader). In fact, in 1997, Salvia ‘May Night’ was the Perennial Plant of the Year. One of the greatest assets of these Salvias is their reliability. Hardy to zone 4, the vagaries of winter weather never seem to affect them and deer and

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

rabbits usually ignore them. The most important factor in survival is drainage, also true for most perennials. Good drainage prevents root rot. ‘May Night’ is eighteen inches tall, has dark purple spikes, is attractive to pollinators, blooms at the end of May and into June, and will rebloom throughout the summer and fall if deadheaded. Once established, most cultivars are drought tolerant but best rebloom occurs with occasional watering. continued on page 10

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

Salvia farinacea is an integral part of this annuals composition in a Paris park. The color scheme could be easily implemented with perennials.

continued from page 8 One of my favorite cultivars is ‘Caradonna’. It has all the attributes of ‘May Night’ but also has purple stems. Mine is situated at the front of a sunny border. In late May and June, it is part of a pink/purple color scheme with Rosa ‘New Dawn’, Geranium psilostemon, and Rosa ‘William Baffin’. In July and August, the roses are no longer blooming and the color scheme changes to purple, orange, and yellow. There are other purple echoes with Delphinium exaltatum (Larkspur) and Verbena bonariensis but also great contrast with Echibeckia Summerina ‘Blazing Fire’ and Kniphofia ‘Orange Blaze’. Not shown in the photo are some yellow canna that take up summer residence on the right.

If you need a very short cultivar, try ‘Marcus’. Just be aware that you’ll be on your knees to deadhead this one. New cultivars and hybrids are being brought to market frequently. The Fashionista series, taller than most at twenty-six inches, includes breeding with S. pratensis and supposedly will repeat bloom. There are also rosy pink and white cultivars as well as pale blue ones like ‘Bumblesky’ and Color Spires ‘Crystal Blue’. If you haven’t already put some salvias into your designs, now is the time to start. 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

A relatively recent introduction to the industry is Salvia ‘Lyrical Blues’. It’s a bit taller than ‘Caradonna’ at 24 inches but just as tough. Its buds are burgundy, but the flowers are a rich purple.

10 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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).

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The Growing Concern | July 2021 | 11

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

ESTABLISH INVESTING GOALS When investing, you should establish short, intermediate and long-term goals. Review these goals frequently to make sure your current investments are helping you reach those financial goals. Your goals could be a vacation, a new car, a new home, college education for your children, starting your own business, retirement or a number of other possibilities. Of course, everyone wants to reduce his or her taxes and secure a comfortable retirement. You can’t plan a trip without knowing your destination. The same applies with your financial goals. You won’t know how much to save unless you know specifically what you are saving for. Take the time to dream. Put your goals on paper and visit them frequently. Setting specific goals gives you and your financial professionals the information needed to build a structured savings and investment plan, the surest way to turn your goals into reality. After you know how much you need in the long run, you can break your goal into monthly contributions. A good financial calculator or online compound interest calculator can help in this area. For example, assume you have a goal of saving $1 million for retirement in 35 years. In order to reach your goal, you would need to set aside approximately $700 per month, assuming a 7% annualized return. The first step is the biggest

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

and most difficult to make. Once you get started by making the first investment or savings deposit, the hard part is over. It will be helpful to make real and attainable goals as well as devise practical ways to help achieve those goals. Understanding your risk tolerance is crucial when setting investment goals as it informs you of how ready you are to face any arising issues and then plan according to what you can achieve. Time and portfolio volatility should always be considered when determining your risk level. Financial professionals have tools available to help determine risk tolerances and time frames. Once you have a clear picture of what your goals are, you need to assign price tags. When determining the cost of your goal, look beyond today’s costs to what it may cost in the future. continued on page 14

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continued from page 12 Although inflation rates are no longer in double digits, inflation has not gone away. If you don’t factor the impact of inflation into the price tag of your goal, you may come up short. This is particularly important for long-term goals. With an inflation rate of 3%, something that costs $10,000 today will double in cost in 24 years. The longer it takes to reach your goal, the more significantly inflation will impact the price tag of that goal. Fortunately, when you are saving for the future, time is on your side. The longer you give yourself to reach a goal, the more your earnings can generate earnings. Waiting five years to start saving for a long-term goal could mean you will have to double the amount you have to save each month. Even disciplined individuals may find it hard to stay on financial track when life throws a hardball in their direction. Job loss, divorce, sickness, discrimination, or other headwinds can set life on an unexpected course that negatively impacts earnings and savings power. Volatility can also take its toll on the financial markets and your savings, as they did in 2007 and 2008 when American investors lost trillions of dollars in their retirement accounts and in early 2020 when the pandemic roiled markets. Bear markets and crashes may be inevitable over the decades between your first contribution and retirement age, despite statistics that confirm impressive long-term equity returns. Many investors don’t have the stomach for those volatile periods, Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary. Investing is subject to risk which may involve loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

often ignoring sound advice and dumping long-term positions at bargain-basement prices. It’s easy to tell ourselves we’ll stand firm when the next crisis comes long, but you won’t know for sure until it happens. Monitor your investment progress and fine tune the investment plan as you navigate your financial journey. There will be ups and downs but setting up a plan, establishing good habits, adhering to your set goals and monitoring the plan should set you up for success. As always, talk to your financial professional to help with your specific needs.

The M3 Wealth Management Office does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Michael J. Donnellan specializes in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management office at 17601 W. 130th Street – Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio. Phone number (440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com Securities & advisory services offered through L.M. Kohn & Co. Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB 10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (800) 478-0788

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REGISTRATION PL ANT GOLFER OF TH E M ON TH

August 5, 2021

Mallard Creek Golf Club Columbia Station, OH

4-person Scramble Shotgun start 9am

Each Golf Registration Includes: • • • • •

18 Holes of Golf Golf Cart Live Leader Board Game Day Contests Driving Range

• • • •

Continental Breakfast Lunch Dinner Beverages

21st Annual OLA Scholarship Golf Classic 2021 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 07/22/2021

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

Firm _______________________________________________________ Contact ____________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _______________ Phone (______)____________________ Fax (______)____________________ Email ___________________________________________

NAME OF GOLFER (Correct Name is Mandatory or Forfeit Shall Occur)

COMPANY

____________________________________________

___________________________________________________

____________________________________________

___________________________________________________

____________________________________________

___________________________________________________

____________________________________________

___________________________________________________

wName of Team Captain _____________________________

Email Address of Team Captain __________________________________

PAYMENT INFORMATION



...

On or Before July 15 - $105 per person After July 15 - $115 per person

Number of Golfers

____

X $ ___

= $ ______



Don’t Golf? Join us for dinner!

...

$30 each

Number of Dinner Only

____

X $30

= $ ______



Tee Sponsorship (includes signage)

...

$100

Number of Tees

____

X $100

= $ ______

TOTAL

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

Acct. No.

Name on Card

Exp. Date

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover Security Code

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card

$ ______

GOLF SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THIS YEAR’S SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC SPONSORS DINNER SPONSOR

TROPHIES SPONSOR

CLOSEST TO THE PIN SPONSOR

LUNCH SPONSOR

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST SPONSOR

LONG PUTT CONTEST SPONSOR

COMMEMORATIVE GIFT SPONSOR

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR

PHOTO SPONSOR

LONG DRIVE CONTEST SPONSOR

BEVERAGE CART SPONSORS

DRIVING RANGE

Thank You

TO OUR MAJOR AND CONTEST SPONSORS Sponsorship Opportunities We are excited to be holding our 21st annual golf outing at Mallard Creek Golf Club on August 5, 2021. But, we need your help to make it a success! This event helps to generate funding for our scholarship program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the green industry. Call us to find out more about sponsorship features and benefits. Tee Sponsorships

(Your company name will appear on a sign at your designated tee)

Door Prize(s) Please Specify: Item(s) will be:  shipped to OLA

$100

 dropped off at OLA

Cash Donation $ Let us shop for you!

While all of our major sponsorships have been filled for the 2021 outing, if you would like to support this event, we still have tee sponsorships and door prize opportunities available. To register to sponsor a tee, or to donate funds that will be used to procure door prizes, please visit OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/GOLFOUTING and follow the links to registration. If you would like to donate a physical door prize, please call the OLA office at 440.717.0002. Thank you!

CONTACT INFORMATION Name Company Address City State

Zip Code

Phone Email Address

Payment Information

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

Acct. No. Name on Card

Exp. Date

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover Security Code

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC 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

F OR SAFETY SAK E

8 SIMPLE TIPS FOR SUMMER SAFETY Warm weather and plenty of daylight make summer a busy season for construction. But with hotter temperatures and longer days come increased health and safety risks. Here are eight common-sense tips to help keep you and your team on the job all summer long. 1. DRINK MORE

2. EAT RIGHT

Fluids — especially water — are your best defense against heat. Make sure all workers have water on hand and keep coolers available for refills. If plain water isn’t your thing, squeeze in some lemon or lime or opt for sports drinks that replenish electrolytes lost when you sweat.

High-fat, greasy meals like burgers and fries weigh you down, and your body uses more energy to digest them. Choose a light and filling meal — like a sandwich, salad and fruit — that both curbs hunger and helps you stay alert.

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

continued on page 20

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continued from page 18 3. DRESS LIGHT

7. PAY ATTENTION

In addition to any required safety gear, wear clothing that’s light-colored, loose and breathable. It will reflect sunlight and make it easier for heat to escape, keeping you cool as you work. For further protection, wear a hat or sunglasses and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

As you’re working, be mindful of how you feel and keep an eye out for others. Heat-related illnesses can hit fast and without much warning, and they can be deadly. Look out for these symptoms and bring affected workers into the shade to rehydrate (and call 911 if necessary):

4. REST UP

• • • • • • • •

Sleep gives your body time to heal and energize for the next day, allowing you to handle the heat better. Aim for at least eight hours a night to make sure you get enough REM sleep. It may help to make your bedroom dark and cool, using curtains and fans if necessary.

5. SCHEDULE SMART Plan labor-intensive outdoor work for mornings and evenings, the coolest times of the day. Schedule lunch breaks and indoor work during the hottest part of the afternoon — generally between noon and 3 p.m.

6. TAKE BREAKS Step away from the job periodically to keep cool and avoid overheating. If there’s no natural shade on your job site, provide some for workers with umbrellas or an awning. To get the most out of a break, stay outside rather than retreating into the air conditioning — radical shifts from hot to cold back to hot again make it harder for your body to adjust.

Hot skin without sweating Tiredness Vomiting or nausea Heat cramps Accelerated heart rate Slurred speech Mental confusion Loss of consciousness

8. TALK IT OUT An easy way to educate employees on heat safety so they know what to look for in themselves and others is to download this, and other Toolbox Talks, from the Caterpillar Safety Services website, located at https://www.cat.com/en_US/support/safety services. There you will find quick refreshers on heat exhaustion and stroke causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment. Summer safety isn’t rocket science — but a reminder of the basics never hurts, particularly at the start of the season. Stay cool, healthy and productive out there!

This article was written by Lonnie Fritz, Senior Market Professional, Construction Industries, Caterpillar Inc. as part of their Toolbox Talks section. It apperaed on the For Construction Pros web blog, located at https://www.forconstructionpros.com/profit-matters/blog.

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

THE AWARD FOR LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

Michael Lynch, LIC

Mike Lynch started out as many others in the industry do, mowing neighborhood lawns with his brothers. Admiring the landscapes in his neighborhood, he quickly developed a passion for the industry and pursued it by attending the horticulture program at the Central Ohio JVS, now known as Tolles Career Center. After high school, Mike and his twin brother, Pat, enrolled in the Landscape Program at The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute. At ATI, Mike attended several ALCA and Mid Atlantic Collegiate field day events, where he was approached by several Marylandbased companies. Upon graduating in 1986, he set out for Frederick, MD to work for Davis Landscape, a major east coast company at the time, and eventually moved on to Cannon Landscape. While at Cannon, the Maryland’s Landscape Contractor Association began offering the CLT test. In 1996, Mike was part of the first group east of the Mississippi to pass this comprehensive test. After 11 years in the MD market, Mike move back to Ohio, where he was hired as an Account Manager with Environmental Management. While he hadn’t planned to go into sales – he saw himself as a production/field guy – the owners of EMI saw something different.

In 2000, Ohio began offering the CLT test. Mike was quick to volunteer as a judge, and, as a matter of fact, was the only judge that had already earned his CLT credentials. He soon took on more responsibility with Ohio’s test, becoming the Maintenance Test Chair (JTA), a role he served in for nearly 20 years. Additionally, Mike was selected to be an official Test Observer to monitor the quality of testing in six other states. In the early 2000s, Mike helped with the State FFA Nursery Landscape Career Development Event (CDE) and quickly found himself serving on advisory committees for five different schools. In these roles, he assisted instructors, spoke with parents, and met with guidance counselors and other administrators to educate them on the opportunities within our industry. He then served on a committee working along side the Ohio Department of Education, which reviewed and revised our schools’ horticulture curriculum.

Mike helped create new hands-on testing for the state and national FFA. In recognition of this, the FFA has bestowed him with Ohio’s Honorary State FFA degree and the Honorary American FFA degree. Mike has also been honored with the ONLA’s Merit Award of Service. Mike and Pat came up with the idea of a competition for our high school students in Ohio, much like NALP’s National Collegiate field days. A committee was formed, companies recruited, and the Ohio High School Landscape Olympics (OHLO) was born. The first OHLO event was held at ATI in 2016 with 20 schools and approx. 200 students. Mike says he is proud to be a part of Ohio’s Green Industry and is fortunate to spend time working with his brother and many other great individuals in this industry. He thanks all of his mentors, the folks at EMI and especially his wife, Paula. Congratulations Mike!

The Growing Concern | June 2021 | 21 SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 24th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE

SPONSOR: ALVORD’S YARD AND GARDEN AWARD OF HONOR Chesterland Nurseries, Ltd. A Private Residence in Aurora

AWARD OF MERIT M.J. Design Associates A Private Residence in Dublin

AWARD OF MERIT Morel Landscaping, LLC A Private Residence in Brecksville

COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE

SPONSOR: SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (SIMA) AWARD OF HONOR Environmental Management, Inc. Grandview Yard in Columbus

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY II

SPONSOR: CONSUMERS BUILDERS SUPPLY COMPANY AWARD OF HONOR Lifestyle Landscaping A Private Residence in Bay Village AWARD OF MERIT Rice’s Landscapes Redefined A Private Residence in Canton AWARD OF MERIT M.J. Design Associates A Private Residence in Galena AWARD OF MERIT M.J. Design Associates A Private Residence in Plain City

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY III SPONSOR: PREMIER PLANT SOLUTIONS AWARD OF MERIT Sasak Landscaping, Inc. A Private Residence in Hudson

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY IV SPONSOR: LAKE COUNTY NURSERY

AWARD OF HONOR The Pattie Group A Private Residence in Pepper Pike

AWARD OF MERIT Rice’s Landscapes Redefined A Private Residence in Uniontown

RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY V SPONSOR: DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY AWARD OF HONOR LWB Design, LLC A Private Residence in Bath

SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 24th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY VI with SWIMMING POOLS SPONSOR: VALLEY CITY SUPPLY

AWARD OF HONOR McCaskey Landscape & Design A Private Residence in Concord

AWARD OF MERIT Brian-Kyles A Private Residence in Avon

COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY I SPONSOR: KURTZ BROS., INC.

AWARD OF HONOR Brookside Construction Services, Inc. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation

COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION, CATEGORY II SPONSOR: KLYN NUSERIES, INC.

AWARD OF HONOR Ground Works Land Design Avon Oaks Country Club in Avon

WATER FEATURES

SPONSOR: BEDFORD GLENS GARDEN CENTER AWARD OF HONOR LWB Design, LLC A Private Residence in Bath AWARD OF MERIT Lifestyle Landscaping, Inc. A Private Residence in Westlake AWARD OF MERIT McCaskey Landscape & Design Lake County YMCA Dream Home

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

SPONSOR: WOLF CREEK COMPANY AWARD OF HONOR LWB Design, LLC A Private Residence in Bath

AWARD OF MERIT Rice’s Landscape Redefined A Private Residence in Poland

AWARD OF MERIT The Bremec Group A Private Residence in Gates Mills

AWARD OF MERIT Brothers Grimm Landscape & Design A Private Residence in Brunswick Hills

SHOW GARDENS / DISPLAY GARDENS

This awards program was created to increase awareness of quality landscaping and how it improves our environment. The annual competition recognizes designers, installers, and property owners. The program is open to all Regular member companies of the Ohio Landscape Association. Project sites must be located in Ohio or in a state that borders Ohio, and a major portion of the project must be the work of the entrant. Projects are eligible for up to five (5) years after completion. Projects previously entered may be reentered, as long as the project has not received an Honor or Judge’s Special Award in the past.

SPONSOR: BIGFOOT LANDSCAPE SUPPLY

AWARD OF MERIT Brothers Grimm Landscape & Design Co. 2020 Home & Garden Show Garden

SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 24th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

AWARD WINNING PROJECTS GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, CATEGORY II SPONSOR: UNILOCK OHIO, INC.

AWARD OF HONOR Brookside Construction Services, Inc. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation AWARD OF MERIT Brothers Grimm Landscape & Design Co. A Private Residence in Wadsworth AWARD OF MERIT Chesterland Nurseries, Ltd. A Private Residence in Aurora AWARD OF MERIT Ground Works Land Design A Private Residence in Rocky River

GARDEN STRUCTURES/PAVEMENTS, CATEGORY III SPONSOR: BELGARD HARDSCAPES

AWARD OF HONOR Brothers Grimm Landscape & Design Co. A Private Residence in Brunswick Hills AWARD OF MERIT J. Barker Landscaping Company A Private Residence in Lakewood AWARD OF MERIT Ground Works Land Design A Private Residence in Westlake AWARD OF MERIT The Pattie Group, Inc. A Private Residence in Gates Mills AWARD OF MERIT ProScape Lawn & Landscape Services, LLC A Private Residence in Powell

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S EVENT SPONSORS

ALL ROADS SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 24th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

ach year, the OLA makes available scholarship monies for selected students who are interested in pursuing horticulture in college.

Our Annual Scholarship Golf Classic was created to help generate funding for this program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the Green Industry. Those eligible recipients/applicants include high school seniors who are enrolled in a horticulture program, as well as college students currently studying horticulture. Applicants must also be either an OLA Student Member, an employee of an OLA Member, or a child of an employee of an OLA Member firm. To apply, please visit www.ohiolandscapers. org/scholarships and fill out our online scholarship application. Applications for the 2022/2023 year will posted soon. We are very pleased to announce this year’s recipients. Congratulations to you all! Registration for this year’s OLA Scholarship Golf Classic is now open. Sign-up on line at ohiolandscapers.org/golfouting

CALEB KAUTZ

$2,000 SCHOLARSHIP Caleb Kautz has just graduated from West Geauga High School with a 3.85 GPA, where he played both JV and Varsity baseball. In addition, Caleb volunteers as part of the Euclid Beach Clean-up Project, works at the Gates Mills Arboretum and has participated in both the FFA District and State Landscape Competitions. In the fall of 2021, Caleb plans to attend Cuyahoga Community College, where he will major in Plant Science and Landscape Technology, and minor in Business.

GRANT KESSLER

$750 SCHOLARSHIP Grant Kessler just completed his second year at the Ohio State ATI in Wooster in the Turfgrass Management and Landscape Horticulture Program. Grant has received OLA Scholarships the last two year and continues to maintain an outstanding 3.6 GPA at OSU. He runs a small business with his twin brother, Blake. Grant is a third time recipient of an OLA scholarship.

BLAKE KESSLER

$750 SCHOLARSHIP Blake Kessler just completed his second year at the Ohio State ATI in Wooster in the Turfgrass Management and Landscape Horticulture Program. Blake has received OLA Scholarships the last two year and has increased his already outstanding GPA from a 3.4 to a 3.53 over the past year. He runs a small business with his twin brother, Grant. Blake is a third time recipient of an OLA scholarship.

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S CATEGORY SPONSORS

GOLF REGISTRATION OPENS SPRING/SUMMER 2021 SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

THE 24th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

GALA PHOTOS

GALA ARRIVAL PHOTOS

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THE 24th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS

GALA PHOTOS

GALA DINNER PHOTOS Photos by TCP Photography, LLC

SEE THE PROJECTS AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/AWARDS-PROGRAM

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, Ph.D

Cuyahoga Community College

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

ORIXA JAPONICA JAPANESE ORIXA

Emerald Ash Borer will not be the last instance we have of a pest removing an entire genus from our landscapes. There are more on the way, because many of us continue to use the same 10 plants on every job, increasing the speed at which species-ending pests move. Boxwoods (Buxus), Euonymus (including Burning Bush), and Hollies (Ilex) are all facing a great danger brought on by the Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis), which is now making its way through Toronto, Canada. That being said, increasing our plant diversity – as an industry – is crucial to the success of all our businesses. Bill is sharing a far too rarely used shrub this month, but hopefully by the end of this entry of the Hendricks Experience, you will be asking your nursery growers to up their diversity to include this great plant. After all, that is the main goal of this year – to get landscapers to make a demand for more diversity, and for growers to push more diversity. Orixa is one of the plants “first discovered” (Eurocentrically speaking) by Carl Thunberg, one of Linnaeus’ best students.

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

From 1775 to 1778, Thunberg spent time in Japan, with limited excursions into the countryside, to collect and document plants he found. It was during this same time he “discovered” Barberry, which now holds his name in infamy, Berberis thunbergii. These landscape plants had been used for centuries in gardens throughout Japan, Korea, and the Northeast regions of China, their longevity being something crucial for us to consider. continued on page 30

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continued from page 28 To illustrate: In 2003, during a study abroad, Jim observed Orixa growing in the “Natural Garden” on the hills of the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. This garden was first planted in the early 1200s. A landscape plant with over seven centuries of being “proven” … we’ll take it!

In the landscape, site these plants in shade to nearly full sun, though they may scorch in an area that is both hot and dry. They may be planted in any soil that doesn’t reach the extremes of extremely dry or wet.

Now, before you go thinking Bill is about to drop a beautybomb into your landscapes, let us temper your expectations. Orixa is a backdrop plant for the shrub border. Deep green, glossy leaves are the star of the show and will perform great in shadier locations of the garden. Leaves are obovate, 2 to 5 inches long, and around 2 inches wide. They reflect light well, creating a shimmering effect, which will help brighten up shaded areas.

As we mentioned, Orixa is meant for the back of the border so plant in mass allowing the plants to reach mature size of 6 to 8 feet tall with a slight suckering habit. Place your seasonal stars in front of this border and let the deep shiny green leaves provide the perfect backdrop to the flowers through the season. In Japan, it is not uncommon to find this plant heavily pruned into a hedge form, which could be an option here as well, should you need a hedge in a shaded location.

The species is dioecious (male/female separate flowers, separate plants), but neither the male nor female flowers are ornamental. Individual flowers are reminiscent of Holly flowers (no relation), with tiny off-white petals which are sure to go unseen by most. Fruits (female plants only) are in 4 parted carpels, each with a single seed inside. The fruit looks like a BB sized lime, neat but not showy. We have never found a nursery that specifies male/ female in their plants for sale.

Orixa is a member of the Rutaceae family, commonly called the Rue or Citrus family. This family has at least 160 genera with Citrus (lime, lemon, and grapefruit), Evodia, Kumquat, Phellodendron (Cork Tree), and Ptelea (Hop Tree) as the most familiar cousins. One trait we have found in all members of Rutaceae that we have encountered is distinctly scented leaves and stems. In the case of citrus plants most of the scent is in the fruit, but for the ornamental members, the scent

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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seems to stay in the leaves and stems. It is difficult to describe the scent, but often pungent, you may find yourself quoting from the Hollywood masterpiece Anchorman, thinking “it stings the nostrils.” Perhaps Dr. Dirr says it best, “The foliage odor is intensely disgusting to my olfactory senses.” We think that is a bit overdramatic, but certainly would not add these leaves to a potpourri mix. Fear not, unless your client has a habit of jumping in their shrubs and rolling around, they will not come across the scent, unless they are pruned during the growing season. As previously stated, while this plant does not offer much in the way of flower and fruit interest, it does put on an eyecatching fall display of very clean leaves fading into a light yellow, which hold their color for some time. This adds to the power of using this plant in the background of the border.

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the genus) with a complex mix of genes. The plants make at least 14 alkaloid compounds (natural pesticides) with several showing medicinal possibilities and some which help make it so stinky. This magic also makes these plants rather unpalatable to deer, giving us a plant we don’t have to slather in deer repellent! Now, your job is to call your nursery grower and encourage them to get on board with more plant diversity and make these plants available to you. This is a teamwork thing between growers and landscapers – let’s get more plant species out there!

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

Bringing it full circle, one major advantage to this shrub is that there are virtually no known pest issues. The battle for sustainable plants able to survive global climate change and a never-ending onslaught of exotic pests is turning scientific. Orixa is a monotypic genus (only species within

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 | July 2021 | 31

F EATURE ARTI CLE

5 SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO GROW YOUR LANDSCAPING BUSINESS While creating and managing a successful landscaping business is no small task, once you’ve established a stable operating model and a solid customer base, it’s time to set your sights on finding opportunities for growth. That said, optimizing your business processes takes a bit of trial and error. More important, scaling up without falling down requires much more than hard work and initiative. You must acquire an in-depth knowledge of your business, including the change factors that affect it. With this in mind, here are some simple tips and techniques you can use to achieve consistent and sustainable growth: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Understand your numbers. Know what sets your business apart. Focus on doing less—but better. Capitalize on experience. Maintain consistency.

Now, let’s take a look at each.

32 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

UNDERSTAND YOUR NUMBERS Although this may point may seem obvious, when you’re caught up in day-to-day task management, it’s easy to lose track of budgets and revenue. On the one hand, it’s essential to stay engaged in your business, but on the other, a narrow focus can cost your company dearly. Aside from keeping a watchful eye on estimates, forecasts, and profit margins, you must also stay mindful of operating expenses, such as staffing, equipment, and material costs. Even more important, generating and sending accurate, consistent invoices and processing prompt payments will ensure you have revenue on hand to handle risk and weather challenges while continuing to maintain a positive cash flow. continued on page34

The Growing Concern |

July 2021 | 33

F EATURE ARTI CLE

continued from page 32 KNOW WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART

FOCUS ON DOING LESS—BUT BETTER

In the crowded world of landscape management and property maintenance, having an edge on the competition is crucial to long-term success. Positioning your company as experts in the field and distancing your business from competitors are the pivotal keys to staying top of mind with current and prospective customers. To that end, reflecting on your experience, training, certifications, and project history can help you discern your company’s strengths and hone in on an area of specialization.

Increasing productivity without adding more to your todo list may seem like an pie-in-the-sky goal at best, but rest assured, it is possible. In this way, developing a systemized work process and optimizing your business’s operations can help you understand and achieve your objectives with greater accuracy and a higher degree of success.

Besides drilling down to determine areas of concentration, you should always think in terms of customer needs. If your company has a long-standing reputation for staying on schedule, keeping projects on budget, and providing stellar service, do not hesitate to showcase these strengths. Likewise, if you’re dedicated to using environmentally friendly practices or participate in any business mentoring or community-centric events, it’s important to spotlight your company’s commitment to giving back through goodwill and humanitarian service. Although it may seem unnatural to speak of your aspirational pursuits or generosity, humanizing your business and establishing yourself as a thought-leader are both surefire ways to stand out.

How? By leveraging technology and insight to identify and address inconsistencies and areas for improvement. For example, if your company has recurrent issues with staffing or material shortages, uncovering and analyzing these trends can assist you in pinpointing the problem and developing a solution. Similarly, if certain customers or locations seem to produce consistent challenges, understanding how these issues impact your business overall can help you decide whether it’s beneficial to continue the relationship or discontinue it in pursuit of more profitable opportunities.

CAPITALIZE ON EXPERIENCE Without question, incorporating your experience and expertise into your marketing and sales strategy is vital to industry positioning and company branding. But beyond advertising and customer relations management, business continued on page 36

34 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

F EATURE ARTI CLE

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F E AT UR E AR T IC L E continued from page 34 experience and in-field expertise are invaluable to managing internal operations. Along these lines, it’s imperative to hire and retain a team of talented, experienced professionals in both leadership and front-line positions. Besides possessing industry knowledge and stellar decision-making abilities, experienced staffers can leverage their expertise and strong work ethic to help streamline processes and discover untapped opportunities for company growth. As an added benefit, these talented individuals are often experts at business-critical activities like estimating, production, and account management. While investing in the top talent may result in a higher staffing budget, in the long term, employing an experienced team is an invaluable investment in your company’s future.

MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY While smart investment strategies and solid operational goals are crucial to achieving business growth, for any plan to be successful, it must be repeatable. However, building and maintaining a forward-moving system of initiatives, actions, and momentum is easier said than done. Beyond business intelligence, you’ll also need awareness, dedication, and drive. Gaining visibility of the people and processes which make your business most successful while recognizing and expanding on these strengths are crucial to sustaining the operations and standards levels your employees and customers have come to expect.

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Once you are at the stage where you feel confident with the company’s direction, it’s time to test the waters and reach beyond your comfort zone. While this may mean adding to organizational stress levels and stretching operational capacity in the short term, taking risks in the name of upward mobility is just part of the process. However, on the same token, do not sacrifice consistency in pursuit of growth. Of course, assessing untapped market potential and exploring new opportunities for service is necessary for expansion, but not at the expense of quality, reputation, or long-term viability. This article was submitted by Jim Clayman, vice president of marketing for Aspire Software, who oversees brand and product, demand generation, and customer marketing for the company. Aspire understand that when you’re running a

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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 July 22 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. Please note: At the time this issue was published, we had either (3) 20x30, or (1) 20x30 & (1) 20x60 spaces available. Please call the OLA at 440.717.0002 to get up to date availability.

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

 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:

Acct. No. Name on Card

Exp. Date

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover Security Code

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, by phone, or by fax: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 • www.ohiolandscapers.org

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

R EG IS T R ATI O N SNOW BUSINESS SUCCESS

EVENT INFORMATION JULY 22, 2021 Whether you’re an owner, operations manager, dispatcher, or anyone in between, this is a can’t 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM miss event for any company focused on improving how they handle the “white side” of their business. This year’s focus will be on Chemical & Salt Applications and Site Engineering & Planning.

PRESENTERS Diana Clonch / DW Clonch, LLC Diana Clonch works with local and national groups to promote the advancement and application of best practices and innovative technology within operations as they apply to snow & ice control. She will be covering the science behind snow and ice chemicals and how & when deicers work and don’t work.

LOCATION ST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE 5025 EAST MILL ROAD BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH 44147 AGENDA 8:30AM - 9:00AM REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST 9:00AM - 3:50PM CLINIC / LUNCH

Phill Sexton / WIT Advisors (A Division of WIT Companies, LLC) As a former technician, manager & company owner, Phill has developed a growing concern about the environmental impacts of his trade. He will be discussing sustainable winter management guidelines (SWiM), including assessing unique snow events & how to use less materials while still being effective. thus saving you money.

COST MEMBERS BEFORE 07/08/21 - $89 AFTER 07/08/21 - $119

Stephanie Gray / BrightView Landscaping Stephanie has worked for BrightView Landscape Services for over 20 years and is currently Lead Regional Estimator, assisting Branch locations in 10 states. Her primary focus is growing their business by preparing estimates, management plans and mapping job sites. She will discuss how to plan & implement a site engineering strategy that will increase your company’s overall safety & efficiency.

NON MEMBERS BEFORE 07/08/21 - $139 AFTER 07/08/21 - $169

ALSO FEATURING Salt Spreader Calibration Demonstration: Outdoor demonstration featuring equipment & detailed ‘how to’ info. Mini Trade Show: Visit industry vendors. See what’s new. Displayed equipment, products & services. 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. FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR GUESTS, ALL APPLICABLE COVID-19 RULES & REGULATIONS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

2021 SNOW & ICE CLINIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 07/15/21

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

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

NAME OF ATTENDEE (S)

FEE

TOTAL DUE

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

Acct. No. Name on Card

Exp. Date

Security Code

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card 4 CEU’S

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

F EATURE ARTI CLE

THE POWER OF PEER NE Dan Eichenlaub, President of Eichenlaub, Inc., knew early in his business’ history that if he hoped to see the organizational growth he envisioned, he had to take a different approach than he and others in the industry had previously taken. As he began to talk to colleagues and other landscape contracting business owners, a consistent theme emerged: the need for peer-to-peer collaboration, but on a broader scale than was typically found in the industry. “There are plenty of peer groups for owners,” he says, “but there are very few for whole teams.” Eichenlaub points out that whole-team peer networking has benefited his business in three significant ways. EMPOWERMENT Eichenlaub prioritizes continuing education for his employees and regularly sends his team members to trainings where they can interact with industry peers serving similar roles. He shares they frequently come back energized and empowered. “Everyone from management to sales to crews achieves goals more independently now than they did before we had access to a peer network. My team members see what is possible, and they regularly take it upon themselves to improve on the successes.”

40 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Eichenlaub is also proactive about providing growth paths for his team members that allow them to seamlessly move up in the organization. When he and his managers identify a crew member, tech or foreman with leadership potential, for example, they encourage that team member to attend manager-specific trainings to find out how others in the industry carry out their roles and exhibit leadership. When they return, Eichenlaub shares, they often feel inspired to step

TWORKING outside their comfort zones and take the lead on projects or initiatives. “I’ve learned to get out of their way and let them do what they do best,” he says, adding that he remains accessible to provide support.

BUY-IN As Eichenlaub and his team have found, successful wholeteam peer networking strongly relies on transparency and accountability between and among individuals and groups. Healthy internal cultures are rich in both transparent communication and team members who hold both themselves and their colleagues accountable. In these cultures, buy-in is clearly evident, and more often than not, it starts at the top. Buy-in within a team occurs when all team members believe in and contribute to the organization’s shared goals. The results are a business that delivers an excellent customer experience, continued on page 42 The Growing Concern | July 2021 | 41

F E AT UR E AR T IC L E

OLA PEER NETWORKING EVENTS

continued from page 41

In addition to our continued evening meeting networking opportunities, the OLA is set to begin hosting reoccurring, peer-to-peer group meetings, starting in the Fall of 2021.

customers who walk away satisfied, and individuals either directly or indirectly involved with the business’s operations confident that they will continually see a maximum return on investment. Buy-in within an industry occurs when individual businesses have team members who are engaged and devoted to the mission, vision and goals of their own organization and dedicated to raising the performance of others in that industry.

COLLABORATION The Eichenlaub team regularly connects, interacts and collaborates with other businesses serving a similar high-end residential demographic to the one his business primarily served. “Being able to home in on our group and share best practices has been powerful,” Eichenlaub shares. “We challenge each other to be better. My team has access to counterparts in the industry who can help them be more effective and efficient in their own roles.” A natural byproduct of buy-in is the willingness to provide support and encouragement to others. In thriving internal cultures, this occurs naturally and abundantly within teams. It is less common — and often less comfortable — to freely offer and support and encouragement to, and receive them from, peers outside the business. But business leaders are increasingly discovering that collaboration with the competition helps their businesses to perform better. As Eichenlaub and other leaders in the industry are increasingly discovering, whole-team peer networking requires individuals and teams to think about success on a broader scale. What was once survival of the fittest becomes dedication to the growth and vitality of entire communities of like-minded businesses — a radical departure from traditional thinking about what contributes to a business’ growth and profitability in a competitive market. Collaboration and idea sharing across businesses within the same market segment is unconventional and a clear departure from the norm, but it is immensely powerful in its ability to elevate both industry perceptions and the status of individual businesses.

This article was written by Lisa Perdue, Manager of Professional Development for LandOpt. Lisa is responsible for coordinating the design and implementation

Women in Landscape Group (WLG) This group will be led by landscape professionals passionate about female representation and advancement in the industry and will focus on:

• Connecting and advocating for women in the industry. • Driving the change necessary to recruit & retain females. • Amplifying the voices of women leaders. Young Professionals Landscape Group (YPLG) This group will provide a platform for those proffesionals under the age of 40 to connect, share experiences, and exchange ideas with their peers. We will discuss:

• Creating a culture within the industry that is conducive to the changing needs of our next generation. • Mentoring opportunities and access to desirable jobs. Visit ohiolandscapers.org/meetings to register for one or both events, or to learn more.

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Colored Hardwood Mulches Cypress Mulch Limestone Washed River Gravel Decorative Stones Sweet Peet Custom Z Mulch Big & Sm all We also offer Equipment Rentals (operators included): Loads for Bobcats with Rockhounds; Trenchers and Augers; Pick-up or Backhoes; Dozers; Excavators; Landscape Tractors; Delivery Loaders and Dump Trucks

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34020 Royalton Road, Eaton Twp.

Between Rockside & Granger Roads

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of curricular solutions and evaluation models for LandOpt team members and licensees. LandOpt partners with landscape contractors who are not satisfied with the norms of our industry to implement proven business systems. See more at http:// landopt.com/blog/

42 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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Three Z Reg Qtr.indd 1

THREE-Z-SUPPLY 216-524-4544 • FAX 216-524-5876

2/4/2015 3:00:29 PM

OLA MEETINGS SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 1936 GEORGETOWN RD. HUDSON, OHIO 44236 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: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY SEPTEMBER 15, 2021