Has your lawn care business hit a plateau? Have you invested in new services and haven’t seen a return? Do you feel stuck and need help with the next steps? We’re here for you. While it may not seem like it, business growth stagnation is very common among entrepreneurs. So, instead of ignoring the problem or feeling overwhelmed, we want to share our top growth strategies for your landscape company’s success.
Take A Pause
Easier said than done, right? When it seems like everything’s going wrong on the back end, taking a break sounds like the worst thing to do–but it’s actually the best.
We all know that feeling when you’re tasked with finding a solution, but the pressure’s so high you can’t think clearly. That’s where you are right now. You’re spinning your wheels trying to solve why your company’s growth has leveled off and it’s impossible to have a breakthrough under those circumstances. That’s why we suggest taking a break–sooner rather than later. Spend a day reflecting, not working. It may be helpful to write down your reflections so you can clearly see what you’re thinking and draw conclusions from there.
Ask for Support
If you’re in the landscape business, you know your company’s success relies on the strength of your team. So use them!
As a business owner, it can be tempting to try to do it all. But your skills aren’t the same as your team’s skills and vice versa. Lean into your role as owner and CEO and hone those skills. Maybe that looks like executive coaching, joining a peer group, or attending industry events for inspiration. Each of these avenues can help provide you the support you need as a business owner, while the rest of your team can focus on their tasks and responsibilities. Once everyone (yourself included) feels aligned with their duties, you can address tip number three.
Reassess Your Strategy
If you’ve been heads down trying to run your business, it’s time to come up for air and reassess where you’ve been and where you’re headed.
Ask yourself the following question: What are you trying to achieve with your landscape business? Is it more clients? Is it the highest rating? Is it expanded services? Try to get clarity on what you’re actually working toward. For example, your business strategy could include:
- Establishing more authority with a blog
- Creating a referral program for more clients
- Enhancing our website to include photos, scheduling options, and locations
No matter what you choose, keep it clear and uncomplicated. Use it as a blueprint for the next time you feel stuck or stagnated.
Empower Where Possible
And finally, lean into your role (and let others lean into theirs). If you’re in a stagnated growth phase, your team is looking to you for leadership.
Now that you are clear with your business strategy, it’s time to create a roadmap to get you there. With each goal, you should empower your team accordingly. Grant your team opportunities to use their strengths and empower them to take on tasks to give you more time to focus on long term goals and sales tactics. That can look like assigning a website redesign to your UX/UI team or assigning your marketing department to schedule paid advertisements. While that may seem counterintuitive during a plateau, it’s a strategic move that will serve you in the long run because you can’t do it all.
Get Growing Again
Remember, business stagnation is totally normal. It’s scary and frustrating, but you don’t have to let it control you. Start with our first tip and take a pause. Notice what’s happening and give yourself a moment to recalibrate. At McFarlin Stanford, we want to see landscape business owners like yourself reach their ultimate success. Lean on us during times of prosperity and hardship–we’ve always got your back.