How your business can navigate these challenging times
By John Corban
Over the last few months, the Middle East conflict has contributed to rising mortgage rates and surging fuel prices, and an AI revolution is reshaping the way businesses operate globally. It is fair to say there is some uncertainty for homeowners and business owners alike. Yet on the ground, the picture is not entirely negative: gardens are still being maintained, designed and installed every day. The commercial landscape sector remains strong. It is from that perspective that I share my approach to navigating these challenges.
1. Rising fuel costs: It is time to pass them on
If you have been absorbing the hit in petrol prices and hoping prices will return to pre-conflict prices, it is time for an honest conversation. The conflict in the Middle East has sent fuel prices surging. Diesel has jumped from around $1.60 per litre to $3.40 and, at the time of writing, is sitting at $2.50. That is a nearly 60% increase for a commodity that every landscaping contractor relies on heavily. Prices are unlikely to return to pre-conflict levels any time soon.
If you have not increased your maintenance charge-out rates recently, now is the time. A modest rate increase, clearly communicated as a reflection of industry-wide cost increases, is entirely reasonable. If you have raised maintenance charge-out rates in the last 10 months and another increase does not feel right, consider introducing a temporary small fuel levy to reflect actual fuel costs per job. Construction charge-out rates can be increased as well.
Beyond fuel, do not overlook other material cost increases. Suppliers are passing on increases, so should you. Revisit your current supplier invoices and update your pricing templates accordingly.
2. If enquiries slow, here is what you can do
Winter naturally brings a quieter period for some businesses, and with added global economic uncertainty and interest rate increases, it is easy to feel anxious when the phone is not ringing. Here is what to remember: the buyers are still out there. People have been more considered in their buying decisions in 2025 and 2026, but many are still deciding and buying.
Ensure you stay visible, stay connected and stay confident. Post consistently on Instagram and other social media. Showcase recent projects using before and after shots and/or reels and celebrate the efforts of your team members online too. The algorithm rewards consistency, and so does your audience. Reach out to current clients asking if they are happy with the service and result. A simple message asking how the garden is going can lead to a follow-up job, a referral or a glowing review. The same goes for your professional alliances with designers, builders and architects: Check in with them, they may be sitting on referrals they have been meaning to pass on to you but have not found the time to do so.
When enquiries do come in, treat everyone as a long-term client. Give more time to your initial site meetings and quote presentations. Listen to what the client wants, understand their priorities, and work with them to find solutions that meet both their vision and their budget.
3. Using AI to help your business
A revolution is happening across the globe right now, with many businesses now regularly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity, just to name a few. AI can help you fast-track writing emails, drafting social media posts and brainstorming content or even preparing responses for tricky staff conversations. You can now ‘prompt’ AI platforms to complete these time-consuming tasks, receiving a response that you can work with in under ten seconds in many cases. I say ‘work with’ because you need to question the result that your chosen AI tool delivers and make sure it suits your needs. Do not accept any AI response on face value.
AI is only as good as the information you feed it, that is, the quality of the prompts that you share with it directly influence the results. As most of you will know, AI will need to be modified to suit your business needs as the content it generates may not sound like you. So, take the time to personalise it and check its accuracy. That said, over time, as you use AI more, it will become better aligned with your business style and needs. For more complex tasks, like financial planning or detailed quoting, it can help create a basic framework, but everything it delivers should be carefully reviewed.
For example, I have not agreed with the financial model for landscapers that any of these platforms have created, so use the framework and adjust the numbers based on your experience. AI will not replace what you do, but it will help you work more efficiently.
To conclude, adapting to challenges, passing on costs, staying proactive, utilising marketing strategies, and valuing client meetings and all business relationships will position you to move through this difficult period successfully.
Have a good month!
John Corban
Landscapers Coach
M: 0433 271 980
E: john@landscaperscoach.com.au