Monday, December 4, 2023

Business File

Bush foliage doesn’t grow in paddock rows (Image: CHFF/PGA)
Business File

Challenge accepted : Managing growth in multiple growing businesses

By Andrea Caldecourt

Managing the demands of a horticulture business is challenging enough but what happens when you have multiple rapidly-growing businesses to manage, all with very different needs?

Multi-award-winning Sunshine Coast business Cedar Hill Group is the parent company to seven separate entities, each operating in discrete horticultural fields, from tissue culture and tubestock production, to cut flower export and online retail.… Continue reading

Read More
Business File

How to run your business and thrive in these times

By John Corban

We cannot control external occurrences, like the economy or the weather, but we can control our response to what happens. We have experienced an extended boom in the Landscape Industry, so what we might be experiencing now is business as usual, (in other words the boom has subsided).Continue reading

Read More
Business File

Are you in a rut running your business?

By John Corban

For several months you may have felt that everything at work is tough, whether its winning work, trying to find a new employee, managing team members or managing cash-flow, your energy is flat and you feel you and your business is in a rut.… Continue reading

Read More
Create a vision for your business and communicate it with your team (Image: Karen Smith)
Business File

Creating an inspiring business future

By John Corban

Think back to when you started your business – you were probably somewhat fearful, but incredibly excited about what you were starting. And you probably imagined growing your business over time to a larger business with a key team, great clients, good profits, and a reasonably high profile.… Continue reading

Read More
Plan for costs (Image: Rich Earth Landscaping)
Business File

Financial strategies to boost sales and profits

By John Corban

The beginning of the new financial year has begun, so now is the perfect time to analyse your Profit & Loss (P&L) from the year just finished. Then, create a forecast knowing what areas of quoting, projects, project management and maintenance, and retail you need to improve.Continue reading

Read More
Business File

Why? One question that will change how you run your business

John Corban

We all know what service and products we provide in our business; we also know how we provide our service or products, but are you clear about WHY you run your business?

Many business owners in the horticulture Industry might say they love working with plants, maintaining and installing gardens, or growing and selling plants, but do your employees and clients know WHY you do what you do.… Continue reading

Read More
Business File

Why now is the time to set bigger goals?

By John Corban

Typically, what happens after a boom period is a slowing of enquiries. Many business owners get very cautious, and decide to cut expenses and operate from a restrictive mindset.

They can feel the pressure of going from excessive enquiries to much less, or they find clients holding back on spending as much.… Continue reading

Read More
Work on your marketing so more of your ideal clients see your work
Business File

Win more jobs when clients are holding back!

By John Corban

Enquiries have been at a peak for the last few years, however, with the media reporting interest rate and cost of living hikes, some prospects and clients may be reducing their original spend or even delaying a project.… Continue reading

Read More
Business File

Why should you know your critical percentages?

By John Corban

When I work with a new landscaping client, in the first two sessions, I analyse their profit and loss (P&L) and highlight their four main expenses (as a percentage of their sales), and compare these to what the targeted percentages should be.… Continue reading

Read More
Business File

The benefits of planning for business growth

By John Corban

Should you plan your business growth and what are the benefits? Considering the challenges of the last twelve months (rain, COVID19, increased materials costs), some business owners could think it is hard to plan business growth. They might say “I am just trying to organise my business from week to week and maintain a reasonable productivity due to the unprecedented rainfall.”… Continue reading

Read More