The Year in Review: Landscaping Trends That Defined 2021

The Year in Review: Landscaping Trends That Defined 2021

A year in review, and what a year it has been for the landscaping industry. 2021 began with a hefty dose of lingering uncertainty thanks to COVID. The last twelve months have been a roller coaster, from the highs of projects returning in full swing to the lows of plant and labor shortages. Before we close the year and look forward, let’s take a look back at some of the best and worst landscaping trends that defined the year 2021:

Political Changes and Their Impact on Landscaping Trends 

No one is free from the influence of politics, and that includes the landscaping industry!

Let’s start with the 1.2 trillion dollar elephant in the room — The infrastructure bill. This bill is set to lead to more landscaping projects in cities all across America. Public Works can’t dig up roads and build bridges without landscaping designers coming in to deliver the final touch to beautify and maintain the green spaces.

Furthermore, this bill dedicates $47 billion to protect infrastructure from climate change. Landscaping businesses and architects are in the best position to offer planting solutions that combat environmental issues.

The Canadian government is also making moves, as it remains committed to allocating $3.2 billion over the next 10 years towards tree planting.

Government decisions also righted a wrong for us this year. Temporary labor visas had been on hold during the height of the pandemic. As restrictions eased, roughly 22,000 temporary worker visas were granted to immigrant workers. The landscaping labor shortage is a hot topic in the industry. Countless landscaping businesses rely on these visas to alleviate the labor shortage for their busy summer months.

 

Extreme Weather Rocked North American Landscaping Companies

Not all landscaping trends were celebrated. Whether it was the freeze in Texas, British Columbia’s heat waves, or Hurricane Ida, Mother Nature really challenged the landscaping industry in North America.

Landscaping businesses across the continent learned to change plans at a moment’s notice. The extreme weather reminded us to be more organized and build a backup plan. Consequently, many of us now make sure to have emergency procedures in place for the safety of our inventory, our staff, and our drivers.

Although the situation was dire for many of us, landscapers are as hardy as the dandelions we’re always fighting off from our green spaces!

 

Sustainable Landscaping Design and Native Plant Demand Grows

Some good news : The industry’s love affair with native plants continues to grow with every passing year. The undeniable trend at events in 2021 was sustainability and using native plants to fight climate change.

Additionally, landscaping design trends this year included governments pushing to increase urban canopy areas. This boosted demand for plant materials, specifically caliper trees, to an unprecedented level.

Urban green spaces do more than increase property values. They reduce pollution levels and lessen the intensity of heatwaves.  We experienced the negatives of climate change first hand. We may as well profit off of the solution!

On that note, mono-culture is out and poly-culture is in. Sustainable landscaping isn’t just about the plants. We’re including soil health in our focus this year.

 

Landscaping Plant and Labor Shortages Cloud the Industry

You’ve figured out by now that we can’t remind you of the good news without alternating back to the not so good news. Namely, the plant and labor shortages.

The year started with plant shortages driven by a number of factors highlighted in the 2021 Plant Shortage Report. Covid restrictions meant fewer employees could work in greenhouses to maintain plug material. Then the Texas freeze came along and exacerbated the shortages by further reducing the amount of plant material in the market.

The landscaping labor shortage crisis is old news. Yes, resuming temporary worker visas helped, however the industry needs more hands than are currently available. Previously postponed landscaping jobs were rescheduled to this year, but businesses still struggled to find people to join their teams.

While Covid distancing measures are no longer directing how many employees can be in a workspace, labour shortages persist. As a result, supply chain issues will remain. We’re not out of the woods yet!

 

The Year of Mergers & Acquisitions

M&A activity came back with gusto, almost doubling compared to last year! The landscaping industry saw some momentum build towards aggregation, with smaller nurseries merging or getting acquired by bigger players.

Some of the biggest names joined forces —  Aspire, who was acquired by Service Titan, partnered with SiteOne, and LMN acquired landscaping training software company Greenius. Time will tell what effect these mergers will have on the industry as a whole. If nothing else, it’s a thrill to be at the forefront of big changes.

 

COVID Vaccination Resumed Some Activity

The pandemic is far from over, yet the situation is greatly improved compared to the nightmare that was 2020. The greatest highlight after a year of uncertainty and isolation : Landscaping Industry Events are back!

Vaccination rates went up, restrictions went down, and finally, the industry came together again. Multiple landscaping industry event favourites such as the GIE expo, and the L&L Tech Conference were back again, offering much needed face-to-face interaction.

2021 was like much-needed rain after a drought. The landscaping trends that defined the year were mostly positive, with some big challenges persisting nonetheless. The road ahead may still be full of obstacles, but we’ve overcome a lot as an industry. Here’s to a better 2022, and to paving the way for the post-pandemic era for landscaping!

The post The Year in Review: Landscaping Trends That Defined 2021 appeared first on GoMaterials.

10 Key Metrics for Your Year-end Landscaping Business Review

10 Key Metrics for Your Year-end Landscaping Business Review

December is the month when projects slow down and planning for the upcoming year ramps up. This is the time to look at your landscaping company’s benchmarks and use those metrics to strategize for the new year. Your landscaping business KPIs calculate your performance. Here are 10 key metrics for you to analyze in your year-end landscaping business review!

 

Revenue KPIs for your Landscaping Business Review

1. This Year vs Last Year : Entire Business

Compare your total revenue this year to last year for your entire landscaping business. This number gives you a quick and high-level insight into your company’s growth.

When people ask “how’s business?” this is the metric you’ll be thinking about. Figure out the big picture and from there break things down and dive into “why” your company performed better, worse or equal to last year.

2. This Year vs Last Year : By Quarter

Gauge the impact of seasonality on your landscaping business by comparing each quarter between last year and this one.

Ideally, there will be a trend for which quarters bring in the most or the least amount of revenue. Your strategy from this point can go a number of ways. Perhaps you’ll decide to concentrate your efforts on the strong quarters next year and let the weak ones ride out. Alternatively, it might be time to let your staff maintain what they do during the strong quarters and focus on improving the weaker ones.

No obvious pattern is also a key performance indicator for your landscaping business. Investigate what went wrong when there are big discrepancies between the same quarter last year compared to this one.

3. This Year vs Last Year : By Service Type

Your business has many divisions. Measure how each one performed this year compared to last.

Use this landscaping business metric to pinpoint which divisions would benefit from increased marketing, which may need additional resources, and which may be costing more headache than they’re worth.

4. Revenue by Employee : This Year vs Last Year

Perhaps one of our favorite landscaping business KPIs! Comparing revenue per employee from year to year measures team efficiency and output. You can calculate this by dividing your total revenues by number of employees. You can even calculate this by crew or business division to see which teams are more productive. You can then use this information to plan detailed strategies for the following year. Certain departments might benefit from an extra set of hands. Some may be less productive versus last year and require a closer eye or an increase in motivation.

Landscaping Business metrics indicate an outcome, however they don’t tell the entire story. For every number, ask yourself “why” and really take the time to answer.

For example, revenue per employee could be down because your team is burnt out, which in turn led to high turnover throughout the last few months causing job delays. You may conclude that in this case, hiring a few extra crew members will benefit team efficiency in the long-term, even if it reduces revenue per employee in the short-term.

 

Customer-related Landscaping Business Metrics

5. This Year vs Last Year : Total Number of Customers

On its own, this number shows you half the picture. Combine it with your revenue numbers to gain some true insight into how your landscaping business is faring. Divide your overall revenue by your total number of customers to see the average revenue per customer.

If you have more total customers compared to last year, but the average amount they each bring in is lower, reconsider the type of client you’re attracting. Avoid spreading your resources thin on low ROI opportunities.

6. New vs. Returning Customers

How many of this year’s customers are new or returning? If the split changed since last year, it assesses whether your company’s focus has been on new sales or on retention and up-selling. While you may have been able to do both successfully, there is also a chance that you neglected one for the benefit of the other.

7. Customer Drop-off

Drop-off is a benchmark that needs to be closely scrutinized. In the best case scenario, you’ve “dropped” customers who weren’t a good fit for your landscaping business. It’s unfortunate yet sometimes necessary.

On the other hand, this metric indicates you’re not spending enough time on customer service and retention. If the customer’s needs can be met by your landscaping crew, analyze what made them take their business elsewhere. Your plan for the upcoming year should include adjusting whatever caused former clients to leave for greener pastures.

 

Profitability Metrics for your Landscaping Business Review

8. This Year vs Last Year : Total Business Profitability

Profit goes up, profit goes down. What changed and how do you keep the numbers in your favor? 2021 was a hard year for supply and labor availability. These shortages may have impacted your landscaping business’ bottom line.

When reviewing your year, consider what steps to take in order to mitigate the profit loss in the future. Reach out to third-party suppliers or services such as GoMaterials to help reduce costs and outsource certain business tasks. In short, find the hole that’s sinking your ship and plug it.

9. Profitability by Service Type

You’ve analyzed the revenue by division, now consider the profit brought in by each one.

Examine your low profit divisions and consider whether or not there’s a strategic reason you’re maintaining those services.

Your low-profit division might excel in volume. Ideally, this is the division that brings customers in and eventually feeds them to the rest of the company. Installations are a prime example because they feed the more profitable (and predictable!) maintenance contracts.

If your low profit division doesn’t benefit your landscaping business, it may be worth putting your time and resources elsewhere in your plans for the upcoming year.

 

Employee Satisfaction

10. Are Your Employees Happy?

It takes teamwork to achieve greatness. Each landscaping business metric thus far has been quantitative. Measuring happiness isn’t black and white, but you can calculate it nonetheless.

Give your employees anonymous surveys to get honest feedback. It’s important to have your finger on the pulse when it comes to grievances or satisfaction issues. The sooner matters are addressed and resolved, the better it is for the health of your landscaping business. You can find countless templates online if your plans for the new year don’t include a designated HR professional.

Ultimately, you need to determine your landscaping business KPIs and key metrics when you perform your year-end review. Know where you stand before you build a plan for where you’re going next year.

***

Once you’ve done the math and figured out your benchmark figures, take a look at our 3 strategy questions to build your landscaping business plan for 2022!

The post 10 Key Metrics for Your Year-end Landscaping Business Review appeared first on GoMaterials.

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24 Hours Plumbing Services

Regardless of when your plumbing emergency occurs, it would help if you were sure to contact 24 hours plumbing services. While it is possible to call your local plumber for an emergency, you may not be able to wait until the following day to deal with the issue. In such cases, it is best to hire Plumbing Contractors to fix the problem as soon as possible. These professionals are available to help you with your plumbing emergency any time of the day or night.24 hours plumbing services

These plumbers will be able to diagnose the problem quickly and properly. They also know how to deal with emergencies professionally, so they will make sure you get the best service possible. These professionals have a wide range of prices, and you will want to call a few different emergency plumbers so that you can get a good estimate of the cost of the job. They will have the necessary experience to be able to diagnose your problem correctly and give you an accurate quote for the job.

A 24-hour plumbing service will be able to respond quickly to your emergency. Because emergencies do not necessarily occur between 9-5, many plumbing outfits keep a staff on call to respond to problems after hours. Whether you need a leaky faucet or a faulty toilet, you can depend on the help of a 24-hour plumber to solve your problem. While you can often wait until business hours to call for help, plumbing emergencies do not wait.

You can count on 24/7 emergency plumbing services from Mr. Rescue Plumbers to resolve your plumbing emergency. With 24 hours plumbing services, you’ll never have to worry about having to wait for a plumber, and you’ll never have to deal with a major problem again. And since they’re available around the clock, you can call them any time of day. You won’t have to wait long to find a professional.

Calling a 24-hour plumbing service is important in an emergency. Although your plumbing issues are unlikely to be immediate, they may still be serious enough to require immediate attention. The best plumbers will work around your schedule to make sure your plumbing needs are met as quickly as possible. Even if your plumbing emergency is minor, 24 hours plumbers can provide a quick solution to your problems. You can also schedule regular maintenance appointments for your home’s plumbing needs by scheduling appointments with them.

In the event that you need to call a plumber, you must do so immediately. A plumbing emergency can occur at any time, and it’s critical that you have a professional plumber on call. These plumbers will work around your schedule to fix the problem as soon as possible. A 24 hour emergency service will not only be able to fix the problem, but they will be able to diagnose the problem and provide the best possible solutions for your situation.

While a plumber can usually be reached by phone, you should always contact them directly. While an emergency plumber will be able to address a plumbing problem quickly, you should also make sure that you’re aware of the dangers associated with a plumbing emergency. For instance, a blockage in the main sewer line can lead to a disastrous water backup that can destroy your home’s plumbing system. A sewer backup is a major issue that requires immediate action. A professional plumber will arrive at your home within minutes.

You can also call a 24 hour plumber if you’re not sure when your plumbing problem will occur. The plumber should be licensed and insured to protect your property and your home. They should also be able to provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee to their customers. A 100% customer service guarantee can also help you avoid any unpleasant surprises. In addition to offering emergency service, 24 hour plumbers should also be able to repair common plumbing problems that may arise.

Whether you need a plumber for your commercial or residential property, 24 hours plumbing services can save you a lot of time and money. In a disaster, a clogged toilet can lead to a major mess and can even damage your home. So, it’s best to have a plumber on call in case of such an emergency. The cost of a plumbing emergency can be high, and you don’t want to risk paying for the damage.

ABC’s Shark Tank Daymond John to kick-off Jobber’s second annual Professional Development Day

ABC’s Shark Tank Daymond John to kick-off Jobber’s second annual Professional Development Day

Plan now to take a day off in February when lawn and landscape business owners will have the opportunity to hone their business acumen with some free seminars. Jobber, a provider of lawn and landscape business software, has announced that its annual Jobber Professional Development (PD) Day will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, from 11 am until 4 pm eastern. This completely free and virtual event features expert sessions and live networking opportunities designed to strengthen the business and leadership skills that small business owners and management teams need to succeed.

“We were so humbled by the feedback we received from the thousands of home service professionals who attended Jobber PD Day 2021 that we knew we had to bring it back for a second year,” said Sam Pillar, CEO and co-founder of Jobber. “Our roster of world-class speakers and panelists will offer the home service community fresh perspectives and insights, equipping them with the tools they need to continue driving their business success.”

Registration for the free event is now open at https://www.jobberpdday.com/.

What to expect

Jobber PD Day will kick off with a Q&A featuring celebrity investor, world-famous entrepreneur, four-time bestselling author, and star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Daymond John. Daymond will speak about the top positive qualities and pitfalls that set successful entrepreneurs apart. Drawing on his own experience as a CEO of FUBU and The Shark Group, and as an original Shark Tank investor, Daymond will share how to apply his successful strategies to your business.

Following the Q&A, Jobber PD Day attendees can build their own event schedules, choosing from multiple networking opportunities and expert sessions to join throughout the day. Sessions will be organized into three track focuses: People, Profit, and Process.

Landscape designer/contractor, TV host, author of Big Impact Landscaping, and STIHL spokesperson Sara Bendrick will also be speaking at this year’s event. Bendrick owns and operates Sarita Landscape Designs, which focuses on residential design throughout Southern California. She travels the country doing talks and often hosts landscape renovation shows that encourage people to value the outdoor spaces they have.

Additionally, popular Jobber PD Day 2021 speaker, entrepreneur, and author Mike Michalowicz will be returning for a session with Adrienne Dorison from their joint venture Run Like Clockwork. The session will show attendees how to shift their mindset, culture, and processes so they can create a lean, profitable business that supports them. 

Michalowiczis best known as the creator of Profit First, which is used by hundreds of thousands of companies across the globe to drive profit, and Clockwork, a powerful method to make any business run automatically. Adrienne has spent the past 10+ years in the field of operational efficiency and has since created the most simplistic approach to making your business ultra-efficient.

To learn more about Jobber PD Day 2022 or to register, visit: https://www.jobberpdday.com/. Individuals located in North America who register before January 17, 2022, will automatically be entered to win a new Apple MacBook Air.

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