Working hard to keep their businesses running smoothly, landscape contractors are often forced to balance many roles throughout each day. When the heat is on and the season is at its busiest, the landscape construction industry can be demanding to say the least. Unilock Territory Managers help keep business operations moving smoothly. Let’s have a look at some of the contractor support services that Unilock offers day in and day out.

During the Contractor Advantage Seminars this past year, I asked a question of the attendees. It was a simple question, but a telling one: “How many of you have a training system in place at your company?” I wasn’t expecting so few hands to go up; out of over 1,000 people, approximately 5-10% raised their hands. Although I was somewhat surprised and a little disappointed, I was encouraged because of what I was about to present.

Contractors have a tendency to describe themselves as equipment “junkies,” “collectors,” or “enthusiasts.” Yet, most contractors rarely have the equipment on hand to back that claim up, let alone to adequately handle the demands of their projects’ needs. Understandably, many contractors are reluctant to purchase the equipment they truly need, instead choosing to make do with what they have. The prospect of steep monthly payments scares many away from making a large investment. However, the costs of using subpar tools add up and equal far more than the cost of purchasing the right equipment.

There’s no more efficient or productive machine than a crew that’s worked well together on multiple jobs. There’s a mutual understanding that forms — of work styles and of each individual’s strengths and weakness. A common language develops, making every subsequent job run more smoothly.

It’s just the nature of the job: Hardscape projects can be grueling with long days and longer weeks, often in oppressive heat and demanding conditions. And while some jobs are more physical than others, any project that requires an experienced crew rarely fits the description “easy.”

When it comes to running a business, nothing is quite as important as the way you manage your employees. No matter what kind of business you run, the best managers know how to encourage, guide, and incentivize their workers.

In part one of this three part series, we explored the way that management styles can make or break your business. Once you’ve solidified your leadership techniques, establishing ways to retain your best employees will be incredibly important. In part two of this series, we will discuss monetary incentives.

To some degree, most employees are motivated by money. For some of your employees, money will be the number one reason why they come to work every morning. But, for others, money isn’t everything. As a manager, it is important to identify the other, non-monetary things (such as company culture or recognition) that motivate your employees.