Made you look! We don't have snow in the forecast just yet, but we're planning ahead now so that we're ready when we do. Preparations continued at Grunder Landscaping Co. this past week, as I know many of you are looking ahead and getting ready, too. Our team met to review our plan for the snow and specifically to talk about staffing for the properties we have under contract. 

Our plan for success in snow involves more than just our own team, we also rely on some really great snow subcontractors who lease their equipment to us for the season or do snow and ice work for us on some properties.

Setting our subcontractors up for success is important for a consistent experience for our clients, and it's also important for our team's sanity as winter approaches. We're laying the groundwork now for calm dispatches when snow hits. Here's how:

1. We pay well, but more importantly we pay fast. Cash flow is a concern for the businesses we rely on as subcontractors, just like it can be for our own. We make sure to pay quickly for all hours worked on our behalf. 

2. We set them up to use our software and we train them on our processes. This step is key because it makes it easier for our teams to manage all crews that are out working, whether they're our own team members or subcontractors. We set up logins and train our subs on how to use the software like we would a team member. Using our systems is a requirement to work with us - anyone who isn't willing to learn our processes and software isn't hired on. 

3. We show them some love. We make sure our great subcontractors feel appreciated and know we'll take care of them. We buy all of our subcontractors lunch at least once annually, and a lot of the subcontractors that we work with on snow removal we'll refer business to their primary business, too. Snow removal with us is a great way for them to make money during their own slower seasons, and we like to make sure the relationship is a win-win. 

Managing subcontractors well is critical to our success year-round, not just in snow work, and we apply these same strategies to the growing season, too. Come see how we do this, and so much more, at one of our Grunder Landscaping Co. Field Trips. We have 3 left in 2024, and our next one is nearly sold out. Register now to come see my team and I before the end of the year. 

Marty Grunder
Founder & CEO
The Grow Group & Grunder Landscaping Co. 

P.S. We have some big news at Grunder Landscaping Co. this week. On Friday, we closed on a second location, our first branch, in Cincinnati, OH. We're excited for the growth this second location will bring as we open for business there later this year!