While the first day of spring is the official start of the busy season for most lawn care businesses around the country, by the time summer rolls around, your team has hit its stride and is firing on all cylinders. That is, until Mother Nature decides she has other plans and gives you a bout of unseasonal wet weather that keeps your crew on the sideline for the day.
Although it can be nearly impossible to predict when unexpected wet weather will strike, it is possible to have a plan in place for when it happens.
"Time is always of the essence for landscape crews, so staying efficient, even if the weather doesn't want to cooperate, is of the utmost importance," said Tom Vachal, Kubota's Senior Turf Product Manager. "No one wants downtime, but if you do get delayed by the weather, it's good to have a backup plan in place that will set you up for success once the weather clears up."
Here are three tips to keep your team on track when the weather isn’t on your side:
Perform equipment maintenance
We know this is an obvious one, but we can’t underscore enough the importance regular maintenance has on maximizing productivity and extending the life of your equipment. Well-maintained equipment enables your crew to work harder and longer while also keeping equipment repair costs down in the long run. Doing things like checking drive and deck belts, sharpening mower blades, checking air and oil filters, and checking tire pressure will have your crew ready to hit the ground running once the rainy weather passes.
For guidance for servicing your Kubota turf equipment, check out the Know Your Kubota how-to video series or contact your local dealer.
Train your employees
It has been said that, “knowing is half the battle,” and that certainly holds true in the lawn care industry where knowledge is king. Having a team of well-trained technicians is on par with having a fleet of well-maintained equipment, and when you have both, you set your business up for greater success.
Though a rainy day might be an inconvenience to your planned work schedule, it can also serve as a welcome pause to ensure your employees are trained properly and understand what is expected of them at all times. During the summer when you’re moving from job to job, it can be hard to find time for employee training. This is your opportunity.
Connect with your customers
When you’re at the work site and in the middle of the task at hand, rarely is there time for small talk with your customers. Oftentimes, a friendly wave through a window or a passing “hello” is the extent of your communication. But one of the quickest and easiest ways to generate new business is by talking to the customers you already serve. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and check in with them if you haven’t done so in several weeks or months. It’s possible they have some planned work on the horizon, but they don’t know it’s a service your business can provide. Don’t leave work on the table due to a lack of communication with your customers.
“Even if there isn’t grass to cut, your current clients may have other needs like leaf removal, snow removal, or jobs they might outsource to other contractors,” says Vachal. “Check in with your customers and offer up these services and continue to build revenue all year long.”
To learn about how Kubota’s Turf Fleet Program can help you grow your business, visit kubotausa.com/mowers/fleet-program. To find your local authorized Kubota dealer, visit kubotausa.com/find-a-dealer.