Issue

Quickly growing, Garden Zest had issues related to accounting, invoicing, managing help/employees, and managing jobs.

Strengths

Word of mouth business was this company's strength along with the owner's likability and sales skills. The landscaping industry is lucrative for companies who prove to do professional and reliable work. The owner's spouse is a partner.

Opportunity

There was an opportunity to create a 1-year, 3-year, and/or 5-year plan. The owner also had the opportunity to create a streamlined operations plan and an investment plan.

Threat

Anxieties over accruing extra costs could keep the owner from taking action.

Weakness

The landscaping industry often struggles to acquire qualified and skilled personnel and is very competitive. While the owner has extensive experience in customer service, sales, and client management, this is the first registered business.

Approach

Strategy was approached with an agile sprint mentality. We looked to prioritize the top 3 issues: 1) invoice management, 2) accounting, and 3) employee management. From there, we discussed the potential directions that actionable steps could lead the owner.

Solution

• continue as owner/operator and remove the priority of hiring help

• create a more detailed job cost list to include all expenses related to a job (gas, milage, supplies etc.) that are in addition to labor/time and material

• utilize free accounting software until revenue can justify hiring an accountant

• transfer Excel list of services to accounting software for uniform invoicing and accounting

• establish work stages: lead contacted - consultation paid - consultation completed - time allotted for estimate creation (job dependent) - job review - invoice generation and delivery - job start

• generate revenue that will sustain/justify payroll

Results

Garden Zest continues to flourish with its owner/operator. Revenue is better managed and losses due to process have diminished.