OCTOBER 2023
In This Issue
Planning for Success in 2024 by Loren McIrvin
As we head into our winter season and have 2024 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to dive into the planning & strategizing for the coming year. While my annual planning is far from perfect, I have found some critical components listed below that have helped me navigate many headwinds and I hope they might help you:
1. Budgeting – A budget serves as the financial roadmap for your business, guiding you toward your goals and ensuring financial stability. Revenue Projections – Carefully assess your revenue sources and create realistic projections based on historical data, market trends, and potential growth areas. Expense Management – Identify and categorize your expenses, including fixed costs and variable expenses. Implement cost-saving strategies where possible without compromising quality. Cash Flow Analysis – Maintaining a healthy cash flow is always critical and with bank lending tightening currently it is all the more important.
2. SWOT Analysis – It helps you assess your business’s internal Strengths and Weaknesses, as well as external Opportunities and Threats. Capitalize on your strengths, be it a talented team, unique products, or strong brand reputation. Identify your weaknesses or areas for improvement. Keep an eye on opportunities and emerging trends. Understand external threats, like economic downturns, competition, or changing regulations, and develop strategies to mitigate them.
3. Rockefeller Habits – The Rockefeller Habits, inspired by John D. Rockefeller’s business philosophy, provide a framework for scaling and managing your business effectively. Priorities, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Alignment, Customer Feedback, Etc.
4. Vision Tracker – Your business’s vision acts as a North Star, and a vision tracker helps you stay on course. Vision Clarity – Revisit your company’s mission and vision statements to ensure they are concise, inspiring, and clearly understood by all team members. Milestones – Break down your vision into achievable milestones and set specific, measurable targets for each quarter.
“Good planning is the key to success, and with proper preparation, there are no limits to what you can achieve.” – Zig Ziglar
Landscape Leadership Launches Latest Guidebook
“The No-Nonsense Guide to Lawn Care Marketing” is free and geared toward lawn companies with annual revenues of $ 2 million to $20 million.
Access this lawn care marketing guide freely by clicking the button below:
NorCal Landscape & Nursery Show
The NorCal Landscape & Nursery Show is coming to the San Mateo Event Center on February 8th, 2024 from 8am – 4pm.
Thank you to those that joined us for the Master Smart Controller Fundamentals Luncheon on September 14th at SiteOne Hardscape Center in Dublin.
The hands on training included Rain Bird’s new 2 wire Controller Trailer with their new 2 wire controller the LXIVM live! Rain Bird’s residential controllers were also live for programing and troubleshooting purposes.
Thank you to the Nor Cal Rain Bird team Fernando Terrazas South Bay, Diana Jaramillo North Bay, Nate Acosta Northern CA, and Ed Perez Sacramento!
CLCA East Bay Chapter General Membership Meeting
CLCA East Bay Chapter General Membership Meeting
Thursday, October 19th
6pm – 8pm
Join us for a FREE General Membership Meeting at Fieldwork Brewing Co. in San Ramon. CLCA members will vote on the nominees for the 2024 Board of Directors.
Click to Learn About The CandidatesRefreshments will be served while you network and take part in decisions affecting the chapter.
Damion Rosby, Golden Gate Truck Center will be in attendance to share what’s new in fleet transportation and John Meneghetti, Greenworks will share the latest emission free electric tools in the landscape industry.
COST (includes food and beverage):
CLCA Members: no charge
Non-members: $25
Partner Spotlight
The Urban Farmer Store
Heritage Landscape Supply Group (“Heritage”) announced that it has acquired The Urban Farmer Store (“UFS” or the “Company”), a full-service distributor of irrigation, lighting, and other landscaping products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, UFS was founded in 1981 by Tom Bressan and is owned and operated today by Matt Fay and Adrian Smith. The Company operates out of 4 facilities, 3 in the Bay Area and 1 in Honolulu, and currently employs a team of 30 people. Matt & Adrian will continue to lead the Company’s dedicated team, ensuring continuity and consistency for customers, suppliers, and employees.
Chris McMurrough, COO of Heritage, commented, “We are truly excited to welcome The Urban Farmer Store to the Heritage family. The Company’s inimitable branch footprint in metro San Francisco and newest location in Hawaii, the first in the state for Heritage, make this a very compelling partnership. UFS has garnered an extremely loyal customer base over the years due to its fanatical service and product expertise, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our combined operation.”
Matt Fay and Adrian Smith, owners of the Company, commented, “The Urban Farmer Store has flourished over its 40+ year history by developing and retaining the industry’s most knowledgeable staff and offering only the highest-grade professional products. We are thrilled to be joining the growing Heritage family of companies and firmly believe that their entrepreneurial business model and commitment to taking care of their people make Heritage the ideal steward for the next chapter of UFS’ future.”
About Heritage Landscape Supply Group
Heritage Landscape Supply Group’s vision is to grow by forming a network of the best independent distributors to provide exceptional customer service while increasing our value as a trusted growth partner to top manufacturers in the industry. Our mission is to help our family of companies achieve new heights and provide opportunities for all employees to grow, thrive, and advance with the company for decades to come. We currently operate under a family of distinct local brands encompassing more than 210 locations across 35 states. Heritage Landscape Supply Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of SRS Distribution Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing privately held wholesale distributors in the United States.
Read Full Press Release Article Here
Contact the Urban Farmer Store Today
Doug Anthony
doug@urbanfarmerstore.com
415-710-7707
Partners for Success
CLCA East Bay Chapter Invites you to become a partner
Download the flier below for the 2023 Partners for Success Program and mail your payment today.
