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home | Standard Procedures
 

Standard Procedures

"Standard Operating Procedures are the recipes for a successful project and an award winning business" - Jody Shilan

    "Standard"- One way to perform a task
    "Operating"- The steps required to perform this task
    "Procedures"- Written guidelines so this task can be repeated
What if your company had developed one way to install pavers, plantings and sod - and every employee knew how to do it. Now imagine that you had a procedure for everything that you did in the office and in the field. It would be heaven. If you've never considered developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for your business, this members-only resource will certainly change your mind.

As a member of FromDesign2Build.com, you will learn:
  • How to train employees to do things the right way the first time and every time

  • How to develop "lean management principles" to successfully manage the design/build process

  • How to document employee development to determine promotions and raises

  • How to minimize wasteful site supervision hours by high paid management

  • How to create bonus and incentive programs that really work

  • That good employees and great systems build businesses

  • How to use less labor and accomplish more

Standard operating procedures will help minimize confusion, maximize your training and safety procedures, while raising project profitability. It's easier than you think and chances are you already have many established SOP's - all you need to do is take the time and organize them.

Bag of Tricks -- What you should bring to every new appointment
Jody Shilan, Editor
Bag of Tricks -- What you should bring to every new appointment Last week's Trade Secret was entitled "Travel Heavy", where we discussed the importance of your crews having all of the tools and materials on their truck that are necessary to properly complete an installation. This week I want to discuss the same idea but explore the concept as it relates to your designers and sales people . . . keep reading
"Travel Heavy" - If you want to be efficient you must do this.
Jody Shilan, Editor
"Travel Heavy" - If you want to be efficient you must do this. I first heard the expression "travel heavy" after I took a landscape construction job for the summer. The foreman was explaining to me how he liked to have everything that he needed with him when he would do his installations . . . keep reading
"Nacho Cheese" -- Stop giving your services away for free.
Jody Shilan, Editor
"Nacho Cheese" -- Stop giving your services away for free. One of the best ways to lose money in business is to give things away. Gee that's really earth shattering news or as my kids like to say, "Thanks Captain Obvious". So if this a "No Brainer" why am I trying to pawn it off as a trade secret . . . keep reading
"Give Me a Few Days and I'll Get You a Proposal" - Yeah, Right!
Jody Shilan, Editor
"Give Me a Few Days and I'll Get You a Proposal" - Yeah, Right! When I was working for a large design/build contractor I would often go on appointments that were not large enough to require a landscape plan but would be a good one or two day project . . . keep reading
Job Costing Basics -- Inaccurate Job Costing Can Be Costing You Plenty
Marcus VandeVliet, Contributor
Job Costing Basics -- Inaccurate Job Costing Can Be Costing You Plenty We're all acutely aware of the labor shortage facing our industry and also the limitations being placed on the H-2B seasonal guest worker program. This is a real problem for the Green Industry, but one that can be minimized if we approach it from different directions . . . keep reading

Save Labor In 4 Easy Steps: Why Adding More Labor Is Not The Way To Solve Your Labor Problems
Jody Shilan, Editor
Save Labor In 4 Easy Steps: Why Adding More Labor Is Not The Way To Solve Your Labor Problems We're all acutely aware of the labor shortage facing our industry and the limitations being placed on the H-2B seasonal guest worker program. This is a real problem for the Green Industry, but one that can be minimized if we approach it from different directions . . . keep reading
It's All in the Details: The Benefits of Standardizing Construction Details, Materials, and Techniques
Jody Shilan, Editor
It's All in the Details: The Benefits of Standardizing Construction Details, Materials, and Techniques If you put all of your construction foreman and laborers together in one room and asked them to describe how they build a paver walkway or patio, how many different answers would you get? . . . keep reading
How to Utilize a Phone Script
Jody Shilan, Editor
How to Utilize a Phone Script Standard Operating Procedures are the life blood of any successful company and should be developed for every process in your business. This article will discuss what is typically the very first interaction with the client- the initial phone call . . . keep reading
Download: Landscape Questionnaire and Survey
Jody Shilan, Editor
Download: Landscape Questionnaire and Survey A landscape questionnaire is a great way to involve a potential client in the design/build process and begin to create a meaningful dialogue. It shows your professionalism and your interest in them and their project . . . keep reading
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