June 19, 2024

Interview Series: James Cali on Scalable Systems, Training Teams, and Business Opportunities

51 minutes

In this episode, Marty Grunder and James Cali discuss how they initially met, what they've learned from working togther on our ACE Peer Group Program, and what they love to see landscaping companies implement because of the results that come from it.

James Cali is a Grow Group executive coach, where he draws on his more than 25 years of executive leadership experience within the professional services industry to help business owners develop and execute strategy. Having helped lead a landscape firm from $3M to more than $28M in annual revenue, he is a master tactician whose focus on consistent planning, accountability, and finance drives green-industry companies forward. In addition to his work with The Grow Group, he co-leads McFarlin Stanford, a professional bookkeeping and recruiting firm, and is former chairman of NALP’s government affairs committee. A graduate of the University of New Orleans with an MBA from Southern Methodist University, Jim is based in Dallas, Texas.

In This Episode:

Visiting job sites and Jimmy John sandwiches

How James and Marty met at GROW 2016

OHIO - a great business acronym

Best practices - in any business

Team building - corporate vs. landscaping businesses

Spending a day with a team member- the irrigation story

Relationships and growth

Recognizing team members’ anniversaries

One-on-one meetings - save your questions, the best use of your time

Consistency - meetings, profit sharing, holiday parties

Traditions

The ACE Program - revenue, membership, growth, community

How Italy became an international destination for ACEs

Accountability Creates Excellence (ACE) - how to join, how it works, ROI

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The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

James Cali LinkedIn

Email James Cali

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH

The Grow Group

Grunder Landscaping

Marty Grunder LinkedIn

Stihl

...more