“Your business is a promise delivery system—when everyone understands the promises, you’re more likely to deliver.” — Ryan Markewich

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Books:

• The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
• Stake in the Outcome by Jack Stack
• The Elapsed Anarchist’s Approach series by Ari Weinsvig
• Small Giants by Bo Burlingham

People to Follow:

• Mark Bradley (LinkedIn/Instagram)

Websites:

• Ryan Markewich’s Website

Training Tools:

• LMN software for landscaping businesses

Topics Discussed:

[00:00] Meet Ryan Markewich: A Unique Perspective on Landscaping
Robert introduces Ryan, a 30-year landscape business veteran and the only certified Great Game of Business coach in the green industry.

[01:30] From a Lawn Mower to a Thriving Business
Ryan shares his journey from starting with basic tools to building a luxury landscaping company focused on design, build, and maintenance.

[02:26] What Is the Great Game of Business?
Ryan provides an overview of open-book management and how it evolved into the Great Game of Business methodology.

[06:18] Engagement as the Key Growth Constraint
Ryan discusses the challenges of low employee engagement and how education and alignment can drive better results.

[07:36] 65% vs. 95% Engagement: What’s the Difference?
Using a sports team analogy, Ryan explains how engagement impacts efficiency and teamwork in landscaping businesses.

[10:46] Huddles and Line-Item Ownership
Ryan dives into the concept of huddles, assigning ownership to specific financial line items, and fostering team accountability.

[15:14] Building a People Development Framework
Ryan describes how his company uses a “passport to success” to train and develop employees for long-term growth.

[18:24] Training as a Priority for Growth
The conversation highlights why investing in training and development is crucial and how it impacts the bottom line.

[25:24] Formalizing Onboarding for Success
Ryan explains how structured onboarding sets the stage for delivering consistent results in the luxury market.

[33:10] Transitioning to Employee Ownership
Ryan details his process for introducing employees into ownership roles and creating a sustainable business model.

[39:00] Recommended Resources and Inspiration
Ryan shares influential books, such as The Great Game of Business and Small Giants, and recommends following industry leaders like Mark Bradley.

[40:24] Closing Thoughts and Future Topics
Robert and Ryan discuss topics for future episodes, including mini-games and advanced score boarding techniques.

Actionable Key Takeaways:

1. Open-Book Management: Educate employees about financial literacy and tie their roles to business outcomes.
2. Employee Ownership: Create opportunities for employees to buy into the business, fostering greater commitment and teamwork.
3. Engagement through Huddles: Regular team huddles with line-item ownership keep everyone accountable and aligned.
4. People Development: Invest in training and development to build internal talent and reduce reliance on external hires.
5. Simplified Scoreboards: Use clear, focused metrics to track progress and keep teams engaged with goals.
6. Quarterly Satisfaction Surveys: Regularly measure employee satisfaction to address issues in real time.