In this episode of The Grow Show powered by Stihl, host Marty Grunder speaks with Greg Cole from Cole Landscaping outside of Boston. The conversation emphasizes building a strong culture, setting clear goals, and the importance of giving back to both the community and the industry. 

00:00 - Welcome to the Grow Show

01:42 - Meet Greg Cole from Cole Landscaping

02:17 - Greg’s Journey into Landscaping

05:28 - Challenges and Mentorship As a Business Grows

10:34 - Greg’s Personal Growth and Transformation

14:59 - Time Management and Building Daily Habits

21:24 - Greg’s Open Book Philosophy

23:52 - Things to Learn From Smaller Companies

27:56 - Embracing Technology for Growth

29:23 - Greg’s Advice to Younger Self

31:42 - Strategies to Build a Positive Culture

35:12 - The Importance of Giving Back

39:09 - The Impact of Collaboration and Networking

40:36 - Final Thoughts

Show Notes:

Personal Development and Health Impact Business Success: Focusing on personal growth and health can transform your mindset and leadership abilities. It not only boosts your energy levels but also positively affects how you run your business.

Importance of Setting Clear Goals and Accountability: Writing down clear goals and tracking your daily activities ensures accountability and direction. Tools like Habit Tracker can help manage and achieve your targets efficiently.

Learning from and Sharing with Peers: Engaging with peer groups and sharing knowledge with both smaller and larger companies can provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. This peer interaction fosters continuous improvement.

Leveraging Technology for Growth: Adopting technology solutions like Aspire software is crucial for operational efficiency and growth. Integrating tech can streamline processes and help scale your business.

Building and Maintaining a Positive Culture: Creating a positive work environment through activities like morning stretch sessions and regular recognition boosts employee satisfaction and performance. A strong culture is essential for long-term success.

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Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder shares essential insights on conducting an effective seasonal kickoff meeting for landscaping businesses. Marty outlines five key strategies:

Marty emphasizes the importance of transparency, engagement, and clear communication. Sharing financial goals, company mission, core values, and creating a rallying cry to motivate the team. The episode provides a detailed walkthrough of Grunder Landscaping's 2024 kickoff meeting, highlighting how to make these gatherings both informative and inspiring.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

00:51 - Dealing With Challenges: A Snowstorm Story

02:01 - Seasonal Kickoff  Meetings: Importance & Best Practices

03:26 - Planning & Executing a Successful Kickoff Meeting

05:13 - Engaging Your Team: Experiential Learning

07:39 - Sharing Information & Building Trust

10:50 - Debriefing and Continuous Improvement

11:26 - Kickoff Meeting Highlights & Examples

15:51 - Conclusion & Grow 2025

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Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show, hosted by Emily Lindley, content and events manager at The Grow Group and marketing manager for Grunder Landscaping Company, listeners are introduced to effective client communication strategies for landscaping companies. Emily emphasizes the importance of good communication to stand out from competitors and build trust with clients. She highlights automating communications to ease the burden on sales and production teams and shares a practical example of a sales team introduction email template. This episode offers insights on setting up efficient communication practices during the winter to prepare for the busy spring season. This topic will be spoken on in more depth at the upcoming Grow 2025 event in Columbus, Ohio.

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Discussed in this episode:

- Automate client communication where possible to alleviate workload from sales and production teams.

- Personalize communication with clients by providing detailed introduction emails featuring salespeople's backgrounds and personal touches.

- Use templates for consistent messaging; ensure every salesperson has a tailored template set up in email systems.

- Highlight company-wide promises and unique value propositions in client communications to build trust.

- Maintain high standards for team attitudes and behaviors, emphasizing friendliness, tidiness, efficiency, and preparedness.

- Encourage internal communication to prevent clients from having to repeat information, ensuring smooth transitions between sales and production teams.

- Sign off introduction emails from company leadership to emphasize the importance of the client relationship and the salesperson's role.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:32 - Importance of Client Communication

02:57 - Automating Your Communication with Clients

04:07 - Strengthen Your Sales Team Introduction Email

05:07 - Key Ways to Personalize Client Interactions

06:56 - Communicating the Company Promises and Values

08:59 - Conclusion and Invitation to Grow 2025

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Discover the key differences between orientation and onboarding in this concise podcast episode. Learn why both are crucial for successfully integrating new hires and boosting long-term engagement. We'll break down how orientation sets the stage and how onboarding drives deeper employee connection and productivity and learn how RJ Lawn and Landscape and Hidden Creek do this well! Tune in to ensure your new hire process is setting your team up for success!

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In This Episode:

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:58 - Defining Orientation

02:54 - Setting the Tone With Orientation

06:19 - Defining Onboarding & Effective Strategies

08:04 - Increase Retention & Engagement

10:17 - Conclusion And Final Thoughts

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes: 

Orientation vs. Onboarding:

  - Orientation is a one-time event for new hires, where they get all the necessary information about the company.

  - Onboarding is a longer-term, structured process aimed at integrating new team members into the organization.

Purpose of Orientation:

  - Provides a crash course on how the company works.

  - Covers policies, procedures, paperwork, company history, and administrative tasks.

  - Sets the tone and culture of the company.

  - Helps new hires understand expectations and the working environment.

Setting the Tone:

  - Orientation can set the tone for punctuality, professionalism, and workplace culture.

  - Example contrasts of tone:

    - Bill Belichick's strict, no-nonsense orientation style with the New England Patriots.

    - Mike McDaniel’s relaxed, friendly approach with the Miami Dolphins.

Onboarding Details:

  - Involves role-specific training and development.

  - Includes continuous feedback and performance assessments.

  - Common practice of 30, 60, 90-day check-ins to ensure ongoing support and engagement.

Long-term Goals of Onboarding:

  - Ensures new team members are productive and engaged.

  - Focuses on both job performance and employee satisfaction.

Impact of Effective Onboarding:

  - Increases retention and job satisfaction.

  - Enhances overall company success by creating a strong, engaged workforce.

In this episode, Marty Grunder and Vince Torchia discuss the 4 Pillars of Success and what successful landscaping companies are doing in 2025 to ensure they have strength in their Platform, People, Process, and Profits.

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In This Episode:

00:00 - Start

00:24 - Introduction and Welcome

01:59 - The Four PIllars of Success

02:45 - Deep Dive into Platform

07:39 - Focusing on People

10:02 - Thoughts on the Current Labor Market

15:34 - Optimizing Processes

19:26 - Driving Profits

23:12 - Grow Event 2025

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In Episode 91 of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping and the Grow Group provides valuable insights into effective leadership. Marty emphasizes the importance of leading by example, maintaining integrity, showing enthusiasm, and communicating effectively. He shares personal anecdotes and actionable steps to become a better leader in 2025, including being proactive, taking risks, and embracing challenges with a positive mindset. Additionally, Marty underscores the importance of setting a clear vision and purpose, and constantly working on self-improvement. The episode concludes with an invitation to the Grow 2025 event in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on leadership, sales, and finance.

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Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

(00:00) - Introduction & Welcome

(02:28) - Leading By Example

(03:36) - Embracing Challenges

(06:17) - Bring the Juice!

(08:20) - Communicate Effectively

(13:08) - 4 Steps to Better Communication

(16:23) - Impact for the Better

(17:54) - Fix Problems With TNT

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

How can you, as a team member who isn't in a leadership role, drive meaningful change within your organization in 2025? 

In this episode of The Grow Show, Vince Torchia, Vice President of The Grow Group, discusses the often overlooked but crucial skill of managing up. While much focus is placed on how managers can lead their teams, Vince emphasizes the importance of team members effectively managing their relationship with their manager to ensure smoother operations and success within the company. Vince shares practical tips on anticipating challenges, communicating clearly, embracing ownership, and adapting to decisions for the greater good—skills that can make a big difference in both team dynamics and overall company performance.

In This Episode:

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:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode, Marty reveals how a simple $70 lunch turned into nearly $2M in business for Grunder Landscaping Co. in 2024!

Tune in to hear Marty share his networking strategies, from identifying the right clients to building meaningful relationships that lead to long-term success. Learn how to craft a targeted prospect list, leverage contact management tools like Aspire, and stand out in a crowded market. Discover the power of personal touches, like handwritten notes, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings, and hear how sports and shared interests can create lasting business connections. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your approach, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow your landscaping business through smart networking!

In This Episode:

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:

Good News in Dayton  

Virtual Sales Bootcamp

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group  

Grunder Landscaping  

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  https://www.stihlusa.com/

How can mentorship serve as a pivotal influence in career advancement, particularly for women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as finance and landscaping?

In this episode, Marty Grunder is joined by Landscape Workshop CFO Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder to talk about how they get their branch managers to think like owners, what's changed as the company has grown, the metrics they pay attention to, what it's like working with CEO J.T. Price, and the challenges and solutions she's found as the business faced challenges.

Christianna stresses that cultural integration is more than a buzzword—it's the backbone of successful mergers. With a dedicated PMI team, companies can align cultures and operations, ensuring smoother transitions. She also sheds light on why business owners might consider selling, highlighting that larger partnerships can alleviate labor challenges and administrative burdens, allowing businesses to thrive by focusing on core strengths. From mentorship to leadership, Christianna speaks candidly about the importance of direct feedback and open communication in career growth. Learn how she's been inspired by mentors with McKinsey backgrounds and how "honest, open, and transparent" conversations foster a performance-driven culture. You’ll hear some of the unique challenges women face in this industry, advocating for mentorship to break down barriers, whether it's navigating maternity leave or bridging gender gaps. Community involvement is key - Christianna recounts her engagement with initiatives like Rotaract, demonstrating the powerful impact of mentorship and community support.

Landscape Workshop is a full-service grounds management company that has been providing professional service and expert maintenance for outdoor commercial spaces since 1984. We bring out the best in each property we serve while delivering a first-class experience every time. With multiple locations throughout the Southeast, LW has the resources to consistently deliver superior landscaping services across our expansive footprint. Our regional clients have the unique benefit of hiring one landscape vendor for multiple locations.

In This Episode:

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:

Photo Credits: LW

Landscape Workshop 

Virtual Sales Bootcamp 

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group  

Grunder Landscaping  

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

What are the challenges and opportunities facing the snow and ice control industry, and how are companies like VSI and Storm Equipment leading the way in setting new standards and educating contractors on best practices?

Marty Grunder is joined by Jordan Smith on this episode of The Grow Show powered by STIHL to discuss his journey in the landscaping and snow removal industry. They talk about the challenges Jordan has faced in his career and how he's overcome them, the changes the snow industry has faced, and what he believes is coming next for pros who offer snow and ice services.

In the evolving landscape of the snow industry, standardized practices are necessary. In their conversation, Marty and Jordan discuss how companies like VSI and Storm Equipment are pioneering efforts to educate contractors about proper pricing and asset recovery. You’ll hear about cutting-edge advancements in snow removal technology, from versatile Boss products to heavy equipment innovations that enhance productivity and employee morale. Find out how the value of a passionate team and treating snow as a critical service can transform challenges into opportunities.

Voigt Smith Innovation (VSI) was founded from a landscaping and snow removal company that began with a one-man crew and grew rapidly over the years. To differentiate from competitors, VSI started offering specialized services like hydroseeding and liquid de-icing, eventually designing and building their own equipment after being dissatisfied with the market options. After years of refinement, VSI realized their expertise could help other contractors, leading to the company's formation. With over 10 years of experience, VSI focuses on customer satisfaction, using high-quality components like Honda engines and Banjo pumps, and offering warranties for reliability and peace of mind.

In This Episode:

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:

Jordan Smith LinkedIn 

VSI by Boss  

Virtual Sales Bootcamp 

Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group 

Grunder Landscaping  

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl