The GROW! Show

By Marty GrunderBusiness Entrepreneurship Leisure Management Home & Garden

The GROW! Show episodes

November 20, 2024Sales: What Should You Be Doing Now to Ensure a Healthy Backlog Next Spring
As companies look ahead for a healthy spring backlog, Marty shares tips and tactics to help teams wrap up 2024 well and prepare their sales team to work together for a successful 2025.

Marty discusses identifying your best clients to focus on, establishing clear sales goals with your team, and relays wisdom from Grunder President Seth Pflum on refining your sales process. How are your client renewal rates? Have you reached out to your prospects for 2025? Whether it's scheduling lunches, sending unsolicited quotes, or simply making "warm calls" now - this is the time to build relationships for the future. With the right process in place, anyone can succeed in sales. Focusing on ideal prospects today will help ensure a healthy pipeline tomorrow.

In This Episode:
Losing weight with Brother to Brother
Identifying your best stable of clients to focus on
Setting and meeting sales goals with your team
President Seth Pflum’s pearls of wisdom on sales
Residential vs. Commercial clients
Client renewal rates at Grunder
Look for new accounts in June/July 2025
Who are your ideal prospects? Do your ‘warm calls’ NOW.
Reach out, invite prospects to lunch or a game, send unsolicited quotes
Anyone can win at sales with the right process
Finding new clients through contractors
The Hilton Columbus Downtown is the awesome new spot for GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:
GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH

Virtual Sales Bootcamp
Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips
The Grow Group
Grunder Landscaping
Marty Grunder LinkedIn
Stihl
17 min
November 13, 2024Interview Series: Marketing Landscaping Work with Emily Lindley
On this week's episode, Marty Grunder sits down with Grow Group Content & Events Manager and Grunder Landscaping Marketing Manager, Emily Lindley. They talk about GLC's marketing priorities for 2025, what worked and what didn't in 2024, and offer a sneak peek at some exciting marketing-focused sessions at the upcoming GROW! 2025 conference.

In this episode, topics covered include how to effectively target advertisements, analyze website traffic, and set social media goals. Emily also shares insights on the 2025 marketing budget and plan, client engagement strategies using Aspire for automated communication, and the importance of showcasing your landscape work through professional photography. Plus, Emily notes that group discounts are available for GROW! 2025, where attendees will learn how to better reach and keep their ideal clients.
In This Episode:
Introduction of Grunder’s marketing guru Emily Lindley
Marketing sessions/topics planned for the GROW! 2025 conference
Targeting your advertisements, analyzing web traffic
What are your goals for social media and who are you trying to reach?
The marketing budget and plan for 2025
Ways to delight clients, automating communication with Aspire
One of the marketing breakout sessions for GROW!
Coordinating photography of your landscape work
Group discounts are available for GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:
GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH

Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans

Virtual Sales Bootcamp
Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips
The Grow Group
Grunder Landscaping
Marty Grunder LinkedIn
Stihl
23 min
November 06, 2024Interview Series: The Ins and Outs of Battery Powered Equipment LIVE from Equip Expo
In this panel held live at Equip Expo in the STIHL booth, Marty Grunder is joined by Stihl experts Brian Fullerton, Dan Mabe, and Paul Beblowski to discuss what landscape pros should consider when evaluating switching to electric equipment. They talk about what benefits teams are seeing as they're using battery-powered equipment and what solutions contractors have found to common challenges that come from making the switch.

Brian, Dan, and Paul cover key considerations for professionals contemplating this shift, including tool pricing, charging logistics, and potential insurance changes. Paul shares STIHL’s financing options, while Brian emphasizes the ROI through reduced maintenance costs and fewer fuel mishaps.
Your company can start small with battery-powered tools, achieving the benefits of quieter operation, reducing noise pollution, and enhancing workplace culture. Audience questions tackle government collaboration for air quality improvements and battery disposal guidelines, with insights on available incentives. Tune in for the benefits and challenges of transitioning to battery-powered tools from STIHL.

In This Episode:
The episode opens at the Equip Expo with Marty Grunder and experts
Marty introduces the panel & the shift to battery-operated landscaping tools
Brian, Dan, and Paul introduce themselves and their work
Dan discusses the price of tools, charging power, temperature control, and potential insurance coverage changes
Paul covers what Stihl can do to help with financing
Brian on the benefits of switching to battery
ROI for transitioning to electric equipment
Auditing your current costs vs. electric, reduced maintenance costs and fuel mishaps
Paul on starting small - transitioning to battery-powered equipment
Expectations, honesty, safety measures, performance comparisons, and optimizing battery charging
Noise pollution in residential landscaping, impact on health and benefits of transitioning to electric tools, including quieter operation and improved work culture
Questions from the audience
Government collaboration for air quality management, joining and speaking up through industry organizations
Battery disposal parameters, Stihl’s prepaid recycling, government incentives
Last words and key takeaways
Looking forward to GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:
Stihl
Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans

Virtual Sales Bootcamp
Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips
GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH

The Grow Group
Grunder Landscaping
Marty Grunder LinkedIn
59 min
October 30, 2024Operations: What We Learn by Seeing it Firsthand
In this episode, Marty reveals how firsthand experiences at other leading landscaping companies inspired three key operational changes at Grunder Landscaping Co., enhancing efficiency and saving money. He highlights a recent team success, discusses improvements made by President Seth Pflum, and shares the significant benefits of Aspire software, including enhanced metrics, speed, and productivity. Additionally, Marty covers the impact of optimized truck setups, the value of their monthly GROW meetings, and maintaining transparency in financial data. Remember, teamwork is the most important ingredient in driving operational efficiency! Find out more in February at GROW! 2025.

In This Episode:
A recent Grunder project that was a team success
President Seth Pflum and his company improvements
Three major Aspire software benefits at Grunder- metrics, speed, productivity/automation
Improvements in truck setups
The monthly company GROW meeting - 45 mins once a month
Bonuses and their structure at Grunder- financial data is always shared
Operational efficiency is a team effort
Looking forward to GROW! 2025 - Early bird sign-up ends November 1!!
Recapping key takeaways
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:
Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans

Virtual Sales Bootcamp
Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips
Sign up by November 1! GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH
The Grow Group
Grunder Landscaping
Marty Grunder LinkedIn
Stihl
15 min
October 23, 2024Leadership: Vince Torchia's Takeaways from Touring Landscaping Companies
In this episode, Vince Torchia, Vice President at The Grow Group, shares insights from RJ Lawn & Landscape and Hidden Creek Landscaping, hosts for GROW! 2024 and 2025 events. Vince highlights the operational strengths and unique approaches of both companies, focusing on their intentional strategies in team building, departmental organization, and cultivating a strong company culture. As we enter Q4 2024, he reflects on key takeaways from the Des Moines GROW! 2024 event and sets the stage for what to expect in February’s GROW! 2025. Tune in for valuable leadership lessons and a sneak peek at Hidden Creek’s innovative practices.

In This Episode:
Welcome to Q4 2024, and looking forward to February’s GROW! 2025
Reviewing Des Moines GROW! 2024
The RJ team’s operational mindset
Intentionality in the building, grouping departments and teams together, the basement training room
Company and team culture
Planning with intention
Hidden Creek sneak peek
Looking forward to GROW! 2025
Recapping key takeaways
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:
Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans

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
16 min
October 16, 2024Interview Series: Meet Our GROW! 2025 Tour Host
Jason Cromley of Hidden Creek Landscaping sits down with Marty Grunder to talk about his journey as a landscape professional - from starting his company in college to today. Consider this episode a preview of what we'll see when we're onsite touring their facility for GROW! 2025 in February!

After starting his company in college, Jason reflects on his challenges and triumphs in building a successful business today. From his family roots in Ohio and the influence of growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to highlighting how that shaped his motivation and drive, the conversation dives into various leadership styles, the delicate balance between “luck” and creating opportunities, and the importance of branding and organization in running a business. Jason also shares valuable tips for staying organized and how building the right infrastructure can eliminate unnecessary sales calls. As they look forward to the upcoming GROW! 2025 event in February, listeners will gain insights into both the landscape industry and the personal experiences that have defined Jason’s career. Don't miss this special sneak peek, and please join us for what may be the bigget and best GROW! ever, this February.

In This Episode:
Property Intel from Aspire
Jason’s family and living in Ohio
A family of entrepreneurs
Motivation and drive, Type A personalities, leadership styles
“Luck” vs. creating opportunities
Hidden Creek and its success, branding and spending
Challenges and lessons as a business owner
Spouses and business ownership
Building the right building to eliminate sales calls
Tips and tricks for staying organized
Looking forward to GROW! 2025
Recapping key takeaways
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:

Property Intel from Aspire
Hidden Creek Landscaping
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
48 min
October 09, 2024Sales: How to Find Winter Work
Look ahead at your schedule: do you have enough winter work lined up to get you through the colder months ahead? For the time between snow storms, there are certain kinds of work that can keep crews working. In this episode, Marty Grunder shares the kinds of work they're looking for at Grunder Landscaping Co. and what they're doing to find more jobs for December - February.

With winter often viewed negatively, Marty explains how to shift that narrative, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning year-round. He discusses strategies for identifying viable services, setting achievable goals, and networking with top clients to uncover unsolicited project opportunities. Listeners will learn about a significant winter project involving a massive retainer wall at Grunder Landscaping Co. and how seeking winter work can not only maintain revenue but also attract and retain employees. Tune in to discover how to change perceptions and embrace winter work as a valuable opportunity!

In This Episode:
Check out Ryan Hawk’s Learning Leader podcast to hear Kat Cole
Winter work attracts employees, and maintains revenue, but has a lot of misinformation and negativity around it
Should be a priority year-round
Identify the services you can offer, set goals
A Grunder winter project - massive retainer wall
Network with your top clients, offer unsolicited projects
Set a good leadership example by seeking winter work yourself
Change the narrative around winter work - no negativity!
Recapping key takeaways
Sign up for GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:

Learning Leader Podcast #476
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
15 min
October 02, 2024Strategy: The Questions to Ask As You Plan for 2025
Tis the Season for Strategic Planning! In this episode, Vince Torchia shares what teams should consider and how they can structure their strategic planning to ensure they're well prepared for 2025. Vince discusses the need to revisit vision and mission statements, ensuring core values remain relevant. You’ll hear how Grunder Landscaping revamped their mission to foster teamwork and highlights the significance of recognizing team members who embody these values. The episode also delves into crucial aspects such as revenue targets, ideal client profiles, equipment needs, and the skills of team members, encouraging listeners to evaluate their company’s location and resources for optimal success.

In This Episode:
Check your vision and mission statements, are your core values still valid?
How Grunder changed their mission statement to be more team-oriented
Recognizing team members for exhibiting your values
Revenue targets - what does your mix look like?
Hiring and training to support the revenue targets
Finding or refining your ideal client mix
Examining your equipment needs for 2025
Do you have enough of the right team members with the right skills?
Looking at your company location - do you need to change anything?
Recapping key takeaways
Sign up for GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:

Vince Torchia LinkedIn
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
17 min
September 25, 2024Interview Series: The Journey to Success with Lee Buffington of Thrive Outdoor
In this episode, our longtime friend Lee Buffington, Founder & CEO of Thrive Outdoor in Alabama, shares stories from his 29-year journey as a landscape pro. Starting his company at 19 years old, he shares the challenges that seemed big in the early years, how his team has overcome them, and what they're working on today.

Lee delves into the critical importance of mindset, emphasizing how attitude can elevate someone from a weed eater operator to a successful business leader. He discusses the evolution of his company over nearly three decades, examining current industry trends and the management of multiple locations. He highlights the use of data analysis through platforms like Aspire, which has streamlined operations and informed decision-making. Throughout the conversation, Lee underscores the significance of building strong relationships, both with clients and team members, and how ‘leading with love’ fosters a positive work environment. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring landscapers, including the importance of mentorship and the impact of hiring the best talent. Tune in for an inspiring and insightful discussion about perseverance, growth, and the power of community in business.

In This Episode:
Intro of guest Lee Buffington, Alabama and family discussion
From dreams of medical school to the landscaping industry
Early challenges, being a young solopreneur, surviving winters
29 years in business, examining the business and industry today
Physical locations of Thrive Outdoor in Alabama
Mindset and attitude can take you all the way from weed eater operator to company head in the landscaping industry
Realizing you are the bottleneck
Collecting and analyzing data - Aspire
Managing multiple locations and a changing industry, Grunder’s new branch
Business success and relationships, leading with love
Would you have done anything differently?
Paying for the best people
Learning from all levels of team members
Advice for landscapers - mentors
Sign up for GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:

Thrive Outdoor Inc.

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
39 min
September 18, 2024Interview Series: Industry Trends with Seth Jones of Landscape Management Magazine
In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder and Seth Jones, Editorial Director of Landscape Management Magazine, dive deep into the emerging trends, such as the growing influence of technology and innovative sales approaches that are reshaping the sector. Seth shares his professional journey and the current outlook for landscaping businesses, offering insights into overcoming the anticipated challenges of 2024 and 2025. The conversation also explores how peer groups have led to impressive results and examines valuable lessons gleaned from journalism and golf industry trends. Additionally, Marty and Seth discuss the importance of “consistent and constant low-risk experiments” for entrepreneurs. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of how landscaping professionals can adapt to industry shifts and drive success.

In This Episode:
Welcome to guest Seth Jones, Editorial Director of Landscape Managment Magazine
Marty’s monthly column, Professor Dr. Frank Henniger
Seth’s background and path to current success
Looking at the industry - current and future outlook
Unique approaches to increased sales seen in the industry
Peer groups and great results
Can we learn anything from trends in the journalism sector?
Changing lives with content
Trends to watch in the golf industry
Embracing technology of all types - broaden your horizons
“Consistent and constant low-risk experiments” are crucial for entrepreneurs
Exciting elements of the landscaping industry in Seth’s world
How to get in touch, submitting ideas
Sign up for GROW! 2025
Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!
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:

Seth Jones LinkedIn
Landscape Management Magazine

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
45 min

About The GROW! Show

From the publisher's feed

The GROW! Show is a show that highlights Marty Grunder's annual conference, GROW!. The GROW! show will showcase how anyone in the green industry can grow themselves, their team, and their business.