“The work is secondary; the human experience trumps all. If we build for people, we build something lasting.”

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Books:
  • Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
  • Turn the Ship Around! by L. David Marquet
  • The New Gold Standard by Joseph Michelli
  • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Consulting Services:
  • Southbrook Consulting for business insights and analytics
  • Knowledge Tree Consulting for operations efficiency
• Podcasts:
  • The Ultimate Landscape CEO by Jeffrey Scott
  • How I Built This by Guy Raz

Topics Discussed:

[00:31] Introduction
Rob introduces Will from Cudmore's Landscape and Design, highlighting Will’s background and dedication to the family business.

[01:17] Will’s Journey to the Family Business
Will shares his story of growing up in the family landscape business, leaving for a career in advertising, and later deciding to return after a life-changing experience.

[02:22] Primary Growth Challenges in Landscaping
Rob and Will discuss common growth constraints in the landscape industry and the unique challenges of managing a multi-generational business.

[02:53] Transitioning a Family Business
Will reflects on the experience of taking over from the first generation and how he was given the freedom to modernize and grow the business.

[05:58] Learning to Trust and Delegate
Will discusses the importance of trust and delegation, sharing how letting go helped him build a strong and motivated team.

[07:46] Redefining Leadership Styles
Will compares his leadership approach to his father’s, focusing on building a team-oriented culture that allows for growth and delegation.

[12:34] Defining Company Standards and Values
Will explains the importance of defining clear company values and how he integrated those values into the company’s everyday operations.

[14:02] Embedding Values in Decision-Making
Will shares how Cudmore's uses their company values as a decision-making tool, allowing staff to align with company principles even in his absence.

[22:50] Evolving Roles in a Growing Business
Will discusses the need to separate sales and operations roles as the business scaled, ensuring each area received dedicated focus.

[26:52] Creating a Value-Driven Workplace
Will details the steps taken to build a workplace where employees feel valued and motivated, making recruiting and retention easier.

[34:51] The Importance of Proactive Business Planning
Will emphasizes the importance of starting business planning early to ensure the company is positioned for success in the coming year.

[38:31] Recommended Resources for Growth
Will shares his go-to books and podcasts for leadership and business insights, including “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and “How I Built This.”

Actionable Key Takeaways:

• Define Your Company Values: Integrate a values exercise with the whole team, not just management, to create a shared understanding of your company’s mission.
• Delegate to Empower Growth: Identify areas for delegation to free up time for strategic planning, allowing others to contribute and grow.
• Prioritize Proactive Planning: Start planning for the next business year early to ensure marketing and staffing readiness.
• Use Leadership Tools: Consider tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks and balance long-term goals with urgent needs.
• Recruit with Purpose: Create a work environment that appeals to potential recruits beyond just a paycheck, focusing on growth, learning, and alignment with values.