Team Engine

"We're not landscapers—we're people managers." That quote from this episode of The Commercial Landscaper Podcast with guest David Krysh says it all. One of the biggest challenges in any business isn’t the work itself—it’s hiring and managing the right people to do it well. In this episode, host Robert Clinkenbeard and David dive into the hiring challenges that landscape business owners face, especially when growth demands new talent. Here are some key takeaways: 💡 Hiring is a long game. Recruiting skilled management talent isn’t a 90-day process anymore. Owners need to think 4-6 months ahead—especially if relocation is involved. 💡 Industry experience isn’t always essential. Some of the best hires come from outside the green industry, bringing fresh skills in leadership, technology, and process improvement. 💡 Tech skills are the future. As automation and data-driven decision-making grow, the best hires will be those who embrace technology, from the office to the job site. If you’re struggling to hire the right talent—or just want to rethink your recruitment strategy—this episode is a must-listen. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gzVUF-Ja #Recruiting #TalentAcquisition #CandidateSourcing #TalentSourcing #LaborShortage #Landscaping #GreenIndustry

Skilled labor shortage. High turnover. Wage pressures. Sound familiar? In our recent webinar with Kathey Palmer from Inova we tackled these pressing challenges in the trades—and, more importantly, how to solve them, including: ✅ Why engagement and empowerment drive retention & profitability ✅ How to attract and keep top talent—even in a competitive market ✅ The HR tech tools that simplify workforce management Watch the full recording now: https://lnkd.in/e-v9qgu7

Training isn’t just for new hires—it should be an ongoing process that keeps your team sharp, efficient, and engaged. But let’s be honest: getting employees to stay interested in routine training can be a challenge. In this article, the #NALP offers three ways to make training more effective and keep your landscaping, lawn care, tree care, or snow removal crew engaged: ✅ Bring in Vendors & Industry Experts Your team might tune out if the same people lead every training. Shake things up by inviting vendors and manufacturers to share their knowledge. Their expertise, fresh perspectives, and product insights can capture attention in ways internal training can’t. Plus, it builds relationships with partners who can support your business in the long run. ✅ Encourage Industry Event Attendance Best practices in landscaping evolve constantly. Sending employees to industry events, networking opportunities, and training programs exposes them to new ideas, technology, and techniques. As Bob Grover of Pacific Landscape Management puts it, part of the company culture should be to challenge employees to rethink how they operate. An engaged team is one that’s always learning and improving. ✅ Teach the Business Side of the Job Most field crews don’t see the numbers behind their work. But when they do, it can be an eye-opener. Outerlands, a Massachusetts-based landscaping company, created a voluntary landscape management course to break down costs, labor efficiency, and pricing. Employees walked away understanding how a 30-minute delay on a mowing job directly impacts the company’s bottom line—and their future opportunities. When employees understand the financial impact of their work, they’re more likely to take ownership of their efficiency and performance. Training shouldn’t be a one-and-done event. Keeping your crew engaged requires variety, exposure to new ideas, and a deeper understanding of how their work contributes to business success. How do you keep your team engaged with training and development? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gUB5YeSi

The trades are the backbone of our built environment, and Urture Apparel & Outfitting is doing more than just recognizing that—they’re actively investing in its future. With last year's launch of the Patch Project, Urture is funding career training and job growth in the green industry, ensuring the next generation has the skills they need to thrive. Plus, they've assembled an advisory board of industry experts to help guide the initiative. We’re proud to support a movement that promotes the trades and gives back to the people who power them! Learn more about the Patch Project and how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/eCVeQGNC #GreenCollar #PatchProject #SupportTheTrades

These #landscaping companies made Lawn & Landscape magazine’s 'Best Places to Work' list in 2024 by fostering strong workplace cultures, investing in their employees, and creating environments where teams thrive. The 'Best Places to Work' award is based on direct employee feedback, evaluating leadership, workplace culture, job satisfaction, and benefits. These winners showcase what it means to prioritize people in the green industry, and we think that deserves a round of applause 👏 Check out the full report to see the official rankings and get to know some of the featured companies, like Fisk Lawnscapes, Good Nature Organic Lawn Care & Para Space Landscaping Inc.: https://lnkd.in/gNVBC4cX #BestPlacesToWork #GreenIndustry #CompanyCulture

If your landscaping company brings in $10M+ in annual revenue, don’t miss your chance to be recognized on the 2025 Landscape Management 150 list! This industry benchmark ranks the largest landscape companies and highlights key insights like service mix, customer mix, and regional trends—a valuable tool to see where you stand among the best. Submit your company information by April 1st to be considered: https://lnkd.in/dgH2yy4n #Landscaping #LandscapeBusiness #Benchmarking

Next week, we’re hitting the road for TWO #landscaping events in the #Midwest! 📍 GROW! 2025 | #Columbus, OH | Feb 24-26 We’ll be on site all week at The Grow Group's sold-out conference, connecting with attendees between sessions and joining an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Hidden Creek Landscaping, a Team Engine customer. 📍 iLandscape | #Schaumburg, IL | Feb 26-28 If you're in the #Chicago area & attending #iLandscape, stop by booth no. 136 to learn how Team Engine helps landscaping businesses build high-performing teams, streamline hiring, and improve communication. Joining one or both? Let us know in the comments! #iLandscape2025 #LandscapingBusiness #Hiring #WorkforceManagement

Join us on Thursday as we cover all the latest updates and feature releases in Team Engine, including: • Employee Outbound Calling • Custom Fields for Storing Flexible Data (e.g. certification/license expiration dates) • Bulk Messaging & Status Changes for Closed Jobs • Shared Inboxes for Company Communication • Team Engine Mobile App (coming soon!) • Call Recordings & Transcripts (coming soon!) • Using Surveys to Populate Custom Fields (coming soon!) We're also excited to have special guest and Team Engine customer John-Paul Sanieski, ASM, CSP, ASCA-C from NorthEast Group, who will join us to discuss how they've been using our new shared inboxes tool for communication across their operations teams, including with snow subcontractors. ➡️ Register now to attend the live webinar: https://lnkd.in/gNMPNYpD

Safety Tailgate Training shouldn't be just another checkbox. When sessions feel robotic, employees tune out - and that’s when accidents happen. A distracted moment with a chipper, chainsaw, ladder, or even a snowplow can have serious consequences. Let’s shake things up! Make safety training engaging, interactive, and real -because staying focused on the job means going home safely at the end of the day. 👷♂️⚠️ 📖 Read more in the latest "Tuesdays with Steve" blog: https://bit.ly/41vjjHH #SafetyFirst #StayFocused #WorkSmart #TailgateTraining #HarvestYourPotential Steve Cesare, Ph.D.

Recruiting today is a different game. Candidates aren’t just coming to you anymore—they expect you to meet them where they are. That means rethinking how and where you reach out, how you communicate, and even how you structure your hiring process. In his short podcast Mike Voories offers the following guidance: ✅ Know Your Ideal Candidate. Throwing up a job ad and hoping for the best won’t cut it. Get specific about who you want to hire: - What skills or experience do they have? - Where do they spend their time (both online and offline)? - What motivates them to choose one job over another? Understanding generational preferences matters, too. Gen Z values flexibility and growth. Millennials prioritize stability. The more you align with what matters to them, the better your hiring results will be. ✅ Use the Right Platforms Different candidates hang out in different places: - Entry-level, field roles? Texting works better than email. - Skilled trades or mid-career professionals? Industry-specific job boards get better results than mass-market sites. - Salaried professionals? LinkedIn outreach is still powerful. - Younger candidates? Instagram and TikTok build brand awareness and engagement. ✅ Make It Easy to Engage Candidates—especially passive ones—aren’t filling out long applications. Lower the barrier to entry: - Allow applications without a full resume. - Offer quick 'express interest' options (like a simple form or even a text). - Streamline your application to a few key questions. ✅ Optimize Your Communication Emails get ignored. But texting gets a 98% open rate. Use it. - Follow up with quick, personal messages. - Use social media DMs when candidates prefer them. - Don’t underestimate phone calls—sometimes, they’re the fastest way to move things forward. ✅ Be Flexible with Interviews Many great candidates are already working. If you only offer interviews during business hours, you’re missing out. - Offer evening or weekend slots. - Start with quick phone or video chats before in-person interviews. - Use scheduling tools (like Calendly) to avoid back-and-forth emails. ✅ Speed Up Hiring with Tech If you use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), maximize its features—many include text messaging, automated follow-ups, and built-in scheduling. If yours doesn’t, it may be time to upgrade. Listen to this full episode (and more) on Mike's quick-hitting podcast: https://lnkd.in/g3TDEFjG #HiringTips #TalentAcquisition #BlueCollarHiring #SkilledTrades #ConstructionJobs #LandscapingJobs #HVACHiring