This episode of the I am Landscape Growth podcast features Jud Griggs, Head Harvester of The Harvest Group, sharing his 46 years of experience in the green industry. Jud discusses key growth constraints in the landscaping industry, focusing on the importance of people management, recruitment strategies, fostering a culture of education and learning, and enhancing business knowledge among entrepreneurs.
Introduction to Jud Griggs: Jud shares his extensive background in the green industry, starting from his education in landscape architecture and horticulture to managing operations and sales at prominent companies and finally moving into consulting based in Atlanta (00:00-03:30).
Primary Growth Constraint - People: Jud identifies people as the number one growth constraint in the landscaping industry and emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with talented individuals who complement one's strengths (03:31-05:00).
Recruitment Challenges and Solutions: Discusses the difficulties in finding motivated workers in the current generation and suggests looking outside the industry for potential employees with the right attitude. He also highlights the importance of creating a compelling job advertisement and engaging younger generations interested in making an environmental impact (05:01-10:00).
Culture of Education and Learning: Jud talks about building a culture where continuous learning and improvement are valued. He suggests weekly training sessions and utilizing community colleges and online resources for education (10:01-15:00).
Business Acumen for Entrepreneurs: Stresses the need for landscape entrepreneurs to develop business knowledge, understanding key concepts like gross margin, cash flow, and job costing to run a successful business (15:01-20:00).
Incentivizing Staff and Understanding Business Fundamentals: Discusses ways to incentivize staff through measurable goals and the importance of understanding the basics of business and accounting (20:01-25:00).
Advice and Resources: Recommends getting involved in industry associations for networking, learning, and avoiding common pitfalls. Jud shares his contact information for those interested in consulting services (25:01-28:30).