This episode features Dean Morales, founder of Heritage and Company, sharing his 23-year journey from starting a lawn maintenance service in college to building a signatory union landscape company with just under 100 employees. He discusses the importance of labour force, core values, and creating a culture where employees want to work.
This episode features Dean Morales, founder of Heritage and Company, sharing his 23-year journey from starting a lawn maintenance service in college to building a signatory union landscape company with just under 100 employees. He discusses the importance of labour force, core values, and creating a culture where employees want to work.
Introduction to Dean Morales and Heritage and Company (Start - 03:00): Dean shares the inception of his landscaping business during his freshman year of college, transitioning from a two-man operation to a company with nearly 100 employees focusing on bid-build projects and a strategic shift towards enhancing the maintenance division.
Growth Constraints in the Green Industry (03:01 - 06:00): Dean identifies labor force and foundational principles as the primary barriers to scaling a landscaping business, emphasizing the need to build a company culture that attracts and retains talent.
Cultivating a Company Culture (06:01 - 09:00): Discussion on the significance of core values and culture in creating a destination company, including strategies for instilling and living these values throughout the organization.
Accountability and EOS Implementation (09:01 - 12:00): Dean talks about the introduction of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in his company, the use of accountability charts, and how every employee having a "number" contributes to clarity and success.
Employee Engagement and Recognition (12:01 - 15:00): Exploring methods for employee engagement, including the application of an accountability chart, quarterly conversations, and recognizing achievements, contributing to a substantial increase in profitability.
Association Involvement and Leadership Development (15:01 - 18:00): The impact of participating in various associations on personal growth and company expansion, and the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive network, including mentors, family, and professional advisors.
Maintaining Effective Business Partnerships (18:01 - 21:00): Insights into sustaining healthy business partnerships through open communication, the significance of an accountability chart, and aligning roles with individual capabilities.
Recruitment and Training Innovations (21:01 - 24:00): Dean addresses overcoming the reluctance to train new foremen and the introduction of an apprenticeship program to foster a culture of learning and growth.
Strategic Networking and Mentorship (24:01 - 27:00): Benefits of engaging with industry associations and forming mentor-mentee relationships for personal leadership development and business growth.
Leveraging Resources and Continuous Learning (27:01 - End): Discussion on the value of continual learning through podcasts, coaching, and adopting frameworks like EOS and the Great Game of Business to drive company success.