Great businesses were built on effective and efficient systems. Landscape Management Network members have access to a Systems Library of almost 700 customizable systems and procedures built specifically for the landscape industry, as well as a complete database of online training courses. Here are some samples for you to download.

LMN’s Truck and Trailer 5S Evaluation

There are so many landscape contractors that are victims of waste and unorganization. Cluttered storage and work areas combines with a lack of systems, labels and training add up to a lot of lost productivity and profit through pure waste. For any company to reach its true potential for success and profit, owners and employees alike have to be continuously driving out waste and improving the systems that run the business. 5S is a lean system used in companies to help eliminate wasted time and activities so that your company spends more of its hours billing and less hours fixing problems. If you want to learn more about 5S, you can watch the videos here.

DOWNLOAD LMN’s Truck and Trailer 5S Evaluation and ensure you’re giving potential clients the right prices for your valuable services.

LMN’s Estimating Review Checklist

You can’t throw money out the window any faster than missing costs or information in your estimates. Not only do you end up giving away your services for free, you have to put out the costs to get it done – you’re paying your customer to work for them!!!

While its impossible to eliminate every opportunity for missed costs, we put together an estimating checklist to help us remember all the little things that can get forgotten when rushing to get a price out the door. It’s a great feeling when you can find one or two of these mistakes before you put your price in your client’s hands. It’s like found money.

DOWNLOAD LMN’s Estimating Review Checklist and ensure you’re giving potential clients the right prices for your valuable services.

LMN’s Daily Site Meeting Agenda

Focus your crew leaders on spending some time each planning planning the work. The site meeting form walks crew leaders through the process of goal setting, progress evaluation, resource planning (equipment, materials), and information gathering (What do I need to know to continue productively?”

DOWNLOAD a sample of LMN’s Daily Site Meeting Agenda and ensure you’ve got your crews planning properly and maximizing time for the busy work season ahead.

LMN’s Health and Safety Policy

The spring hiring season is upon us, which means an influx of new employees. To start off on the right foot, make sure all your employees sign off on your health and safety policy before they start working.

Your Health and Safety policy should be revised and reviewed every year. Make sure you:

• Keep the old copy of your policy on file. Auditors like to see a proven record of annual reviews/revisions
• Put the new date on your current revision. Re-number the version number if indeed you did create a new version. The owner must sign the new version.
• Post the new policy in all required places including in the shop, in truck binders and on remote jobsites (as required).
• Update your policy in any employee handbooks/manuals.
• Ensure all employees have a signed copy of the policy in their employee file.
• Ensure all new employees sign the policy and, if changes were issued, old employees sign the new policy .

A good, clearly written health and safety policy can prevent injuries onsite, as well as disputes or legal problems that can end up costing your company a lot of time and money. Don’t get stuck in a sticky situation, proper planning and preparation is essential. On that point, here’s to another great season!

DOWNLOAD a sample of LMN’s Health and Safety Policy and ensure you’ve got the right paperwork in order for the busy work season ahead.

LMN’s New Hire Procedure

Once you have identified and successfully hired the best candidate for the job, starting them off on the right foot is critical to getting a fast return on your investment. Now’s the time to make sure you collect the right information for your employee files and that your new employee signs off on important documents.

That means photocopying their driver’s license and certifications, making your health and safety policy clear and understood (and getting a signoff) and orienting the new employee around the shop/yard and any potential dangers of the workplace – all of which may be completely new to the employee. It also means making sure your new employee has signed an employment contract prior to their first day and that a copy has been added to their employee file prior to their first day. A good, clearly written employment contract can prevent disputes or legal problems that can end up costing your company a lot of time and money.

Landscape Management Network members have access to a Systems Library of almost 700 customizable systems and procedures built specifically for the landscape industry, as well as a complete database of online training courses. The right orientation process will not only benefit your new hire, but will also benefit your company, your team, and-most importantly-your customers!

DOWNLOAD LMN’s New Hire Procedure and ensure your employees are trained and prepared for the busy work season ahead.

LMN’s Snow Plow Truck Pre-Shift Inspection Checklist

It’s December and snow is descending upon us. Snow events can mean unexpected shifts and long working hours, so make sure everyone is well trained on safe work procedures including:

• Getting proper rest
• Wearing appropriate clothing
• Properly inspecting the plow truck before operation
• Driving safely
• Always being aware of their work sites + surroundings

A complete pre-shift inspection of the plow truck will not only improve safety, it will improve productivity. When plow operators aren’t stopping to fix problems, they’re getting through their sites faster which leads to happier operators, happier customers, and better profits!

Landscape Management Network members have access to a Systems Library of almost 700 customizable systems and procedures built specifically for the landscape industry.

DOWNLOAD a copy of LMN’s Snow Plow Truck Pre-Shift Inspection Checklist and stop problems before they happen.

LMN’s Safety Tool Box Meeting on Snow Removal Using Heavy Equipment

Blizzards, ice and treacherous winds are not the only threat to your crews’ safety this season. Their heavy-duty equipment poses just as much of a health risk if not operated properly.

While snow plows and snow blowers make snow removal both cost and time efficient, it is important to ensure the safety of your guys when they’re working with heavy machinery.
Safety precautions – like testing equipment alarms, monitoring the weather and dressing for the cold – need to be taken before your guys set out for the job every day. Similarly, daily routine inspections – like circling the perimeter of a machine before use and checking whether it’s armed with the proper safety equipment – need to be conducted to make certain your crews are adequately prepared to handle any emergency situation.

DOWNLOAD a print-out checklist of the necessary safety measures your guys need to follow see our Safety Tool Box Meeting on Snow Removal Using Heavy Equipment

LMN’s Backpack Blower Safety Toolbox

Fall has arrived, bringing not only the colourful foliage, but plenty of leaves to clean up. Big jobs require big machinery. Backpack blowers are designed to save you time and energy by providing more blowing power and taking the strain off your crew’s arms. That being said, with the high wind speed blowing debris around and emitting a loud noise, the backpack blower poses some safety hazards.

DOWNLOAD and ensure you and your crew are in compliance with the proper health and safety information by reading our Backpack Blower Safety Toolbox Meeting.