Operational Improvement – Scott Arciniega

As I have traveled around the country this Spring, a common theme I get asked is “How do I increase productivity with my workforce.”  Companies always want to improve efficiencies.  Most of us manage our efficiencies by giving a set number of hours per job to our crews and encouraging them to “beat the budget.”  

We are great at “telling” our crews what to do and what they missed.   What we fail to do is provide direction.   Providing direction allows our crews to be more efficient.   There is multiple way to provide direction.  In reference to the picture above there is one simple direction we forgot to remind our crew; “mow the area before you use the string trimmer.”   Seems simple enough.  We teach our crews that all the time.   But why does it continue year after year, all over the country?  

The picture above is one of many examples that as landscape operators we need to stop assuming our crews know what to do.   How do we do minimize the efficiency mistakes?   How do we make sure our crews are working hard doing the RIGHT tasks and in the right sequence?  The answer is simple…Get out of the office and spend time in the field focusing on operational improvement.  Put the phone down, get off the computer and spend time with your crews.  Imagine if you only spent 2-4 hours a week teaching/coaching/mentoring your teams in the field and not from behind a desk.   We should definitely spend more time in the field, but let’s start with a small block of time first. 

There are many ways to improve operational efficiencies.  One of the easiest ways that a company can start seeing production improvement is to start by taking just one job: 

·       Meet the crew on site

·       Work with the crew and ask for their input regularly.

·       Confirm the location of your truck/trailer IS the best place to park

·       Reinforce your safety protocol

·       Focal point areas first

·       Check in with client (if applicable)

·       Pruning or detail section

·       Turf Maintenance (Mow-Edge-String Trim-Blow)

·       Final inspection

These steps seem simple enough.  How many of us are actually following these steps?  How many of us know this is the right sequence but don’t teach and reinforce this practice?  How many of us were never taught the sequence?   All of us are in some level of learning.   There are numerous ways to improve efficiency in your organization.   At ADVANCE we partner with you and your team to identify how to be more efficient in the field.  ADVANCE has been in your position.   We understand where you are in your learning career.  Let us partner and support your on-going success.   

Scott Arciniega