How to: Four business mistakes to avoid

As a landscape company owner, you get pulled in so many directions each and every day. While you can’t control everything, there are common mistakes many entrepreneurs make that can be avoided. Here’s how to change your habits to create a better business and working environment (and maybe even take some stress off of you).

Stay focused

It’s been proven no one can multitask: I mean, can you really listen to a conversation and watch TV at the same time? If you start running in every direction to handle several tasks, you’ll be exhausted and your work will suffer. Instead, set and focus on your priorities. Michael Lazerow, an entrepreneur who has started four businesses and invested in 25 more, writes on LinkedIn, “If an entrepreneur can’t name their top three priorities without hesitation, how will the rest of the company know? It’s bad enough for a founder to work on the wrong projects, but if the entire company is not focusing in the right areas, game over!”

Take breaks

It might sound impossible and like a bad idea, but don’t be available 24/7. Having your work email on your phone can be a curse and a blessing, as I can attest. It’s good to keep the lines of communication open with your employees and customers, but it’s important to have a work/life balance. This can be a problem, especially for younger landscapers. No matter how passionate you are about your business, being in “work mode” all day, every day will wear on you. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint if you want to be around for years to come.

Go digital

You probably won’t hear anyone in the landscape or construction industries describing the economy as they might have a decade or two ago, so why are some pros still using the same digital tools? Take advantage of new technology — internet marketing through e-newsletters, social media and website portfolios. All of these free tools are available to you and your business, so use them. You don’t have to be on every media outlet, but get your name out there and make sure your future clients know who you are.

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Find a right-hand man

Many landscapers make the mistake of taking on too much. They think they can do everything on their own and only trust their work. But you’ll only make it so far on your own. It’s important to find a trustworthy right-hand man (or woman) who you can turn to for advice, help and business input. Finding someone who excels where you’re weak creates a great team.