Welcome to Teen Lawn Care's very first series post! I wrote a post about "Getting Helpers for When You're Gone", and it turned out to be too long for one writing. So, here's the first in a four part series about getting helpers when you're gone. Enjoy!
The key to running a successful lawn business is consistency. You have to be able to mow your client's lawn once a week, every week, for several months. You can't miss a week, or else their grass will grow too tall.
Mowing every week would be easy if you didn't go anywhere during the summer. If you don't, then fine. Life is easier for you. However, chances are you will be leaving your house for a week or more during the summer. How are you going to keep your customers' grass short?
Hiring your friends to help you out.
Finding Helpers
The people who will most likely be helping you with your lawns are going to be friends who live close by. I would suggest you try to find
at least two people to help you-- those that you choose might go out of town the same time you do. Below are a few questions to ask yourself about each candidate who you might want to offer a job to:
Are they reliable?
You need someone who will mow the lawn when you ask them to. They need to be on time, and do as good a job as they say they will.
Are they suited for the job?
If your candidate can't push a mower, then you shouldn't try to get them to work for you. Plain and simple.
Do they want to work for you?
You can't hire them if they don't want to work for you. Also, a person might say they want to work for you, but in reality they don't really care to do the work. Or they think they are partners in the business. Which is one thing I have to make clear:
Your helpers are employees, not business partners. Treat your business relationship as such. Trust me, having them as employees makes a lot more business sense for you.
To continue, you obviously will have to actually ask the candidate if he or she wants to work for you yourself, but take note if you think they really wouldn't want to do the work.
Are you comfortable with them representing your business?
The people you choose to help you over the summer don't have to be perfect goody-two-shoes, but you don't want them swearing at your customers either.
So...
The helpers you search for don't have to be as meticulously chosen as a
business partner, but you should still put some thought into who you want representing your yard care company.
This is the first in a four part series. View the rest of the series: Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Labels: business
Get Updates Via RSS
Hey Ben, I like the updated look. The "Previous Posts" is a little scrunched though.
As far as finding help, I think it's important to find someone who has quite a bit of experience with mowing lawns. Maybe they even have their own lawn mowing service. That way you can trade off when they go out of town. You're right, it's really important not to alter your customer's schedule.
Yeah, I just wanted a simple 3 column format, so I designed it myself. ;) Bah, Classic Blogger has some annoying points, Previous Posts section included. At least I get amazing free hosting!
Yeah, I totally agree with you that an experienced person is always better. Of course, there isn't always a person with that kind of expertise in your area.
In my area, for example, there were really only two guys I was comfortable representing my lawn service. One had pushed a mower before, and one hadn't. Neither had weed eated before. You get what you get, I suppose, and try to teach them the best you can. I started with very little lawn mowing knowledge, and mostly learned on the go.
Your customers will understand if the job isn't great-- you aren't doing it.
(Like my 5 paragraph essay? haha) But I totally agree with you. The more experience they have, the better.
Thanks for commenting, Nick!