.jpg) Todd Davis |
My, how times have changed. A few years ago we couldn’t get enough hourly yard workers. We settled for what we could get. Punctual and sober beat the alternative. Now we have people dropping off job applications virtually every day. We can be choosy when it comes to our yard workers who help customers, load and unload trailers and keep things clean. And that’s a good feeling. These people are vital to the success of our company. So here’s my list, in no particular order, of what makes a perfect landscape distribution yard worker. Good stackers. Many years ago a wily old nurseryman told me, “Good stackers are worth their weight in gold.” Now I understand. Plain and simple: Workers that can stack more plants (particularly container shrubs) on a truck or trailer without causing damage make us more money. And it’s a true art form. You try loading 150 3-gallon dwarf Burfords on the back of a Ford F250. It ain’t easy. Great communication. My ideal workers have great rapport with both English- and Spanish-speaking customers. I want customers to be happy when they see our employees, like they’re meeting old poker or army buddies they haven’t seen in years.  Hort knowledge. They know their plants. Tags are unnecessary. They can spot the differences in a Lindheimer and a gulf muhly grass from 75 feet away – in January, after they’ve been cut back. They can advise customers what plants will work best in virtually all landscape situations.Equipment skills. They operate loaders like extensions of their own bodies. With a pair of forks they can pick up a nickel off the parking lot pavement and place it, on edge, on the hood of a Bentley. Great attitude. Certain people can put you in a good mood by just walking in the door. No matter what the situation, they put a smile on your face. Ideal employees happily go about their business, without complaining, rain or shine. Seeing how they operate just makes you want to work harder. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by people that make you laugh. It adds years to your life. Customer instincts. We’re wholesale. An ideal employee can spot pseudo landscapers from a block away, and knows exactly how to treat these “trunk slammers.” We give them respect, but won’t waste four hours walking around answering questions so they can buy $150 in plants for their front yards. Red flags. When they see something wrong, they fix it immediately or let the appropriate person know there’s a problem. When they see a better way to complete a task or improve efficiency, they make suggestions. Their ideas improve our profitability. Protective and loyal. They care about our business and act like owners of the company. They are proud representatives of our nursery. They care about the appearance of our facility, and have a sense of urgency about what they’re doing. They expect others to do the same and accept no less of their co-workers. You think nobody could exist with all these qualities? You’re wrong. We have several of them, and they’ve worked here for years. They keep this place together and they are family. They are, quite frankly, some of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. If you get lucky enough to employ people of these caliber, treat them right and don’t let them get away. They’re worth more than their weight in gold. |
Explore the May 2010 Issue
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