I’ve written a couple posts lately on the concept of time valuation.
and
Distractions-of-a-Lawn-Care-Business-Owner
These posts don’t speak to a dollar amount per minute for your time (there’s plenty discussion of pricing in our lawn care manuals).
More philosophically, these posts explore the concept of general valuation of your time as a business owner and the perceived value placed on your time by yourself and others.
Time Value
I am quickly coming to a strong realization. You become the sole controller of your time only when you take a strong stance to protect it. Anything less than continued diligence will see your time completely absorbed and abused.
Three methods of protecting your time are listed below.
1) Surround yourself with people who respect your time. Whether you are dealing with business acquaintances, customers, or employees the people around you must respect your time as a business owner. If people around you don’t value your time they will waste it for you. Do your best to distance yourself from time sappers. Instead, surround yourself with those who allow you the time you need to make your business a success and enhance your productivity during your time with them.
2) Be proactive when allocating your time. When you know someone is a time sapper be ultra-defensive in agreeing to give them time for their activities. Customer relations are very important for a lawn care business. However, we all know customers who talk and talk, non productively, when you come to the door. They tap you on the shoulder and try to talk to you over the roar of your lawn mower. They never have your check ready when you have completed their lawn and they want to chat endlessly about their grand kids or the weather.
DON’T BE RUDE!!! but be proactive with time sappers. Let them know you have work to do. Let them know your business is important to you and, more importantly, all your customers are important to you and you don’t want to keep your next appointment waiting. Act with a sense of urgency and be on your way.
3) Resort to being a jerk if needed. Be as friendly and hospitable as possible to all your customers (and friends and other relationships). However, there are just some people who do not take a hint. When gentle reminders do not work, occasionally resort to strong reassurances that you don’t have time to devote endless hours of non-productive time to their needs. Other, more productive, customers will come along and as you fill your client list with good customers, cull the time wasters from your roster.
Start and Expand Your Own Lawn Care Business
Do you have difficult customers? Learn how to handle them with the Lawn Care Business Program available, and on sale now, through: