Need Everyone's Input!!

[Guido]

Well, I'm pretty busy at the moment, we're doing a lot of materials handling work. When I'm not in a forklift I'm sitting idle in a tractor trailer getting loaded unloaded.

I was thinking of ways to keep busy then, and when I have free "relax" time at home. I really enjoy writing, and the industry, so I was thinking that I would start writing on some hot topics in our industry and post articles or mini-books on my website for newcomers to read and help educate themselves with. I have a list of about 15 topics so far that I'm working on, but I would like to hear from others here. What are important topics that you would like to learn more about? I'd especially like to hear formt he smaller guys and newbies.

Hope we can get a good list going to give me some ideas.

Thanks in Advance!

[vipermanz]

well dirt boy, i am not to heavily educated in what fertilizer chemicals do what subject

[Craig Jones]

1.I would say an important topic to cover is estimating. Many new people in the business underestimate the costs of jobs and loose money very quickly.

2. I also would say determining overhead to factor into costing.

3. Types of equipment needed for startup and building up as business volumne increases.

4. Importance of licenses, insurance, etc.

Just my thoughts.

[kutnkru]

5. Client/Contractor relationships

6. Equipment Maintenance

7. Pavement Maintenance (sealcoating/line striping/hot pour crack filling v. cold patch/etc.)

Just to add a few.
Kris

[jeffex]

how about info on government contracts to bid on for the 2002 season??!!

[crs]

Here are some of the areas I need help in:

8. Hardscaping- Basic principals and how to estimate time and pricing

9. How to smoothly go from a one man show to a supervisory role

[Island Lawn]

Guido, you're one of the few pwople here that will stress the importance of job costing.
Thank you.
I hope to see more on this topic.

Does anybody have a link to that infamous Walker Talk article on job costing?
It's a goodie!
I was going to post it for all the new guys, but I can't find it.

[AltaLawnCare]

Everything listed so far...

And,
Long term planning, and budgeting - for retirement or unforeseen disasters.
Geographic specific pricing polls to get an industry norm for specific areas for annual income for solo's and big operations.

BTW,.

Gweeedo, glad to see you back posting with everything going on - you were quiet for a while last week.

[Guido]

Jeffex -

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20000

There's some more sites than the ones I gave you.


Island Lawn -

The thread was the big one about measuring yards. Don't have time now, but later I'll search and bring it back from the dead.

[guntruck]

I would like to see figuring any and all overhead costs down to the penny!! I would also like to see estimating large commercials accurately!!! Good luck Guido.

[Guido]

Anyone else.....?

[roscioli]

the very basics (shift key hardly working on computer, sorry).
10. Edging/trimming-how to do properly
11. Bidding commercial jobs
12. How to get your wife/girlfriend to not think you are a moron for wanting to mow lawns for a living.
13. building a business plan
14. equipment maintenance
15. how to sell yourself to customers
16. equipment to start out with, either start small, or start huge? which is better?
17. emphasis on number 10

sounds like an awesome idea, i am lookign forward to the readings.
mike

[jak b nimble]

Guido,

Sounds like a great idea to me. I plan on diving into the Lawn Care buisiness in the Spring, and I've been soaking up every bit of info I can gather at this forum. There's so much to learn and so many decisions to make. A page dedicated to us "New-Jaks" would be greatly appreciated. Some of the things I've been struggling with are:

What type of trailer hitch?

What size trailer?

Best clothes to wear?

Marketing advice?

Tie-down straps for equipment on trailer?

Yes, I have been using the Search feature at this site, and its helped a lot. But what Guido is proposing would be a big help.

Thanks in advance,

Jak

[eskals]

Guido:

Your obviously well versed in many aspects of our business. I think you may be going about this the wrong way however. Rather than ask us what you should write about, how about you just write about what you know. Now I am not saying that you cannot answer any of the above topics, but you have several arenas of expertice due to your experience.

BTW, I'll read anything you write and will surely learn from it.

Eric

[1grnlwn]

Guido

Did anyone mention how to get good serious employees who will stay? This reduced my growth this year and I am worried about next year.

[awm]

i dont know if you can put that in a book but if there was ,id read it.i wont tell the stories i could, but i know men in general are just not that undependable or stupid. to put it blunt.
i would read that book cause right now i got it laid at my ft.
the problem that is.