Employee Handbook

[JL ProCut]

I'm currently working on a handbook to take my company one more step toward the future. Is anyone else using one or thinking about using one. If so would you mind sharing it? I will share mine once I'm done. I will be outlining how I want things done so each job is carried out as efficiently as possible. Also basic rules I expect to be followed. Keep in mind some of my rules won't apply to everyones business. John

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John @ ProCut Turf Management
former sn: ProCut TM went down so this is my new sn

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

John, I am glad you brought this up. We have talked about this in the past yet nothing ever came from it. I think the lack of response shows you how tough this task can be. I'd love to see what you are doing so far and hope this can spark others to contribute their thoughts and insights to it.

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[JL ProCut]

I will have all the basics like how the edge from the right side of the property to be efficient and optimize each job.

The order in which I want certain tasks performed, again for maximum optimization.

follow the rules
what the rules are
expectations
requirements

etc..............

yadda yadda blah blah doesn't seem like anyone wants to share on this topic

[Steve]

I don't think it is a question of them not wanting to share as much as it is they just don't know use them yet.

how the edge from the right side of the property to be efficient and optimize each job.

Can you tell us more of what you mean by how to edge from the right side of the property and how that helps in time optimization?

[JL ProCut]

Originally Posted by Steve

Can you tell us more of what you mean by how to edge from the right side of the property and how that helps in time optimization?

A stick edger has the blade on the right so you start at the curb on the far right of the property. This way you can work your way around the property in one pass instead of walking back and forth with the machine idling, wasting time and gas which of course equals money.

I hope this helps, it's easier to show someone how to do it than it is to put in writing.

[DillonB92]

Hey Cheese! Looks good man. I have a question though whats the lawn sign thing you offer for $20 or 25?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by DillonB92

Hey Cheese! Looks good man. I have a question though whats the lawn sign thing you offer for $20 or 25?

A long time ago, back in 'nam'.... We discussed lawn signs on the forum - one of them which could basically say,
"Property Maintained and Monitored by *your company name*"


A lot of the elderly are interested in this service, which is why I'm gonna have it ready by Spring.


I love spring

[CHEESE2009]

Pages 1 to 11 have been divided into two files,

If you have, Microsoft Word Starter 2010 I will make a tutorial on how to create your own "watermark" which is my logo in the background / behind my text and pictures.

I will also teach you how to make your picture/logo top centered on all of the pages.

THEN, I can teach you how to save it in a PDF format.


Basically, you only have to do this once. Every page that continues from the last will already have your watermark and picture/logo on it. All you have to do is write new content


Trust me, I have a bunch of chapter ideas. Once I got through half of them I deleted the ideas.


Sections you may want to add;

D.I.Y Tips in the "EXTRA" chapter

Create a new chapter called "Conditions"

Inside have pages called, "Weather" "Service Cancellation" etc

Fortunately, most of these things have been briefly discussed on other pages, so I decided to leave it at that.

I think I had 20 something ideas, some of them I was just too exhausted to write. I was also thinking about the cost to print all these pages... lol

[Steve]

Scott,

That is fantastic!

Can you tell us what the difference is between a customer handbook and an employee handbook and when the two are used?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Scott,

That is fantastic!

Can you tell us what the difference is between a customer handbook and an employee handbook and when the two are used?

Both versions of the handbook may seem to be a little "extreme" in our field of work - but the fact we are willing to go to these new heights by providing them indicates that we have structure, and an overall stronger presence.

From a customers perspective, we are "invisible" - meaning we're hired and that's as far as our interactions will go. We are viewed exactly like garbage men and the postman. I'm not saying that those are bad positions at all, but my point is that we aren't seen as being "special" enough to have real interactions with.

Face it, we are "The guys who show up to cut our grass every week or so" - this differs depending on each individual customer, but I'm focusing on what I suppose can be called the majority of them.

Building presence opens up new doors for opportunity, and a
"Customer Handbook" sounds like a great start.

It's advertising that your customers can possibly enjoy or even learn from, something that will get them thinking. One thought they may have is,
"how come my last lawn company didn't offer me this five-star material?"

Your customers will take note of your commitment and professionalism when they receive their copy.



As for an "Employee Handbook", this is a document that can save you loads of time and money, especially for newer crew.

Just imagine having a new helper finish his first work day and then be told to study up on chapters 1-3 before tomorrow. When the next day does come, you can refer to the book if needed, and hopefully your helper will understand exactly what you are talking about without going into such deep detail.

What your "Handbook" includes is entirely up to you. You may want to write what your expectations are, and to also include blank pages at the end of each section so that they can fill out answers to possible questionnaires you may give them. *Be sure to add a lot of study material*. Remember, all of this can be connected to your website for that "Wow" factor.

If you want the perfect employee, your book should have all the material to make it possible!

Don't forget to grade your employee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This makes it easier to criticize his/her performance without being a complete nag. Your employee should be given a grade on performance not only from the material you two work with, but the performance on the field. This way he/she will realize where their weakness is coming from, and you can help them improve without seeming like the bad guy.



On the final page of the book, you can write in big bold text, "THE OWNER IS ALLOWED TO MAKE MISTAKES, HAHA!"