Video Interview

[Steve]

Here is a informative interview with Eamonn Holmes and Anita Roddick. Let me know what you think of it.

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[StartALawnCareBusiness]

Lawn care business tips

Have you ever listened to: "The Psychology of Winning" by Denis Waitley? This series is fairly old...from the late 80's or early 90's but Denis does a great job of identifying many of the key elements to becoming successful in whatever it is you decide to do with your life. Part of my definition of success is the knowledge that I am moving forward in life. This isn't strictly about financial gain but also with my plans for the future and if I am moving toward the betterment of myself and those around me. I'll share something personal with you. Right out of highschool, I worked a minimum wage, retail store job. These days (all these years later) if I feel like I am not moving forward in life or if my business plans are off track, I will literally have nightmares that I am back in that store, working for nothing. That dream is sort of a barometer for me and when it creeps into my subconscious, I know that I need to work harder, or smarter, or tweak my direction. I am also a fan of Tony Robbins. His "Unlimited Power" should be on everyone's short list. Keith

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Start a profitable lawn care business.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]This series is fairly old...from the late 80's or early 90's but Denis does a great job of identifying many of the key elements to becoming successful in whatever it is you decide to do with your life.

No, I have never heard of him but I should look him up online now. Maybe there are youtube videos on him.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Part of my definition of success is the knowledge that I am moving forward in life. This isn't strictly about financial gain but also with my plans for the future and if I am moving toward the betterment of myself and those around me.

Do you feel that moving forward is about exploring new ground? I have always wondered for men at least if part of what happiness is for us, is that we are constantly learning something new or exploring new grounds. Do those that explore find themselves happier than those that don't? What's yor view?

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I'll share something personal with you. Right out of highschool, I worked a minimum wage, retail store job. These days (all these years later) if I feel like I am not moving forward in life or if my business plans are off track, I will literally have nightmares that I am back in that store, working for nothing. That dream is sort of a barometer for me and when it creeps into my subconscious, I know that I need to work harder, or smarter, or tweak my direction.

I definetly agree with you on the nightmares. What is on your mind does find it's way into your dreams. That is a very good insight. I bet that happens to many people whether they realize there is a connection or not.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I am also a fan of Tony Robbins. His "Unlimited Power" should be on everyone's short list.

I have yet to ever read or listen to any of his books. I have seen him on tv in the past.
What do you think you pulled from his information that effected you the most?

[StartALawnCareBusiness]

The most powerful message I get from Tony Robbins' writings is that you can affect how you are treated. You can affect the outcome of any situation.

If you go in with a positive mindset and an understanding of how you want the situation to proceed, you can most often be the one directing the proceedings.

He explains it as a technique called "Neuro-linguistic Programming." I have taken his teachings and adapted them to the lawn care business...especially in the estimating and customer negotiation processes. I've written quite a lot about this. In my experience, using these ideas greatly helps when giving customer quotes. Now, I'm not saying you can charge $90 for a $45 lawn but I definitely have seen it help get prices greater than what you would ordinarily expect. And, I've seen over and over again where I have matched a competitor's bid and gotten the job based on just a few nuances of the customer interaction. Hey, as competitive as the lawn care business is, every little bit helps.

You are right, also, about men always seeking new ground. Do you think that is an evolutionary trait? We are, in fact, hunters and gatherers and our ancestors were always on the move. I remember a Seinfeld episode where he's talking about television remote controls and the differences between the ways men and women watch TV. He said: Women want to see what's on TV. Men only want to see what ELSE is on TV. That's why we have to control the remote.

Hey, speaking of exploring new ground. There is a remote possibility that I might get to visit Africa for a couple months this winter to teach a sport I love to African highschool aged students and make a short video documentary about it. I'll let you know if it works out. I have some funding issues to work out but I am excited about the possibility.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]In my experience, using these ideas greatly helps when giving customer quotes. Now, I'm not saying you can charge $90 for a $45 lawn but I definitely have seen it help get prices greater than what you would ordinarily expect. And, I've seen over and over again where I have matched a competitor's bid and gotten the job based on just a few nuances of the customer interaction.

I agree. It's my view, people buy from people they like and can relate to. If you come across to a potential customer as someone who is friendly, warm and receptive to what they have to say, they will choose you over a competitor. It can even help you command a premium. This is also part of the reason why an lco should look good and be presentable when giving an estimate. All of the visual perception effects how a person judges you in their mind and determines if they want to hire you or not.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Do you think that is an evolutionary trait? We are, in fact, hunters and gatherers and our ancestors were always on the move.

It very well could be. I haven't read enough on the topic to hear the scientific viewpoints but it's my view that men want to be king of their domain. That is one of the reasons why I feel owning a business is something that is very healthy for men. The business becomes the kingdom. It's the place where you can be the boss and also create your dreams and visions.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Hey, speaking of exploring new ground. There is a remote possibility that I might get to visit Africa for a couple months this winter to teach a sport I love to African highschool aged students and make a short video documentary about it. I'll let you know if it works out. I have some funding issues to work out but I am excited about the possibility.

That is amazing! Which sport will you be teaching? Can you give us a little background on why you choose to do this and why in Africa?

You have my attention! This is good stuff!

[StartALawnCareBusiness]

The sport is Ultimate (frisbee). I've played for over 7 years and I've coached a few youth teams.

A good friend (and fellow Ultimate player) is in Africa right now setting up a large health study for a U.S. organization. Part of the study is to see if adding sports to the local school curriculum can effect a lifestyle change for the youth.
As this works out, I'll video the entire process and make a 1 hour documentary on the program and the outcome.

Nothing is finalized yet but this is a chance of a lifetime and I'm pretty excited about it.

Keith

[Steve]

That is awesome!

Have you considered putting together this documentary for someone like PBS or National Geographic? If you record it with a good camera, I bet you could potentially pull this off!

You could also potentially make a series on it.

And to continue to brainstorm on this, you could also take your knowledge of business and possibly teach them about being an entrepreneur. Maybe help some of them start a business?