In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with Greg Herring, founder of The Herring Group, to reveal the secrets to boosting profits and work-life balance for landscape and trade businesses. Greg breaks down why tracking operating profit margins is essential for success and how tools like Aspire can unlock powerful data insights. Learn how early financial expertise and empowering key employees can transform your business, giving owners more freedom and control. If you're ready to maximize profits and reclaim your time, this episode is a must-listen!

Click here for or more information on The Herring Group

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with Barry Schulman to explore the transformative power of the Predictive Index (PI) in the hiring process. Barry, drawing on his extensive experience in executive search, explains how the PI tool delves into key behavioral drives—like dominance, extroversion, patience, and formality—to ensure candidates are matched with roles where they can excel. Through real-world examples, the discussion highlights how PI can optimize team dynamics, uncover hidden talent, and drive business growth, offering a fresh approach to talent management.

In this insightful episode of "Trades Talk," hosts Maggie and Justin delve into the unexpected obstacles facing the trades industry, providing practical advice and expert insights. They cover seven main areas:

Supply Chain Disruptions:

• The hosts discuss challenges with irrigation supplies and materials, such as long lead times and the need for substitution approvals.
• They emphasize planning ahead, maintaining strong vendor relationships, and leveraging buying power for priority access to materials.
• Plant shortages and quality issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic's surge in demand are also highlighted.

Skilled Labor Shortages:

• While not detailed in this excerpt, the hosts acknowledge the significant impact of skilled labor shortages on the industry.

Technology Integration:

• This episode briefly touches on technology integration, indicating a deeper discussion in future episodes.

Client Expectations and Communication:

• Identified as a key challenge, with more insights expected in upcoming discussions.

Economic Fluctuations:

• The importance of adapting to economic changes is noted, with further exploration anticipated in future talks.

Regulatory Changes:

• Ongoing regulatory changes affecting the trades industry are acknowledged, promising detailed analysis in subsequent episodes.

Weather-Related Challenges:

• Discussion on the impact of extreme heat and hurricanes on business operations, emphasizing the need for businesses to be prepared to pivot and adjust accordingly.

Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of these challenges and learn how to navigate the complexities of the trades industry with strategic planning and expert advice