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So far tomfoch has created 257 blog entries.

Happy Thanksgiving

By |November 23rd, 2021|

During this Thanksgiving Holiday the enterprise value specialists at Ceibass are especially thankful for those people that choose to be business owners in the lawn and landscape industry. “Not everyone is cut out to be a business owner in our industry. It takes a very special kind of person,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. “First of all, the life of a business owner is hectic and full. Grass has to be cut. Snow has to be removed. Gardens and trees must be tended. Customers must be satisfied. Employees must be paid. Equipment must be cared for. These business owners live in a world of unrelenting accountability. Lots of pressure. My hat’s off to them – I am thankful for their perseverance.” For a special Thanksgiving tribute, read the blog.

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Get It On Your Calendar

By |November 16th, 2021|

Where do you begin to deal with the staffing issues that are impeding growth in lawn and landscape?

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Labor Is a Problem. Don’t Get Used to It.

By |November 8th, 2021|

Labor in the lawn and landscape industry is a problem. It is stunting growth. But if your team has come to the conclusion that, it is what it is, you may have a problem. “Watch your mood around the new requirements for retention and acquisition of employees. Don’t get complacent,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. “With a more productive mood, this could be a great opportunity to get a jump on your competitors and increase your market share.” For more details, read the blog.

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What’s Frightening to the Enterprise Value Specialists at Ceibass this Halloween

By |October 25th, 2021|

With Halloween approaching this Sunday, the team of value specialists at Ceibass got together to shed some light on what scares them the most. “Without a doubt, what scares me the most is lawn and landscape business owners without an exit plan or an exit mindset,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. What else? Droughts, floods, the prospects for punishing tax legislation, postponing upgrades to equipment and technology to squeeze a little margin … for more details, read the blog.

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Build a Strong Management Team

By |October 13th, 2021|

Are you building a strong management team? Don’t neglect this key area of your business. “Failure to build a strong, capable management team, in addition to making your job as the owner more difficult, will also discourage potential buyers from paying maximum value for your business when you want to sell,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. For some of the key traits of owners who neglect this responsibility, read the blog.

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Finish The Year Strong!

By |October 4th, 2021|

Finish the year strong! “For the landscape industry, October is the time of year to get a firm grip on where you stand for the year, a time to take serious inventory, ground your assessments, and get into a kick-ass mode to end the year strong. This is not the time to relax. Put the pedal down and achieve a record year,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. For details on how to what to do read the blog.

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Recharge! It’s Time to Energize and Revitalize.

By |September 20th, 2021|

“As a lawn and landscape professional in these competitive, turbulent, pandemic times, it is easy to lose focus and take your eyes off the prize,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibas CEO. “But now it’s time to regain your confidence, assert new momentum, and uplift your spirit -- get to NALP’s LANDSCAPES 2021 and get recharged!” For more details on why you should attend the conference of the year for landscape and lawn care professionals in Louisville, Kentucky Oct 19 – 22, 2021, read the blog.

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Executing The Action Plan

By |September 14th, 2021|

What’s the final phase of the exit planning process? Executing the plan. “This is where we contact our potential buyers, make calls, send out teasers or profiles to prospects. We get confidentiality agreements to keep the discussions and materials like the Offering Memorandum secure and private,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. “From there we are answering questions managing buyer visits, doing a lot of sketching of deals, and back and forth prelim negotiations.” For more details on the next steps read the blog.

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Honoring The American Labor Movement

By |September 1st, 2021|

“I love the people that labor in the lawn & landscape industry. They are, in general, pragmatic, humble, close to the earth, hard working, energetic and willing to do what it takes to produce value for their customers. They are mature, accept their limitations, are willing to roll up their sleeves, dig in and do the work,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. “They’re good people, they like to learn. They respect reality, other people, and delight in working on a team of like-minded people. And they enjoy being outdoors.” For more details read the blog.

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Developing the Plan of Action

By |August 24th, 2021|

What goes into an action plan when you want to sell your commercial landscape business? “A good analogy is when you are selling a house. If the house is in need of repairs, dirty, and the carpets are worn you will not be able to get top dollar for the home. Conversely, when the house is all buffed out, all repairs have been taken care of, there is a new coat of paint, and the smell of freshly baked cookies are in the air, your chances of getting top dollar are greatly enhanced,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. “Our job is to get your house, your business, in order. By doing so we greatly enhance your potential for a more profitable outcome. Remember like selling a home, it is best to sell at the top of the market. And this is the best seller’s market, ever.” For specifics on what goes into the plan read the blog.

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