Fall is here, and as football season kicks off, the enterprise value specialists at Ceibass are reminded of one important truth: winning teams don’t just show up on game day. They study their competition, assess their own strengths and weaknesses, and adjust their game plan to stay ahead. The same should be true for your lawn and landscape business.
“The lawn and landscape industry is fiercely competitive, yet many companies fail to assess where they stand compared to their competition. This creates a competitive blind spot that could be costing you customers, market share, and growth,” said Tom Fochtman, Ceibass CEO. “To compete more effectively and start winning, you need to sharpen your strategy by directly comparing your business with other companies you are competing against.”
Here are some practical tips from the team at Ceibass to help you get more competitive.
1. Study the Competition
Just like a football team studies its opponent’s game tapes, you need to analyze your competitors. Start by researching the top companies in your area. Look at their service offerings, pricing models, customer reviews, marketing tactics, and overall reputation. How do they position themselves? What makes them attractive to customers? What are their weak points? Understanding your competition will give you the insights needed to strengthen your own game plan.
2. Conduct a SWOT Analysis
Once you understand your competition, perform a SWOT analysis—assessing your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Be honest about where your business stands in relation to others. What services do you excel at? Where are you falling behind? Are there opportunities for you to offer something new or different that your competitors aren’t? Identifying these factors will help you find areas for improvement and capitalize on your advantages.
3. Differentiate Your Services
To stand out in a crowded marketplace, focus on what makes your company unique. Are you offering specialized services that competitors don’t? Do you provide a higher level of customer service? Communicate these differentiators clearly in your marketing. Customers should know exactly why they should choose your business over another.
4. Invest in Employee Training
Your team is your greatest asset in the competitive landscape. Invest in training your employees to provide excellent service, improve efficiency, and stay updated on the latest industry trends. A well-trained and motivated team can give you a competitive edge by delivering consistent, high-quality work.
5. Track and Measure Performance
Winning teams track their progress, and so should you. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) like customer satisfaction, job completion times, revenue growth, and employee productivity to measure how well your business is performing. Regularly review these metrics and compare them to industry standards. This data-driven approach will help you adjust your strategies and improve over time.
6. Huddle
A workplace Huddle is like a huddle in football. It’s a quick meeting and it gets everyone focused. It’s a model for increasing employee engagement and workforce potential. It’s achieved through a regular discussion in which attendees address key performance indicators and areas of improvement. These meetings can take place daily or weekly. This is where people talk to each other. What does somebody need? Where can we help? Any client issues we need to know about? What’s working? What’s not working to compete more effectively? Then get after fixing or assisting wherever needed.
7. Stay Adaptable
The competitive landscape is always changing, so your business needs to remain flexible. Stay ahead by continuously evaluating industry trends and customer needs. Be willing to innovate and adapt your services, pricing, or processes to meet market demands.
“In the lawn and landscape industry, competing effectively is about more than just providing good service—it’s about knowing where you stand, refining your strengths, and outsmarting the competition,” added Tom. “By analyzing your competitors, identifying your own strengths and weaknesses, and staying adaptable, you can develop a winning strategy that sets you apart in the market and leads your business to success. It’s time to get in the game and start competing like a professional.”
