In the last few weeks, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with business owners about how difficult it can be to choose the right drivers, and more importantly, how to connect them to people’s day-to-day actions. Whether you call them KPIs, metrics, or drivers, I prefer to use the word drivers, because that’s what […]
Category Archives: Insights
28
Dec
Dec
Most profit-sharing or bonus plans don’t fail because the math is wrong. They fail because the thinking is. I’ve watched leaders spend weeks debating percentages, thresholds, and formulas, only to end up with a plan no one fully trusts. The spreadsheet becomes the battleground, but the real problem started long before any numbers were entered. […]
Insights, Leadership, Open Book Management, People
How We Build Dignity and Ownership Through Better Meetings
08
Oct
Oct
Inside Creative Roots Landscaping’s people-first approach to creating better meetings and stronger teams that build trust, clarity, and accountability. Why Better Meetings Build Stronger Teams Early in my career I thought the best way to improve the business was to work harder in the field. If we just pushed a little faster, added a few […]
22
Jul
Jul
Inspired by the visioning practices of Ari Weinzweig. Forever grateful for what you first taught me about Visioning, what seems like a lifetime ago. It’s the fall of 2035, and I’m walking through the yard at Creative Roots. The smell of our compost — the rich, earthy byproduct we’ve been creating for decades from our […]
26
Mar
Mar
In honour of International Women’s Day, I want to recognize the impact women have had on the success of the landscaping company I started nearly three decades ago. At Creative Roots Landscaping, we’ve always kept things simple: we hire the best person for the job, regardless of gender. From front-line technicians to management and ownership, […]
Insights, Open Book Management, The Great Game of Business
Beyond the Daily Grind: Building a Business That Thrives Without You!
19
Feb
Feb
Many business owners begin their journey with a deep knowledge of their craft. In the landscaping industry, this might mean designing high-end outdoor spaces, building complex hardscapes, or delivering exceptional property maintenance services. But at some point, to create a company that lasts, the focus must shift from doing the work to building the business. […]
Insights, Leadership, Open Book Management, The Great Game of Business
OWNERSHIP RULE #10 of 14: “To Maximize Equity Value, You Have To Think Strategically.”
15
Oct
Oct
“The Unfolding Drama of Business: Facing the Future with Strategic Involvement” At Creative Roots, I’ve come to understand that the company’s true value lies in its people and their ability to understand and influence our future. Over the years, our commitment to The Great Game of Business (GGOB) has driven this belief home. When Jack […]
Insights, Leadership, Open Book Management, People, Strategic Planning, The Great Game of Business
Open-Book Management: Don’t Be Fooled by the Buzzword
29
Aug
Aug
You can’t just share the numbers and think your employees will “get it!” In the world of business management, Open-Book Management (OBM) has become somewhat of a buzzword. It’s a term many leaders toss around, often with little understanding of what it truly entails. To tell you the truth, it drives me crazy! But that […]
Insights, Leadership, Open Book Management, The Great Game of Business
OWNERSHIP RULE #9 of 14: “Getting Out Is Harder Than Getting In.”
01
Jul
Jul
“Embracing Employee Ownership: My Experience Of Selling to Employees.” After three decades of guiding my landscape business from a humble startup to what it has become today, I’ve come to appreciate the profound truth in the saying, “Getting Out Is Harder Than Getting In.” However, as I end my tenure and leave the business in […]
Insights, Leadership, Open Book Management, The Great Game of Business
OWNERSHIP RULE #8 of 14: “You Build an Ownership Culture by Breaking Down Walls.”
14
Feb
Feb
Another Insight from 30 Years at Creative Roots Landscaping 2024 marks my 30th year since I started Creative Roots Landscaping. Through trial and plenty of error, I have come to appreciate Jack Stack’s Ownership Rule #8’s crucial role in shaping the sound organizational culture that exists in our small landscaping business. The journey has been […]