Time is money. Find a faster way to get the job done without sacrificing quality and you've found a way to send money to the bottom line. The following are just a few ways to save time and money.
- Implement an employee training program. Training employees early on to operate equipment safely and efficiently cuts down on downtime.
- Develop a preventive maintenance routine, and follow it.
- Encourage employees to give a "once around" after they've finished a job. Picking up "loose ends," i.e., gas cans, a trimmer, etc., saves a trip back later that day.
- Match crew size to your business. Some operators find it easier (faster) to work with smaller crews. Others prefer larger crews. Others still have a "finish" crew that lags behind to clean up. Do a time study of various size crews to see which size best fits your operation.
- Make sure employees use the same equipment every day. They'll take pride in and better care of equipment if they know they'll be the ones using it.
- Consider an answering service. An answering machine serves the same function, yet gives the illusion you're not available and therefore won't be timely. Neither will promote timeliness, however, if they're ignored.
- Learn to carry spare parts. A portable air compressor or mounted tire will save a trip back to the office.
- Commercial and residential customers have different demands. Dedicate a crew to one or the other. Mixing properties slows a crew by forcing it to change gears in "midstream."
- Encourage crew leaders to finish all elements of the job at the same time. One "waiting" crew member takes money from the bottom line.
- Consider offering on-time bonuses for employees.
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