In this week’s 10-Minute Business Tip (ok, maybe a bit longer 😅), I’m joined by the legendary garden designer, RHS judge, and BBC presenter Manoj Malde

We dive into 3 unmissable business tips for landscapers and designers:

1️⃣ Get yourself a great accountant – save time, stress & serious £££

2️⃣ Build strong relationships – collaboration is the secret sauce

3️⃣ Protect your reputation – your clients are your best marketing team!

Plus, we talk attracting young talent into the industry, the value of investing in your garden (and your team), and why the cheapest quote often costs the most in the end!

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“If you don’t focus on your strengths and test your ideas before diving in, you’re not building a business—you’re just spinning your wheels.” — Steve Walley

In this episode of the Grow Landscapers 10 Minute Business Tip Series, host Nick Ruddle welcomes back Steve Walley, a familiar face from the first series and a key figure at London Stone. Steve brings his wealth of experience to the table, sharing practical, no-nonsense tips to help landscape business owners sharpen their focus, boost efficiency, and grow smarter.

Key Takeaways:

1. Play to Your Strengths:

- Resist the temptation to chase every new idea—stick to what you’re best at to avoid diluting your business.

- Steve shares how straying into commercial paving and interior tiles cost time and money before refocusing on London Stone’s core strengths.

- Focus on being exceptional in one area rather than average across many.

2. Daily Accountability:

- Set clear daily goals for yourself and your team to stay on track and avoid reactive firefighting.

- Steve introduces the “stand-up” meeting—a quick daily check-in to review yesterday’s progress and plan today’s priorities.

- This simple habit keeps everyone aligned, accountable, and free to work without constant oversight.

3. Test Before You Invest:

- Before committing time and money to a new venture, test the market demand first.

- Steve recounts advising a friend to gauge interest in tailored gym meal plans via Instagram, saving six months and significant costs when the idea flopped.

- Start small, prove the concept, and scale only when you’ve confirmed the demand.

4. Attracting Talent to Landscaping:

- Encourage hands-on skills in kids early on—Steve credits his dad’s garden projects for sparking his interest in physical work.

- Highlight the industry’s creativity and “cool factor,” from stunning gardens to rock-star status at events like Chelsea.

- As AI takes over desk jobs, trades like landscaping will rise in value and appeal.

5. Lifelong Learning:

- Stay inquisitive—every person you meet knows something you don’t, so listen closely.

- Leverage free resources like YouTube, TikTok, and podcasts to keep your skills sharp.

- Steve’s tip: truly hear what people say instead of waiting for your turn to speak.

Resources Mentioned:

- London Stone: londonstone.co.uk

- Steve’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stevelondonstone

Connect with Steve Walley:

- Website: londonstone.co.uk

Final Thoughts:

Nick and Steve urge landscapers to hone their focus, test ideas smartly, and embrace daily habits that drive success. Whether it’s sticking to your strengths or inspiring the next generation, these actionable tips can transform your business—and your life. Start today, keep it simple, and watch the results pile up.

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“If your business doesn’t work without you, you don’t really have a business—you have a job.” — David Jenyns

In this episode of the Grow Landscapers 10 Minute Business Tip Series, host Nick Ruddle welcomes David Jenyns, systems expert and author of the bestselling book Systemology. David shares invaluable insights into how landscape business owners can systemise their operations to achieve efficiency, profitability, and, ultimately, freedom from being tied to the tools.

Key Takeaways:

1.Getting Off the Tools:

•Start by systemising a single, primary product or service that generates income for the business.

•Map out the customer journey from inquiry to repeat business, focusing on the most efficient steps.

•Capture processes step-by-step to make them transferable and repeatable.

2.Documenting Processes:

•Adopt the “who, not how” mindset—empower team members or partners to help document systems.

•Use tools like videos and checklists to record tasks and processes.

•Leverage government grants to hire junior apprentices who can assist with documentation and process improvement.

3.Leveraging Technology and AI:

•AI can assist in scheduling, cost estimation, training, and customer interaction.

•Tools like chatbots, QR codes, and AI-trained models can streamline operations and reduce errors.

•Encourage younger team members to explore and implement tech solutions as they are often more familiar with modern tools.

4.The Power of Systemisation:

•Systemising processes can transform a business into a scalable and sellable asset.

•David references Jim’s Mowing as an example of how systemisation can lead to franchising and massive success.

5.Actionable First Steps:

•Access David’s starter pack, including the Systemology book and training resources, to begin documenting processes.

•Visit systemology.com/Nick for resources tailored to landscapers.

Resources Mentioned:

•Systemology by David Jenyns

•Starter Pack: systemology.com/Nick

•The E-Myth by Michael Gerber

Connect with David Jenyns:

Website: Systemology

Final Thoughts:

Nick and David encourage landscapers to embrace systemisation as a necessary step to achieving the freedom and profitability they desire. Start small, stay consistent, and leverage available resources to systemise your business effectively.

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