Landscape Ontario - October 2020

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

October 2020

PM 40013519

Dynamic

DUO Avalon Landscaping’s Ed and Anita Chanady are partners in both business and in life.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

October, 2020 • Volume 38 - No. 9 HortTrades.com

Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural profession in Ontario.

Features 4 Profile: Avalon Landscaping

Departments 6 13 14 15 18 22

Association News Educator Profile New Members Professional News Columns Advertisers

Editor Robert Ellidge rellidge@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-5645 Creative director / IT coordinator Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343 Sales manager Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585 Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLM lak@landscapeontario.com, 416-848-7557 LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Andrea Annis, Darryl Bond, Grace Bruch, Amy Buchanan, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Cassandra Garrard, Meghan Greaves, Sally Harvey CLT CLM, Chantal Jorgensen, Keri MacIvor, Heather MacRae, Katarina Markovic, Kathy McLean, Shalini Mehta, Patrick Roche, Joe Salemi, Ian Service, David Turnbull, Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada Phone: 905-875-1805 ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2020, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 11x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included).

For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Planning is the foundation of success

K

the plan in the background allows for gutfeeling decisions. But you still have to keep your eye on the changing dynamics. I found this year that the plan was often obsolete as soon as it was implemented. Sometimes you just have to go back and match your plan up to the evolving conditions.

Landscape Ontario is going through some of the same issues. We spent a lot of time getting our members safely back to work and then had a look at our programs and how we could offer them to members while still maintaining safety. In-person chapter meetings and social events like baseball and golf tournaments just weren’t possible.

Snowposium was shifted online. Many changes had to be made quickly, sometimes on the fly, but with lots of thought going into it. Congress as we know it has been cancelled for 2021, but a different, more accessible online option is being created.

Technology is coming to the forefront.

Moving forward, we will have to look at new revenue sources for the association, as future shock events like this pandemic will affect our ability to put on our hugely successful trade show. Obviously none of these changes were in our recently completed strategic plan. How could we have predicted our current situation? However, our strategic plan gave us a solid foundation for getting the right programs running, getting the right people on staff, and the collaborative attitude to find solutions to every one of the issues that popped up.

Help is just around the corner. There are a bunch of programs and landscape industry consultants associated with LO that can help you tackle the strategic planning monster. I challenge you to find the help you need to move your company toward a prosperous future.

ids are back in school, but life is not really back to normal. We are all crazy-busy right now tackling the backlog that was partially created by the pandemic. And now, add to that the stress of not being able to find materials and the perennial shortage of labour. It may seem like we are all doing lots of work and the money is rolling in, but are we actually making any profit?

I took some time recently to review my previous messages in this space and realized that I talk a lot about planning.

Planning is the foundation of success. To some, planning comes easily; to others it is a chore. Not everyone is wired for planning, let alone leading a team though a planning exercise. And then there’s implementing the plan. I used to find that the hardest part of the process because it’s easier to come up with ideas than it is to build the buy-in and then actually make it happen. What’s the point of building a budget if you are just going to put it on the shelf and not look at it again until the next go around? What’s the point of doing a strategic plan if you don’t actually work toward any of the goals set out? I find that sharing the entire process with the management team allows for faster buy-in and built-in accountability. Taking the team approach allows us to hold each other accountable.

The flip-side of the planning process is that it is possible to overplan. Maybe it’s a fear of execution. It can be easy to get lost in the details and sometimes you just have to put your head down and push through it and take the leap. That is easy to say, but when there is a plan in place, the jump-off is easier because there’s certainty behind the decision-making. In a year like this, when changes are happening weekly if not daily,

Dave Wright LO President davew@wrightlandscape.ca

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Member Profile:

AVALON LANDSCAPING Holland Landing, Ont.

Avalon offers clients a complete and unique landscape experience. Many projects are customized using their own line of natural stone lighting, stone benches, tables and carvings which can all be sandblasted to include personalized designs.

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Distinction — a manufacturer of custom bronze, aluminum and steel sundials. Chanady shipped sundials worldwide. In 2008, Steve Chanady passed away and Anita took over the operation.

Now called Sundials by Avalon, the company also manufactures natural stone lighting, carvings, benches and tables, which are produced on the Holland Landing property, providing rainy day and winter employment for the crew. When used in a landscape, those elements allow Avalon to provide a unique look to clients.

In 1992, Anita and Ed married and the couple have been both business and life partners ever since. Their two sons, Darwin and Stephen have been working full-time at Avalon for a few seasons and along with nephew, Dylan Castada, they represent the third generation of the family business.

valon Landscaping is the epitome of a successful family business.

Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Ed and Anita Chanady, their award-winning landscape design-build company founded by Ed’s father, Steve Chanady, is celebrating 55 years of operations in 2020.

Since 1991 the company has been based on a five-acre site in Holland Landing, Ont., that includes beautiful display gardens, room to store aggregates and landscape supplies, a shop to service vehicles and equipment, and an office. This site also includes the Chanadys’ home.

“The business is always here,” Anita says of the site. “Of course, that does have its challenges, but it has benefits as well.”

Anita was hired on as a secretary by Steve Chanady in 1989 — the same year Ed graduated from the Landscape Technician Program at Humber College. “Ed worked in the maintenance division that April and May and then took over the business,” Anita recalls.

With a science degree in commerce and a major in accounting, Anita also worked her way up to office manager and controller.

With the company in good hands, Steve Chanady started a new company: Sundials of

An early education

Although Ed formalized his education at Humber, he grew up immersed in the family business. “At five years-old, I would tag along with my dad to meet clients,” Ed says. “At the time, I didn’t realize I was learning the family business, I just wanted to spend time with my dad.”

“There were some pretty big names at those meetings,” Ed recalls. Among them: Bill DeLuca, Don Salivan, and Casey van Maris — pioneers who went on to form Landscape Ontario Horticultural

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO Trades Association. Avalon was one of the first charter members of the association and Ed has served as chair of the Contractor Sector Group and helped to develop its Contractor Rating System, residential guide to choosing a contractor, and helped to conceive Canada Blooms.

Steady growth

Founded in 1965 (the same year Ed was born), Avalon was a relatively small construction and maintenance company that was fed work from several prominent architects. When Ed took over the business, he shifted it to a design-build operation.

In 1992, Avalon Landscaping won six awards in the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence program and was also presented with the prestigious DuningtonGrubb Award for the top scoring project of all entries that year. “It was typically the big companies who won the award,” Ed says.

“It really brought us to the forefront and led to working with some very prominent architects in Toronto, and some work on home improvement shows on the HGTV network.”

Avalon continues to work with a freelance architect as part of their process.

“The architect will go out to a site and take measurements and provide us with a base plan,” Anita explains. “Ed will then do all of the design work off of that plan.” Anita will then act as the client and offer suggestions and ideas.

With this intense collaboration, the conversation at the dinner table or even in the middle of the night can quickly change to one about a specific job or client.

“Business and pleasure usually don’t work together,” Anita says. “We argue and we have lots of discussions, but when you have a discussion, you are voicing an opinion — something you truly believe in, and that always ends up creating an opportunity.”

“There are three things that contribute to our success: you have to communicate, you have to compromise, and you have to have patience,” Anita says. In the end, the couple believe their business discussions at all hours of the day lead to a better product and better service to their clients.

Living showrooms sell new clients

Providing top quality landscape designbuild services to residential and commercial clients in the York Region, Simcoe County and the north GTA, Ed says much of Avalon’s success is due to client satisfaction and their referrals. Satisfied clients are

From a modern front yard to a backyard for activities and entertaining, Avalon provides a variety of styles to suit its residential design-build clients.

happy to show others, turning every job into a showroom that has proved to generate new business, sometimes 10 to 20 years later. Neighbours take notice and make inquiries. Old clients become new ones.

Clients help to sell potential clients.

On an Avalon site, an a-frame Avalon sign, a catalogue kiosk and a drawing board with scale printout of the site design are all daily features that made

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Avalon stand out fromthe competition — something Ed calls “Avalon-ized.” It’s not uncommon for Avalon to have a half-dozen clients on the same street.

“Each one of our jobs is a reflection on our work,” Ed explains. “So we can’t have a paving stone sink after a year or two and we have to educate the client on proper maintenance. If the plants don’t look good a year later, that can look bad on us.”

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Dramatic looking plants are top picks at Trial Garden Open House

Lancelot

Serendipity

Brainiac Raven Red

Gekko Green

By Rodger Tschanz University of Guelph Trial Garden Manager Despite some restrictions due to Covid-19 and some last-minute planning challenges, this year’s Trial Garden Open House took place over four days and saw some great cooperation from Mother Nature. The site at Landscape Ontario in Milton had about 55 visitors Aug. 12-13 and the Guelph site had over 120 visitors Aug. 13-14.

An online registration system managed the flow of visitors to maintain safe-spacing protocols so visitors could take more time to visit the gardens. Thank you to Landscape Ontario’s Robert Ellidge for organizing and managing the online registration, as well as compiling the online map and plant lists. Thanks also to David Turnbull and his property management team for weeding, watering, mulching and everything else needed to maintain the trial plots.

A container trial at the LO-Milton site was introduced this year to complement the existing trial in Guelph. The popular display of about 140 containers included many annuals primarily used as container plants, reflecting what is happening in the real world. In addition, both the Guelph and LO-Milton sites included the usual landscape trials. A new perennial trial that was planted at LO-Milton this year was still struggling in the heat and trying to get established at the time of the Open House, which some of the more established perennials at the Guelph site compensated for.

The new pollinator evaluation garden in Milton turned out to be a garden oasis and escape from the roar of nearby Highway 401. Results of the pollinator trial will be available later this year.

Visitors once again voted on their favourite plants in three different categories. The results are on the following page:

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Hydrangeas 1. Zinfin Doll 2. Limelight 3. Q uick Fire, Little Quick Fire, Bobo, Candlelight

Container annuals

Landscape annuals

Landscape perennials

1. Celosia Brainiac Raven Red 2. Begonia I’CONIA Del Sol 3. P etunia Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo

1. Dahlia Lubega Dark Velvet 2. Zinnia Benary’s Giant Mix 3. Celosia Sol Lizzard Leaf

1. Allium Serendipity 2. Delphinium Excalibur Mix 3. Hibiscus Summerfine Cherry Chocolate

(four tied for third)

It’s interesting to note that petunias and zinnias had a high ranking amongst the annuals on open house day. The heat of this summer was ideal for growing these plants. Celosia is another heatlover and the selections listed above are very unique looking; Sol Gekko and Sol Lizzard Leaf were grown primarily for their colourful foliage, but started to bloom late in the season as day length decreased. It was also a good year for dwarf delphiniums and hibiscus. Both plant groups were at their peak during mid-August, as was the ornamental onion Serendipity, which was covered with bees during the open house.

Many other plants do not win the popularity contest each year, but are still worthy of attention. A salvia named Lancelot is one of these.

It has a dramatic appearance and interesting name (which probably comes from its shield-shaped leaves) which are covered in fine, white pubescence, similar to woolly lamb’s ears. The very attractive grey foliage acts as a great backdrop to the violet blooms that form later in the summer.

To see the top 10 container annuals, landscape annuals and landscape perennials, see the online version of this article at gfl.me/h90F.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

A tale of running a business with Covid

By Lindsay Drake Nightingale Owner, Yorkshire Garden Services and LO First Vice President In late February and early March 2020, my partner and I spent time in St. Martin where we relaxed, travelled about the island, participated in Mardi Gras events with thousands of other people and volunteered at the world renowned Heineken sailing regatta.

The event features 149 boats from all over the world, and again, thousands of people. What a melting pot for the dissemination of coronavirus. A perfect storm!

The last couple of days on the island, I wasn’t feeling up to par, but just thought it was general island fatigue after being so busy.

We got home March 10, and the following day I promptly went to a Landscape Ontario Peer to Peer Network session in Kitchener, Ont. Sorry!

On March 13, Canada Blooms was cancelled. My partner then got really sick. I was really under the weather, but still didn’t really put two and two together because I often come home after travelling with some sort of cold or sinus issue. By March 16 I wasn’t feeling great and I was supposed to take possession of a new company truck and check out a couple of properties. That’s when it hit me because the fatigue was overwhelming and just driving was difficult. March turned out to be a write-off. (Aside: I seriously have had to consult my calendar because I do not remember what happened in March or April).

That is one of the biggest impacts of Covid on me, my business and my volunteer work… memory issues. I have notebooks filled with notes and scribbles from every Zoom meeting, interaction and webinar. Months later, I have asked people what transpired at this event or at that meeting because I have absolutely no recollection.

It is terrifying to know that a virus can obliterate your cognitive function. The other symptoms (fatigue, daily migraines, muscle weakness, decreased lung capacity, huge thirst, loss of taste and smell, etc.) seem minor compared to memory issues, but they all were linked into the day-to-day management of the business — especially when spring start up was supposed to be around the corner. When I was too tired, I couldn’t remember things as easily, which made financial planning and forecasting a nightmare. When I was suffering from muscle weakness, trying to plant or walk a property made a job too difficult to get done. A week of afternoon migraines does wonders for one’s ability to get anything done… not! And don’t get me started about loss of taste and smell… it’s the best weight loss program out there because everything “felt” like I was eating cardboard, so why bother eating?

In order to keep staff and clients up-to-date with what was happening with Yorkshire Garden Services (YGS), I started writing a weekly bulletin. In total, nine were emailed out. It was a record of

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO the direction YGS was taking with regard to the pandemic. It helped keep everyone in the loop. It alleviated frustration and answered questions. It was serious, but at the same time, light-hearted. Writing the bulletin was a huge asset for me because it helped me feel like I still had some control over the direction of my company. Staff were key, too. Not as an afterthought, but as a means of keeping me on an even keel. We invested in new technologies and ways of doing work and training which made everything easier. At times, the team was my memory and kept the information flowing, so that once we were all back to work, it could happen without a glitch.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, but with the support of peers, staff and family, they have made it much easier for me to handle the virus. Covid is not a cake walk.

It can rear its ugly head again without warning. I thought I had Covid once again in August. I was tested and it was negative.

Consulting with my doctor, she let me know that it was probably residual effects of the virus. It seems that “side effects” can creep back. Again, I had a full week of fatigue and headaches. It’s so frustrating. This virus has definitely taught me that you cannot burn the candle at both ends. Everything must be in moderation. Ask for assistance.

Breathe … deeply. Drink tons of water. Eat properly. And most importantly, enjoy and cherish life.

is clear: whether it’s virtual or live, our Congress brand is trusted, respected and valued by the landscape industry.”

MacRae encourages landscape pros to sign up soon, and see what the new digital format has to offer.

The Conference component will include over 30 targeted professional development topics, and attendees

can also opt to view an online Awards of Excellence presentation. For more information visit LOcongress.com.

Introducing Congress Connect — Congress 2021 goes virtual Canada’s top horticultural trade show and conference, Congress, has been produced by Landscape Ontario since 1979. The 2020 event hosted over 12,000 participants.

With no easing of pandemic restrictions on the horizon, organizers are moving forward with a virtual format to provide green professionals with outstanding education, product information and networking opportunities. The reimagined event is called Congress Connect, and will launch Jan. 12-14, 2021.

“I never expected to rethink everything I knew about my career, and I must say, it’s energizing!” said LO show manager Heather MacRae. “We have been hearing messages of support and enthusiasm from attendees and suppliers alike. One thing

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Virtual summer camps inspire landscape pros of tomorrow The future generation of landscape designers, contractors and horticulturalists got some hands-on experience in the profession via a series of virtual summer camps presented by Landscape Ontario and Skills Canada Ontario.

The weekly workshops provided 95 grade 7-9 students across the province an activity kit with materials for hands-on workshops that got students exploring the world of landscape design, propagation, plant identification, landscape construction and more!

One week, students designed, built and maintained their own miniature landscapes, where they learned how to identify plants, design for clients and construct their landscapes using live plants and colourful

Students had to incorporate a client wishlist and factor in site considerations for the landscape design workshop.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Nominate employees for free offseason skills upgrading Landscape Ontario is excited to present the GROW (Get Ready for Opportunities at Work) program in partnership with SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO), funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. GROW is a three-tier pilot project with the goal of creating opportunities for advancing new and current employees as

Students were very proud of their work and many gave their completed projects to loved ones as a gift.

stones in containers. Many of the students expressed a great deal of satisfaction with how their finished product compared to their initial design.

Another lesson taught students how to build their very own small scale composters to produce soil that would support a thriving landscape. The reduce, reuse and recycle aspect to the lesson really hit home with many of the students.

Students were introduced to the benefits of horticultural therapy and learned how to propagate plants such as garlic, potatoes and nasturtium in another workshop.

Design skills and imagination were put to the test in another workshop where students learned about the elements and principles of landscape design, including site considerations and how to design for a clients wishlist.

Finally, a workshop of plants taught students how to identify plants in their neighbourhood, as well as some cool uses and functions of plants. Students painted rocks to act as plant labels, learned to press flowers and made a card to send to a loved one.

Each week, a winning project was chosen and the student awarded a $25 gift card to shop at a local LO member garden centre to help them continue on their horticultural journey.

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well as employers. This program marks a historic opportunity for those who are interested in developing knowledgeable and competent supervisors within their firm.

The Incumbent Worker Training Program is one tier of the GROW program. This tier aims to develop and advance 50 current employees in the landscape and horticulture

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

The Landscape Ontario property is utilized as a training ground for GROW program participants.

profession from November 2020 to March 2021. Employers have the opportunity to identify 1-2 employees per firm who possess potential qualities of being a remarkable supervisor. Employers will nominate their incumbent worker(s) and once accepted into the program, will help to identify individual key goals, and help support their employee transfer of new knowledge and skill into practice while at work.

By investing in the training of current employees, employers will benefit by:

• Retaining employees; • Advancing great employees; • Maintaining a positive work culture, and • Increasing their bottom line.

All approved incumbent worker participants will complete:

1. The GROW Foundational Supervisory Training Program 2. Worker Awareness Health and Safety Training (4 Step) (if not completed in last 12 months) 3. Supervisory Awareness Health and Safety (5 Step) (if not completed in last 12 months) 4. Supervisor Responsibilities and Due Diligence (provided by WSPS) In addition, participants will have access to supplemental courses or certifications that will enhance their career advancement

opportunities. Participants in the Incumbent Worker Training Program will receive an individualized training plan and an assigned training budget, provided by the grant. This training plan will help guide the participant and employers to define goals for the participant and identify learning paths to work toward achieving the goals. By the end of the program, in March 2021, participants will have had the opportunity to upskill and advance their professional and technical knowledge, skills, abilities and gain confidence for the spring season with their employers.

Throughout the duration of the program, employers will have the opportunity to participate in their employee’s advancement by helping identify strengths, opportunities for professional development and complete follow up surveys. Nominations will be received until Oct. 28, 2020. To find out if your company and employee(s) is eligible, or for more information about the program and participation prerequisites, please contact Amanda Laszcz, Incumbent Worker Training Program Coordinator at 1-800-265-5656 ext.

2317, or alaszcz@landscapeontario.com.

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EDUCATOR PROFILE

Michelle Chambers loves teaching teenagers What prompted you to want to teach others? How did you get started?

As an educator, what is your proudest or most memorable achievement?

How did you get involved with the educator associations?

What is one life lesson you try to teach others, so they can avoid making your same mistake?

I had been working in a greenhouse in Peterborough and they approached the owner to say they needed someone to teach horticulture at the high school. I had been teaching turf management for the Apprenticeship Program up in Haliburton and thought, ‘wow, I would love that job.’ I love plants, and I like teenagers, so it sounded absolutely wonderful. At the time, I wasn’t a teacher, so I went through the training.

Michelle Chambers has been a technological green industries teacher at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School in Peterborough, Ont., for 27 years. She holds degrees in agriculture, horticulture and education, and was involved with the Horticulture Ontario Secondary Teachers Association (HOSTA), which is now the Horticulture Educators Association (HEA) — a group that connects green industry educators at all levels to share resources and better equip students with the knowledge and skills required throughout their educational journey.

I met Terry Murphy (from Landscape Ontario) staffing a display and said we needed to connect. Wendy Peters had started the process of connecting up the teachers with Terry and I think I became the secretary.

How does your involvement with these groups help you and your students?

Connecting with other teachers is so helpful because you get great ideas. It provides you with support. Another colleague will help you or just give you an idea on some good projects to work around a different theme or idea. To have another organization where I can throw out ideas and collect lesson plans from other teachers, it keeps you relevant and pushes you to keep learning — that’s something you always have to do in this field.

If there’s one life lesson I’ve learned, it’s don’t do this alone. Don’t teach in a bubble. You’re always stronger when you are together.

What do your students gain by visiting Congress or Canada Blooms?

It certainly opens their eyes to how big the industry is. I don’t think they realize how diverse it is until they walk through the doors — everything from sellers of peat moss to heavy equipment to different kinds of designs, including landscape and floral designs.

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I’ve had a lot of them. I do lots of fun things.

We have a greenhouse that we take out of production which makes for a big open space. The kids then design a mini-putt with a beginning, a middle and an end. We have a lot of landscape bricks, water gardens, and artificial turf, and at the end, they can play mini-putt, so there’s that sense of accomplishment.

Always check for wasps is a good one.

Teenagers don’t know if they are allergic to wasps until they’ve got stung. Teenagers are wonderful. They are inquisitive. But you always need to be aware of the environment.

You’re dealing with the environment that has variables that you can not control and you have to teach them how to be aware of that.

What is the best part about teaching?

I think it’s that awe moment when the kids fall for what we are doing. Whether it’s growing plants or planting a tree, you can see it happen. You can see them get hooked. And that’s pretty cool.

What is the hardest part about being an educator?

You are always on. Teenagers are new to all the skills. They are new to safety and the terminology and you have to balance all of that. You can’t be too wordy and you’re constantly thinking ahead. You have to make sure it’s all ready and in a language that they understand what you are talking about.

Do you know an inspiring educator?

Email your suggestion to robert@landscapeontario.com.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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1860860 Ontario Inc Christopher Gilbert / Tel: 416-557-5524 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Fletcher Reid Outdoor Living Inc Craig Fletcher / Tel: 519-666-0617 Membership Type: Professional Member

Missel Property Services Inc Mark Issel / Tel: 905-260-2346 Membership Type: Member

Ottawa Bill Moreau Almonte, ON Membership Type: Individual

Paul Shaughnessy / Tel: 705-760-6454 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Mow N Go Lawn Care Chris Jackson / Tel: 613-340-7828 Membership Type: Member

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Toronto 1916803 Ontario Inc O/A Blooming City David Mordecai / Tel: 416-469-9594 Membership Type: Member

1558761 ON Ltd Dennis Simeoni / Tel: 705-626-7447 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

2511346 Ontario Inc o/a Field of Greens Groundskeeping Frank Geoffrey Bandiera / Tel: 905-252-2744 Membership Type: Introductory

C. Forget Renovating Chris Forge / Tel: 705-526-2347 Membership Type: Associate Construct & Conserve Scott Vanular / Tel: 905-370-0205 Membership Type: Associate

Everett Construction and Landscaping Hayden Everett / Tel: 647-515-8217 Membership Type: Member

MRB Building Group Inc Matthew Brindle / Tel: 705-718-4180 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member

Great West Landscaping Ltd Lawrence Westreich / Tel: 416-303-3589 Membership Type: Member

Mahogany Int Fergus Smith / Tel: 705-746-7328 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Howes Commercial Contracting Kristopher Howes / Tel: 226-220-4423 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Muskoka Town & Country Services Ltd Scott Ruttan / Tel: 705-645-9772 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

RS Breakers and Controls Inc Rishi Sudan / Tel: 647-280-7376 Membership Type: Associate

Precision Septic & Earthworks Ltd. David Hartle / Tel: 519-599-2666 Membership Type: Associate

Rapid Equipment Rental Limited Spiro Marinos / Tel: 416-638-7007 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Rencz’s Contracting Shawn Perencz / Tel: 705-220-1137 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Upper Canada Dash Lawn Care Richard Dash / Tel: 613-888-9672 Membership Type: Sole Proprietor Member

SCR Mining Claude Seguin / Tel: 705-665-1223 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Monument Geomatics and Estimating Inc Josh Doxtator / Tel: 613-243-6778 Membership Type: Associate

Sweetwood Gardening Sarah McGarr / Tel: 647-388-6606 Membership Type: Introductory

R. Price Property Maintenance Inc Rob Price / Tel: 613-561-9023 Membership Type: Member

The Cad Smith Tyler Smith / Tel: 705-321-7933 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Waterloo

This Stone Home Inc Nathan Metus / Tel: 705-888-2432 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Brustone Const Inc Lewis Brubacher / Tel: 519-292-1437 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

UFC Contracting Inc Joseph Francelj / Tel: 705-333-4321 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Checkley Concrete Ltd James Checkley / Tel: 519-831-6575 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Golden Horseshoe

Gingerich Transport/1267388 ON Inc Terry Gingerich / Tel: 519-590-1367 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Aberdeen Tree Services Inc Steven Burgess / Tel: 905-906-9506 Membership Type: Professional Member D’Agostino Construction Samuel D’Agostino / Tel: 204-730-0340 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Speedway Trailers O/O Directsave Canada Inc Antonio Salamone / Tel: 519-658-0444 Membership Type: Associate

Dickinson Outdoor Carpentry James Dickinson / Tel: 289-228-3592 Membership Type: Associate

System Fencing Limited Kevin Job / Tel: 905-208-0726 Membership Type: Chapter Associate

Lawn Care Alert Daniel Clark / Tel: 647-835-5014 Membership Type: Member

14

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Ways to prepare for second wave of Covid-19 With the number of Covid-19 cases spiking across the country in late September, it appears the second wave of the pandemic is already here.

“Now is the time for workplaces to take action,” says Stephen Shaw, Workplace Safety and Preventions Services Director of Integrated Operations. “The goal is to help you pivot quickly — keeping your employees healthy, and ensuring your workplace continues operating.”

Shaw offers suggestions as a possible plan of action. You can expand on or customize them to reflect your workplace requirements.

Review your response to Covid-19 so far. What worked well? What could you have done differently? For instance, could decision-making and implementation proceed more quickly? Are employees and customers following your Covid-19 precautions? If not, what’s stopping them?

If you haven’t conducted a thorough Covid-19 hazard assessment, do it now. Are the new hazard control measures working?

Could new measures implemented since the outbreak began have introduced new hazards?

Integrate new Covid-19 policies and procedures into your established policies and procedures (ie: first aid, travel, working from home, sick leave, housekeeping, etc.).

Draw up contingency plans for a possible return to a lower stage of opening — even a full lockdown.

Keep your emergency contact list up to date. Include alternative contact methods.

Record contact information for all visitors for contact tracing purposes.

Continue monitoring Covid-19 in your area so you know what stage your region is in and how the pandemic is trending. How would a change affect your customers and suppliers?

Ensure you have enough PPE and other supplies on hand in the event of a second wave. Line up preferred suppliers now.

Keep employees engaged in minimizing Covid-19 hazards. Rotating members on your Covid-19 recovery team, increasing the frequency of joint health and safety committee inspections, and creating an ideas incubator are just three possibilities.

Up your efforts to minimize employee stress and anxiety. The risk of burnout and other mental health issues will only increase.

What can you do to minimize this risk? For

Minimum wage in Ontario now $14.25 Under the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, the minimum wage in Ontario increased to $14.25 per hour on Oct. 1, 2020 — an increase of 25 cents.

The student minimum wage also rose 25 cents per hour, bringing it to $13.40.

A student is defined as someone under the age of 18 who works 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or works during a school break or summer holidays.

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example, have you surveyed employees to assess anxiety levels and identify issues (ie: Have they had sufficient training to interact safely with customers and co-workers? Do they feel they have the right PPE?).

Consider your options for continuing or restarting health and safety training, including orientation training if you are hiring new employees or bringing employees back after an extended period away from the workplace.

Promote flu vaccinations to keep employees healthy and away from emergency departments. If a second wave coincides with flu season, more employees may be off work, and for longer periods.

For more resources, including the WSPS Post-Pandemic Business Playbook visit the Covid-19 resource hub at covid19.wsps.ca.

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If a change to the minimum wage rate comes into effect partway through an employee’s pay period, the pay period will be treated as if it were two separate pay periods and the employee will be entitled to at least the minimum wage that applies in each of those periods.

On October 1 of every year starting in 2020, the minimum wage rates may increase annually. The new rates to come into effect on October 1 will be published on or before April 1 of every year.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Ontario announces extension of COVID-19 period The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD), recently announced an extension of the amendments to the Employment Standards

Act (ESA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The amended regulations have been extended to January 2, 2021.

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During the COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020 to January 2, 2021):

• A non-unionized employee whose employer has temporarily reduced or eliminated their hours of work for reasons related to COVID-19 is deemed to be on a job-protected Infectious Disease Emergency Leave.

• A non-unionized employee is not considered to be laid off under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.

• A non-unionized employee is not considered to be constructively dismissed under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.

Beginning on January 3, 2021:

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• E mployees will no longer be deemed to be on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave.

• T he ESA’s regular rules around constructive dismissal resume. This means a significant reduction or elimination of an employee’s hours of work or wages may constitute a constructive dismissal, even if it was done for reasons related to COVID-19.

• T he ESA’s regular rules around temporary layoff resume. For practical purposes, an employee’s temporary layoff clock resets on January 3, 2021.

If you need help understanding employment standards rights and responsibilities, visit Ontario.ca/ESAguide or call the Employment Standards Information Centre at 1-800-531-5551 or TTY (for hearing impaired) at 1-866-567-8893. Information is available in many languages.

To learn more about COVID-19, employers’ responsibilities and job protections available to employees, visit Ontario.ca/COVID.

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WHEN YOU CAN’T: WEAR A MASK OR FACE COVER

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Latest Employment Standards Poster released The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) published a new Employment Standards Poster: Version 9.0.

To download a copy or for more information on the poster requirements under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) visit Ontario.ca/ ESAposter.

Employers are no longer required to post the employment standards poster in the workplace, but are required to provide a copy to employees who are covered by the ESA within 30 days of their hiring date.

The poster informs workers of their rights under the ESA in key areas such as: hours of work, holidays, vacation time and pay, termination, leaves of absence, and minimum wage.

In addition to the download, hardcopies can be ordered from ServiceOntario Publications for free. The poster is available in 16 different languages.

Visit gfl.me/h90Lfor links to download and order.

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Building construction reaches record high in June Statistics Canada recently released its Investment in Building Construction numbers for the first half of 2020. In the release, it showed the highest monthly investment in ICI construction on record.

Over $2.2 billion were invested in Ontario’s ICI sector in June — 15 per cent more than any previous month this year. Looking at the year so far (January-June), ICI investment in Ontario is nearly five per cent greater than the same period in 2019.

Over the first half of 2020, ICI investment is above 2019 numbers in 13 of Ontario’s 16 metropolitan areas. In London, ICI investment is up 51 per cent, while Peterborough’s investment value is up 39 per cent. There have also been double-digit increases in Guelph (29 per cent), Windsor (24 per cent), Thunder Bay (22 per cent), Belleville (19 per cent), Oshawa (17 per cent), and Brantford (12 per cent).

ICI investment has grown by single-digits in the first half of 2020 in St. Catharines-Niagara (nine per cent), Ottawa (seven per cent), Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo (six per cent), Hamilton (four per cent), and Toronto (three per cent).

For more information on permitting, and investment in ICI construction, visit the Ontario Construction Secretariat’s website at iciconstruction.com.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

EXECUTIVE DESK

What do members need from their association?

E

ach year, the Great Lakes Conference brings together the leaders of nursery and landscape associations located around the Great Lakes. This year’s event was hosted virtually by the Ohio association.

LO president Dave Wright, vice president Lindsay Drake Nightingale and I represented you at this meeting. One of the topics was titled, “What do Members Need from their Association? Below is a summary you may find interesting.

Representatives from Indiana started the discussion. They said members need advocacy and communications and that the association must deal with the main issues and threats to its members. It must be an advocate at the government and public levels. It must also provide professional development and educational opportunities for growth.

Illinois representatives said the exact same thing. The best way for the association to remain relevant is to advocate for the profession. This was demonstrated during the pandemic shut down. Virtual learning and education was also at the top of their list.

Michigan took a slightly different approach. Their main goal is to attract youth to the profession in order to deal with the perennial workforce development issue. They are devoting resources to youth engagement.

They talked about the importance of advocacy and have started a membership campaign with the simple message: “the reason you are back at work is because of the collective effort of the association.”

Minnesota relayed that the association is more relevant than ever before because of the Covid crisis. It proved that banding together in a collaborative effort is essential in uncertain times. The fact that many people are at home has also bolstered the development of the sector. It is up to the

association to ensure the public is provided with information it needs to be successful in enhancing their gardens. They are also focused on legislation that would limit liability for snow contractors. Advocacy and protection are their main themes.

New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin said advocacy and communications topped the list of what members want. Professional development and education were also priorities. Ohio talked about the importance of raising awareness for career opportunities. All associations talked about the importance of collaboration.

In Ontario, our perspective is similar. From my perspective of an observer for over 30 years, the needs of our members fall into four categories. Members participate in the association for financial, social, learning and legacy reasons. Individual members relate to different portions of the four areas. At the heart is the idea that we are stronger together and that participating in a collective focused on mutual improvement and advancement provides relevance and value.

Insurance crisis

All of you are aware that insurance rates have gone through the roof. This is especially true for those in the snow and ice management sector. Some are not even able to obtain insurance. Landscape Ontario has a five part strategy to deal with this issue. The government relations portion needs your assistance. Recently, a direct email was sent asking for your participation in a collective grass roots government relations campaign.

Many of you responded and many of you are about to respond. Please write your MPP to let them know about the situation. We urge you to act. Together we are stronger.

See gfl.me/h8WT.

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Congress 2021

For the first time in almost 50 years, we have been forced to postpone Congress due to the pandemic. This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one.

Although the benefits of “face to face” relationship-building will never be replaced, we are planning a virtual experience called Congress Connect. There are advantages of going virtual — we don’t have to worry about the weather and the event is more accessible and to a wider audience.

Even though Congress Connect will be accessed through a computer, we will enhance and reflect the values that make event experiences so relevant. Congress Connect will stimulate and showcase innovation. It will be a place to reveal new products. It will allow attendees to access goods and services and connect with exhibitors through video chat, chat or email. You will still be able to renew old acquaintances and build new relationships.

Buyers will still find products and services they need to perform their work all in one place. There will still be hours of relevant education and professional development opportunities that will advance the profession. Congress Connect will still be dedicated to your future.

Our job as an association is to grow a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized, valued and contributionoriented profession. Congress Connect will be a major driver in achieving this vision and I hope to see you there.

Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO Executive Director

tony@landscapeontario.com

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

MEMBERSHIP

Professional community is where prosperity flourishes

W

hether it’s an organized professional community like Landscape Ontario or other ad hoc group, it’s important to belong. But why? Sales are good and most landscape businesses are booking work well into next year, so what help could a community possibly offer to make things any better? The reality is there’s a lot communities can offer. From advice to the most base reason for their existence like offering a sense of belonging or connectedness.

Landscape Ontario exists to advance the landscape horticulture profession. What has developed is a massive community of likeminded professionals who share common goals, interests, and intentions. When everyone is in it for the same reasons it’s amazing what a community can accomplish.

Help in a time of crisis

Communities are the most beneficial during times of crisis. We saw this with our Facebook groups at the onset of the Covid19 pandemic. For many, it became their go to source for up-to-date information and resources to help them get through an extremely uncertain time. The LO Facebook groups became a place for sharing advice, news, asking for advice, venting, and in some cases a network of support or therapy.

Advice from successful peers

Landscape Ontario embodies the foundational principle of community. It’s a community for mutual improvement. One of the programs offered through Landscape

Ontario most characteristic of this sentiment is the Peer to Peer Network. This group of about 300 business owners and managers are committed to improvement, growth, development, and helping their fellow industry peers. Real business advice, real education, and real conversations happen in the workshops, in the weekly/biweekly/ monthly Zoom hangouts, and online through a private Facebook group. The Peer to Peer Network is probably one of the most ideal examples of how communities can help get you through the most challenging times.

Beyond the sense of belonging, professional communities provide an opportunity for learning. Sure, there’s the formal style of learning technical skills or fundamentals in a classroom or seminar environment, but learning as a member of a community can be better described as growth. Through networking opportunities and sharing those same common goals and objectives of the community mentioned earlier, it’s easier to connect with others to ask for advice on business decisions, where to source materials, or how to deal with tough situations. This type of learning will grow your business.

A unified voice for change

A community that advocates on your behalf on the issues that matter most to your business is a key component of what Landscape Ontario is all about. Challenges like advocating to get the industry back to work after being deemed ‘non-essential,’ advocating for snow contractors to course

correct ballooning insurance rates, informing various levels of government on safe use of equipment and responsible and professional chemical application for pests and lawn care — a community can amplify the voices of its individual members.

Unified through digital media

Thanks to the virtual world of online social media, email, and chat, even the most remote members of the Landscape Ontario community are able to stay connected. Online communities are a great way to interact. We’re human, and to be human is to be social. We need that social interaction. In a time when face to face interaction is limited, you will see many more opportunities for community interaction in a virtual environment. We can’t wait to connect with you and the entire Landscape Ontario community through our online platforms.

Renew now to stay a part of the community

LO’s membership team sent out dues renewal invoices in August. It’s important that you renew your membership now in order to stay a part of the community that works on your behalf, as a unified voice and to keep you connected with others.

The Landscape Ontario community needs your continued support so that as an organization we can continue to support this amazing community and advance the profession together. Renew your membership today!

Joe Salemi LO Deputy Executive Director and Director of Operations jsalemi@landscapeontario.com

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

SMART ABOUT SALT

Winter maintenance contractors struggles

W

contractors face can often seem daunting many groups, including the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) are working collaboratively to try to help. Looking at other jurisdictions which face similar problems legislative relief is being discussed.

Even as engagement with policy makers continues contractors can help themselves. For example, as with so many industries, winter maintenance professionals would be wise to build collaborative relationships with clients, after all the facility owner/operator and the contractor should be focused around safety. One suggestion is to undertake pre-season site inspections to review in-person, winter maintenance plans. Identify low spots where water might pool, leaky downspouts, etc., and address these areas before the snow flies. Discuss where snow might be piled and what products might be used to promote safety.

More than anything though, contractors need to ensure they can demonstrate professionalism and reasonable service through solid record-keeping. A number of technologies now exist which can help a weary driver before, during and after his or her shift to collect that data which can be so valuable for managing a business and a due diligence defence if a slip and fall claim is made.

As the old adage goes, “if you can measure it, you can’t manage it.”

The Smart About Salt Council (SASC) is a unique organization. A not-for-profit which was incubated through a government-industry partnership, SASC is dedicated to supporting all stakeholders involved in winter maintenance to adopt best management practices (BMP’s) in a winwin model that supports safety, meaningfully addresses business concerns of contracts, owners/operations, procurement professionals and alike but also mitigates clear environmental concerns.

Those wishing to learn more about the unique programs and services offered by the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) are encouraged to visit smartaboutsalt.com.

On the website people can quickly sign up for training which is priced at $375 (less than the price of a cup of coffee a day) and “Register Intent to Certify” $226.

inter maintenance professionals know better than anyone the challenges related to winter services and safety are real and growing. Setting aside the problematic environmental issues that arise from poor practices and the over application of de-icing mediums (aka salt), contractors are typically small business owners who face a myriad of tests as they seek to deliver services to their clients.

One challenge has been the ability to find salt and the year-over-year increased costs for product. This is a supply and demand issue: too much demand from producers that faced labour issues and floods which increased prices. Faced with this challenge, many professionals worked cooperatively with their clients to find a reasonable resolution, but that wasn’t always the case.

The salt shortage crisis and the increased pricing for de-icing products has seemingly given way to insurance struggles. With a number of insurers exiting the market, the ability of winter maintenance contractors to find insurance becomes a challenge which is exacerbated by staggering increases in premiums and deductibles — even for some business owners that have fantastic records.

Ironically, the interpretation of liability which often drives winter maintenance practices is poorly understood as are the best management practices (BMPs). Contractors are often engaged by facility operators to apply more salt, when in fact the studies prove that too much salt can be itself a slip and fall hazard. It should be about the right product, at the right time in the right amount, not a response to someone’s complaint.

Another struggle which for many seems perennial is the ability to recruit suitable personnel willing to work through storms fuelled often by caffeine and a desire to support the public safety and ensure businesses can operate. Too often we seem to forget that without winter maintenance contractors’ businesses wouldn’t be able to operate following winter storms events. The argument has been reasonably made that the teams of winter maintenance contractors are first responders.

While the list of challenges that winter maintenance

Lee Gould Executive Director, Smart About Salt Council lee.gould@smartaboutsalt.com

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

Start now!

L

andscape Ontario’s Peer to Peer Network held its fourth annual September Summit online for the first time ever, Sept. 24-25, and the speakers, advice and mentorship was second to none!

Operational Efficiency and Exit Strategies/ Succession Planning were the two main topics as selected by the 70 participants back at our Congress 2020 session.

At our first morning session, Arden Urbano, vice president at Greenius, shared her deep and broad experience in training — and how to set up a training system that engages and brings positive results. In my ‘podcast style’ discussion with her on our virtual Zoom stage, we talked about the mixed demographic of employees, and how the younger generation coming into our businesses are arriving with different skills than most employers had at the same phase of their work life.

We discussed how anxiety has become a big factor, which contributes to turnover, engagement (or lack thereof) and the overall confidence new employees experience during the onboarding phase in your company. Arden’s presentation included a startling fact: the average company in our industry across North America has 25 per cent of the team with less than four months’ experience at any given time. That’s a lot of repetitive training, a lot of inefficiency, and a lot of stress on supervisors and lead hands.

Arden provided a simple template for efficient and effective training based on the GoGreenius.com training process: watch, test, review and measure.

We ventured into break-out rooms

and discussed what participants felt they needed to improve, and what the sources of anxiety would be for their staff at all levels.

The highlights were awesome and included the unanimous conclusion that as business owners, we need to include compassion and empathy in our onboarding processes.

Next, Frank Bourque, president of Frank Bourque Consulting, talked about operational efficiency and shared his system for discovering where a company has inefficiencies, and how to fix them. Frank provided great resources to the participants to self-assess their business on efficiencies going forward. Frank’s key points included looking at a company from the top down, from the bottom up, the outside in, and from the inside out. These vantage points included strategy, identifying and simplifying systems, reviewing the company position in the marketplace, and assessing resources and processes within the company. All of these point to an effective operations strategy.

A great takeaway from Frank’s session was that in order to become truly efficient in your operations, a fresh set of eyes and an intentionally detailed, structured process is required for the highest impact.

The next day, we kicked off with Mark Bradley, CEO of LMN who gave a keynotestyle talk on the detailed process and tasks required to prepare a business for sale.

Participants received slides to help guide them forward as they embark on their journey to prepare for their next stage of business success.

We then had a lively discussion with five panelliststhat included our previous

Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com

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presenters (Frank and Mark), plus David Wright, president of Wright’s Landscaping, Brian Cotter, president LGMP and Durham Artificial Grass, and myself as president of Consulting By Hart. All panellistshad either bought, sold and/or transitioned into a family business. Moderated by Joe Salemi, LO Deputy Executive Director, the panel were asked a series of questions designed to show the many challenges and experiences of the collective panel and offer advice to those in attendance.

Following the panel, attendees were able to hop into a breakout room with various panelliststo ask questions. It seems the most important takeaways related to timelines. It was clear from all of the panelliststhat selling a business is nothing like selling a house. It takes YEARS to prepare the business, and YEARS to execute the plan — ensuring that profitability, risk management and systems are well-established, that the company would emerge well from due diligence scrutiny, and that all parties have a win-win experience in the end.

“Start now!” seems to sum up the best advice from this year’s event, in regards to improving efficiency of staff and company or planning to transition a business for sale.

I would like to thank all of our speakers, panelists, moderators and especially our Peer to Peer Network sponsors: Greenius, LMN and Dynascape. These leading companies recognize the value of peer mentorship, and are committed to the improvement of the profitability and success of the member companies of Landscape Ontario.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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