Green for Life May June 2016

A Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association member publication

May/June 2016 Vol. 4, No. 3

2015 Landscape Awards Landscape Onsites: Common Sense Safety

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Advancing the professional landscape industry.

MANAGING EDITOR | Joel Beatson PRODUCTION & EDITING | Kyla Hardon ADVERTISING | Erynn Watson Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional publication for the landscape trade in Alberta.

Editorial and Advertising Landscape Alberta 200, 10331 - 178 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5 P: 780-489-1991 F: 780-444-2152 admin@landscape-alberta.com Landscape Alberta does not assume responsibility for and does not endorse the contents of any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Landscape Alberta or its members.

May 11 – 12, 2016 2016 Provincial Skills Canada Competition Edmonton Expo Centre www.skillsalberta.com May 13, 2016 Arbor Day – Edmonton http://bit.ly/1pFwEZf June 5 – 8, 2016 2016 Skills Canada National Competition Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, NB www.skillscanada.com June 17 – 19, 2016 Garden Days www.gardendays.ca

Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of Landscape Alberta.

ISSN No: 1929-7114 (print) ISSN N0: 1929-7122 (online) Landscape Alberta Board of Directors Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd., Chair Chris Brown, CLM, JLG, CSO, CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd., Vice Chair Steve Wheatcroft, B. Comm, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd. Jeff Oudyk, CSLA, AALA, JLG, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. Jordan Voogd, JLG, Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. John van Roessel, CLM, CLT, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Treasurer Anita Heuver, JLG, Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd. Landscape Alberta Staff Joel Beatson, CAE, CLM, Executive Director joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com Marnie Main, Member Services Director member.services@landscape-alberta.com Erynn Watson, Member Services Assistant erynn.watson@landscape-alberta.com

On the Cover 2015 Landscape Award of Excellence Winner, Surface Pro Services. Project: Eighth Ave Place Hines 2015 Landscape Awards, Page 9 Landscape Onsites: Common Sense Safety, Page 7

Valerie Stobbe, Trade Show Coordinator valerie.stobbe@landscape-alberta.com Kyla Hardon, Communications Coordinator kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper accounting@landscape-alberta.com

Follow us on Twitter @landscapeab

Green for Life May/June 2016 I 3

Industry and Association News...

Canadian Landscape Standards Now Available The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects are pleased to announce the release of the Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS) First Edition. The CLS is a single, authoritative resource for landscape construction projects across Canada. For the first time, there is a national guideline to set the standard of landscape work in every province across the country.

Volunteers in every province reviewed the CLS to ensure that it is user-friendly and represents conditions of landscape work in all climatic and geographic regions, making the CLS relevant and applicable to all regions of Canada and available in both official languages.

The national CLS Steering Committee will remain in place to develop new sections and continually revise and update the document to ensure its accuracy and relevance. The CLS was designed for use by anyone who specifies scopes or bids on landscape work, including landscape architects, landscape designers, landscape contractors, grounds maintenance contractors and government procurement parks departments at all levels.

As a benchmark standard for the landscape horticulture industry, the CLS will be an indispensable tool to the success of any landscape project that is designed, built and maintained to this nationally-recognized standard.

“This remarkable collaboration between the BCLNA, BCSLA, CNLA and the CSLA has successfully produced a nationally unifying set of landscape standards,” said Christene Stenhouse LeVatte, past President of the CNLA and Chair of the CLS Steering Committee, “with the goal to effecting better designed, built and maintained green spaces for our Canadian neighbourhoods, communities, towns and cities…. from coast to coast.”

To obtain a copy of the Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS), please visit www.csla-aapc.ca/standard.

Landscape Awards Presentation Our annual Landscape Awards Presentation and Dinner was held March 1 at Yellowhead Brewery in Edmonton. This year there were two recipients of the Executive Choice Award. The first went to Arnold van de Ligt from Manderley Turf Products Inc. for his outstanding service to Landscape Alberta in his role as Treasurer, and to the industry through his tireless volunteerism with many broad based agricultural groups across the province. The second award went to Brendan Casement for his “career” as volunteer treasurer of the Nursery Growers Group that spanned almost 25 years. The Executive Choice Award recognizes members who have 4 I Green for Life May/June 2016

demonstrated dedication to helping the association grow and achieve its long-term goals.

The Landscape Awards program received 51 entries this year, with 39 awards handed out. Congratulations to Alpha Better Landscaping Inc., Anew View Landscape Construction Ltd., CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd., Earthworm Landscape Design Co. Ltd., Foothills Landscaping (2000) Ltd., Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping, Jansen Landscaping Ltd., Julia's Alpine Garden, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Landform Inc., OnGrowing Works Ltd., Park Landscaping Ltd., Salisbury Landscaping, Surface Pro Services, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. and YearRound Landscaping Inc. View photos from our Spring Workshop and Landscape Awards presentation at https://flic.kr/s/aHskvKEorM or flip to pages 9 - 13 to see the photos of the award winning projects.

We would also like to congratulate those companies whose award-winning entries have been nominated for the 2017 National Awards of Landscape Excellence: • ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. – SAIT, La Rocque Residence • Park Landscaping Ltd. – Hector Road • Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. – Mountain View Storm Pond, Barb Scott Park • Surface Pro Services – Eighth Ave Place Hines New Board of Directors The Association’s Annual General Meeting was held at the Coast Plaza Hotel on March 1, 2016. Representatives from over 60 members were present to hear details on the previous year’s accomplishments and to elect the new board. Your board for 2016/2017 is: • Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd. • Steve Wheatcroft, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. • Jeff Oudyk, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. • Jordan Voogd, Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. • Chris Brown, CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd. • Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd. • John van Roessel, JVR Landscape (2006) Ltd. • Keith Plowman, K Plowman Contracting Ltd.

New Member Savings Program The CNLA is excited to announce a new program with St. John Ambulance! Members receive an 8% discount on first aid with CPR certification and 10% off first aid kits. See the CNLA website for province specific first aid supply order forms with even more savings! www.cnla-acpp.ca/stjohnambulance

scholarships, bursaries and apprenticeships in each province. The website also promotes awareness about green career options to guidance counselors, co-op teachers and policy makers. Visit the website: www.greencareerscanada.ca.

2016 Alberta Construction Trade Definitions The 2016 version of the Alberta Construction Trade Definitions is now available. Please destroy any earlier versions you are currently using. Reminder: The Trade Definitions are a living document and will continue to be updated annually. Trade Definitions are a guideline and the allocation of work amongst trades on any given project remains the responsibility of the tender authority and general contractor. Download the latest GM Discount Program Change As of May 1, 2016, the cost for the Letter version from the ACA website www.albertaconstruction.net under the “Documents” from CNLA to advise your seller that you are tab. a member in good standing will increase to $200. Contact the CNLA Membership 2016 Census of Agriculture and Canada’s Nursery Production Services teams for details. 1-888-446-3499 At the beginning of May 2016, farm operators will be asked to update Canada’s agricultural profile by completing the 2016 Census of Agriculture questionnaire. The Webinar Series Now Online The popular Growers Canada webinar series has concluded, but don't worry if you missed it! All of the webinar recordings are available on the CNLA website. Check them out at http://bit.ly/1UfFj1t.

1 AgriStability: should it be part of your company's BRM strategy?

2 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 3 Tree Survivability in the Urban Landscape: Literature Review Report CNLA Launches Nursery Worker Manual for Landscape Industry Certification Technician The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is pleased to announce the release of the Nursery Worker Technician Manual, First Edition. This manual serves as a study guide for the Nursery Worker certification program, now available across Canada. For the first time, there is a technician guide booked aimed at helping technicians in the nursery sector understand and meet minimum standards for the industry.

The Nursery Worker Technician Program will be added into the Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) Program with the first test being launched July 2016. To obtain a copy of the Nursery Worker Manual, please visit: http://bit.ly/22I85Zu. Green Careers Canada the go-to Website for Job Seekers, Students and Teachers Landscape Ontario and the CNLA have launched a new online resource for green profession educators and students across Canada. Green Careers Canada is designed to provide easy access to information about landscape and horticulture jobs, courses, Green for Life May/June 2016 I 5

census will provide farmers, farm organizations, policy makers, stakeholders, and citizens with relevant information about the future of the Canadian agricultural sector and help them make informed decisions regarding agricultural practices in this country.

In early May, farm operators will receive a letter with easy-to-follow instructions on how to complete the Census of Agriculture questionnaire online. This user-friendly option will save time by automatically adding totals and limiting the questions to the ones that apply to your operation.

Your complete source for landscape supplies CONTRACTOR ORDER DESKS Fort McMurray: (780) 799-3757 Edmonton: (780) 466-5216 Red Deer: (403) 309-0600 North Calgary: (403) 650-6228 South Calgary: (587) 226-9009 or (587) 227-3231 Lethbridge: (403) 327-0808

The questionnaire can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of your farming operation. As required by the Statistics Act, the information provided will be kept conďŹ dential and used only for statistical purposes. More information is available at www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/ca2016.

Thank you to our 2016 Spring Workshop Sponsors

Soils | Mulch | Aggregates | Paving Stones | Retaining Walls | Natural Stone Edging | Packaged Products | Pond Supplies | Tools | Landscape Fabric

Welcome to our

New Members 1890226 Alberta Ltd. Patrick Lanoue 140 Queensland Road SE, Calgary, AB T2J 3S2 (403) 708-7215 patlan81@gmail.com APS Landscaping Inc. Melissa Prochinsky 17 Spruce Crescent, St. Albert, AB T8H 0H4 (780) 394-5990 Fax: (780) 963-0503 troy@apslandscaping.ca | www.apslandscaping.ca Green Grove a division of PFG Inc. Pat Gronlund 53315 A Rge Road 114, Box 190, Niton Junction, AB T0E 1S0 (780) 795-2362 Fax: (780) 795-2523 greengrove@hughes.net | www.ggtreefarm.com Maria TomĂĄs Outdoor Furnishings Julian Riley 6051 Centre Street SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0C2 (403) 454-6051 Fax: (403) 209-2959 jr2@mariatomas.com | www.mariatomas.com Modern Earth Landscaping Karl Jesske 28 Eastbrick Place, St. Albert, AB T8N 4C7 (780) 964-1060 Fax: (780) 569-1292 karl@modernearthlandscaping.com www.modernearthlandscaping.com

6 I Green for Life May/June 2016

Landscape Onsites: Common Sense Safety As a supervisor or owner, you have an obligation to communicate to each of your employees how to work safely and effectively.

CNLA’s Onsite sessions have been designed to provide the framework for short, basic training sessions to develop an informed, well-rounded employee.

It is recommended that you set a specific time aside each week, for example every Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m., to conduct a 15-20 minute meeting based on the outlines in the Onsites manual.

protective equipment (PPE) whenever necessary.

Head protection: Staff should wear head protection at all times.

Hearing protection: Wear ear protection when noise levels are over 85 db. Make sure hands are clean before touching insert-type ear protection. Muff or cap-type protection covers the entire ear.

Eye protection: Includes glasses and sunglasses with impact-resistant lenses and flexible or cushion-fitting ventilated plastic goggles. Face shields protect against splashes and small flying particles, but not against heavy impact. To improve impact resistance, wear safety glasses or goggles under the face shield.

Foot protection: Safety boots should be worn on the job at all times.

It's your responsibility to practice what you preach and be a good role model for both Hand protection: Leather work gloves provide good gripping power and protect hands. safety and work habits on the job site.

Sunscreen: Applying waterproof sunscreen several times a day should be considered Here is a sample lesson from the Landscape part of your personal protective equipment during the spring and summer months.

Onsites manual.

Common sense safety also means watching out for the safety of your fellow workers.

Speak up if they are putting themselves or someone else at risk.

Common Sense Safety Objective: To introduce the concept of View other lessons from this manual at www.canadanursery.com - you can download common sense safety culture. individual lessons or order the full Landscape Onsites manual.

Lesson: In many instances, working safely is simply common sense. By paying attention to your surroundings and using common sense precautions you demonstrate the fundamentals of safety and accident prevention.

You use plenty of common sense to keep you safe in your day-to-day activities. You look both ways before crossing a busy street. You protect your hands before removing a hot dish from the oven. You have practiced these common sense habits so often that they are now automatic.

On the job it is important to use common sense to keep you safe at work. Accidents often happen when people are rushed and not focused on the task at hand. A single lapse of attention can result in a serious, life-altering injury. Safety starts with common sense and being attentive to your surroundings.

• You wouldn’t oil or adjust unguarded moving machinery • You wouldn’t chip or grind without safety glasses • You wouldn’t look for a gas leak with a lit match Can you come up with five more common sense safety rules for the landscape site?

Common sense also means using personal Green for Life May/June 2016 I 7

8 I Green for Life May/June 2016

2015 Landscape Awards The Landscape Awards program received a record breaking number of entries in 2015 with 51 projects being entered. After two days of judging, 33 Awards of Merit and 6 Awards of Excellence were given. The 2015 Landscape Awards were presented at the annual Landscape Awards Dinner held at Yellowhead Brewery in Edmonton on March 1, 2016.

The Landscape Awards Program The Landscape Awards reflect the association's commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of the urban landscape.

The program is also designed to reward independent landscape contracting professionals who execute top quality landscape projects.

We would like to thank this year’s volunteer judges for taking their assignment seriously and giving so generously of their time and expertise.

The Landscape Awards program has four main objectives: • Encourage landscape contractors to be the best in their field • Provide a marketing opportunity to those companies that receive an award • Encourage a company’s employees to aspire to excellence • Provide an opportunity to compete in the National Awards of Landscape Excellence

Nigel Bowles, Living Legend (retired) Lise Prosser, Elite Lawn & Snow Inc. Jason Stubbs, Salisbury Landscaping Blair McMurdo, Fantascapes Landscaping We would also like to give a special thank you to Expocrete Concrete Products, Manderley Turf Products Inc., Cochrane Landscape Supply, Rocky Mountain Equipment and Finning Canada for being prize sponsors for the 2015 Landscape Awards.

Top honours went to ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. (2), Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping, Park Landscaping Ltd. and Surface Pro Services. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

Members can enter projects into nine different categories covering construction, maintenance and design. Each entry is evaluated using a set of criteria; the submissions are not judged against each other. There are two award levels: a Merit Award goes to an entry that earns 70-84 points, and an Excellence Award goes to an entry earning 85 or more points. Entries that achieve Excellence status are eligible to be selected for the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, a Canada-wide program developed by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

High Score Award Winners

From left to right: Joel Beatson (Landscape Alberta) presenting an award to Riley Paxton of Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping; Laura Watson of Finning presenting an award to Ray Garet from ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc.; Melanie Kruhlak from Manderley Turf Products Inc. presenting to Jesse Simera from ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc.; Jerry Falls of Expocrete Concrete Products presenting an award to Eli Dehghani from Park Landscaping Ltd.; and, Mike Lovin from Rocky Mountain Equipment presenting an award to Roger Leader of Surface Pro Services.

Green for Life May/June 2016 I 9

Merit

Residential Landscape Construction 1. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping Pavel Residence 2. OnGrowing Works Ltd. Backyard Bocce

9. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping McLean Residence

6. Year Round Landscaping Inc. Harris/Harold Residence

10. Anew View Landscape Construction Ltd. Jacek

7. Year Round Landscaping Inc. Penkman/Kolbuch Residence

3. Jansen Landscaping Ltd. The Whole Nine Yards

11. OnGrowing Works Ltd. Harper-McLeod

8. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Asselin Residence

4. Landform Inc. O'Connor Residence

10 I Green for Life May/June 2016

5. Landform Inc. Cowan Residence

12. OnGrowing Works Ltd. Haughey

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Riegert Residence

17. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Fulton Residence

21. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. The Vistas of Tuscany

14. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Koep Residence

Commercial Landscape Features

22. OnGrowing Works Ltd. APB

18. Foothills Landscaping (2000) Ltd. Quarry Park Water Feature

Residential Landscape Features 15. Year Round Landscaping Inc. Bacon Residence

Commercial Landscape Construction

16. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping Rousseau/Galvez Residence

19. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Mountain View Entry Feature

23. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Bow Valley Ranche 24. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Barb Scott Park

20. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Mountain View Storm Pond

13

14

15

16

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18

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20

21

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23

24

Green for Life May/June 2016 I 11

Merit

Commercial Landscape Construction

Residential Landscape Design

26. CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd. Meadows Recreation Centre

29. Landform Inc Chau Residence

25. Foothills Landscaping (2000) Ltd. NW LRT

32. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Leung Residence

28. Salisbury Landscaping Acreage Tranquility

33. Earthworm Landscape Design Co. Ltd. Szomszed Residence

30. Julia's Alpine Garden Unpretentious Urban Retreat

27. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. New Discovery Medians

31. Julia's Alpine Garden Inspire Me, Eclectic Homeowners 25

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29

30

31

32

33

Showcase your expertise and creativity...

Enter the 2016 Landscape Awards Entry forms and guides are available online at www.landscape-alberta.com.

The Landscape Awards program is only available to active members of Landscape Alberta.

For more information, contact Kyla at kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com or call 780-489-1991.

12 I Green for Life May/June 2016

Excellence Residential Landscape Construction

Commercial Maintenance

35. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping MacKay Residence

38. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Egerts Park

36. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. La Rocque Residence

39. Surface Pro Services Inc. Eighth Ave Place Hines

34. Park Landscaping Ltd. Hector Road

37. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. SAIT Polytechnic

34

35

36

37

38

39

Green for Life May/June 2016 I 13

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14 I Green for Life May/June 2016

Member Profile

Fiddler’s Green Landscaping Inc.

Evolving company culture and being certified 1. Tell us a little about Fiddler’s Green Landscaping Inc. Brad Parker (BP): I started Fiddler’s Green Landscaping in the spring of 2001 after being in the industry for six years. I’m a graduate of Olds College with a Landscape Management Diploma, I have my Industry certification and have taken multiple concrete finishing courses. While growing up in Nova Scotia, I worked for my father’s general contracting business which gave me lots of construction experience, and this has greatly helped me while growing Fiddler’s Green. We take on a lot of complex projects from grading issues to jobs with a lot of landscape carpentry, and having a general construction background allows me to offer a different level of expertise to our customers, as we are able to deal with most issues that our customers bring to us. We specialize in high-end residential construction and garden maintenance projects and are able to serve a very broad range of customers. Our goal is to be the only outdoor service provider our customers need as we offer snow removal, tree pruning, handyman services, garden maintenance, lawn care, design/ consulting services, and all aspects of landscape construction…big or small. We currently have two full-time office staff and 12 full-time field staff. In the summer months we will employ 3-5 seasonal staff.

known as a great place for new Canadians to work. This has greatly reduced our hiring issues.

3. How has this changed your company culture?

BP: Having the foreign workers has greatly helped our company culture by allowing us to stabilize our year-round work force. By having returning staff every year, it has

2. Your company has had a lot of experience with foreign workers; how have you transitioned these workers to permanent staff?

BP: We have been using foreign workers for about six years, and three of the original four have now become permanent residents. We currently employ eight foreign workers, which make up about half of our full-time staff. Most of our foreign workers have been with us for at least four years. We promised all of our foreign workers that we would help them become permanent residents after being with the company for one year. By being loyal to our foreign workers and treating them with respect, this has allowed us to hire friends and family members of our workers as we are Green for Life May/June 2016 I 15

7. And lastly, how many of your children have been born during the March certification exams in previous years?

BP: Both of my boys were born very close to certification time. The youngest was born the day 4. You’ve been involved in the certification program (Landscape Industry the test ended and the oldest was born two days Certified) for many years. What are the benefits for your company? after. 2003 and 2005 were both rather eventful BP: It allows us to stand out from our competition, as we are able to promote the years for the test as I was on constant baby training and education of our staff. The certification also gives the employees a watch. Ironically, the one that was born on the sense of professionalism, knowing they are practicing proper industry standard last day of certification is planning on being a techniques. In today’s world of economic struggles, we are finding it is giving us a Landscaper when he grows up. He is very active leg-up on our competition as it is one more way to justify the services and the in the landscaping around my house and always quality of work we offer. wants to come to work and learn more. He asks every year at certification time when he will be 5. Have you involved temporary foreign workers in the certification program? able to be certified. (Editors note: Aww, we can BP: We have put many of our foreign workers through the certification program. always use a new volunteer, Brad.)

On average, we send 4-5 people a year to be certified.

Are you Landscape Industry Certified? Have you 6. What advice would you give to others who are thinking about getting worked in the industry for years, honing your involved in the certification program? skills, providing your industry knowledge and BP: Depending on the training and qualifications of your staff, as much pre-training expertise? This program provides the opportunity as possible is highly recommended. We practice all of the stations in our office to have that professionalism recognized. multiple times to help prepare our staff. Performing tasks in the field is greatly The Landscape Industry Certified program is an different than doing them in a testing environment. international (Canada and U.S.) accreditation program that sets standards for job skills and best practices for individuals working in the landscape Buying?

Selling? horticulture industry. The program is developed Hiring? and reviewed by industry professionals, and Listing rates start at has undergone rigorous occupational analysis to $47 per inch comply for recognition by the Institute for Call 1-800-378-3198 Credentialing Excellence (formerly National to book your space today!

Organization for Competency Assurance NOCA).

Hort Mart

created a stronger company culture and this makes it easier to hire new staff. Our foreign workers host a Filipino dinner every year at our shop for everyone, and this gives our Canadian staff a chance to bond and understand the Filipino culture more.

You can earn designations for Landscape Technician (Hardscape Installation, Softscape Installation, Ornamental Maintenance, Turf Maintenance, Interiors), Landscape Manager, Landscape Designer, Nursery Worker, and Retail Horticulturist.

In Canada, the Landscape Industry Certified program is administered by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), and exam opportunities are provided regionally. Visit www.cnla-acpp.ca/certification for details on each of the designations.

The next test date in Alberta is August 12-13, 2016 at Olds College campus. For nearly twenty years our test event was held annually in March – the change to a summer test means candidates can use the season’s field experience to build skills toward their success on test day. It also means we can offer the Turf Maintenance Technician test without mowing snow! Get the ball rolling – register today by contacting Colin Vince, Certification Co-ordinator at CNLA: colin@cnla-acpp.ca, or call toll-free 1-888-4463499 ext.8625.

16 I Green for Life May/June 2016

Building a Great Team

By Jim Paluch Have you ever wondered, in your efforts to develop a teamoriented organization, why your employees just aren’t catching on? If you’ve read all the books, attended seminars, set goals and made a strategic plan, yet the bottom-line results still are not there, you’ve probably decided, “I’ve got to change my employees.”

My advice to you is don’t even try. You cannot change your employees. We, as individuals, can’t change people. It is against human nature to be changed, and almost impossible to see our own faults and shortcomings.

Over the past ten years, our organization has interviewed over 4,000 managers, middle managers and front line employees, asking what are the strengths and weaknesses of their company.

For strengths, I often hear things such as: great people, talented, good customers, excellent sales and designers, great equipment, etc. For the weaknesses, I always hear communication, sincere appreciation, reviews, training, and a vision for the future. The one thing that I have never heard from any person interviewed is, “I am one of the weaknesses here.”

If good, hardworking people can’t see their own shortcomings and need for change; odds would have it that none of your staff can either. So, what is a leader to do? One or all of the following points will help you to work with your team of individuals.

Enhance Their Strengths • Find out what the employee enjoys. Hopefully you are meeting with your staff on a regular basis. Ask the question, “What do you like doing most here?” Ask and they will certainly tell you.

• Notice and make note of what types of projects or tasks the employee excels in. What type of project is finished on time?

What tasks do they seem to approach more enthusiastically than others?

• Train in the areas that they enjoy. Focus your training efforts on enhancing the areas that the employee will excel in. If they enjoy it, they will learn it; if they learn, they will grow and become even more effective at those tasks.

• Allow the employee to teach others what he or she is interested in. As individuals share knowledge, they are also growing in knowledge, and growing in self-respect as well.

that you are making. Critiquing, on the other hand, takes place one on one, with positive phrases such as: “I appreciate your initiative,” “Excellent try,” “Next time give thought to this,” “Keep up the good work,” or “You’ll get it.”

Create the Environment for the Employee to Excel • Read about the Herzberg Theory of Motivation that states “Motivation comes from supplying the individual with one or all of the following: recognition, added responsibility, job enhancement, a sense of achievement and creating opportunity for advancement.” It also states that money is not a motivator.

• Share information. Allow your employees to know how sales are going, feedback from clients, technical information, and profitability.

• Continue to involve them in trade organizations where growth will come from learning more about their industry. Develop a library or “university” in-house where they can read books and periodicals on everything from technical information to leadership and management skills. Hold open houses for clients and families and allow them to show off the team that they are a part of.

If you have been courageous enough to implement the team building concepts that will support your business success into the future, you are to be applauded. As Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, never give up.” Continue your efforts and focus on building great individuals as well as teams. The concepts mentioned within this article will not change an employee, but you will see signs of incredible improvements that will give you the teams that you have been working so hard for.

Minimize Their Weaknesses • Coach John Wooden of UCLA basketball fame said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Setting a person in a position or task that he does not particularly enjoy is only setting him up for failure.

• Put the right person in the right job now. Football coach Lou Holtz explains his strategy of placing players in different positions with the example of the tight end that could run a 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. This might be slow for a tight end, but if that player is put into a tackle or guard position, he is now considered “fast” and can excel in that position. Take a close look at who you have filling specific positions.

• Be slow to criticize but ready to critique. If an employee is attempting a task for the first time, or making a good effort, don’t ruin his enthusiasm with destructive criticism.

Destructive criticism takes place in front of a group of people, with a loud voice, and with no firm basis for the statements Green for Life May/June 2016 I 17

L-R: Brian Gibson, Jim Fisher

L-R: Deloris Litz, Don Stumborg

L-R: Rick Durand, Harold Voogd, Murray Munro, Alison Munro, unknown

L-R (back): John Edwards, unknown, John van Roessel, Larry Podeski, unknown, unknown, Barry Paxton, unknown, unknown, Eric Heuver. L-R (middle): Vic Pashniak, Greg Dahl, Gerry Gitzel, unknown, Jim Wotherspoon, unknown, Jim Fisher, Kelly Storm. L-R (front): Phil Paxton, Mike Haberl Sr.

A look back at our association

Southern Chapter Golf Tournament 1993; Don Hartwell (R) and son (L)

1978 Green Survival Awards; Mike Lastiwka, Don Stumborg and Alf Savage

L-R: Bob Andrews, unknown, Tony Heuver, Nigel Bowles

1976 Landscape Awards

Southern Chapter donation to Olds College 1996; Mike Haberl Jr. (R) 18 I Green for Life May/June 2016

L-R: Tony Heuver, Gary Johnson at Alberta Legislature

The people in these photos have been identified to the best of our ability. If we have made an error or if you are able to identify someone in a photo, please email admin@landscape-alberta.com, so we can update our records.

GET UP GETTO UP TO

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*Offer valid from February 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016 on select new models, financed by Cat Financial, manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. Building Construction Products Division only at participating Cat dealers. Offer is available to customers in Canada only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Subject to machine availability. Machines sold in Canada by authorized dealers are priced in Canadian dollars and the price may take into account the exchange rate of Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. Models shown do not necessarily reflect the exact model and configuration to which the promotion applies. Rebates of $1,350 CAD paid as a Cat Financial Commercial Account credit for BCP Core and $650 CAD credit for CCE machines. Trade rebates are based on a predetermined amount and may vary by model and will be in addition to the dealer appraised trade-in value. All financed machines are subject to credit approval and rate may differ based on creditworthiness. The Cat Financial Commercial Account credit applies to all BCP models and is provided through Cat Financial for use at participating Cat dealers. Prices do not include taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, document fees, inspections, additional options, or attachments. Final machine prices are subject to change. Offer may change without prior notice and additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Finning sales rep for full details.

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