TRANSITIONING FROM SPRING TO SUMMER

STEPHANIE GRAY BrightView Landscape

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES DOING?

For most, spring is a great time of year because trees and shrubs are in bloom, as plants begin their year’s growth cycle. For those of us in the Green Industry though, it’s possibly the most chaotic time of year as we begin clean-ups, start our sales season, and tackle those weather-dependent construction projects.

This time of year, no matter what part of the Green Industry you are involved in, there is a serious uptick in hours worked and overall production that occurs. Time spent at work, or even just thinking about work greatly increases, as does the stress of performing everyday tasks. I’d venture to say that not one of us doesn’t feel the spring rush and panic over the increased volume, as we all know that there are only so many hours in the day. Couple that with varying weather patterns, fluctuating temperatures, etc., and it’s easy to see how our sense of urgency might get the best of us.

As business owners, when job activity increases it’s hard not to expect more hours out of both ourselves and our employees. It’s during this time though that we need to remain cognizant of everyone’s breaking point. While your business may be at the center of everything you do, it’s still important for all of those involved to maintain some sort of work-life balance, which only becomes harder as the need to get things done intensifies. Quite honestly – at this point – sometimes the best thing one can do is stop and take a break.

Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress that can hamper you and your employees’ productivity, feelings of self-worth, and sense of accomplishment. While not a medical diagnosis, experts think that – combined with other conditions – burnout can cause depression and other mental health problems.

Studies have found it takes an average of three months to a year to recover from burnout. Much of this depends on the level of emotional exhaustion and/or physical fatigue reached, including any sort of relapses. In a recent CNBC poll, burnout was cited as one of the top three reasons why young people (Gen Z and Millennials) leave their jobs.

Great! So, now what? If you’re thinking to yourself, “How am I going to get all of this work done if I can’t exponentially increase hours and/or responsibilities,” that’s not where this is going. Not at all! Just keep in mind that everyone needs a break at one point or another. Being burned out is not a choice. It is the result of being overworked. And, please do not confuse being burned out with laziness, as laziness is a choice people make. When one is too fatigued from burnout, even with proper rest, that feeling doesn’t subside.

So how can you catch someone before burnout sets in? Look for yourself, or an employee, having a general feeling of no continued on page 6

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Transitioning From Spring To Summer: How Are You & Your Employees Doing?

PERENNIAL FOCUS

The Longest Flowering Perennials

FISCAL FITNESS

Financial Jokes: 2023 Edition

FOR SAFETY SAKE

How To Appropriately Outfit Your Team For Summer Conditions

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Acer Griseum: Paperbark Maple

FEATURE ARTICLE

Offering Financing For Clients

FEATURE ARTICLE

Recruiting Women Is Your Next Power Move

MEMBERS

OHIO’S PROFESSIONAL GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

9240 Broadview Road

Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

Phone: 440.717.0002

Toll Free: 1.800.335.6521

Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com

DESIGNER / EDITOR

Rick Doll, Jr.

REGULAR WRITERS

Michael J. Donnellan, M3 Wealth Management

Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College

Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Stephanie Gray, LIC, BrightView Landscapes

Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of magazine publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org.

DISCLAIMER

The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.

OFFICERS

President

Stephanie Gray, LIC

President – Elect

Cameron Maneri

Treasurer

Ryan Drake

Immediate Past President

Brian Maurer, LIC

DIRECTORS

Brandon Barker

Matt Malone

Tim McCaskey

Bob Ramser, LIC

Tom Rieder, LIC

Kate Stone, OCNT

OLA STAFF

Executive Director

Sandy Munley

Associate Director

Rick Doll, Jr.