The Employee Referral Bonus

from Pro Grow News Spring 2022 Digital Edition

Let’s Talk Native Perennials

By Dave Anderson

We all love referrals. You have a happy client who is so psyched about your work that they are willing to put their reputation on the line to advocate for you. We would never admit it aloud, but we give them a little more love than someone off the internet. These people are generally a little easier to please because someone they trust has set their mind at ease that you will take care of them.

If you get an advocate — a person who refers lots of people to you — then you are in a great place. If you get a number of advocates, you will have more work than you can handle. This means you are obviously doing great work.

It usually also means you have great employees. Why not use your happy employees to be advocates for your next great employee or employees? They know you, the company, the equipment, and the culture better than you do because they are not biased. If you get the right person to be your recruiting advocate, you can improve your staff’s numbers and quality exponentially.

Now, you can get someone to do this for free, but if you give them a financial incentive, it works even better. I’ve worked with people who make it a side hustle inside the organization. It is a win-win, but make sure it is worthwhile. Most of the time, companies will give incentives in two installments: x dollars for the first six months they are an employee in good standing, and an additional x dollars for their year anniversary. Make sure you make your recruiter feel they are important…because they are. Make it a big deal at a company event. Get a huge check like Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstake.

Yes, to do it right you should spend some money. It’s a great investment, and you will get more out of it than a lot of things you spend money on. In a service business, good people are your greatest asset. What’s even better is having a program to grow your team and reward your people for bringing in more great people.

Have a referral bonus. Your super-happy, loyal employee can be your best advocate. Make the bonus significant. Do you want to put yourself out there asking a friend or family member to take a chance with their livelihood for $100? Just like clients who love to refer your company, you need to discover this employee and make it worth their while.

David M. Anderson has over 30 years of experience in horticulture, client service, and public relations. He works for Mayer Tree Service. David is a Massachusetts Certified Arborist, Certified Landscape Professional, and a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional. He was the chairman of the Massachusetts Certified Arborist Board for three years, and is currently a board member of the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association. David has authored several articles for trade publications and frequently gives presentations to garden clubs, trade organizations, and students on a variety of topics. In the last several years, he has become more involved in and passionate about employee engagement.

The UMass Extension Center for Agriculture annually provides freeze/frost occurrence data by city in the form of a chart. Frost/freeze dates, which are general guidelines for a location, are estimated based on historical climate data. However, actual frost dates vary (sometimes considerably) from year to year. Station temperature readings are commonly made at a height of approximately 5 feet, and actual ground temperatures can be up to 4°F to 8°F less. Thus, ground frost can occur even when the measured temperature is 36°F. Site specifics, radiational cooling, and air drainage, as well as other factors, will all have influence over actual frost dates at your location. • Frost occurs when there is a solid deposition of water vapor from the air. Frost will form when solid surfaces are cooled below the dew point. An air temperature range of 33°F– 36°F (or colder), along with light winds, is usually needed to initiate frost formation. At least minor damage is possible to plants. Keep in mind that frost is not guaranteed at these temperatures if the air is very dry and/or winds are roughly greater than 8 mph. • Freeze occurs when the air temperature drops below 32°F.

A freeze will result in significant damage to many unprotected plants, especially if the temperature remains at or below freezing for several hours. • Hard freeze (per local NWS definition) occurs when the temperature reaches 28°F or lower for at least a few hours.

Hard freeze usually means many types of plants and most seasonal vegetation will be destroyed.

Table Definitions

1. Percent probability of a later date in the spring (through July 31) than the date indicated. In other words, the percent chance that a temperature at or below the indicated threshold level will occur after the corresponding spring date. 2. Percent probability of an earlier date in the fall (beginning August 31) than the date indicated. In other words, the percent chance that a temperature at or below the indicated threshold level will occur before the corresponding fall date. 3. Percent probability of a longer than indicated freeze/ frost-free period. In other words, the percent chance that the period of days with temperatures above the indicated threshold level will exceed the corresponding number of days listed in the table. 4. Percent probability of a freeze/frost day within the yearly period. In other words, the average percentage of days in the year with temperatures at or below the corresponding threshold temperature.