When everything is a priority, nothing actually is.
Most landscaping companies track multiple metrics for each role: Efficiency ratings, customer satisfaction, safety records, equipment maintenance, job cost variance. All of them matter. But when you ask a crew leader what they're measured on and they rattle off 15 different things, which one do they prioritize?
That's the problem. Your team can't tell you what success looks like for their role because there are too many competing answers. They end up spreading their effort across everything instead of excelling at the one thing that actually moves the needle.
Gene Freeman and Chris Strempek (co-owners at Complete Landsculpture) this year implemented their "#1 Initiative." Every department and every person has one thing their success is measured on. Not five things. Not ten. One.
Here's what makes this work: the team is involved in identifying these metrics. Some can identify their own #1. Others need guidance to figure out what success looks like for them. Either way, everyone is reaching the point where they can say out loud what the top priority is in their role.
When I talk to landscaping companies with strong teams, there's a consistency that stands out. Ask any team member what they're focused on, and they can tell you immediately. Not because they've memorized a script, but because they actually understand what matters and are spending time on it daily.
That clarity doesn't happen by accident. It happens with repetition, buy in, and lots of communication.
At Grunder Landscaping Co., we do this in different ways. Our sales team knows their sales goals. Our crew members understand their efficiency ratings. But we haven't been as intentional about calling it out the way Complete does. I love the way they've approached this because it adds to the clarity for the team.
Start by asking yourself: what's the one metric that best indicates success for each role?
For your admin team, maybe it's accounts receivable aging or response time to customer inquiries. For crew leaders, it might be staying on or under bid hours. For your sales team, it's probably revenue or gross margin.
The key is making it clear. Your team might technically have metrics they're measured on, but can they articulate which one matters most? If there are 15 different things you track, help them understand which one is their #1 and why.
When you create this kind of clarity, you're not just setting expectations; you're creating directed growth that everyone is involved in achieving together.
We'll be diving deeper into how Complete implements this at GROW! 2026 in Dallas this February. Their team will walk through the process they use, share examples across different roles, and explain how they maintained consistency as they grew from $8M to $24.6M.
If you register before November 1, you'll save $200 per person with our early bird pricing. That discount stacks with our team discounts: 15% off for groups of 3+ and 20% off for groups of 10+.
GROW! 2026 is February 10-12 in Dallas. I hope to see you there!
Founder & CEO
The Grow Group & Grunder Landscaping Co.