Greg encourages all business owners to embrace technology in order make their operations more efficient.
petitive among tree care companies to vie for the best employees.” Greg credits improvements in training and education as a big reason for this. “A number of the colleges and univer- sities are focusing on arboriculture as a curriculum, which brings about some highly qualified entry-level people,” he says. “I do think the tree worker today is a much more qualified person than when I got into the business. I only wish more young people saw this as a career path, as it is very rewarding.” FINAL THOUGHTS As Greg reflects on his long career, he remains optimistic about the future of tree care. “I’ve seen so much. It’s just mind boggling how far we’ve come,” he says. “I think the industry is going in a terrific direction, and the future is very bright.”
“Get to know your competitors,” Greg says. “Competition is good, and there’s plenty of room for all of us to exist in this business.” Above all, he encourages employers to understand their employees, treat them fairly, and conduct regular as- sessments to ensure consistency across work teams. “You can’t assume that every experi- enced person possesses the skills to do the work safely and meet industry stan- dards,” he says, adding, “Recruit good employees — or at least employees with good attitudes.” Greg acknowledges that the job mar- ket has only gotten more competitive over the years, something that can be traced back to the company’s founding in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett. “Even then, Dr. Bartlett was talking about the difficulty of getting good help. That is the one constant that has not changed,” he says. “It’s very com-
site that include all the required legal language, so customers know it's in compliance with state regulations. “You have to embrace technology,” Greg says. “As much as some people resist, it helps make the business more efficient.” Part of this move toward technology is driven by a need to meet the expecta- tions of customers who have taken a greater interest in the trees that sur- round them. “The consumer is more educated about tree care,” he says. “There’s been a big green movement that has helped peo- ple appreciate trees.” To stay abreast of industry changes and customer demands, Greg urges busi- ness owners to get involved with indus- try associations to ensure their voices can be heard. This participation is also a valuable way to assist those who are just getting started and to learn what other companies are doing.
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