DESIGNERSCORNER State of the landscape design profession
BY PAUL BRYDGES IF THE 2020s have taught us anything so far, it is that nothing is as expected anymore and that we have to be adaptive and reactive in business. After coming through the busiest few years the horticulture sector has ever experienced, 2024 has proven to be slower than normal. The pandemic did allow companies to grow and thus be able to complete more work than previous years, but this season’s slowdown is more than being able to handle more volume — there is simply substantially less work being priced and completed.
have popped up in the last few years with the huge boom seen in the horticultural sector. Unfortunately, without the strong client network and brand recognition of more established firms, this slowdown will likely have a harsher effect on these new companies. Other slowdowns have shown us that some more established firms regain some great team members as the smaller young companies can’t keep their employees busy enough to keep them on. While this is a neutral equation, it shows us how deeply connected we all are in our respective marketplaces. Returning staff
In some cases, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Many business owners are still feeling the fatigue of what felt like a three-year rush with no breaks during the pandemic. Also, the chronic shortage of qualified staff is the perennial issue for our sector. Taking time to conduct additional training for new staff hired during the rush, as well as implementing more efficient processes, will allow us to tighten our belts, which will hopefully keep new employees busy enough to develop into long-term assets to the company. An incredible number of new companies
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