Attracting the best talent starts with being the best place to work. In this episode, Chad Knight shares how he transformed a small backflow testing company into a thriving tech-forward irrigation business by focusing on clear organizational values. He emphasizes the importance of hiring people who align with those values and ensuring that they can focus on fantastic work instead of repetitive tasks that automation can handle. Chad's journey highlights the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining a strong company culture, which he believes is essential for sustainable growth. If you want to elevate your landscaping business, understanding the value of your team and creating an environment where they can thrive is key.

The Landscape Growth Lab Podcast EP. 1:

Your Landscaping Business Needs to Be the Best Place to Work | Company Culture = Team Retention

0:00 - Values-Based Hiring Success

0:51 - Landscape Growth Lab Introduction

1:05 - Chad Knight's Background Story

2:55 - Organizational Values Framework

5:52 - Creating Scalable Systems

8:32 - Technology and Automation Impact

11:12 - Counterintuitive Hiring Decisions

14:32 - Premium Service Positioning

17:12 - Deep Green Technology Division

19:12 - Firewise Landscaping Approach

23:42 - Future of Irrigation Business

28:55 - Best Workplace Philosophy

Chad Knight's journey from COO of EarthCruiser to the owner of Deschutes Backflow is a testament to how values shape a business's success. He emphasizes the importance of hiring based on alignment with core values like courage, excellence, growth, and teamwork. By establishing these values, Chad creates a framework that empowers his team to make decisions autonomously, allowing for a scalable and efficient operation. The focus on building a company culture where employees feel valued not only attracts top talent but also drives the organization toward sustainable growth. Chad's insights into automation further highlight his strategy for maintaining quality service without overextending the workforce. He argues that by leveraging technology to handle repetitive tasks, businesses can free skilled workers to focus on providing exceptional service, thus creating a competitive edge in the irrigation industry.

Moreover, Chad discusses the evolving challenges of labor shortages in the landscaping sector and the need for businesses to adapt. He believes that companies must automate processes to thrive amidst increasing demands for efficiency. His commitment to training and developing a small, elite team stands out as a crucial element of his business philosophy. As the conversation unfolds, the idea of integrating deep green technology for water conservation emerges as a defining aspect of Chad's approach, marrying his commitment to environmental stewardship with practical business strategies. This episode ultimately underscores the message that aligning a company's operations with its core values is essential for fostering a resilient and thriving business in today's competitive landscape.

Links referenced in this episode:

• deschutesbackflow.com
• landscapebusinessgrowthlab.com
• everbearingservices.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Everbearing Services
• EarthCruiser Overland Vehicles
• Deschutes Backflow