2018 Landscape Awards - Leading by Intention to Create a Greater Future How to Manage High Maintenance Employees Lifting and Your Back - Some ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MAY/JUNE 2019 VOL. 7, NO. 3
A LANDSCAPE ALBERTA MEMBER PUBLICATION
2018 Landscape Awards
Leading by Intention to Create a Greater Future
How to Manage High Maintenance Employees
Lifting and Your Back — Some Fresh Ideas
DEMONSTRABLE VALUE.
24 MO/
Take a spin in the all-new 74hp Deere 324G and experience large-frame
productivity and technology in a mid-frame machine. Up your versatility
with superior reach and lift capacity, industry-leading breakout force and optional
2000 HR
high-flow hydraulics (32gpm) to run your high-performance attachments. Best of all,
Brandt backs every Deere with great finance and warranty offers, and the best 24/7
customer support in the business. Nobody works harder to help you succeed.
That’s Powerful Value. Delivered. FULL MACHINE WARRANTY
Now standard on new John Deere Compact
SCHEDULE A DEMO TALK TO YOUR LOCAL BRANDT REPRESENTATIVE
TODAY TO SCHEDULE A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.
Construction Equipment: Skid Steers,
Excavators, Track Loaders, & Wheel Loaders.
OFFER VALID UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2019. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
brandt.ca 1-888-227-2638
MAY/JUNE 2019 VOL. 7, NO. 3
CALENDAR
November 13, 2019 November 14 – 15, 2019
Landscape Alberta Nursery Green Industry Show
Producers Annual Auction & Conference
ADVANCING THE PROFESSIONAL
Calgary, AB Calgary, AB
LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY www.greenindustryshow.com www.greenindustryshow.com
MANAGING EDITOR Joel Beatson
CONTENT & EDITING Kyla Hardon
LAYOUT Kris Locke
Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional CONTENTS
04 16
publication for the landscape trade in Alberta.
Editorial and Advertising
Industry and Lifting and Your Back
Landscape Alberta Association News — Some Fresh Ideas
08 20
18051 107 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1K3
P: 780-489-1991 F: 780-444-2152 2018 Landscape Leading by Intention to
admin@landscape-alberta.com
Awards Create a Greater Future
14 22
Landscape Alberta does not assume responsibility
for and does not endorse the contents of any How to Manage High A Look Back at
advertisements herein. All representations or
warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the
Maintenance Employees Our Association
publication. Views expressed herein are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and
opinions of Landscape Alberta or its members.
Material may not be reprinted from this magazine
without the consent of Landscape Alberta.
ISSN No: 1929-7114 (print)
ISSN N0: 1929-7122 (online)
Landscape Alberta Board of Directors
Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd., Chair
Ken Ruddock, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc.
Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd.
Jeff Oudyk, CSLA, AALA, JLG,
Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd., Vice Chair
John van Roessel, CLM, CLT,
JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Treasurer
Keith Plowman, K Plowman Contracting Ltd. CLM.
Laura Watson, Finning Canada
Adam Jansen, The Jansen Group
Landscape Alberta Staff
Joel Beatson, CAE, CLM, CEO
joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com
Marnie Main, Member Services Director
member.services@landscape-alberta.com
Valerie Stobbe, Trade Show Coordinator
valerie.stobbe@landscape-alberta.com
Kyla Hardon, Communications Coordinator
kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com
Lindsey Johnson, Events & Relationship Coordinator
lindsey.johnson@landscape-alberta.com
Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper
accounting@landscape-alberta.com
On the Cover
The Jansen Group Ltd, Head Space Award of Merit,
Residential Landscape Construction
NEW MEMBERS
Follow Our Social Media
Vitae Environmental Construction Ltd.
Instagram: @landscapealberta
Hawkin Everts
Twitter: @landscapeab Box 2488 Pincher Creek AB T0K 1W0
Facebook: @landscapealberta
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 3
Industry and Association News
Celebrating Landscape
Excellence at the Landscape
Alberta Awards Night
The 2018 Landscape Awards celebration took place on March 7
in Banff, Alberta. We had a full house as we celebrated the 2018
Landscape Award winners, whose projects demonstrated the
best of landscape horticulture in our province. Held at The Banff
Centre for the Arts, attendees had a chance to relax and unwind in
the beautiful mountain setting, as well as attend our Meeting in the
Mountains workshop. Landscape awards were presented in seven
categories, along with the Mike Haberl Sr. Landscape Industry
Certified Award and Executive Choice Awards.
Each year, we see beautiful, well-designed landscapes that Congratulations to Walter Thomsen who received the Mike
truly showcase the best this industry has to offer. This year, Haberl Sr. Awards for obtaining the highest score on this year’s
stemming from 41 entries, there were 25 winners in the Merit Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam.
category and 6 winners in the Excellence category. We con- Also, a huge thank you to our Workshop and Awards Sponsors
gratulate 2018’s winners: Anew View Landscape Construction for all their support. Your generosity helps us continue to host
Ltd., Creative Landscape & Design Ltd., Earthlings Inc., Julia’s member-focused events! Thank you again to Expocrete, an Old
Alpine Garden, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Land Tec Landscape Castle Company, Hort Protect, Finning Canada, Manderely Turf
Contractors Ltd., Modern Earth Landscaping, Park Landscaping Products, Purple Springs Nursery, and Stewart Brothers Nurseries
Ltd., Planta Landscape, Pure Landscape Design & Construction, and Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply.
Solid Landscape Construction & Design Inc. , Surface Pro
Services, Terra Landscaping Ltd., The Jansen Group Ltd., Watch for pictures of the winning projects on pages 8-13.
ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. and Wilco Contractors
Southwest Inc. Meeting in the Mountains: An Elevated
We would also like to congratulate those
Awards and Retreat Experience
companies whose award-winning entries have On March 7 and 8 we hosted the annual Landscape Awards
been nominated for the 2019 National Awards Celebration and Spring Leadership Retreat at the Banff Centre for
of Landscape Excellence: Arts and Creativity. On Thursday, the events were kicked off by two
workshops facilitated by Jacki Hart and Steve Dines. Attendees
Modern Earth Landscaping - Marino Residence were inspired to set goals in a new way, and therefore build a dif-
Solid Landscape Construction & Design Inc. - Prakash Residence ferent future for their company.
Pure Landscape Design & Construction - Grandview Oasis After a fun night at the Landscape Awards Celebration, and an
Surface Pro Services - Village Centre Tranquil Interior Garden early start with a great breakfast we were fueled up and on our way
JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. - Rinaldi Residence into Day 2! On the second day of Jacki and Steve’s workshops, par-
ticipants learned how to step towards personal transformation, and
Receiving the Executive Choice Awards were Arnold Heuver for how to create a culture of engagement within their organization.
his dedication and passion for the Nursery Workers Certification We would like to give a huge thank you to our sponsors, Stewart
program and Hans Johansen, founder of The Professional Brothers Nurseries and Purple Springs Nurseries who made this
Gardener for a lifetime of service and contributions to the industry learning event possible with their generous support.
in Alberta (awarded posthumously). Thanks to both of you for your
contributions and for all you do for our industry! https://www.flickr.com/gp/144545358@N06/aHE2DP
HORT MART
Buying? Selling? Hiring?
Hort Mart ad listing rates start at $38 per inch.
Call 1-800-378-3198 to book your space.
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 4
Industry and Association News
Update on Certified Landscape • BC: June 14/15, October 4/5
• AB: Spring and summer dates TBD
Technician Tests • ON: June 22, September 21
Since the National Association of Landscape Professionals • ARCC: April 26/27, November 1/2
(NALP) announcement to eliminate hands-on testing for the
Landscape Industry Certified (LIC) Technician exam, the Canadian Don’t miss out on the opportunity to prove your professionalism.
Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and provincial nursery Take advantage of upcoming tests to become certified!
and landscape associations have dialogued with industry stake- Equivalency tests will be developed to ensure in-progress can-
holders and established that the majority of practitioners support a didates transition seamlessly, from the current test, to earn their
Canadian certification that includes hands-on testing. designation when the new test is implemented. Periodic status up-
Consequently, the decision was taken to launch a new, dates will be provided on the new CLT test development.
Canadian certified landscape technician test by January 2020.
In keeping with CNLA and partner associations’ commitment More information on CLT exam registration is available
to excellence in professional development, the new CLT test will here: landscapeindustrycertifiedtechnician.ca/certification/
preserve hands-on testing, maintain and align tests with Red Seal exam-registration.
Occupational Standards (RSOS) for the five sub-specialties;
namely softscape and hardscape installation, turf and ornamental
April is Safe Digging Month
maintenance, and irrigation. We are also aiming to create a test
that is streamlined with improved accessibility. Alberta has a very comprehensive and complex underground infra-
Notably, the decision to launch a new CLT test will not affect structure that provides essential goods and services to all Albertans.
other LIC designations; namely certified landscape designers, Each year, there are numerous instances where the integrity of this
managers and company accreditation. Similarly, LIC members infrastructure is jeopardized by improperly conducted ground distur-
are still required to maintain their certification by submitting 24 bances. Failure to Click, Tap or Call Before You Dig to have buried
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years. For informa- facilities identified and their locations marked prior to disturbing the
tion on Recertification, visit: cnla.ca/training/recertification ground, is the most frequent cause of buried facility damage.
All ground disturbers, including contractors, homeowners and
Meanwhile, current CLT tests will continue to be land owners, can save time and money and keep themselves and
offered for the remainder of 2019 as follows: our province safe and connected by following ground disturbance
320 acres of Alberta-grown Caliper Trees,
Evergreens, Shrubs, and Perennials
Phone: (780) 929-8102 Fax: (780) 929-8107
Toll Free: (866) 490-2647
Box 3060, Beaumont, AB T4X 1K8
info@cheyennetree.ca
www.cheyennetree.ca
Visit us at the Green Industry Show
Booth #421
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 5
Industry and Association News
and buried facility damage prevention Best Practices. These include Box Tree Moth Findings
contacting Alberta One-Call in advance of any ground disturbance
project, waiting for the buried facility locates to be done, respecting
Confirmed in Canada
the locate marks, exposing any conflicting buried facilities before The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed that box
using mechanical excavation equipment, and digging with care. tree moth (BTM) was indeed found in three separate residential
As April is the traditional start-up of the annual digging season, landscapes in Etobicoke, Ontario, a Toronto neighborhood in fall
the Alberta Damage Prevention Council proclaims April as SAFE 2018. CFIA plans to assess the extent of spread and determine
DIGGING MONTH and encourages all ground disturbers to al- whether this is a transient, or not fully established, pest or if it is
ways Click, Tap or Call Before You Dig. www.albertaonecall.com more widely distributed. Surveys and outreach efforts to educate
or download the mobile app or call 1-800-242-3447. the local public are planned as well. Control measures and future
plans for delimitation will be coordinated among CFIA, the Ministry
Garden Days: of Ontario, and the boxwood industry.
Surveillance and monitoring along the border in addition to entry
Register Your Activity points will be heightened. Researchers are unsure how quickly BTM
Garden Days is a national celebration of the vital role gardens play will spread in the US. Box tree forests do not exist here; so, less host
in our communities and lives. Between June 15 and 23, Canada material may (hopefully) translate to slower or less spread.
will be buzzing with fun and informative activities. We encourage As with many insect pests, the most destructive life stage is
you to participate in Garden Days by registering an event or series larvae, or caterpillars in this case. Damage is caused by larvae
of events online. It is free to register and presents a great opportu- feeding on leaves (aesthetic damage) and bark (physiological
nity for more exposure and new customers. damage). Infestations are flagged by skeletonized leaves, frass
Some examples of events you could register include: deposits, and webbing created by caterpillars for protection during
feeding and pupation. Adults are moths with a wingspan of about
• An event for Father’s Day 1.5 inches, and wings are either white with a dark brown border or
• Seminars or sales brown with small, white spots.
• Touring your business The ideal temperature range for BTM is from 70 – 92° F, but
• And so many more examples activities are known to occur outside this range. Eggs hatch when
temperatures are at least 52° F, and larvae regularly survive win-
Find more information at gardendays.ca. ter temperatures below -22° F in parts of China. Depending on
Since 1970…
Quality & Service
You Can
Depend On
Growers of Quality Nursery Stock:
Specimen Caliper Trees
403-934-3670 Pot-in-Pot Trees
1-866-805-5007 Specimen Evergreens
sales@eaglelakenurseries.com
eaglelakenurseries.com
Container Evergreens
Container Shrubs
Perennials
Located 5 kms east
of Strathmore, AB on Range Road 245
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 6
Industry and Association News
temperature and light levels, two to four life cycles per year are • How your company was started, its history, and/or hallmark
common in the EU; each lasts around 45 days. year stories (i.e. 50 years in business)
• Best business practices you’d like to share
As more information comes from available, it will be distributed • And many more
to members.
Shared stories could be featured on our social media pages,
Manderley Turf Products website, or in our Green for Life magazine, which creates an excel-
Recognized as One of Canada’s lent marketing opportunity for your company. Audiences love to see
the people behind the logo!
Best Managed Companies Story format can vary to suit your needs, and our Communications
Manderley Turf Products was recognized for overall busi- Coordinator can work with you on writing and editing to make your
ness performance and sustained growth with the prestigious story the best it can be! If you have a story to tell or would like to
Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation. The 2019 know more, please contact kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com.
Best Managed program award winners
are amongst the best-in-class of Canadian
owned and managed companies with
revenues over $15 million demonstrating
strategy, capability and commitment to
achieve sustainable growth.
Now in its 26th year, Canada’s Best
Managed Companies is one of the
country’s leading business awards pro-
grams recognizing Canadian-owned and
managed companies for innovative, world-
class business practices. Every year,
hundreds of entrepreneurial companies
compete for this designation in a rigorous
and independent process that evaluates
the calibre of their management abilities
and practices. Everything you need to
create the perfect landscape
Applicants are evaluated by an inde-
pendent judging panel comprised of
representatives from program sponsors
in addition to special guest judges. 2019
Best Managed companies share common-
alities that include a clear strategy and Sod Potted & Caliper Trees Firewood
vision, investment in capability and commit-
ment to talent. Landscaping Services Shrubs & Perennials
“The Manderley team is proud to have
renewed our Platinum Club status with the
Canada’s Best Managed Companies pro-
Annuals & Hanging Baskets Mulches
gram,” says Wayne Moloughney, President,
Manderley Turf Products. “This award high- Tree Installation Rainbow Play Systems
lights our commitment to innovation and
continuous improvement and motivates us to Decorative Stone, Gravel, & Soils
continue to build on this level of success.”
Our Members are
Amazing; It’s A Fact Blue Grass Nursery, Sod, &
Behind every great company are the people Garden Centres
who keep it running. Help us shine the spot-
light on the amazing things your company
does by sharing human-interest stories from Red Deer: 1-855-533-4777
your work. Some examples of stories to con-
sider sharing include:
Calgary: 1-877-826-0468
Edmonton: 1-780-862-4383
• Volunteer work your company/team
commits to
• A special project www.bluegrassnursery.com
• A inspiring, motivating personal story
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 7
The Landscape Awards program received 41 entries. After two days of judging, 23 Awards of
Merit and 10 Awards of Excellence were given. The 2018 Landscape Awards were presented at
the annual Landscape Awards Night held at the Banff Cente for the Arts in Banff.
2018 LANDSCAPE AWARDS
We would like to thank this year’s volunteer judges for taking their assignment seriously and
giving so generously of their time and expertise: Christian Houle, Karl Jesske, Sean Lukian,
Andrew Heighton, John van Roessel, Mark Janzen, Ken Ruddock and Gord Koch.
We would also like to give a special thank you to Expocrete, an Oldcastle company, Manderley
Turf Products Inc., Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply, Finning Canada, Hort Protect
and Stewart Brothers Nurseries for being prize sponsors for the 2018 Landscape Awards. Top
honours went to Modern Earth Landscaping, Solid Landscape Construction & Design Inc., Pure
Landscape Design & Construction, Surface Pro Services, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. and Terra
Landscaping Ltd. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
The Landscape Awards Program
The Landscape Awards reflect the association’s commitment to creating and preserving the
beauty of the urban landscape. The program is also designed to reward independent landscape
contracting professionals who execute top quality landscape projects.
The Landscape Awards program has four main objectives:
1. Encourage landscape contractors to be the best in their field
2. Provide a marketing opportunity to those companies that receive an award
3. Encourage a company’s employees to aspire to excellence
4. Provide an opportunity to compete in the National Awards of Landscape Excellence
Members can enter projects into nine different categories covering construction, maintenance
and design. Each entry is evaluated using a set of criteria; the submissions are not judged
against each other. There are two award levels: a Merit Award goes to an entry that earns
70-84 points, and an Excellence Award goes to an entry earning 85 or more points. Entries
that achieve Excellence status are eligible to be selected for the National Awards of Landscape
Excellence, a Canada-wide program developed by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
1 EXCELLENCE
5
2
6
3
4
1. Modern Earth Landscaping 4. Terra Landscaping Ltd.
Marino Residence Ference Residence
Residential Landscape Construction Green Roof/Green Wall
over $50K
5. Surface Pro Services
2. Solid Landscape Construction Village Centre Tranquil Interior Garden
& Design Inc. Commercial Landscape Construction
Prakash Residence under $100K
Residential Landscape Construction
over $50K 6. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc.
Rinaldi Residence
3. Pure Landscape Design & Construction Residential Landscape Design
Grandview Oasis John van Roessel
Residential Landscape Construction
over $50K
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 9
MERIT 9
7
10
8
11
7. Anew View Landscape Construction Ltd.
Kurta Residence
Residential Landscape Construction under
$50K
8. The Jansen Group Ltd.
Lakeside Retreat
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
9. Modern Earth Landscaping
Triff Residence
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
10. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc.
Heuver Residence
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K 12
11. Earthlings Inc.
Kutsch Residence
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
12. Planta Landscape
Strother Residence
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 1013 MERIT
17
14
13. The Jansen Group Ltd.
Head Space
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
14. Pure Landscape Design & Construction
Windermere Retreat
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
15. Creative Landscape & Design Ltd.
Cervi’s & Dog Oasis
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
16. Earthlings Inc.
Strong Residence
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
15
17. Planta Landscape Inc.
Roxburgh Residence
Residential Landscape Construction over $50K
18. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc.
Zen Pergola
Residential Landscape Feature
18
16
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 11MERIT 22
19
23
20
24
21
19. Park Landscaping Ltd. 22. ULS Maintenance &
Leaf Patio Landscaping Inc.
Residential Landscape Feature Griffith Woods School
Commercial Landscape Construction
20. Planta Landscape $100-$500K
Murias Stormwater Management
Residential Landscape Feature 23. The Jansen Group Ltd.
Tri-Leisure Centre
21. Earthlings Inc. Commercial Landscape Construction
Family Centre West $100-$500K
Commercial Landscape Construction
under $100K 24. Wilco Contractors Southwest Inc.
Confederation Park Playground
Commercial Landscape Construction
$100-$500K
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 1225 MERIT
28
26
27
29
25. Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. 28. Julia’s Alpine Garden
New Royal Alberta Museum Summer Property on the Lake
Commercial Landscape Construction Residential Landscape Design
over $500K Julia Todorova & Scott Ingmann
26. Wilco Contractors Southwest Inc. 29. ULS Maintenance & Landscaping
Mahogany Wetlands Van Wieren Residence
Commercial Landscape Construction Residential Landscape Design
over $500K Mark Janzen
27. Wilco Contractors Southwest Inc.
East Bowmont Stormwater
Quality Retrofit
Commercial Landscape Construction
over $500K
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 13How to Manage
High Maintenance
Employees BY MONROE PORTER
Difficult employees can drain the life out of the best of business family problems to work, etc. It’s amazing how often this equates
managers and owners. Business is hard enough without having to to family and friends and not setting good boundaries at home.
deal with the extra headache of keeping high maintenance employ- Even the best of people struggle if surrounded by parasites who
ees afloat. Let’s start by describing some of the characteristics of a constantly suck the life out of them and make it difficult for them
high maintenance employee: to function in a professional work environment. Remember, as
manager you did not cause this problem and you cannot fix the
Emotionally drains your life: problem. Feeling sorry for the individual and making concessions
only allows it to get worse. Many people come from difficult per-
Some difficult employees tend to have constant emotional drama sonal backgrounds but work is a place where they can win and
by complaining, always wants to borrow money, asks why, why, move forward. Make sure they win and don’t let folks bring their
why, stirs up trouble in the organization, brings never ending problems to work.
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 14How to Manage
High Maintenance Employees
Violates policy: 2. Do they understand that if this continues, they will ultimately
lose their job? It can be amazing that an employee can com-
Has endless attendance, on time and other dependability issues. plain about his or her job, not get along with the boss and
Only through a clear-cut policy can you manage this problem. Be ultimately think all is going to be ok. It is also amazing that
consistent and make it clear what that policy is. It can be amazing management has not made it clear that if the behavior contin-
as something as simple a first-time oral warning, a second time ues, the person will lose their job. Not getting along with the
written warning and a third time a day off without pay can clean up boss is a career path that ultimately leads to dismissal.
these types of problems.
3. Before starting the conversation make sure you have a clear
At times, shows brilliance: understanding of what behavior you would want. If by some
miracle they changed overnight, what would that behavior
Can be good technician and at times helpful. Frequently, your look like? During your conversation, make sure you reach an
thoughts about he or she begins with “if only he or she would”. agreement as to what behavior you
Difficult people are not necessarily expect? There needs to be a clear
dumb or lazy, they are just difficult. understanding of the problem and an
This is one of the challenges. The acknowledgement that he or she will
more you can isolate them and keep “Have the tough do something different.
them focused, the better they will
normally perform. When it gets to conversations and let Termination is not such a bad
the point you can’t stand it anymore, them know the behavior is thing. It allows you and the employ-
you simply terminate with honor. Let ee to start over. It is much better
them go without a big lecture or a not acceptable. Allowing than tolerating the behavior for
lot of drama. Let them be the next
employer’s problem.
the person’s behavior to years and then the behavior is so
engrained in the person they cannot
continue over and over sets change, or they are too old to easily
Why we keep them:
a pattern of acceptance.” find a job. Remember the employ-
ees you terminate rarely keep you
• The devil I know is better than
up at night.
the devil I don’t
• Too busy to find a replacement
• Their technical expertise or ex-
perience is valued
• You are emotionally attached to them and have become vest-
ed into the problem
• You are loyal by nature and allow them to abuse that trait.
• When not in direct contact with you, you forget how bad their
behavior is
So, what are the best management practices for dealing with diffi-
cult employees? If they perform and just get on everyone’s nerves,
isolate them. If necessary, have them start at a different time. Tell
them they are wonderful and get as much mileage out of it as long
as you can. But when it is time, let them go.
Enforce the rules and have a zero-tolerance approach. Protect
them from themselves and ensure the situation does not get
worse. Maintaining a disciplined approach might allow you to
save them. Being Mr. Nice Guy is only going to ensure their ulti-
mate termination.
Document unacceptable behavior and give them a copy.
Establish history and put it in writing. Yes, this is the type of em-
ployee who will sue you.
Have the tough conversations and let them know the behavior
is not acceptable. Allowing the person’s behavior to continue over
and over sets a pattern of acceptance. Make it clear they need to
get their act together and you will not allow this to continue.
Look for their response and make sure they own their part of the
deal when you have a conversation.
1. Does the person own his or her part? Believe it or not, some (403) 203-3338
people do not understand or believe they have a problem. If admin@foothillsnurseries.com
the employee offers excuses, blames circumstances or others
he or she are not going to change.
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 15Lifting and
Your Back —
Some Fresh
Ideas
Are you still being told that the only way to lift an object is to place it
between your legs and then lift with your legs, not your back? The person
who gave that advice never had to lift a bundle of three-metre-long
pipes. Or a washer and dryer. This advice doesn’t reflect the real
world of over-sized pipes, appliances and boxes. And it assumes
that many people have sufficient leg strength to perform the
lift — many simply do not. With up to 80 percent of all adults
expected to experience back pain during their lifetime, learning
to lift, lower and move objects safely is very important.
Revisiting the causes of back injury
Overexertion injuries result from overloading or over-
stretching muscles, tendons and ligaments. Overloading
exceeds their strength and overstretching exceeds their range of
motion. Overuse injuries result from using muscles, tendons or ligaments
so much that they become damaged.
In moderation, for example, the task of manually loading pallets may not be particularly hazardous. But
if you repeat the task endlessly for eight hours each day, in an awkward body position and without allowing the
body enough time to recover, you may end up with a back injury.
Activity is your best friend
Some people still believe that to reduce the risk of low-back injury, all activities involving lifting, lowering and
moving objects should be eliminated. This isn’t quite correct. To remain healthy, muscles and other tissues
must be challenged. The key is making sure that the challenge is sufficient — not too little, not too much.
The worker slinging 40-kilogram bags of cement may need to reduce how much she works with her back.
The process-control operator who sits at a console all day without moving much might be better off with a
mix of work activities that includes using his back.
Work up your strength
To avoid injuring the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your back, you must give them a chance to adapt to
loads of increasing weight. You want to expose them to loads that challenge but don’t damage them. Equally
important, you want to allow them time to recover between periods of activity. Gradually increasing the
weight they must carry and the length of time they are used improves these body tissues’ tolerance to injury.
Work up your endurance
Muscle endurance, which helps tissues work longer without tiring and losing their ability to work effectively,
has more protective value than muscular strength. Research shows that exercise programs combining
cardiovascular exercise with low-back exercise are more effective than programs emphasizing low-back
exercise alone. Cardiovascular exercise such as walking briskly, skating or cross-country skiing helps build
muscle endurance.
Lifting principles
While employers should eliminate as much manual lifting and lowering as practical, there will still
be times when objects must be handled manually.
Is there one perfect technique for lifting? Unfortunately not. But do follow the four
principles below as much as possible when lifting. Make sure your co-workers’ or
employees’ methods follow these principles.
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 16SMALL PACKAGE.
FULL-SIZE PUNCH.
As the most powerful mini skid steer in the industry, the new Ditch Witch® SK1550 is delivers maximum muscle to a
wide range of jobs. With 44hp and an incredible 1,558lb operating capacity this machine brings the brawn and productivity
you need to tackle jobs typically suited for traditional skid steers. With hydraulic power for your high-capacity attachments
including trenchers, vibratory plows and planetary augers as well as an exceptional 9-inches of ground clearance the SK1550 is
an all-around powerhouse. Count on Brandt for quality products and the support to help keep you productive and profitable,
job after job. Nobody works harder to help you succeed. That’s Powerful Value. Delivered.
brandt.ca 1-888-227-2638
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 17Lifting and Your Back
— Some Fresh Ideas
1. Keep the natural curve in your 4. Hold it close
lower back Keep the load as close to the belly button and body as possi-
When standing straight, the ble. Doing so reduces the strain on muscles of the back and
lower back naturally curves to trunk. If necessary, use protective clothing such as leather
create a slight hollow. Always aprons so that sharp, dirty, hot or cold objects can be held as
try to maintain this curve close to the body as possible.
when lifting, lowering or
moving objects. The spine Seven myths about back pain
and back are their most
stable in this position. And speaking of fresh ideas, here are seven myths about back pain
and some of today’s thinking about them:
2. Contract your
abdominal muscles 1. If you’ve a slipped disk (also known as a herniated or
Contract the abdominal mus- ruptured disk), you must have surgery. Surgeons agree
cles during lifting, lowering about exactly who should have surgery.
and moving activities. This im- Causes of back pain can be complex and difficult to diagnose.
proves spine stability. Sometimes Opinions and treatment approaches vary among surgeons and
describes as “bracing”, contracting health professionals. Only about two percent of all persons with
the abdominal muscles even slight- back pain actually need surgery. Who you see is what you get.
ly (as little as four to five percent)
improves spine stability and reduc- 2. X-ray images, CT and MRI scans can always identify the
es the likelihood of injury. cause of pain.
In research studies, abnormalities of the spine were as com-
3. Avoid twisting mon in people without back pain as those suffering with back
Twisting the back can make it less pain. Seeing abnormalities with these imaging methods is no
stable, increasing the likelihood of guarantee that the cause of pain has been found.
injury. Bracing helps reduce any
tendency to twist. 3. If your back hurts, you should take it easy until the pain
goes away.
Persons with back pain who continue routine activities as
normally as possible do better than those who try either bed
rest or immediate exercise. It is often helpful to have persons
with back pain return to some form of light work until they have
recovered more fully.
4. Most back pain is caused by injuries or heavy lifting.
Some back pain is related to serious disease or physical
problems of the spine. Up to 85 per cent of persons with back
pain, however, can’t recall a specific incident that brought on
their pain. Heavy lifting or injuries, though risk factors, do not
account for most episodes.
5. Back pain is usually disabling.
Most people with back pain simply get better, regardless of
whether they receive treatment or the treatment methods used.
Only a small percentage of workers with back pain miss work
because of it. Most people who leave work return within six
weeks, and only a small percentage never return to their jobs.
6. Everyone with back pain should have a spine x-ray.
X-rays often provide little more useful information than the
physical assessment performed by a health professional.
Low-back x-rays may also involve unnecessary exposure of the
reproductive organs to radiation.
7. Bed rest is the mainstay of therapy.
Source: Worksafe Alberta.
This is old thinking. Studies have shown that four days of bed
rest turns out to be no more effective than two days, or even no
bed rest at all. These same studies have shown that people who
remain active despite pain, experience less ongoing pain in the
future. And they make less use of health care services. (Source:
Deyo, RA. Low-Back Pain. Scientific American, August 1998.)
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 18A TOUGH ACT
TO FOLLOW.
PICTURED:
UBD816 Max Body™
Performance model
Introducing tough Work Ready™ trailers, built by Brandt to work as hard as you
EASY TO OWN WITH
do. Their rugged design features two-way or power hydraulic end gates, high-rigidity
%
all-tube frames, torsion and equalized leaf-spring axles, self-adjusting brakes, abrasion-
resistant finish options and more. They come in straight and Max Body™ models,
equipped with tandem or tridem axles, with all key components bolt-on and easily
replaceable, ensuring maximum uptime and productivity. And, we back every one
with a 2-year comprehensive/5-year structural warranty.
FINANCING *
You can always rely on tough, duty-tested Work Ready™ dump trailers to deliver ASK US ABOUT BUNDLING,
REBATE AND LEASE OPTIONS
superior performance. That’s Powerful Value. Delivered.
*LIMITED TIME OFFER. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS.
SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
brandt.ca 1-877-533-3133
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 19Leading by Intention to
Create a Greater Future
Excellence at Every Level
Each leader has to be energized and fulfilled in what they do and engage their people to do the
same. To build a win-win culture that everyone can rally around, remember the power of being
fulfilled in what you are doing and where you are going and know it will be contagious for the
people that are following you. As a great leader, play from the front and have identified what a win
needs to be for the business and connect these things to your team so your people are energized
to do the same thing. When the following things happen, the result will cover all levels of the
organization with excellence:
1. Senior Leaders that are working on the strategic issues of the business and really
own the annual performance of the business
2. Managers that are driving the performance of their areas of responsibility toward
goal achievement that needs to take place on a weekly and monthly basis
3. Supervisors that are partnering with the employees to support, coach and
help them to lift their performance so they can reach daily and weekly goals
4. An organization of great employees who are owning the daily
performance of the business with a full culture of winning in place.
Goals and Company Direction Urgency to Create Change
Our success will come down to insuring that we focus upon defining John Kotter in the book, A Sense of Urgency, really does a great job of
success in the most effective way for others with goals that need to be framing how leaders have to build the right change into their organiza-
reached, building quality plans that can be followed and then demon- tions. Here are a couple of things I took from this book:
strating proactive behaviors to make them happen. Performance has True urgency focuses upon critical issues and a deep determination
to be measured on a consistent basis so that everyone knows where to win; you believe you are going to accomplish something important
we are as individuals and as a group and what needs to happen next every day, and it shows up with positive energy by making progress.
in the journey. It is paramount that we communicate the opportuni- This leads to people being alert and proactive. They are constantly
ties that exist in the business and what a person can do to prepare scanning the environment, both internally and externally, to find new
to make an even greater contribution. By providing the opportunity solutions for winning. This true urgency does not produce dangerous
for individuals to develop the right skills that will help them perform levels of stress because it motivates people to relentlessly rid them-
higher-level roles, we can also help them see the path ahead that will selves of chores that add little value to the organization and clog their
facilitate income growth, earn an “A” in their roles and result in the calendars. Remember that we should not mistake activity with produc-
highest quality of life. tivity or goal achievement.
Winning as a great leader will come from being able to facilitate
the SMART Goal process and maximize performance to drive win- What Great Change Leaders Are Able to Do
ning. This comes from being able to understand the results you have
to achieve and insure that the results are spelled out clearly. Each • Make sure that a sufficient number of people on their team FEEL
individual then has to craft a strong plan for how they can reach your a true sense of urgency by seeing the dangers and opportunities.
objectives, have the discipline to work the plan and follow through to • Articulate a clear and compelling vision of where we are going
reach your targets. and what we are facing.
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 20Leading by Intention to
Create a Greater Future
If you want to learn more about the power of PEOPLE SOLUTIONS THAT DRIVE BUSINESS
PERFORMANCE, contact: JP Horizons Inc., 7245 Mildon Drive, Painesville, OH 44077.
Phone: (440) 352-8211. Fax: (440) 352-8225. Email: jim@jphorizons.com. Website: www.jphorizons.com
November 14 & 15, 2019
THERE’S
SOMETHING
GREAT
HAPPENING
HERE!
Industry leading workshops
• Form teams that are com- for landscape, nursery,
mitted to winning. garden centre, turf and tree
• Empower others to come
up with plans to overcome care professionals. Plus the
the barriers. largest industry trade show
• Work with their people in Western Canada! The GISC
so that they achieve
short-term goals and slay
is the place where the green
the cynics. industry comes together to
• Be relentless in working to meet, connect, inspire and
the desired future state.
do business!
• Institutionalize change
with systems, processes
and procedures.
• Realizing that so many
reading this newsletter
SAVE THE DATE
are headfirst in the busy-
ness of spring, remember
to keep your head up to
see where you need to go
next and lead your teams
to make it happen.
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 21A Look Back
at Our Association
Certification test at Olds College
Arbor Da
y Edmon
on circa
1990s (C
hris And
rews and
Unknown
)
Green Survival Awards, Ron Oud
yk and Henry Heuver
les, Annie Rodrigues,
Hort Congress, 1992. Nigel Bow
Marlene and Jim Semko
Green Surviva
l Parade Float
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 22BUILT TO WORK.
PRICED FOR YOU.
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR LANTA MEMBERS:
• Save up to $2,750 on your next Cat® machine purchase*
• Get $250 off your next Cat attachment*
• Save 15% on Cat machine rentals*
*Conditions apply. Offer applies to select qualifying Cat compact machines and attachments. Rental offers valid at participating Cat Rental Store locations.
Visit your local Finning branch or speak to your Finning representative to talk about flexible options
for your business.
1-888-Finning Finning.com
346-6464
GREEN FOR LIFE MAY/JUNE 2019 • 23Your green Connection Parkland Nursery & Landscape Services Ltd. has 500 acres of prairie hardy coniferous, deciduous, and specialty trees. So whether you’re looking for one client’s yard or to fill a new subdivision, let PNLS be your green connection. View our catalogue at www.pnls.ca/catalogue. Call 1-888-340-8733 for the password. Main Office: 403-340-8755 Email: sales@pnls.ca Fax: 403-340-8759
You can also read
