Our new Green Industry Greatness blog brings you advice and insights from some of the best that the Green industry has to offer. This week features Tre' Hiltzheimer who is the Atlanta North Branch Manager for LandCare. I hope you enjoy!
What is the most important lesson that the green industry has taught you?
Perseverance, persistence, and humility. There are a handful of individuals that operate at a high level in this industry. Work hard, stay the course and the rewards will come.
Who has been the most influential person in your career and how have they helped you?
It would be hard to label one person as the most influential. In 25 years, I have learned from 4-5 key individuals, each with their own attributes and issues. I can honestly say I picked up some of the best skills in managing teams from some of the most ineffective individuals. Some simply because they were the model of what not to do and others because they were so adept at one key element that they neglected others.
What is the biggest mistake you have made and what did you learn from it?
Arrogance. In leadership and in business, humility is the most valuable attribute. Serve others and you will be served.
What is the biggest mistake that you see people or companies make?
Most don’t understand their true cost of doing business. Without an understanding of everything, you need to successfully serve your clients. You will either not succeed for them or not succeed for yourself.
What is the best way to have happy customers?
Talk to them. So many are eager to email, text, etc., they forget how important it is to talk to them. Read the tone of their voice, the expression on their face and let them see how important they are to you.
What is the best way to drive profitability?
Understand cost, estimate accurately, and serve your clients well. Succeed on the first two and you set yourself up for success. Succeed on the last in conjunction with the whole and you will find the profit comes to you. The same applies to driving growth.
What is one thing that differentiates you or your company from the competition?
The only thing in the Landscape Maintenance portion of the green industry that can truly set you apart is the people inside the organization. For us it starts with a CEO and senior leadership team that has been in the green industry for 30+ years. That understanding starts us on the path of success. After that it’s the culture in the branch and the desire to serve. We are not perfect and we will fail -- its how important it is to us to overcome and delight our customers every time that sets us up for success.
What’s the most exciting thing that you see in the future of the green industry?
Honestly it’s the future of our organizations that excites me. We really are committed to doing it right and delighting our partners. I believe we will fill an important void that exists in the industry today. We need large service providers that are committed to the client, the employees, and the success of the organization.
What is the most important attribute of a leader?
Humility, service, and drive.
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice when you were just starting your career, what would it be?
I have always been a leader in that I always “took” the lead. Standing in front of myself in my 20’s, I would say what I say to anyone in that same situation what I say now. Be humble, be kind, look to serve others as you lead them in the direction you want to go. Don’t expect anyone to follow just because you said to do so.
What is one message that you would like to share with the world?
It is by Grace that I am saved through faith, not of myself, it is the gift of God
What is your definition of Green Industry Greatness?
Beautiful Landscapes, happy customers, happy team members, successful profit margins.