By Neal Glatt

In today’s competitive landscape, staying ahead of the game is more important than ever. The pace of change is faster now than it’s ever been, and the rapid shifts in technology, policy, and customer and employee needs continue to evolve.  For leaders today, the only constant is change, and the only reasonable plan is to evolve by…
 

Embracing VUCA
First, let's get familiar with the term VUCA. It stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. In simple terms, it means the world is changing quickly and in ways that are hard to predict. What’s more, the pace of change is continuing to accelerate.  For landscape companies, this could mean anything from new technology and materials to changes in customer preferences and economic shifts.
Technology is one of the biggest drivers of change. From advanced landscaping tools and equipment to software that helps design and manage projects, tech is transforming how we work. For example, new drones can survey land more quickly and accurately, while software programs can help design projects and plan maintenance schedules more efficiently. These advancements make it easier to improve services but also require us to adapt swiftly to new tools and methods.  The rise of electric tools and corresponding legal policy will continue to influence how we work and manage fleets.
In the past, businesses set goals for 5-10 years into the future. They planned long-term projects and investments, believing that they could predict how things would look years down the line. However, in today’s fast-moving world, it’s much harder to see that far ahead. Here’s why shorter goal-setting, like 1-3 years, is now more effective:

1. Faster Change: With technology and market trends shifting rapidly, what seems like a good idea today might not be relevant in 5 years. Shorter goals allow companies to adapt to changes more quickly and stay competitive.
2. Improved Focus: Setting shorter-term goals helps businesses stay focused on immediate priorities and respond quickly to new opportunities or challenges. This agility can be a significant advantage in a competitive market.
3. Better Planning: Shorter goals make it easier to plan and measure progress. It’s simpler to adjust plans and strategies for the next year or two rather than having to make major changes to a long-term plan.
4. Employee Engagement: Shorter-term goals can keep team members more engaged. When employees see tangible results and progress more frequently, they are likely to stay motivated and committed.

How to Set Short-Term Goals
Setting goals for 1-3 years involves breaking down larger objectives into smaller, more manageable chunks. Here’s a simple approach:

1. Identify Key Areas: Focus on the most critical aspects of your business, like improving customer satisfaction, adopting new technology, or expanding services.
2. Set Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve in the short term. For example, you might aim to increase customer referrals by 20% in the next year.
3. Create a Plan: Develop a step-by-step plan to reach your goals. Assign tasks, set deadlines, and determine what resources you need.
4. Review and Adjust: Regularly review your progress and be prepared to make adjustments. The key is to stay flexible and responsive to changes.

In a world where change is constant and unpredictable, landscape companies need to rethink how they set and pursue goals. By focusing on shorter time frames, you can stay agile, keep up with technological advances, and better meet the needs of your customers. Embrace this new approach to goal-setting timelines, and you'll be well-positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s dynamic landscape industry.  
Here at GrowTheBench, we’re committed to keeping you equipped to navigate a VUCA world with education to prepare for whatever the next change may be.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed or underprepared, perhaps it’s time to slow down and invest in yourself with some of the content available on this site.  Check out our course list at the top of this page to get started today!