Landscaping in Challenging Times

Nick Ruddle
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Running a landscaping business has never been more challenging – with rising costs, changing demand and the constant pressure to deliver projects profitably while keeping teams motivated. In The Landscaping in Challenging Times Podcast, business coach Nick Ruddle shares clear, practical strategies to help you not just survive, but thrive in today’s environment. Each short, sharp and practical episode focuses on one essential area - from protecting cashflow and winning more quotes, to leading your team, improving productivity and building resilience into your business. Expect real-world case studies, proven tools and three clear actions to take away every time. If you want to grow a profitable, resilient landscaping company with confidence, this podcast is for you. If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Conclusion & Next Steps - Action Over Ideas

    11/26/2025

    Conclusion & Next Steps - Action Over Ideas

    In this closing episode of The Landscaping in Challenging Times Podcast, business coach Nick Ruddle reflects on the journey so far ... from pricing and marketing to leadership, operations and cash flow. But he also reminds listeners of something crucial: knowledge without action changes nothing. Nick explains that every great landscaping business has more ideas than time, and that the difference between good intentions and tangible progress comes down to rhythm and discipline. He challenges listeners to pick one clear 90-day result — not a list, not a wish — and to turn it into visible, trackable action. Whether it’s improving profit per job, tightening up cash flow or building more consistent project delivery, the message is simple: focus beats busy and routine beats motivation. This episode also highlights three powerful truths: The only way to close the gap between knowing and doing is through small, visible, repeatable routines.True leadership isn’t about carrying the plan alone; it’s about building a team that owns progress.Culture shifts not when people are told what to do, but when they see their ideas making a real impact. Nick also gives a practical framework for getting started today: Pick one result you’ll achieve in 90 days.Make the actions visible and assign ownership.Build a rhythm of review — weekly, light, and consistent. Finally, he invites listeners to take the next step with tailored support. If you’d like to accelerate your progress and put everything from this series into practice, Nick offers a free one-to-one coaching session to help you map out your 90-day plan. Email: nickruddle@actioncoach.com Join the Thrive Not Just Survive 12-Week Mastermind: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Resources Mentioned📥 Download your free checklists and templates: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
  2. Your 90‑Day Execution Sprint

    11/24/2025

    Your 90‑Day Execution Sprint

    Strategy only matters if executed. Nick lays out a 90‑day sprint rhythm with weekly commitments, owners, and dates that keep things moving without drama. Full Show Notes: Why execution rhythm matters more than complex strategy documents.How to set weekly commitments per pillar with clear owners and definitions of done.Mini case study: a Surrey firm reduced stress and improved results with a visible sprint board. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to execution rhythm; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min
  3. Numbers That Matter (and Nothing Else)

    11/21/2025

    Numbers That Matter (and Nothing Else)

    Dashboards can overwhelm. Nick simplifies to the five numbers that truly drive a landscaping business—margin, debtor days, pipeline health, labour productivity, and cash runway. Full Show Notes: Why margin, debtor days, pipeline, productivity, and cash are the vital few metrics.How to track these five without drowning in data.Mini case study: a Surrey firm steadied results by focusing only on vital numbers. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to tracking vital numbers; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  4. Simple Planning That Actually Gets Done

    11/17/2025

    Simple Planning That Actually Gets Done

    Annual plans often get ignored. Nick teaches how to create a living one‑page plan with 30/60/90 moves that actually get done week by week. Full Show Notes: Why simplicity and honesty beat complexity in planning.How to build a one‑page plan with a single KPI per pillar (cash, sales, ops, team).Mini case study: a Surrey firm executed consistently with visible 30/60/90 planning. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to planning; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  5. From Owner‑Doer to Owner‑Leader

    11/14/2025

    From Owner‑Doer to Owner‑Leader

    Growth stalls when everything needs you. Nick shows how to step into leadership by delegating decision rights with clarity—so the business runs even when you’re not on every site. Full Show Notes: • Why moving from owner‑doer to owner‑leader is key to sustainable growth. • How to map delegation levels and lift direct reports one step at a time. • Mini case study: a Surrey firm freed up the owner’s time and improved results through delegation. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to delegation and decision rights; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  6. Individual Performance That Isn’t Awkward

    11/10/2025

    Individual Performance That Isn’t Awkward

    Performance conversations don’t have to be awkward. Nick explains how to use role scorecards and weekly one‑to‑ones to raise results without drama. Full Show Notes: Why role scorecards make expectations obvious and fair.How to run simple, effective weekly one‑to‑ones focused on wins, numbers, and blockers.Mini case study: a Surrey firm cut rework and stress with consistent 1:1s. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to role scorecards and 1:1s; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  7. Keeping Good People: Progress, Pay, Pride

    11/07/2025

    Keeping Good People: Progress, Pay, Pride

    Recruitment is expensive; retention is a bargain. Nick shows you how to keep your best people by making progress visible, pay fair, and pride part of daily work. Full Show Notes: Why skills ladders and transparent pay bands keep people motivated.How to run quarterly reviews to agree training and progression.Mini case study: a Surrey firm improved calm and retention with visible progress moves. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to retention and fair progression; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  8. High‑Trust, High‑Accountability Teams

    11/03/2025

    High‑Trust, High‑Accountability Teams

    Trust without standards is chaos. Standards without trust is misery. Nick shows you how to create teams with both—through visible standards, fair consequences, and shared trust. Full Show Notes: Why high‑trust, high‑accountability teams perform better in uncertainty.How to define standards clearly and make performance visible.Mini case study: a Surrey firm reduced rework and stress by tightening team standards. Top 3 Actions to Take Away: Write one clear outcome linked to high‑trust, high‑accountability teams; post it visibly.Capture proof with one photo/number/sign‑off and review it in a 15‑minute Monday check‑in.Remove one blocker by Friday and bake the fix into your standard. Download the templates & checklists ... https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/free-checklists/ If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 min
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About

Running a landscaping business has never been more challenging – with rising costs, changing demand and the constant pressure to deliver projects profitably while keeping teams motivated. In The Landscaping in Challenging Times Podcast, business coach Nick Ruddle shares clear, practical strategies to help you not just survive, but thrive in today’s environment. Each short, sharp and practical episode focuses on one essential area - from protecting cashflow and winning more quotes, to leading your team, improving productivity and building resilience into your business. Expect real-world case studies, proven tools and three clear actions to take away every time. If you want to grow a profitable, resilient landscaping company with confidence, this podcast is for you. If you’d like my personal help — or want details of our “Thrive, Not Just Survive” 12-week business mastermind course — just email me at nickruddle@actioncoach.com or visit: https://westessex.actioncoach.co.uk/thrive-mastermind/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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