What Does it Mean to be a Friend in Business?

As we all personally and professionally navigate uncharted territory during the current global health crisis, being a friend is more important than ever. The U.S. Lawns brand promise is: “To be there, be responsive, be excellent, and be a friend”, emphasized in our mantra “close to the customer and close to the employee.”  This time of crisis has provided the unique opportunity for our franchisees to live the U.S. Lawns brand promise in innovative ways.

With social distancing and widespread closures, U.S. Lawns franchisees quickly mobilized within their communities.  Franchisees are proactively reaching out to customers whose businesses have been impacted by current events.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many local businesses have said they hadn’t heard from any of their service providers during the crisis and are expressing sincere gratitude to someone taking time out of their day to check on their needs.

Here are some examples of how U.S. Lawns franchisees are carrying out the brand promise in their communities:

• Checking in with customers directly to see how they and their teams are doing.
• Providing assurances that service will continue as long as they are legally able to maintain operation in accordance with state and local regulations.
• Asking if there is anything U.S. Lawns can do to make their situation easier at the current moment, some going as far as offering to deliver groceries or necessary supplies.
• Offering temporary customized service levels to assist those with immediate budgetary concerns while still providing a basic level of maintenance.
• Offering immediate employment opportunities to those whose jobs have been impacted.

Going the extra mile and being responsive are part of U.S. Lawns’ core values. We have built our business around making lasting connections. Our franchisees have developed close, personal relationships that go well beyond the typical customer/service provider relationship. Backed with the resources and support that come with a national brand, at the end of the day our franchisees are community members committed to improving the communities around them.

Local commitment is what distinguishes U.S. Lawns from other large landscaping companies. Businesses aren’t dealing with a branch manager; they are working with another business owner who understands their needs and is a partner in achieving their long-term goals.  Through responsiveness, two-way communication, and by staying close to the customer, U.S. Lawns franchisees exceed expectations. This is where the brand promise (“To be there, be responsive, be excellent, and be a friend”) comes into play.

In addition to staying close to the customer, franchisees deliver on the brand promise by staying close to their employees. By taking good care of employee, you ensure that they take good care of the customer, and that creates opportunity for everyone involved. Franchisees do this by taking a sincere interest in employees lives and well-being, checking in on family members by name and understanding personal challenges and goals. This is also done by aligning business interests with personal interests and helping employees to reach personal and financial goals. People are your most important assets in business and focusing on you employees is the first step in serving your customers.

In light of current events, U.S. Lawns has taken additional safety precautions have been taken to ensure the safety and health of not only our customers, but also our employees. Read more about those measures here. We continue to provide support to our teams who are working hard during these precarious times, going above and beyond wherever possible.

U.S. Lawns has been committed to being a friend in business for over 30 years. As we all work together to get through these trying times, U.S. Lawns has only deepened in that commitment and continues to promise to be there, be responsive, be excellent, and most importantly, be a friend.