21
March/April 2021
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
Branch managers Chris Dempsey,
Suffolk territory; Lee deVos, Dulles territory;
Katherine Leary, Houston territory; and
Jim Paluch come together virtually to
discuss their progress with the Working
Smarter Challenge program.
PERSEVERANCE
Eight branches of Davey's Commercial Landscape Services
(CLS) participated in the Working Smarter Challenge, a pilot
program focused on employee engagement, discovering
operational efficiencies, and developing future company leaders.
The Working Smarter Challenge is a 20-30 week course,
with territories holding weekly small-group meetings that
follow a 5-step process. The number of weeks is determined
by local success and engagement:
• Documenting the current state of the territory
• Identifying what makes certain work-related tasks
undesirable
• Planning for improvements
• Creating new standards for posting in high-visibility areas
• Celebrating improvements
CLS TERRITORIES SEEK EFFICIENCIES, IMPROVEMENTS
Columbus, Detroit North,
Detroit Southwest, Dulles,
Houston, Indianapolis,
Southeast Florida
and Suffolk
2020 TERRITORIES:
Davey enlisted the services of JP Horizons, a "people
solutions" company that aims to improve business
performance. Jim Paluch, founder of JP Horizons, video-
interviewed branch managers, recorded the conversations
and then shared the videos with other CLS leaders in a
weekly email. Paluch is a long-time industry consultant.
"The videos are one example and allow leaders in the service
line to hear what other CLS managers are thinking and doing
in terms of their responsibilities and how their offices are
applying the Working Smarter principles each week," said
Mark Svozil, vice president and general manager, CLS.
In 2021, the focus will turn toward coaching for the CLS
service line leadership, who will hold small group sessions
with JP Horizons.
"
Safety culture in the tree care business is
prominent, and Davey encourages the safety
culture above everything else. I think people
should know we take care of our people here.
"
ROB SUYDAM
foreman, New Jersey office
SAFETY
DOING IT RIGHT
