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Before delving into this topic, let us set the tone with a few race anecdotes. Several months ago, Husqvarna brought a group of landscape contractors into Charlotte to watch the Winston Cup Race, and for some of us, it was a first-time experience! The JP Horizons team happened to tag along for the event. Even though I had a hard time understanding who was first and who was last, I made one observation — NOBODY QUIT! The last-place finishers seemed to zip by the stands on their last lap as fast as they were speeding by at the start of the race!

How about applying this concept to running? Several years ago, Nick DiBenedetto, CLP, of ND Landscaping in Topsfield, Massachusetts, challenged me to come and run the Boston Marathon with him and a few of his team members. I accepted the challenge, and shortly thereafter, I found myself at the starting line wondering what I was doing there. At 18 miles, Nick must have looked over and saw the “Can we just walk in from here?” look on my face. He said, “Come on, Paluch. You have run 8.2 miles before. We can make it to the end.” A little over an hour later, I was with the group sprinting for the finish line to complete the 26.2 miles.

One more story … Early in the spring, I finished an all-day seminar in Dallas, Texas, and headed out to get a run in. The trail that I was on led me past a high school track meet. I could not help but stop and look over the fence at the young athletes giving their all for their team. Then I heard it, a simple motivational statement coming from a wise coach cheering on his mile runners, “FINISH STRONG, BOYS!” It seemed to be the battle cry of all the team members as they cheered the first-place finisher on and then turned to call in the last-place runner with the same enthusiasm. Hearing his teammates call, the runner stepped up his pace to a driving sprint as he lunged for the finish line, more than 30 seconds behind the winner. I was impressed and inspired to continue my run.

What does all this have to do with your business? Well, nothing really — unless you are considering quitting on a goal or slowing down on a program you have in place. Has it been a tough year and has a key client or employee left? Go ahead — slow down, even quit! — the only person who will really know is you. Then again, maybe you are having a terrific season and are way ahead of your budget and goals — maybe your plan is to coast in from here. The challenge to you, no matter where you are, is to “FINISH STRONG!"

The following are key areas that you can focus on to finish the year strong!


Finish Strong with the Mission Statement -- Keep it in front of your team at every opportunity possible. It is your compelling vision that will not only make this year work but also set the foundation for years to come.

Finish Strong with Your Sales Team -- Are your team members aware of their sales goals? Is there an intensity among your staff to stay creative and focused on developing client relationships for this year and beyond. Sit down and plan how to blow past sales goals.

Finish Strong with Building Your Production Team -- Your future production leaders need to be awarded more responsibility and need to be prepared to make an impact next year for the company. Is this team aware of how efficiency in planning can make a possible rain-delayed season turn into a success?

Finish Strong in Your Training -- This may be the single most important action you can take to retain or bring back your best employees for next year. Continue to train on issues that are important to building careers for your team members. Take advantage of available seminars and educational opportunities that can make an impact on your team’s future!

Finish Strong Understanding Your Financials -- Review them, understand them, and teach them. Begin to build the budget for next year and establish a strong plan for the future.

Finish Strong in Your Personal Growth -- Take time off and enjoy your family. Review your personal goals and rejuvenate your excitement for them. Pick up a book and read! The most important thing you can do for your company or your crew is build a stronger you.

The challenge is on. You are coming to the homestretch and soon will know what you and your team are made of. Will your battle cry be … “FINISH STRONG!”?

8/03

By Jim Paluch, President, JP Horizons, Inc., Painesville, Ohio

JIM PALUCH and the JP HORIZONS TEAM have been helping companies and individuals for the last decade and a half start, continue, and FINISH STRONG. Find out more at www.jphorizons.com.