Challenges in the Tree Trimming Industry in Times of a Pandemic

Life before COVID-19 seems like years ago. It feels strange to miss the things we used to complain about. Do you remember groaning about commuting to work and having to get ready to go to the office every Monday morning? Now we want it back! In a matter of days, everything we knew as normal changed to a “new normal” that we are all trying to figure out.

Thankfully, technology somewhat facilitates this new lifestyle. From personal experience, I have to say that tools like Zoom and other virtual meeting software have been both welcome and essential to stay in touch with partners, clients, and team members. Being able to see their faces adds a feeling of normalcy in times when we don’t know what’s normal anymore.

As Director of Marketing for Townsend, I’ve seen two teams (Field Operations and Office Support) both with different needs, adapt seamlessly as the new normal evolves. Organizing crews in a way that follows social distancing and safe hygiene without affecting their job and compromising client service, has been a new experience. Working remotely but keeping pace with timesheets, invoicing, and reports that help our crews measure performance also seemed daunting. Yet both teams are “making it happen” without skipping a beat. That’s the result of leadership and accountability being pushed throughout the company. That’s the result of having great employees, family culture, and a solid work ethic throughout the company.

What Safety in a Pandemic Looks Like for Our Crews

We take pride in being professionals that work to keep the country running during both normal and trying times. We endeavor to fulfill that duty while keeping our crews and customers safe every day. The early days of the pandemic created challenges with the constant negative economic news, spiraling virus numbers, and uncertainty that COVID-19 brings.

We focused on what we could control to take care of our teams. Immediate changes to safety protocols include:

●Smaller tailgate meetings: Before the pandemic, tailgates and daily job site briefings would include 1-2 crews. These meetings, led by our foremen with guidance from the General Foreman, have been reduced to smaller groups in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.

●Residential work: When doing residential work, if a homeowner were encountered or needs to be notified of work, further safe distancing practices were implemented in conjunction with our utility clients’ guidance.

●Supplying crews with cleaning essentials: Our crews are regularly provided with hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, soap & water, and face masks. This is an effort coordinated by our Logistics team.

Three months into the pandemic, the challenges are the same as when the outbreak occurred. But now we must add complacency to the list of hurdles to overcome. As many in the country try to return to work, we must be vigilant in both normal safety practices as well as those introduced due to the pandemic. While the general public has a desire to return to normal, our crews and leadership are challenged every day to adhere to the new normal.

What Communication Looks Like for our Teams

Excellent communications coupled with strong leadership may be the most important factors of any successful business. And while technology is always an asset, communications in these challenging times have been enhanced by technology.

Teams expect transparency from leadership about the measures being taken to keep them safe and how the company is being affected. Employees are concerned about their health, their families as well as job security. While we maintain our workload, many of our employees’ neighbors and friends have not been as fortunate. Our elevated level of communication throughout the organization during the past three months has been open, constant, and both optimistic as well as conservative.

 We are optimistic that we can maintain continuity of employment for our family of associates. At the same time, we continue to remind everyone of the safety hazards we regularly face and the COVID-19 hazard that still exists. We are in no rush to relax “interim” precautions nor to return to the old normal. In fact, we may be discovering that the new normal has its merits as we evolve new work practices.

 Since the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, we share company updates as frequently as ever, if not more so. Channels like internal mail, newsletters, virtual meetings and Townsend’s social media channels help facilitate these communications. Managers and supervisors are getting better at delegating both updates and initiatives to their teams. I’ve always known that it is important for all employees to know and appreciate what a company does. In this time of crisis knowing that our work is essential and matters resonates more than ever.

Navigating the New Normal One Day at a Time

Seeing businesses, in every industry, working hard to get back up and running is something I admire. This is no easy feat; there is no exact formula that explains how to do it. The plan and post-COVID business model that works for one industry doesn’t work for another. This new reality is making us think outside the box. It makes me ask the question: how can we take what we’ve learned the past three months to become better for the next three years?

 With this in mind, my best advice is to take things one day at a time. Always prioritize watching out for your team and their safety. Also, make them a part of the process. Invite them to share their ideas and concerns and work collectively to design a plan that works for your business. After all, if this situation has taught us anything, it is that staying together and supporting one another will get us through the challenge. Good luck!