Focus on returns

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” This saying isn’t the basis of the most recent bestselling self-help book, and it isn’t the foundation of the latest management guru’s lecture circuit. It dates to the days of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. In essence, he tells us that a problem requires creative thought and action to arrive at a workable solution.

And though Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y often find grounds for disagreement, they can agree that Plato’s words from generations back are relevant today and still make a whole lot of sense.

I’m not a doom-and-gloom kind of person, but I am a realist. We won’t get anywhere by hiding our heads under the covers and hoping the sun will be shining when we awake. We will shake the current economic doldrums, but not before we put our best thoughts into action. The first step is to focus on return on investment. We’re in a period where our resources are being squeezed, budgets are tightening and layoffs are occurring. Credit is crunched.

In the golf course industry, the superintendent can have the greatest impact in helping a facility tread these troubled waters and be positioned for success when times are good. How are you spending your dollars today? Are you maximizing your return on investment? Are you getting the biggest bang for your buck? Are you providing creative thought and actions to arrive at a workable solution?

I’ve heard some amazing stories in which GCSAA members are leading their facilities by reducing fuel consumption, using their crews more efficiently, stretching golf course product inventories and reducing energy use, all without having an appreciable effect on conditions. In the long run, we know such practices will have an impact, but when it becomes necessary, inventive measures rise to the surface. Employers are looking to protect their assets while at the same time attract customers to consume their product. It’s our challenge and our opportunity to provide leadership in achieving those objectives.

We are just a little over one month away from the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in New Orleans. If there’s any place where inventive thought is in oversupply, it’s conference and show. If you have never attended, I encourage you to visit www.golfindustryshow.com to learn about the broad offerings of education, the latest in products, services and technologies and unmatched networking opportunities.

If your employer is resistant to providing the funds to attend conference and show, I encourage you to contact a GCSAA customer service representative at 800-472-7878. Our staff can help you customize a plan that will address your facility’s needs and make a case to your employer.

Let’s face it; everyone is looking to cut costs. But the mistake comes in being penny-wise and pound foolish. I can assure you that if you come to New Orleans with a well-designed plan of action, you and your facility will experience a return several times over.

You might even find an invention or two.