Jonas Pattie, Landscape Industry Certified, The Pattie Group, Inc. |
Jonas G.
Pattie, Landscape Industry Certified, was about 20 years old when he attended
his first GIC. “I was really blown away
by how other industry professionals viewed my father, Steve, and our
company. So many flocked to meet him and
gather insight into what he had done over the years to build and grow The
Pattie Group.”
Now
president of the Novelty, Ohio company, Pattie said his first impression was an
understandable one for someone who grew up within a family-owned business. “For
the first time I realized how special our company was.
“Then, I
kept thinking what an incredible event this is, how professional this industry
is, and how the people here truly care about what they do and are willing to
share their best practices. My third
impression? Wow, I have a lot to
learn.”
Since that
initial eye-opening experience, Pattie has attended 8 or 9 GICs. He usually travels to Louisville by van with
at least half his management staff.
“During the ride, we go through the entire seminar schedule and decide
who wants to attend what,” said Pattie. “The goal here is to maximize our time
by dividing and conquering. Then, at the end of the day we join for dinner to
discuss what we’ve learned that’s new and exciting.
“Attending
the seminars, networking, looking at the new products and taking this time
together to focus on our business is hard work if you take it seriously; we
typically come home exhausted, with lots of new ideas to implement. We also try to do a couple of fun things in
the evening, and maybe even take in a concert on Fourth Street.”
Busy schedule
Two years
ago, Pattie and his father presented a virtual tour of their facility for GIC
attendees. He has also recently
facilitated two tables at the always popular Breakfast with Champions.
“Attending
the networking events like the Breakfast and other receptions is always very
valuable,” Pattie emphasized. “The seminars have been good, too. One last year on the Affordable Care Act was
very timely, and I’m always interested in the latest marketing
innovations. Most of us came into this
industry because of a love for the outdoors, plants, and design. Great business practices and strategy is what
many most need in the industry, so hearing industry experts who speak on a wide
variety of business-building topics is invaluable.”
Jim Paluch’s
Come Alive Outside seminar also
caught his eye last year. “Jim framed what we do as professionals in a
different way, and I think it speaks to one of our industry’s biggest challenges,”
Pattie added. “There’s always been a
misconception that all we do as an industry is mow lawn. Yes, some of us mow lawn, but we also do so
many other things. Jim challenged us to stop introducing ourselves as
landscapers, and view ourselves as outdoor living professionals. He challenged
us to be proud of what we do and articulate the importance of our work.”
Pattie
mentioned that GIC and PLANET have an ongoing challenge to educate the general
public about the industry, an effort that extends to school children who
currently may not view landscaping as a profession.
“There’s no
question our company’s biggest challenge is finding people,” Pattie
emphasized. “We need people at all
levels who want to make a career within the industry”.
Not
coincidentally, he said that PLANET also welcomes input from new members. “There’s an opportunity for young, second
generation PLANET members like myself to step forward and volunteer for
committees and at special events like GIC.”
As he pointed out new perspectives are welcomed and necessary whether
you’re a young student learning about a changing and dynamic industry or an
industry member learning about a changing world.
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