Drought: Pain or profit? |
News |
Written by Christy Eull |
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 08:00 AM |
The majority of owners and managers of Colorado landscape companies believe drought positions their companies more for profit than for pain according to a poll earlier this season by Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado. In this poll, 85% of responding companies statewide said their businesses would not be hurt by drought – whenever it comes. Optimism ranged from an enthusiastic, “I am SO going to profit off of drought!” to an optimistic, “We were fine in the last drought, and expect that with our reputation for Xeriscaping, we would do well in the next drought.” Another 2002 drought survivor stated, “We grew during those years . . . installing xeric options. Fast forward to the next drought cycle, we will do this again and much more of it.” One company owner pointed out the creative tension inherent in drought: “Drought is both an opportunity and a risk . . . risk for those companies that are slow to adapt – and opportunity for those able to adjust.” When asked if customers are influenced by the California drought and talking about it, roughly 50% said customers are talking only minimally about drought and its future impact upon our state. One spoke for most when stating that “Customers only care if “WE are in the drought.” Another owner of a design/build firm wrote that those “customers who do understand the need for and value of water conserving landscapes are often former Californians!” Are you doing anything to raise drought awareness? Do companies want more regulation related to water? “Allowing the government to set minimum standards for water conservation in landscape design and construction seems only logical – although a tough pill for many of us in the industry to swallow,” said another. Poll echoes findings of Fortune magazine Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW: |