10/15/2024 - By Harrell's

Planning ahead is essential for success in the lawn care industry, especially when it comes to managing your inventory. The Early Order Program (EOP) from Harrell's provides an excellent opportunity to stock up on control products at a discounted rate, setting your lawn care business up for a successful year while also saving on costs. Proper preparation for EOP can make a significant difference in your business's efficiency and profitability. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare your inventory to take full advantage of Harrell’s EOP using tools like your CRM, while also considering your business growth, product variability, and service pricing.

1. Use Your CRM to Understand Inventory Needs for Next Year

Track Inventory with Precision
The key to successfully managing inventory is having a clear understanding of your needs for the upcoming season. Utilizing your CRM to track inventory and predict product usage can be incredibly helpful when it comes to preparing for EOP orders. A specialized CRM, like Spraye CRM, will allow you to track inventory levels accurately and efficiently. By maintaining a complete record of your stock throughout the year, you can make data-driven decisions when it comes time to place your orders.

Run Comprehensive Inventory Reports
Generating reports that provide an overview of your current inventory and forecast what you will need for the next year will help you plan for what you need to order. In Spraye, the Material Resource Planning report takes into consideration application rates, outstanding square footage, and the stock you currently have on hand. By having a detailed understanding of your needs, you can better plan your order for EOP, ensuring that you purchase the right quantities and products.

Streamline the Ordering Process
One of the biggest advantages of Spraye CRM is its seamless integration with Harrell’s. Once you have reviewed your inventory needs, you can use the "Order Now" feature to send your order details directly to your Harrell's Representative. This streamlined process saves time, minimizes human error, and ensures that your orders are accurate and complete.

2. Account for Expected Business Growth

Plan for Expansion
If you anticipate growing your business in the coming year—whether it is taking on new customers, expanding service areas, or increasing the frequency of your services—it is crucial to account for this growth in your inventory planning. Ordering too few products can lead to disruptions in service and pricing uncertainty, potentially harming your business reputation, and limiting growth opportunities.

3. Consider Product Variability and Usage Uncertainty

Weather and Service Variability
Not every product will be used consistently every year. For example, certain herbicides may only be needed during specific weather conditions or certain pesticides for particular pest outbreaks. When planning for EOP, it is important to be cautious about ordering products with uncertain demand. Over-purchasing products that you may not use could lead to waste or excess inventory that sits idle.

Your Harrell's Rep will work with you to assess past usage and forecast your needs for the coming year. Additionally, Harrell’s can warehouse your products until you need them with their Bill and Hold program, alleviating the stress associated with space constraints.

Order Strategically
Focus your EOP purchases on the products you know you will use in high quantities. For products that are highly variable in usage, consider purchasing smaller quantities to avoid tying up resources in inventory that may not be used. Your Harrell’s Representative can help guide you on which products are best suited for your needs based on regional conditions and historical trends.

4. Update Service Pricing Based on Cost of Materials

Leverage EOP Pricing to Adjust Costs
After determining the pricing of materials through Harrell's Early Order Program, it is important to revisit your service pricing. Material costs are a significant factor in determining your overall service rates, and any fluctuations in product pricing should be accounted for to maintain profitability.

Adjust Pricing in Your CRM
By knowing your EOP pricing in advance, you can adjust your rates for next year’s services to reflect any changes in material costs and have accurate estimates for renewal season. This ensures that your pricing is competitive, fair, and sustainable, keeping your business financially healthy.

Transparent Pricing to Customers
Having an updated pricing model also allows you to be transparent with your customers about any necessary price changes. By clearly communicating why prices are changing—such as increased material costs or enhanced product quality through premium fertilizers—you can help customers understand the value they are getting and maintain their trust in your services.

Reframe Your Inventory with Spraye to Maximize EOP

Taking advantage of Harrell's EOP is an excellent way to save money and prepare for the upcoming lawn care season. To get the most out of EOP, careful inventory planning is essential. Utilizing your CRM (like Spraye) can help you understand your inventory needs, streamline the ordering process, account for expected business growth, and adjust service pricing based on material costs.

By forecasting your product needs, preparing for business growth, carefully considering product variability, and adjusting your pricing strategy, you can set your lawn care business up for success in the coming year. The combination of Harrell’s high-quality products and Spraye’s powerful inventory management tools gives you the confidence to make informed purchasing decisions that will benefit your business and your customers alike.

Ready to prepare for the next season? Reach out to your Harrell's Representative today to learn more about their Early Order Program and how it can help your business thrive.