If you were unable to attend last year?EUR??,,????'???s Green Industry Expo (GIE) in Columbus, Ohio, let me tell you, it was exciting! The educational opportunities and content were unparalleled, and our Green Star Awards and banquet program were outstanding. It was certainly one of the best conferences to date and our educational committee plans for an even larger educational offering at the combined GIE EXPO in Louisville, Ken. on October 24-27. More details on this exciting program will be forthcoming, so please continue to PGMS.org for the most up-to-date information.

One of the things that I try and do at this time of year is to conduct a year-end evaluation. This evaluation looks back at the past year and critiques several elements of my grounds operation at Fairview Country Club, as well as my staff?EUR??,,????'???s performance. Perhaps more importantly, I review and critique just about everything when it comes to ME! My personal appearance, my staff?EUR??,,????'???s appearance and workplace appearance are without question, extremely important, and the most critical to your own personal and professional success. I will then move onto other areas to see if I have achieved or possibly exceeded my expectations.

Organization echoes efficiency! Don?EUR??,,????'???t be afraid to visit the way you approach and implement your leadership ?EUR??,,????'??? try to keep things exciting and fresh. Accept the fact that the electronic age is well upon us and embrace these technological advances. Create opportunities and solutions and avoid excuses. Communication is your most valued ally. With it comes the ability to plan, budget and direct your operation effectively. Remember, many people really don?EUR??,,????'???t know what we do, as many of us wear many different hats and deal with changing schedules, tighter budgets and, of course, Mother Nature.

Make sure you post notices, take minutes at staff meetings, and write for your organization?EUR??,,????'???s newsletter, school paper or Web site.

For those of you that attended the GIE in Columbus this past fall and for those of you that could not, Mike McCartney, gave us a truly motivational talk and left us with Ten Surefire Actions of a Good Coach:

1. Clarify your expectations.
2. Ask, ?EUR??,,????'??What do you think??EUR??,,????'?? when employees bring a problem or situation to you.
3. Catch people doing things right.
4. Confront problems quickly and directly.
5. Be enthusiastic about the organization, your work and your team.
6. Create opportunities for people to have the freedom to succeed, fail and learn.
7. Provide ongoing feedback to reinforce the positive and redirect the negative.
8. Facilitate communication among the team.
9. Walk the beat and ask tough questions.
10. Engage people in discussions about the organizations mission, vision, values and goals.

Also, if you haven?EUR??,,????'???t taken advantage of membership in the Professional Grounds Management Society, it is something you should seriously consider.

PGMS can provide you with all the tools you?EUR??,,????'???ll need – from the Web site, our list serv, newsletter, local branches, and regional and national education programs. Another way to demonstrate your dedication to your employer is PGMS?EUR??,,????'??? Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) program. Our CGM Program is certainly becoming an industry standard. What better way to be able to display your leadership and management capabilities to your present employer or even a future employer.