The trade in for time off

One of the most common questions asked by job candidates during an interview is, “What time off do you offer?”

For hiring teams, this question can spark concern—will the candidate accept our current PTO structure? And more importantly, why is their focus on time away from work?

Striking a balance between offering time off and maintaining team performance is a challenge for most companies. Larger corporations often rely on blanket policies, which may provide consistency but lack the flexibility the human experience demands. Life is not linear—mental health, family needs, and unexpected loss all highlight why one-size-fits-all policies don’t always work.

A study from Florida Atlantic University found that paid time off reduces resignations and supports long-term employee retention—a clear win for both employer and employee. Similarly, NIH research shows that family-friendly policies such as maternity and paternity leave attract stronger candidates during the hiring process.

Despite this, many businesses hesitate to expand PTO benefits. Yet with proper organization and team collaboration, time-off policies can be structured to flow smoothly without disrupting productivity. Concerns about labor shortages are often mitigated when proactive planning, scheduling, and clear procedures are in place.

In the trades, it’s often joked that managers “work even when they’re off.” To make time off truly restorative, teamwork is essential. Partnering with a colleague before taking leave, communicating client points of contact, and establishing clear backup plans help ensure operations continue seamlessly.

Planning for the Holidays

Everyone wants Thanksgiving and Christmas off—but for seven-day operations, that creates a scheduling puzzle. Incentivizing holiday work can help. Some companies offer overtime pay, while others provide an additional day off later in exchange for working a major holiday.

Offering select holidays as paid days off is also a strong attractant for quality candidates and aligns with standard business practices.

Ensuring your PTO package is competitive within your industry is vital to promoting a culture of retention, satisfaction, and consistent attendance.

Equality and Action

Your PTO policy should be consistent across roles to maintain fairness. All salaried employees should expect the same benefits, reducing burnout and promoting professional growth.

Still, flexibility matters. Open-door discussions about unique or challenging circumstances—such as family emergencies or personal crises—can foster trust and empathy within the workplace.

However, when time-off policies are abused, prompt and consistent management is essential. One employee’s misuse can quickly impact team morale and overall productivity.

Time Off and Compliance

In cases of workplace injury, it’s vital to follow proper procedure. Consult your workers’ compensation insurance team and comply with all state and federal regulations to ensure ethical and legal protection for both your employees and your business.

Additionally, ensure your PTO policies align with HR standards and employment laws. Protecting your people and your organization should always go hand in hand.

The Value of Not Working

Time off provides value far beyond workforce maintenance. Studies consistently show that rest and personal time improve overall job satisfaction and well-being. Simply put—taking a day for self-care today often leads to better performance tomorrow.

Supporting employees in attending life milestones—weddings, family gatherings, or even a simple day off—pays dividends in morale and loyalty. Consider which leader you’d rather work for: the one who denies your request to attend your child’s recital, or the one who approves it and asks how it went.

At Phoenix, we prioritize our team. From medical appointments to family emergencies, understanding why our staff need time away allows us to build a workplace that nurtures both personal and professional well-being.

In Living Color

Landscaping has a remarkable ability to express emotion, theme, and personality. When it comes to design, the possibilities can feel endless—so many stunning combinations that each evoke a distinct feeling. In a world filled with neutral shades—at home, in offices, even at the grocery store—there’s a growing need to reintroduce color.

Your landscape palette is shaped by countless choices. From the vibrant hues of hibiscus blooms to the layered greens of succulents, color naturally finds its way into your outdoor space.

Color is one of the first impressions your property gives. It communicates how you want guests or customers to feel before they even step inside. Recently, while waiting in a coffee shop drive-thru, I noticed the landscaping—not its condition, but its color. The design was neat: juniper groundcover weaving between young Japanese maples. It was practical and tidy, yet safe. The lack of color made the space feel less inviting. Imagine how much warmth a few purple tibouchina or hardy Mexican petunias could have added.

Choosing color often means choosing a level of maintenance. Pops of pink from drift roses, for example, need care to stay vibrant. Many property owners understandably opt for low-maintenance, budget-friendly choices—but that can influence how your space feels to visitors. So how do you add color without adding cost?

Landscape designers are well-versed in budget-conscious beauty. Plants like liriope and Blue Daze offer subtle color without heavy upkeep. Depending on your region, bromeliads can add playful shades of red, pink, and purple. Even a single flowering tree—like a crepe myrtle or a tabebuia—can create a striking focal point.

If you’d prefer not to commit to permanent plants, consider seasonal beds. Rotating color displays keep your landscape fresh and give guests something to look forward to throughout the year.

You don’t have to sacrifice color for the sake of your budget. Partner with Phoenix to discover a world of vibrant, living color for your property.

A Consensus on the Senses

A growing trend in commercial landscape design is the creation of Sensory Gardens—dedicated green spaces designed to engage the five senses. These inviting pockets of nature offer visitors a reason to pause, reconnect, and leave feeling better than when they arrived. But what exactly are sensory gardens, and should you consider one for your property?

Many people associate sensory gardens with children—spaces filled with textures, scents, and sounds that encourage play and exploration. This is certainly one purpose, and the benefits for children are well documented. Richard Louv, author of The Last Child in the Woods, describes a growing issue he calls “Nature Deficit Disorder,” highlighting how limited outdoor play is impacting the physical and mental health of today’s youth. In a world filled with screens and fewer opportunities for outdoor adventure, his point rings true.

But what about adults? Can sensory gardens support our well-being too? Research says yes. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, individuals with dementia showed reduced symptoms after spending time in sensory garden spaces. Similarly, a study in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found that college students who visited sensory gardens experienced lower stress levels and improved mental health.

Whether your property is a resort, medical facility, or business park, a sensory garden can enhance the visitor experience by offering a moment of calm in a fast-paced world. Modern life leaves few opportunities to truly rest within our senses, and mental health concerns are at an all-time high. Providing even a small sensory retreat not only benefits guests and staff—it can improve overall satisfaction and enhance your reputation. In fact, businesses with intentional outdoor spaces often report higher customer satisfaction on feedback surveys.

What Should a Sensory Garden Include?

Sensory gardens can be customized to fit the size, purpose, and style of your property.

• Medical Facilities: Focus on quiet, shaded spaces with gentle sensory engagement to promote relaxation.

• Resorts: Incorporate themed elements—such as a lava rock bed paired with bamboo that rustles softly in the breeze—to match your location’s atmosphere.

• Business Parks: Create a “no phone zone” featuring a bench, water feature, and fragrant jasmine for a refreshing midday escape.

Each garden should engage the five senses:

• Taste: Herb planters or edible flowers like violas, with an invitation to sample.

• Touch: Soft and textured plants such as Lamb’s Ear, strawflowers, or bumpy succulents.

• Sound: Bubbling fountains, wooden chimes, or rustling bamboo.

• Smell: Fragrant blooms and plants like roses, jasmine, gardenias, or citrus trees.

• Sight: Vibrant flowers such as zinnias and sunflowers, or calming greens like sage, orchids, and ferns.

Sensory and therapeutic gardens create inclusive, restorative spaces that welcome everyone. If you’re ready to design a retreat that enriches both your visitors and your space, contact us today to begin planning your sensory garden.

The Language of Teamwork

How fluent are you in the language of teamwork?

You probably already hold employee meetings, conduct training sessions, and check in between projects — but what does teamwork really look like in the field? And how does it differ from the corporate jargon we so often hear?

At Phoenix, one of our most valuable assets is our team-centered language. This isn’t just about what we say — it’s about the moral structure and shared respect that hold our company together. If you don’t truly value the people who show up for you each day, you won’t be valued in return. Without that, you’re just another landscaping company blending into the crowd.

Learn to teach, not tell.

This philosophy is less about how you say something and more about why you say it.

If you’re reminding a crew member to handle a plant with extra care but see the same mistake repeated, it might not be their failure — it might be a teaching opportunity.

When we teach instead of tell, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our teams. Study after study shows that hands-on, face-to-face learning leads to stronger retention and better results.

Take it a step further — encourage your crews to teach each other after learning something new. This builds leadership, confidence, and morale across the entire team.

Try swapping phrases like:

“Can you show me how you’ve been maintaining this?”

instead of

“What are you doing wrong?”

By giving your team a chance to demonstrate their process, you create a moment for shared learning instead of correction.

Hierarchies need not apply.

Language that fosters collaboration rarely sounds authoritative. Even small phrases like “She works for me” versus “She works with me” make a big difference. One subtly divides; the other unites.

True leadership means setting the tone through collaboration. That might look like picking up a shovel when the situation calls for it or working alongside your team to meet a challenge head-on. Boss language empowers only the boss. Team language empowers everyone.

Our crews run the day-to-day — they make leadership possible. That’s not lower. That’s foundational.

When language turns foul…

Workplace language doesn’t have to include profanity to turn negative. Persistent negativity — about the job, leadership, or team members — can infect a culture just as fast.

When that happens, address it directly. Ask questions. Why do they feel this way? What’s missing? What support do they need?

Sometimes, you’ll encounter someone whose mindset simply won’t change. In those cases, how you handle it matters. Addressing negativity with integrity shows the rest of your team that you’re committed to protecting their environment and their morale.

Mistakes or opportunities?

A mistake. A mishap. A mess-up.

All of these words can shift how a team responds when something goes wrong. But they can all be replaced with one word: opportunity.

A broken water line becomes an opportunity to teach safer practices.

A misplaced tool becomes an opportunity to teach responsibility and care for shared equipment.

Everything is a teaching moment — and every teaching moment is a chance to strengthen teamwork.

When leaders see opportunity where others see failure, growth follows naturally.

The Contractor and the Community

As a business owner, you have countless options when it comes to selecting a landscaping contractor. The basics are straightforward: What reputation do they carry? What services do they offer? How consistent is their track record within the industry? These are the standard questions that surface during contract meetings and pre-bid sessions. And truthfully, the process can feel tedious—hiring contractors is rarely inspiring.

So why should a contractor’s community involvement factor into your decision-making? After all, it isn’t the community signing the contract. The industry is filled with companies eager to donate, volunteer, and give back. And that is, without question, commendable. But does it hold value? We all enjoy the uplifting photos and videos of teams planting gardens or distributing school supplies, though at times these efforts can seem repetitive—another polished post in a crowded feed. In today’s digital age of “feel-good” clout, the question becomes: where does authenticity live? Perhaps it’s in the quiet details—the faces of employees who return home with memories of a meaningful day, not just a photo op. The act of giving back becomes part of who they are, not simply what their company does.

Which brings us back to the question: do es that make the contractor more valuable?

The answer depends on what your team and your brand hold as priorities. There’s no single right approach. Still, there is tangible value in choosing a partner that invests in more than profit margins, extending their influence into the lives and spaces around them. When clients select such contractors, it creates a cycle of positive investment—businesses, teams, and communities all enriched by the choice.

Investing in enhancements

Beyond the Basics

When we build contracts with clients, the conversation often turns to the scope and sequence of our work. Routine maintenance and seasonal color rotations form the foundation, ensuring properties remain consistent and cared for. But the most successful spaces don’t stop there.

Enter enhancements — the intentional upgrades that elevate a property from being “kept up” to being truly unforgettable.

What Enhancements Can Do for You

Enhancements are the fresh coat of paint, the accent lighting, the seasonal flourish that resets expectations. They’re not a luxury — they’re an opportunity to transform high-traffic spaces into memorable experiences.

• Hardscape Upgrades: Replace worn pavers with modern, slip-resistant designs.

• Outdoor Gathering Spaces: Remodel patios, pool decks, and courtyards to feel fresh and inviting.

• Seasonal Accents: Add vibrant containers, specimen trees, or signature plantings for visual impact.

• Lighting Improvements: Highlight architecture and walkways with energy-efficient fixtures.

• Eco-Friendly Touches: Introduce native plantings and water-wise irrigation for sustainable beauty.

These details don’t just brighten spaces — they create a sense of pride, security, and welcome for everyone who visits.

Timing Is Everything

So when is the right time to invest?

For many property managers, the final quarter is when budgets are reviewed. That makes year-end the perfect window for planning enhancements. A refreshed space welcomes the new year with energy and appeal, setting the tone for the months ahead.

But enhancements don’t need to wait for a calendar milestone. Properties benefit from refreshment 365 days a year, particularly in high-traffic areas. Proactively scheduling upgrades ensures your property never looks overlooked and that improvements are ready when you need them.

Why Enhancements Matter

The truth is, enhancements are more than aesthetic updates — they’re strategic investments.

• Curb Appeal Drives Revenue: A tidy, vibrant exterior can be the deciding factor in a lease or booking.

• Consistency Builds Trust: Guests expect your outdoor spaces to reflect the same care as your interiors.

• Details Reflect Values: Overgrowth or neglect unintentionally communicates disorganization or lack of pride.

• Enhancements Pay Forward: Small updates today prevent costly overhauls tomorrow.

Your landscaping is a living business card. Enhancements ensure it always delivers the right message.

The Phoenix Standard

At Phoenix, we see landscaping as more than greenery — it’s storytelling. Enhancements are the chapters that keep that story engaging, vibrant, and profitable. Whether it’s upgrading a pool deck, re-imagining an outdoor dining area, or simply refreshing seasonal color, we help properties shine.

After all, you work hard to build your business. Let your landscaping work just as hard to represent it.

Ways to welcome..

We’ve all heard the saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” While that may hold true for people, the reality is that the exterior of a business is always being judged. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A well-kept property signals safety, professionalism, and care—qualities every potential customer wants to feel when entering or leaving.

No one wants to navigate overflowing trash or dimly lit walkways. That’s why basics like lighting and receptacles are considered standard. But what about landscaping? Believe it or not, it plays one of the biggest roles in shaping curb appeal and driving revenue.

Whether you manage a business park or operate a resort destination, your landscaping serves as a living business card. Leasing prospects want spaces that mirror their own values and prestige. Overgrown weeds or unkempt grounds can unintentionally communicate disorganization, neglect, or even financial instability. Meanwhile, the property down the road—neatly edged, filled with seasonal color, and framed by healthy trees—might win over that same client from the street view alone.

For hospitality, the message is even sharper. Poor landscaping often suggests low occupancy or an underperforming property, regardless of how spotless the rooms inside may be. Guests notice the grounds first, and impressions form instantly.

As you consider how your property welcomes both people and profit, take a look at your “living signage.” Does it invite you in? Does your landscaping team embody the same pride and professionalism you expect from your in-house staff?

Consistency is key. A welcoming exterior sets the stage for lasting value. You work hard to build your business—let your landscaping reflect that effort and serve as a powerful tool for growth, curb appeal, and long-term success.