That cliché never gets old, especially when dragging heavy rolls of turf all day long. I have always experienced accomplishing larger goals in life while being part of a TEAM. Wikipedia states that “Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal or to complete a task in the most effective and efficient way”.

Creating a good “turf team” is crucial. I teach companies teams how to be a team. Just because you have a few guys with knives does not make them a team. A “turf team” requires installers that care and have passion for their actions. To be good at something in life you must care for what it is. If you create a “turf team” and have a member that does not enjoy cutting synthetic turf, I would give them tasks outside the “turf team” or have them go to work for the competition and drag them down. Great turf teams have members/installers that bring forth synergy to show their talents and blend strengths. When establishing a turf team, it is important to break down each task for each member. This may mean creating tasks for each member on every installation. I recommend dedicating tasks that match up with skill and experience.

This month ASK JW will explain how crucial teamwork is to being a successful turf contractor/Installer.

“If you are looking to install synthetic turf solo, without any help, or assistance, this column is not for you. If you would like to build a successful Installation team in the synthetic turf industry, keep reading”.

JW

I often ask company owners what their team’s vision is. They look at me like I am speaking another language. I feel every turf team should have a team vision. Team vision is when all members of the team share a common goal and understand each task that needs to be accomplished to have successful repetitive turf installations. Each member must play a role in the vision together. I recommend sitting down with your team and discuss their vision for their position and how they can contribute. This will show how serious you are about wanting success in the synthetic turf biz’. If you have not created a  team yet, this column will give insight into what may be needed for your team to thrive.

“You are only as good as your frontline”

JW

When establishing a turf team, it is crucial to know how much experience each team member has at installing turf. Other than filling out the company’s job application, it is important when building a team to know each other’s capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

Below are a few basic questions that I recommend asking installers prior to having anyone cut into a section of turf.

I recommend creating an adequate team size. A successful turf team must include at least 4 or more members. Teams may change in size depending upon the size and complexity of the project, especially if the installation requires placement of very large long sections.

Teams need clearly defined roles within the team in order to create beautiful installations.  Efficient teamwork is created when each member takes on the responsibility for each task they perform. When each task is repeatedly perfected, it produces success which makes each member feel accomplished and inspired.

Sharing responsibility heightens teamwork. Equally sharing leadership positions builds team confidence and allows for multiple installations to go on at once. This will give team members the feeling of responsibility and makes each member accountable for their actions. I recommend having a team leader for every crew. This will bring accountability to one person’s qualification delegating tasks for each member. The team leader must have experience at all levels of installing synthetic turf. He/She must understand each project’s complexity and the ability to complete it with high standards.

Planning is a big part of teamwork. If you have no plan, then eventually your team will fail. Even for the ones who plan well, things don’t always go according to plan. Often, we may come against obstacles that we did not plan for. As leaders we must remain calm and not react. “What can go wrong will go wrong”.

To be successful in the synthetic turf industry one must have experienced all that can go wrong. When you have a great leader that understands the “what ifs”, then he/she can make sudden decisions for the team and rapidly create a “Plan B”. Decisions like having a member damage an irrigation line and you have a flood on your hands destroying the entire graded area. A good leader knows how to react in sudden circumstances to alleviate the stress upon the team and the company’s reputation.

When establishing a synthetic turf team, I recommend creating a “Teamwork Performance Evaluation”. This evaluation will recognize the team’s strengths and weaknesses. This will allow the team leader to evaluate each installer’s performance for the task they are given. If a team leader sees that another member is lacking on a certain task, it is up to that team leader to get them up to speed or place that member on a different task. Having a successful synthetic turf team means all members working together. If your team is out of sync you may have to have a team meeting and get them back working in unison.

I recommend taking the time to ensure your team is up to date with the latest technology, tools, and machinery that are available in the industry today. Take time to train and retrain team members between seasons. Never allow teams to become stagnant in craftsmanship. There are so many exciting changes in the synthetic turf industry today that allow turf installers to hone their craft, plus you can always rely on “ASK JW” for all the latest tips, tricks, and educational information.

Synthetic turf may look like an easy profession, but it has its share of mishaps. You would be amazed by the injuries and accidents I have witnessed over the years due to the lack of understanding of safety in this profession. When your team or teams are established, it is important to create team safety meetings.

Team safety meetings are not only crucial to the company but in many states required by O.S.H.A. 

Team safety meetings provide  an opportunity for management to communicate to employees how they can do their jobs safer. Safety meetings allows employees an opportunity to speak about safety and health concerns or workplace improvement ideas to their co-workers, supervisors, and upper management. Unsafe acts account for 90 percent of all accidents. Safety meetings teach preventative measures against unsafe acts by educating employees on how they can do their job safely. I recommend creating a safety manual that will discuss safety concerns for each component that goes into your installations. For example, Dealing with sharp blades – Hand protection, Blade Container.

Team Safety Meetings allow employees to have a better understanding of turf safety prior to starting any project. Safety meetings can happen during the project as well. When a supervisor witnesses a violation of safety, it is advantageous to have a safety meeting to address the issue at hand immediately. “No pun intended”.

task

noun
ˈtask
Definition of task
1a: a usually assigned piece of work often to be finished within a certain time
b: something hard or unpleasant that has to be done
c:DUTY, FUNCTION

Merriam Webster defines “task” as an assigned piece of work that is needed to be completed within a certain time. 

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this column, this column is all about teamwork. You may accomplish these tasks/steps by yourself for smaller projects, but working solo won’t get you anything but a few hundred square feet a day. Teamwork can get you 10,000+ square feet a day with minimal team members.

It is all about creating a power team that can respect and accomplish their tasks productively in a timely manner. Many larger projects have deadlines to meet. Having a solo mentality will not meet them.

Below are several tasks/steps where teamwork prevails when accomplishing larger projects.

I recommend a 2 to 3 member team when placing plastic composite nailer boards. Many larger installations specify 20’ long nailer boards. Securing these long sections at a certain elevation can be tricky and strenuous.

REMEMBER: The nailer board team must stay ahead of the grading team.

If you are an experienced turf installer you definitely had your share of wind & weed barrier. Weed barrier materials can be easy to roll out and place but can be more productive with two or more installers. Keeping it tight is rule #1. Going solo in placing weed barrier not only takes more time but can get out of control if the wind starts to kick up.

Most objects or materials that are to be unified by adhesives need some type of compression while in its curing stage. Compression allows the adhesive to be forced into voids and capillaries within its adhesive zone and ensures the bonding performance.  Do not chance seam failure, keep compression on your seams until the adhesives are cured. When using Superseam Adhesives, I recommend having enough members assisting in the placement of 50lb infill bags for compression. The sooner the compression, the faster the “Curing Stage”.

Installing AirDrain grids productively requires a set of Teamwork. A team must be formed and a game plan must be made to productively place AirDrain Grid in large areas. I recommend one member handing the AirDrain grid to the front member. (image to the left in blue shirt) and third member assists in the locking of the tabs.

Maintaining synthetic turf can be a really hard task. You should see how much particles and vegetation scraps get pulled out of turf when maintaining it correctly. Depending on the size and how good you want the turf cleaned, this can be a very hard “One-Person-Job”.  I recommend not doing it alone. Depending on the size of power brooms, and the size of the area, you may need multiple team members to accomplish the maintenance correctly and in one day.

“Be part of a team or lead one”.

JW

For more information regarding creating a successful synthetic turf team, or to schedule a training please contact J.W at  888.846.3598 or email AskJW@SGWcorp.com

Suggestions for the use of ASK JW installation techniques are solely at the end-users’ discretion; however, the user should determine suitability for the intended use by his/her own evaluation. Because the use of the materials is beyond our control, neither ASK JW nor SGW shall be liable for the outcome of any use of said materials including any injury, loss, or damage, direct or consequential, arising out of the use or inability to use these techniques and products.