OLS INSIDER - Q1 2024 Newsletter

A MESSAGE FROM BRIAN PRICE

FORTITUDE HALL OF FAME

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

OPERATIONS

HUMAN RESOURCES

PRODUCT & TRAINING

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

FINANCE

MARKETING

EVENTS

ANNIVERSARIES, BIRTHDAYS & PROMOTIONS

 

This flywheel impacts all of us. Our processes, data and goals are only powerful if utilized – so make the most of them! And give us (your management, the executive team and me) feedback so we can understand the challenges you encounter and the opportunities you see for improvement. 

 

I look forward to seeing what our team can accomplish in 2024. Remember, no one is going to give it to us – so let’s get after it! #FORTITUDE

 

Thank you,

Do you have a question you would like to ask Brian Price? Click below, fill out the form and it could be highlighted in the next newsletter.

Congratulations on your induction into the Fortitude Hall of Fame for the months of January, February and March! If you haven't received your Fortitude pin, look for it in the mail soon.

• Amy Corsi | Stone Center - Landscape & Masonry, Durham, NC
• Koali'i Kama Toth | Geobunga, Honolulu, HI
• Ryan Pace | Bulks Landscape Supply, Marietta, GA
• Beau Brady | Stoneworld Supply, Mapleton, UT
• Mary Mullen | Landcare Stone, Madbury, NH
• Drey LaCroix | OLS Corp
• Cody Petersen | Stoneworld Supply, Ogden, UT
• Tom Morrow | Woodward Landscape Supply, Phoenixville, PA
• Josh Gilman | Bulks Landscape Supply, Marietta, GA
• William Burdette | Stone Center - Landscape & Masonry, Duluth, GA
• Justin Santonastaso | Stone Center - Landscape & Masonry, Bridgewater, NJ
• Gabrielle Thall | Woodward Landscape Supply, Phoenixville, PA
• Danielle Lenhart | Woodward Landscape Supply, Phoenixville, PA
• Mario Vega | Stone Center - Landscape & Masonry, Duluth, GA
• Kolby Sawyer | Stoneworld Supply, Rexburg, ID
• Dylan Walker | Stoneworld Supply, Rexburg, ID

Nominate a coworker you believe embodies and / or lives out our core values of FORTITUDE (Fun, Optimism, Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Trust, Unity, Drive, and Empowerment). Nominated team members will be recognized in our OLS Insider newsletter and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win super cool swag.*

*Drawing to take place 12/2024.

An Exciting Addition to the OLS Family of Companies.

On February 5, 2024, we announced Outdoor Living Supply acquired The Rock Place, a full-service distributor of hardscape, natural and manufactured stone, porcelain and landscape products. This acquisition expands OLS' footprint into Tennessee, adding four strategic locations in the greater Nashville market. 

A big OLS welcome to Lee Marbet and his talented team.

March "Spring Clean" Initiative: In March, we launched a Spring Clean initiative. Each store was challenged to identify their obsolete, slow-moving and damaged inventory so we could clearance to sell. Inventory was tagged in NetSuite, allowing us to track sales and report out store progress. In early April, we'll announce which store is the winner of the "Golden Broom Award."

This initiative allows us to clean-up our yards and refocus our inventory on fast-turning items.

Your 2024 Benefits: We are well into the first quarter of the year, and we hope you are enjoying your newly elected benefits coverage! Please contact your Regional Human Resources Manager if you have questions about the benefits you’ve elected.

Please note that all elections are now locked in for the remainder of 2024 unless you experience a qualifying life event. Marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, placement for adoption or loss of coverage are all examples of a qualifying life event. Please reach out to your Regional Human Resources Manager if you experience a qualifying life event. These events must be reported within 30 days of the event, and the change must be consistent with the event.

Exciting Updates: Dalani™ Decorative Pebbles Containers and Store Displays Incoming! Over the next few weeks, we're expecting the arrival of Dalani containers and materials, with most initial orders scheduled to reach us by April 1st. 

But that's not all— point-of-sale Dalani store displays will be making their way to our store locations within the next three weeks. Each display will include simple instructions and magnetic bin labels for easy set-up.

Get ready to showcase these fantastic new products and with eye-catching displays that will captivate our customers. Stay tuned for further updates and be prepared to capitalize on the exciting selling opportunities that lie ahead!

Introducing the stunning Analla™ Sandstone collection: Imported from India, this beautifully veined sandstone has excellent tonal variation, creating surfaces that are truly unique. Available in Buff and Cumberland Grey colors, this collection includes pavers, coping, stair treads, and wall caps in different sizes. Analla is perfect for enhancing outdoor spaces like patios, pool decks, walkways.

Watch for further updates on this elegant addition to our natural stone offering.

Contact Jim Ryman, our Natural Stone Product Manager, for more information.

New Arrival Monadnock™ Granite:  The exquisite Monadnock Granite™ collection is another exciting import product, coming to our New England stores. In the classic Salt & Pepper color, the product will be available in various sizes of pavers, coping, stair treads, and wall caps. Ideal for elevating spaces such as patios, pool decks, walkways, and more.

Contact Jim Ryman, our Natural Stone Product Manager, for more information. 

New in New England: Outdoor Furniture from Trex® and Berlin Gardens™! Customers can now complete their outdoor living experience with our new lines of high-quality outdoor furniture. These furniture lines are proudly made in the USA and feature Marine Grade Stainless hardware, rust-resistant fasteners, and a great warranty. Customers enjoy easy maintenance, weather resistance, vibrant colors, and a versatile range of furniture options. We offer free U.S. shipping as well as free assembly (with store pick-up). 

Have product questions? Please visit the Product & Sales Intranet page or click here.

NetSuite Selling Screen Updates - Point of Sale: We are enhancing the payment screens in NetSuite to simplify and streamline the checkout process, making it quicker for customers to complete their transactions. This update will provide more comprehensive customer information directly on the payment screen, including terms, current balance, and saved credit card details. This feature will be tailored to your PAX devices at your locations, ensuring a seamless payment experience for various methods like gift cards, checks, ACH, cash, and cards. Keep an eye out for this upgrade coming in early April to support the upcoming Spring selling season.

Barcoding and Scanning: To boost operational efficiency and create consistency across all our locations, we have standardized five unique label types within our organization: OLS Plant Tag, OLS Strip Tag with Pricing, OLS Small Tag, OLS Strip Tag without Pricing, and 3x5 Sticker Tag.

In addition to this standardization, we have introduced a cohesive look and feel strategy. Each tag will be color-coded to signify different regions, aiding in transfer orders. For example, a red tag indicates a sold item, while a yellow tag represents discounted material. Every tag will prominently feature OLS and location branding. Barcoding and scanning play a crucial role in our workflow, so we are rolling out a comprehensive "Barcoding and Labeling Welcome Kit" for each location. These kits include essential components like plastic labels, yellow and red tabs, Avery labels, 3x5 labels, wireless/Bluetooth scanners, and a printer setup guide.

Moreover, we are actively involved in training and support programs. Our IT help desk is undergoing training to provide assistance with printer and scan device support. We are standardizing the tag ordering process to ensure consistency across all locations. Pilot programs are underway at selected locations to refine our procedures before full implementation. Additionally, we are exploring new technologies to enhance our cycle count processes.

Through these initiatives, our goal is to streamline our labeling processes, enhance accuracy, maintain consistency, and improve overall operational efficiency throughout our entire chain.

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) Moving Forward: In our workplace, we often encounter terms like VoIP or UCaaS, but what exactly do they mean?

• VoIP: VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It's a technology that converts voice into a digital signal, enabling phone services to be delivered over the internet.
  
  UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service): This takes VoIP a step further. UCaaS integrates various communication tools—such as chat, call, video, and audio conferencing—into one convenient, cloud-based platform. It utilizes VoIP for voice communication while providing a comprehensive suite of communication services.

We're not just making voice calls with UCaaS; we're embracing a comprehensive suite of communication tools that enhance collaboration, streamline operations, and improve productivity across the organization. In line with our strategic plan:

• Completed the Crawl: We've standardized all phone systems across the company to a single UCaaS provider by the end of 2023.

• Currently in the Walk: We're standardizing auto attendant messaging at each location and centralizing some corporate functions. Our target is to pilot these changes and deploy them by the end of spring.

• Timing for the Run: We're in the process of planning the Run phase, which will enable the establishment of a centralized (small) call/sales operations center and roll calls out to any OLS employees to handle phone quotes. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development.

With these initiatives, we're not only improving communication efficiency but also enhancing the overall customer experience and driving organizational growth.

Omnichannel eCommerce Technology: In Phase 1 - Crawl, we're upgrading our online account management/commerce capabilities. This includes creating a central Main Commerce Page for all store branded sites to access (initial access will be tested with two existing store websites – Bedrock & Norristown) and the development of a new website design template (first websites to use the new template will be Stone Center and Woodward).

New features will allow customers to manage their accounts, view transactions, and request quotes. We're also improving payment options, starting with ACH and considering credit card transactions.

Additionally, we're focusing on SEO to enhance visibility. Looking ahead, Phase 2 - Walk involves standardizing auto attendant messaging and centralizing certain functions, with Phase 3 - Run introducing a centralized call/sales operations center. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to enhance our online commerce experience.

NetSuite Training Videos Just in Time for Spring: We're excited to announce updates to the NetSuite training program and Intranet page, providing a user-friendly learning experience. Enhance your skills and contribute to company success by accessing the updated training materials. Happy learning!

Have IT questions? Contact the Outdoor Living Supply IT Helpdesk, Resultant, for troubleshooting. Please visit the IT Intranet page or click here.

• Strengthen Credit & Collections Process
• Improve Inventory Planning
• Make AP processing More Timely / Efficient

• Conduct Successful FY 2023 Audit
• Significantly Speed Up Accounting Close Process
• Working to Hire Corporate Controller (Nashville-Based, Targeting April Start Date)

• Hire New FP&A Leader (Chris Teachout, Started Feb. 26)
• Build 3 Year Strategic Financial Plan
• Create regular Monthly Operating Review Cadence with Board

Corporate Discounts at Select Hotels and More! Unlock exclusive corporate discounts for hotels when traveling to our new headquarters in TN (Hilton & Marriott) or to Parker Hardscape Supply in Reno (Peppermill)! An OLS rate has also been established with SIXT car rental. Click on the yellow CORPORATE DISCOUNTS box below, for additional details. This information is also available on the main page of our Intranet page. 

In-Ground Display Dated or Needing Repair? In-ground displays are important selling tools AND a big expense. This new form will help us streamline planning and keep our displays aligned with our product initiatives. We also need to make sure we are working together to leverage vendor support and marketing co-op, as applicable.

Download the In-Ground Display Request Form below, to get started.

Have marketing questions or ideas you want to discuss? Please visit the Marketing Intranet page or click here.

Happy work anniversary! We are so lucky to have you!

• April: 30 Years | Michael Rick, 23 Years | Norman Herbert, Jr., 21 Years | Jessica Short, Jorge Lopez & Andrew Marcinek, 20 Years | Rebecca Kerr, Jonathan Enos, Andrea Howard & Armando Marquez, 18 Years | Ryan Shaw, 16 Years | Daniel Moynahan & Kenneth Mathieu, 15 Years | Bruce Morse, 14 Years | Gary Cook, 13 Years | Gary Turner, 12 Years | Matthew Steban, 11 Years | Craig Barker, 9 Years | Paul O'Donnell & Tracy Gumaer, 6 Years | Dina Brickey & Troy Wilcox, 5 Years | Eric Kvelums, Robert Dunn & James Harris, 3 Years | Brittany Pivero, Gary Horne, Kailex Welch, Todd Bliss, Cambrie Stanger & Kevin Hakun, 2 Years | Nathaniel Moore, Haydon Hassard, Evan Beery, Maricela Aguilar Gonzalez, Brandon Loomis, & Jose Solis Rodriguez, 1 Year | J. Falconer, Victoria MacLean, Hannah Palmer, Dylan Walker, William Owens, Samuel Chong, Drey LaCroix & Jacob Brigman.

• May: 32 Years | Paul Schofield, 22 Years | Hugo Sequiera, 19 Years | Patricia Kelley & Cindy Jones, 16 Years | Jonathan Mayer, 14 Years | Robert Berry, 13 Years | Yanira Ramos, 11 Years | Alexander Porras & David Sullivan, 9 Years | Dominic DeBiasio & Robert Grant, 8 Years | Michael Saunders, Carson Ryman, Kevin Cline & Jordan Haines, 7 Years | Eric Ochoa, 6 Years | Daniel Lyons, 5 Years | Thomas Morrow, 4 Years | Arturo Aquino Penaloza, Mark Dalton & Michael Bennett, 3 Years | Tate Robison, Joseph Smith, Melinda Farley, Nicholl Perez Molina & Douglas Sodetani, 2 Years | Brenton Kranich, Jessica Cherry, Joel Vacek & Deborah Siderchuk, 1 Year | Adam Dierken, Benjamin Sousa & Arlington Leatham.

• June: 19 Years | Janice Trimbur, 17 Years | Patrick T. Lynn, 14 Years | Eric Thompson, 10 Years | Richard Ashford, Jr., 9 Years | David Talkington & Ricky Mathis, 7 Years | Kimberly Bruton, 6 Years | Victor Garcia & Dennis Berger, 5 Years | Richard Bratton, Derek Pengitore & Sandra Williams, 4 Years | Emily Fournier, Russel Jennison & Elizabeth Kimmey, 3 Years | Yasmany Guerra, Dominick Moore, David Morris & Nancy Brigham, 2 Years | Robert Platt, & Brian Hollis, 1 Year | Dallas Leyba, Hannah Douglas, Shawn Gunther, Tyler Harrison & Koalii Kama-Toth.

Wishing you a great birthday!

• April: Nancy Brigham, Jordana Allen, Kyle Capaldo, Glenn Woons, Shea Crawford, Norman Herbert, Jr., Dallas Leyba, David Miller, Scott Walker, Charles Ballard, Caleb Chew, Tracy Gumaer, Christopher Fajota, Ronald White, Jonathan Enos, Roberto Ocegueda, Eric Kvelums, Anival Menjivar, Arthur Randlett, Christian Gonzalez Gomez, Mario Vega, Tomothy Miller, Anthony Nigro, William Lydick, Manuel Calderon, George Ellison, Jorge Lopez, Estevan Nava, Jesse Cravath, Joel Vacek, Patrick Spain, and Jonathan Shea.

• May: Dominic DeBiasio, Shawn Gunther, James Aki, Thomas Throop, Ashley Alvarez, Mary Popin, Asah Cummings, William Newell, Arturo Aquino Penaloza, Christie Lee, Emily Fournier, Stephanie Marconi, Andrea Howard, Jasson Hobbs, Martin Lipira, Christopher Shelton, Geoffrey Steer, Shawn Simoneau, J. Falconer, Bruce Morse, Robert Heywood, Clinton Higginbotham, Jack Smith, Troy Wilcox, Jason Brodie, Robert Grant, Devon Ingraham, Agustin Guardado, Juan Alvarado, David Melvin, and Humberto Piza.

• June: Nikhita Killari, Marcial Figueroa Banegas, Mikayla Smith, Nicholas Feder, Christian Fillerup, Cort Neureuther, Dylan Walker, Yasmany Guerra, Marion Jones, Joseph Nugent, Drey LaCroix, Serenity Crawford, David Pace, Alberto Fenroy, Logan Camden, Christopher Miles, Richard Corbin, Shawn Lemke, Evan Beery, Christen Jarnagin, Brian Price, Daniel Moynahan, Luis Nevarez, Jacob Brigman, Maricela Aguilar Gonzalez, Manual Cortez, Jason Nichols, Nathaniel White, Jose Garcia, Steven Murphy, Marie Brooks, Evelyn Molina, Gary Turner, Jeffrey Stong, and Michael Stapley.

Congratulations on your promotion!

• Jared Waite | Store Manager - Nova Stone | Landscape & Masonry, Manassas, VA
• Zachary Corsi | Territory Sales Specialist - OLS Corp
• Mason Brigham | Store Manager - Stoneworld Supply, Rexburg, ID
• Terry Merlo | Area Manager - Parker Hardscapes, Reno, NV
• Jessica Gum | Commercial Sales Representative - Geobunga, Honolulu, HI
• Sierra Phillips | Area Logistic Coordinator II - Stoneworld Supply, Mapleton, UT