Case Application 4: GROWING PROBLEMS AT OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS
Outdoor Solutions is a provider of lawn care, snow removal, and exterior home
services with a history of steady growth and an excellent reputation for reliable service. A
recent upturn in home construction has increased demand for services, but Rob Dow, the
owner is having trouble meeting the demand.
Dow expressed his frustration to his Friday morning networking group over coffee
and asked other business owners how they managed to keep fully staffed with qualified
workers. “Getting and keeping good employees is so hard. Out of ten applicants, I’m lucky to
get two that have adequate math skills and can pass a background check. Chances are one of
them will quit in six months. I was hoping to expand, but at this rate I’ll be lucky to maintain
our current customers.” Several commiserated, sharing their hiring and turnover problems.
Dow turned to Metinka Bower, owner of a local office staffing company and asked if
she had the same problem, or if she had a magic pill that turned applicants into awesome
workers. She replied, “No, no magic pill, but there are a few things you can do to increase the
odds.” When pressed for a solution, she explained that it depends on the situation and
volunteered to stop by Outdoor Solutions later in the day after visiting a nearby client.
Her discussion with Dow revealed that until last year, he had relied on employee
referrals and newspaper ads for recruiting. He told her “I try to have a friendly, casual
