What are we resolute, focused and obsessed about, you might ask?

We're obsessed with the provision of best-in-class service to our customers. This isn't too surprising since doing so is a pre-requisite for any successful business. But making that declaration begs the question - exactly what is Landscape Supply resolute about and where will we focus our resources in 2014? From 50,000 feet the answer is simple - on the provision of top flight customer education programs.

At that altitude implementation appears simple, however; the path down to where the rubber meets the road is certainly anything but. Excelling in any facet of business requires planning, investment, managerial commitment and attention to detail. Doing so from within the context of a company-wide educational outreach program certainly demands that we be resolute, focused and obsessed.

So what have we been doing to demonstrate our obsession with the delivery of added value services? First, we understand the need to take the time to be inwardly focused. Such an orientation may seem counter to what you'd expect from a company claiming commitment to outbound service. However, we recognize the importance of coming to grips with what we are in order to become what we want to be.

For the last four months we've taken our Core Value of Education and added the words "Continuing" and "Internal" to the description. Since closing the doors on the fall season we've been immersed in employee training and process improvement. Education for operations, for all our administrative departments and countless hours spent with the sales staff studying what's worked, what hasn't and taking a very hard look at areas where we must improve.

Over the course of 2013 we're humbled to have forged new customer relationships, most notably in Virginia Beach and Northern Virginia/Southern Maryland as the company has expanded its footprint into those markets. We are proud to call many of you new customers, very happy indeed and welcome you to the LSI family.

But whether an established or a new customer you will see 2014 as a year of investment in a collection of programs and initiatives we call "Strengthening the Relationship". Doing so will be our battle cry for 2014 and remain a core component of how we conduct business in the years to come.

The mainstay of our "Strengthening the Relationship" Program is represented by the delivery of several educational tracks all goaled to better equip our customers for success. We plan to expand our offerings in several areas. Two key components of the "Strengthening the Relationship" Program will involve our sponsoring pesticide and nutrient certification and recertification classes across the Commonwealth.

The LSI Educational Series will commence at the end of February with a number of day long seminars featuring top university researchers, turf care product manufacturers, as well as industry professionals. These seminars will be offered in Richmond (2/24), Virginia Beach (2/25), Northern Virginia (2/26), Charlottesville (2/27), and Roanoke (3/4). Each of these events will allow the participants to engage in discussion of the key issues and trends facing the Green Industry. I invite you to call your Sales Account Manger for details on these seminars.

We will also be bringing other programs to a city near you presenting the regulatory issues impacting the industry as a whole but also those having implications on your business. It is vitally important that we stay informed and come to understand how each of us can positively impact the thinking of our legislators and those in the regulatory bureaucracy at the local, state and federal levels of government.

Moving forward into the summer months we will deliver a number of training seminars. Where possible we will arrange for the award of Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for those working toward or maintaining a degree or professional certification. These events are in the later stages of planning and more detailed information will be coming out as we get closer to the delivery dates.

In closing, I want all to know that we are committed to giving back to the industry through the delivery of customer oriented education. We see our dedication to employee and customer education as a means of differentiating LSI from the competition. We all look forward to seeing you and your team at an upcoming class.