Digital Communication Comes to the Shop

During my consulting trips I am always keeping my eye out on new ideas and ways people do things hoping to find some things I can implement to make our operation at Tranquilo Golf Club better. On a recent visit to our property in Costa Rica I noticed the staff was utilizing an app than many know called What’s App. Jose has split his golf course into sections with teams covering multiple holes. Great concept if you have the equipment and staff to do it as it creates pride for each group in their holes and they have a team of the month they choose as well. The interesting thing I noticed was how they utilize the app by taking pictures and communicating back and forth. The Superintendent can ride the golf course taking pictures of issues and great things he sees and communicate that to each group.

So it got me thinking how could I utilize that same concept in the shop? The biggest reason isn’t because we don’t communicate already but would we communicate more? So we found and app called Band that allows you to make a private group to share photos and such as well as calendar events so we can enter upcoming tournaments and such. Access is given to the technician team Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. The big thing I have noticed in the first week is that communication happens much quicker. Meaning when a decision is made to Verticut greens and we need to set it up it’s posted on the app and the guys know right away. No one forgets to say something or doesn’t see each other until it becomes a last minute thing. The other is weekend communications are easier as you can post in real time and the rest of the team knows what we are walking into Monday morning. I wanted to share our experience thus far as I believe this could be a great tool in improving communication with your team in our fast paced environment.