Investment in leadership skills drives better business outcomes
27 February 2026
27 February 2026
For Urban Tree Growers, long term improvements often slipped into the “too hard” basket. With annual orders for 3,000 trees, upcoming staff retirements to plan for and daily operations to run, there was little time left to clarify roles or refine internal systems.
The Moshie National Lean Leaders Program (MT22011) is a levy-funded 20-week program designed specifically for the horticultural industry, focused on small, practical improvements that make day-to-day work easier.
R&D in action
Investing in programs dedicated to greenlife production is only one piece of the levy R&D puzzle. For the nursery sector to succeed holistically, investment has also been directed into business and leadership programs that support the full range of nursery production.
Moshie’s National Lean Leaders Program is an example of this, designed to provide participants with:
- increased confidence and practical leadership skills
- operational improvements to create a more effective workplace
- stronger strategic focus
- team development, including clearer roles and responsibilities
- stronger team engagement
- smoother staff transitions and succession planning.
Reaping the benefits
Through the program, Urban Tree Growers streamlined operations, clarified team roles and established practical systems to support both growth and transition. Urban Tree Growers recorded an additional $30,000 in revenue through improved systems, reflecting what many participants uncover once they start applying the tools in their own operations.
Across the program, many businesses have identified a net benefit in the order of $40,000, achieved through a combination of cost savings, productivity improvements and revenue uplift. In many cases, these gains come from reducing avoidable waste, tightening ordering and inventory processes, and improving team communication and planning.
Relevance and availability
The program is fully funded for levy-paying horticultural businesses, including turf producers. Most nurseries would benefit from engaging with this R&D project. Participants who have particularly felt the benefit include:
- established nursery owners and managers (5+ years)
- nurseries transitioning ownership
- nurseries changing or adapting their production
- nurseries going through succession planning
- nurseries with new, large contracts to service
The bigger picture
Rising costs and increased biosecurity incursions continue to put pressure on businesses across industries. For the greenlife sector, support for business literacy, strategic planning, and learning and development opportunities has traditionally been limited.
Recognising this gap, this levy-funded program is one of many emerging R&D priorities available for nurseries to build their business resilience.
Building confidence within individual nursery businesses strengthens the sector as a whole. Your levy supports and invests in the development of you and your peers.
Access the Lean Leaders program today
Spaces are limited and released annually. To get involved:
- email: info@moshie.biz
- phone: +61 412 241 801
- visit www.moshie.com.au
The ‘Moshie National Lean Leaders Program’ (MT22011), funded by Hort Innovation, is a leadership initiative developed specifically for the horticultural industry. The program helps participants learn how to lead and sustain continuous improvement in their workplace.
