Forum

How and Why to Be a Leader (Not a Wannabe)

A wonderfully, insightful article by Umair Haque. He is ranked one of the world's most influential management thinkers. Read it :

We need a new generation of leaders. And we need it now.

We're in the midst of a Great Dereliction — a historic failure

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5 litre petrol can stupidity

I went to fill up my two 5 litre petrol cans up at an Esso garage on Filton Road, Bristol and the the attendant refused to serve me.
On questioning him further he told me that it was illegal to fill two 5 litre petrol cans and if he allowed it and wa

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Screwfix now selling Chip & Pin terminals

Clear sign that mobile payment terminals are mainstream given that Scewfix are now selling Chip&Pin terminals for under £100 inc Vat, with potential for £27.50 'cashback'.

No contracts (Pay&Go) with a transaction rate that seems 'reasonable'

Interest

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Contract in Fife(winter gritting)

The following contract has come up (bit out of our area!)

Fife Council are inviting applications from suitably experienced Contractors to supplement the resources of Transportation and Environmental Services in the event of winter gritting and snowcle

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Tree surgeon wanted, hadleigh/thundersley area of essex

I'am looking for a tree surgeon in the hadleigh, daws heath road area of Essex, who would be looking to get rid of some of their chipped waste.

Many thanks

Ian

Howes Garden Services

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Edinburgh Hard Landscaping required

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a good hard landscaping company based somewhere close to Edinburgh as I have a job to complete through there.

They have to be good!

Any ideas??

Cheers

Brian

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Missed calls while working

I just wondered what other people do, if you don't hear your mobile ring, you have a missed call, but no voice message left.

Do you return the call or just ignore it?

Ian

Howes Garden Services

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Can product suppliers afford to ignore non-accredited landscapers?

Ignoring the sales from non-accredited landscapers and/or designers is commercial suicide.

We've had our fair share of discussions concerning accreditation over the years.

Some people say it's the only way forward for the landscape industry and small

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Client perceptions

Had a call this afternoon...(edited highlights).......

- Hello, I have 5 acres of garden and need someone for 3 days a week solid. Do you have qualified people, fully experienced and educated ?

- Yes, we have plant specialists, dedicated mower people a

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Is Richard Branson a failure?

Is Richard Branson a failure? Today's guest blog argues failure has made the Virgin Founder a success and is crucial for all entrepreneurs...

Richard Branson is seen as a successful business entrepreneur, with his hands in many flourishing business

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Health insurance

Mentioned tonight on the chat, so I thought I'd put what I learned from a financial advisor on here in case people are thinking of taking a scheme out. I'm not a qualified expert here, just my personal feelings based on the conversation I had.

We all

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problem clients

Any idea on how to get an exit strategy from a dissatisfied client despite me doing my up most best to please them.

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Contractor / client communication is essential if mistakes are to be avoided

Have you ever had a client throw a pebble on the lawn and tell you that this is where the new patio should go?

Perhaps a wave of an arm in the air, pointing in the general direction of an area in the distance and intimated that this needs clearing?

I

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Leaving a spare day for one off jobs

I am increasingly finding due to the fact we are full with regular maintenance when one off work comes in ie hedge work tidy ups etc we struggle to turn them round quicker enough how many of you leave a spare day for one offs ? In your working calend

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Charging clients for lunch breaks

Hi all

I always advertise my services at an hourly rate and have always charged my clients for my one and only half an hour lunch break if I am working longer than six hours in the same garden. Yesterday, after working really hard in a garden for 9 st

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Do you include travelling time in your estimates?

When calculating an estimate for a customer, do you include travelling time, or is travel included in your rate?

I don't know if this question makes any sense (it does to me) so an example:

30 mins to get to site
2 hours labour on site
30 mins to get h

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Losing out...

When you lose a bid, an existing contract or member of staff do you ever stop and think why that happened, what could have been done to prevent it or whether it is possible to rescue the situation?

To be effective in business it is vital to request /

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Professional

Professional   :  An often used adjective in the English language  to describe an individual, group of individuals, services, organisations or as a means to 'differentiate' oneself from 'others'.

WIki's main description of the word : "A professional

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tool insurance

im in process of updating equipment.
i have taken out policy with toolinsuranceonline.
i took out pliability with them which offers 1000 tool covering hand and powered. apparently this does not cover lawnmowers,this comes under plant .so i opted to t

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gocardless

Anyone using gocardless.

what are your thoughts on it, I'm looking something easy to bill customers on direct debit.

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