FEEDBACK PLEASE - customer landscaping guide - Forum

Hi EveryoneIf you've followed the http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/what-makes-a-great-customer thread, you'll know I'm trying to get more people to landscape their garden properly. I'm running a competition soon called the Great Garden Challenge and as part of that I've written a guide to educate people about everything that is involved with the landscaping process, to help make things easier.Before it goes live next week, I'd really value your feedback. I've written this for the customer, so whilst I've tried to accommodate all the suggestions from the other thread - it has to serve them more than us - but I've certainly tried to put things across from our perspective.I've tried to be thorough without boring the pants of people and informative without being patronising - have I succeeded?Have I also, fairly and correctly represented what we all do (I found this the toughest part of the whole thing to write)?This is the first draft, so whilst I'm more than happy for you to use it as you see fit, if it will be helpful for your business - please don't give out this version! I want to get it right before it gets set loose! (click link at bottom to download).There is a lot of info here - you won't need to read the whole thing (unless you want to) - the bits that are most relevant to you are colour coded purple.http://www.successfulgardendesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Great-Garden-Road-Map21.pdfMany thanksRachel

Replies

PRO

Phil Voice March 18, 2010 at 12:46pm

Absolutely brilliant Rachel...a credit to you. I can you have put a lot of thought and work into this.
Angela Palmerton March 18, 2010 at 1:51pm

Ditto - will have a good read of this later for you
The Perfumed Garden March 18, 2010 at 2:11pm

Just popped home for lunch and had a brief read through of the landscapers section - excellent, you've put in writing what goes round in my head. Have you seen the same gardens as me that builders have 'constructed'?

I'll read the rest later, I like the sound of the Great Garden Challenge.

Simon @ The Perfumed Garden
Boxelder Landscapes March 18, 2010 at 3:16pm

I read through the landscapers section and think it was excellent. I wish every potential client would read this through. Good work
Kerrie John-The garden design Co March 18, 2010 at 4:29pm

Wow!

Good work Rachel, this must of taken you ages well done. A valuable document for potential clients.
Pip Howard March 18, 2010 at 5:54pm

Ditto all of the above - do I read this right that any practitioner on here can pass this on to potential clients? Brilliant resource.
Rachel Mathews SGD March 18, 2010 at 5:54pm

Thanks everyone. Yes it did take me a bit longer than I anticipated... glad it's getting such a positive response so far!

Simon - sounds like we have - perhaps it's just this one guy that goes around laying slabs upside down everywhere he goes!
Rachel Mathews SGD March 18, 2010 at 6:00pm

Sorry Pip, we must have posted at the same time - yes you are all welcome to use the report and give to clients. I will have the finished version ready next week. You can upload a copy to your website so potential customers can read it before they contact you or link to it on my blog or how ever else you want to do it!

Thanks

Pip Howard said:
Ditto all of the above - do I read this right that any practitioner on here can pass this on to potential clients? Brilliant resource.
Jackson's Landscape Design March 18, 2010 at 6:07pm

Ive just finished reading the file and applaud you with a standing ovation Rachel.

Brilliant piece of work.
The Perfumed Garden March 18, 2010 at 7:01pm

Nope, I saw another one last week and it was definitely a different builder from others I've seen.

Rachel Mathews ORIGIN said:
Thanks everyone. Yes it did take me a bit longer than I anticipated... glad it's getting such a positive response so far!

Simon - sounds like we have - perhaps it's just this one guy that goes around laying slabs upside down everywhere he goes!