Landscaping organisations.

I might be going out on a limb here but I had five people mention to me regarding LJN and LJ what appears in their eyes as an attack on APL and BALI in as many days. Whilst two of these were members of the said organisation the other three were not and have no desire to join. Four of these people were not members of this network.I have repeatedly said that the two organisations are there to serve their members – it is not for everyone in our industry and like all paid membership it has it privileges / benefits.I am not a member of either of the organisations but assume that as a company you would only get out from what you put in and to utilise the services they offer you as members.I don’t think I have the right to question how they run their organisations or to try and force them to change. I do appreciate that they are seen by many as the face / voice for landscapers etc. but only represent a very small percentage of the many 1,000’s of individuals and companies that make up our industry and therefore it is acceptable to have their actions questions / to be held accountable etc. within reason.I am however concerned that the great LJN may become more famous for bashing these and other organisations than for the great wealth of information and assistance it offers to all.Isn't it time that we all worked together for the better of the industry and our clients?Or am I not seeing something?

I always jump into the threads regarding the accreditation organisations, not because I have an axe to grind, (although BALI really did open themselves up to serious criticism last year - and they acted accordingly), but simply because the industry as a whole was and had been losing it's great status and landscapers were seen as nothing more than a parallel poor relation to the construction industry. British land management & horticulture as a whole has lost its footing as the internationally recognised champion of the industry. This is not the fault of BALI APL or any others - but they haven't helped to redress this and this is my bugbear. The LJN really has helped to redress that balance as clearly seen in its rising profile, and which is read by some high profile people who really do have influence on the powers that be.

Following so many other attempts at a similar model previously and still online which are heavily regulated and subsequently the threads and links are censored far too evidently - these sites are losing advertisers as well seeing a drop in new members and a slow down in general. Serious and open debate as seen on the LJN encompassing the whole industry means all elements could be criticised and this should never be stymied as it will only lead to the same failures.

Replies

Graeme @ BGS March 3, 2010 at 8:15pm

These I believe were mainly guest members reading fairly old posts but just a little worried that they viewed the LJN site in a negative light.
PRO

Phil Voice March 3, 2010 at 8:32pm

Please ask these people to contact me directly Graeme if they feel there has been some unfair criticism or slagging off.
Graeme @ BGS March 3, 2010 at 8:36pm

Fair point Phil
PRO

Phil Voice March 3, 2010 at 8:51pm

I'd just like to add Graeme...The HTA use their site to criticise or defend and the Chairman of the SGD even used Landscape Juice to criticise the changes and policy of the Landscape Institute.

It's all part of our working life I think...we want everything to go our own way and find it difficult to take criticism on the chin but defend our rights to say what we think about others.

Some say that I'm a bit hard on Hort Week but did anyone notice what one of their reporters said about a certain member of the RHS on his blog...I understand an official complaint saw the remark (a rather rude one I can tell you:-O))) taken down rather swiftly :)
Lawncare-4u.co.uk March 3, 2010 at 8:57pm

Lots of people / especially politicians say many things , inc regarding people, but mainly against other' organisations.

inc us all on here .

im sure some of these 'bigger' organisations say many things , and much behind closed doors and in secret !!

transparency can get to the point quicker i feel , although some regard 'tact' more to there way of dealing with things .
Pip Howard March 3, 2010 at 9:10pm

I always jump into the threads regarding the accreditation organisations, not because I have an axe to grind, (although BALI really did open themselves up to serious criticism last year - and they acted accordingly), but simply because the industry as a whole was and had been losing it's great status and landscapers were seen as nothing more than a parallel poor relation to the construction industry. British land management & horticulture as a whole has lost its footing as the internationally recognised champion of the industry. This is not the fault of BALI APL or any others - but they haven't helped to redress this and this is my bugbear. The LJN really has helped to redress that balance as clearly seen in its rising profile, and which is read by some high profile people who really do have influence on the powers that be.

Following so many other attempts at a similar model previously and still online which are heavily regulated and subsequently the threads and links are censored far too evidently - these sites are losing advertisers as well seeing a drop in new members and a slow down in general. Serious and open debate as seen on the LJN encompassing the whole industry means all elements could be criticised and this should never be stymied as it will only lead to the same failures.
Graeme @ BGS March 3, 2010 at 9:26pm

The point I was trying to get across is that together we should all be able to work for the good of the industry. Whilst some may not be fans of the likes of APL etc they are there to serve a purpose and whilst they don't represent all of us we should still be able to sit around a table and address the major issues that we all face.
PRO

Phil Voice March 3, 2010 at 9:41pm

I totally agree with you about sitting around the table.

Adam Frost and Jason Lock (and Annabel Downs indicated she was willing to participate) said that they were willing to do this - I even set up a Ning site to facilitate it but Richard Gardiner never responded to the invite and still gives me the impression that he sees BALI members as being a 'class' above the rest of us - I would even go as far as to say that I think there is a class divide in our industry.

This is what Adam Frost said after the Open Letter (and I spent over an hour talking to him on the phone - as well as Jason too)

"Philip
As promised here goes! It was good to chat this morning and alot of what you say makes sense, how we get there I am not sure at the moment, but hopefully we will. I will be in touch after my break.
Kind regards
Adam Frost."

http://www.landscapejuice.com/2009/07/apl-bali-landscaping-partners...

Even Chris Young - former editor of the Society of Garden Designers' Journal - agreed with what I said in the letter.

The only real 'big' change I would like to see is the said associations continued reference to 'representing ALL of the industry'.
PRO

Gary RK March 3, 2010 at 9:47pm

I think that until BALI or APL become "open" organisations then such comments are valid, until then I think people say it as they see it....

There have been approaches to BALI and APL from LJN and individual companies to work together.

I do not see much movement to "common ground" from these guys - do you ?

Perhaps those people have a different agenda or are defensive of an outdated organisation ?

Perhaps we are hitting a "raw nerve" with them...
Kirsty Blair March 3, 2010 at 10:29pm

Just going to say that - everyone is sharing their experiences good and bad. Its not a site for just good opinions - or do we live somewhere in asia that will remain nameless??

Pro Gard said:
LJN is an OPEN site with free speech.

If someone disagrees with what they read then the way forward is to join the site and contribute with their opinion.

TBH what I have seen has been IMO constructive criticism.