Forum

Changing perspectives

I came across this link on the UKBF,http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_life_lessons_from_an_ad_man.htmlmaybe we can apply some lateral thinking to our own lives

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Business Branding

Belonging to a business and marketing newsletter/group, I regularly get tips etc and received this today... It's 5 simple tips to help brand your business. All the tips are reasonably small and acheivable and thought I'd post them for all those who a

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Child benefit cut

Child benefit is being cut in 2013 for high earners of £44.000 For members with families large or small like myself, how much of an impact would this have on your business decisions. 

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Employing extra staff in current 'climate'

At the moment there are number of LJN members (me included) are busy looking for addtional staff. There are also a number of LJN members that state they are busy, with some operating a waiting list of jobs/clients. Neither situation has happened by c

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The positive approach...

After a period of negativity, its good to see really positive threads appearing. Everyone is looking to see how the current and future situations will effect them and their businesses. It's clear it will have an effect, but how much really depends on

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Hidden Costs of Business Travel

I was doing a little digging around looking for some info on LJN & LJ and came across this article from a couple of years ago from Phil: http://www.landscapejuice.com/2007/02/the_hidden_cost.html It links in with the Hourly Rate Thread, but it strike

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Charging for planting schemes

How do you charge for planting schemes? I've tried using both hourly rate and fixed fee plus commission on plants. Either way I usually spend too long doing them and don't charge enough for my time.I'm wondering if anyone uses the carpet fitters pric

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Yahoo

Hi Folks,I had a call today from a guy at Yahoo, says Microsoft have bought them and now their offering a local business directory.If I sign up today, I'll be the only featured listing on the local search at Yahoo, for the bargain price of £229 for 6

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US landscaping businesses suffering from drought

As businesses, landscapers and gardeners face so many external challenges...not least the weather. This article Journal - No Splendor in the Grass; Landscaping Companies Wither in Severe Summer Weather - gives an insight into how record weather has i

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Starting up next year.

Hi everyone. I found this site a week or so ago and it has been fantastic trawling through the forums etc for info.I am leaving the RAF after 26 years next year. In 2003 I completed a C&G Garden design course, this last year I have been studying RHS

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Moving on Up

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about how to move my own activities forward better customers, better work even new services to offer .Is there any particular ideas that the rest of you have implemented with real success, you know "Well I d

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For those thinking of starting their own business

I came accross this site whilst looking for something else it may be of use to members starting out, thinking of starting out or those with young businesses.Startup boot camp

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New jobs this month

well its all going well , which is why i haven't been involved on here recently.( i gave up my p/t recession/winter 2day a week job ) since then work has included:a new regular in london (next door to an existing)few jobs extra for regulars still com

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Face To Face Networking

We are all networking here on LJN and most of us have built a good relationship with like-minded professionals. We are happy to refer each other if projects are too far away from our area and will source materials/statuary from members who specialise

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Staged accidents near the M25

A few weeks ago I was involved in a road accident on the A414 where I ran into the back of another vehicle that had stopped sudenly after alledgedly being cut up by another car. At the time the whole incident seemed very dodgy, after a few days the p

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Marketing - The Concept Loft

Ive noticed that there are quite a few threads on marketing at the moment and this is the company i used to have my flyers done. They did everything, full design, print and delivery. Efficient, great customer service and a fast turn around.Give them

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Watching the Marshalls share price - is it a clue that the landscaping market is beginning to rise?

Back on the 5th of March I posted a summary of Marshalls' full year results for 2009. I speculated that things might be looking brighter for the UK's second largest hard landscape material supplier - it turned out to be a prophetic statement as later

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Tips for maximising profit from your customers

I am registered with Businesslink and attend their seminars, along with receiving regular email newsletters. I recently  received the attached:

 

http://online.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?site=210&r.s=sl&r.lc=en&type=ONEOFFPAGE&itemId=500

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People - Process - Profits - how are yours?

Where do landscapers go to improve thier business management skills in your area?  In Canada and in the US we offer a web based product to provide budgeting, estimating, systems, and online training to landscape business owners and thier employees -

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Do video demos really help people understand how your products/services work and therefore boost sales?

Hi Everyone

 

Filmmaker Nik Coleman recently shot a series of videos for Practicality Brown and one such video featured a Platipus Anchors overhead guying system being installed. I just wondered what your opinions were on whether or not using videos is

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