Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
Replies
I agree Gordon, if you go down the company uniform route it pays in many diff ways, not just advertising and who you are in the Mower Shop queue.
I maintained a home for a Facilities Manager of a large office complex in Woking. Started just pressure washing the patio, moving on to full garden maintenance. She asked me to pressure wash the Directors' Car Park at work as they had builders in who had left it messy. I arrived and set to work, halfway through she came out looking worried and asked if I was on my own, I was as it happened that day. It appeared that someone had entered the building, told them they were working with me and asked to use the toilets, they then went through the building stealing purses and valuables. Her instant reply when questioned was it can't have been any of Andy's men as they were not wearing a uniform. I breathed a sigh of relief that day I can tell you.
We have never bothered to be honest and have relied solely on doing a top job, being totally reliable, consistent and honest, which has seen us through many, many years of commercial and private landscaping/maintenance. We don't even have our vehicles sign written.
Have to admit tho that in today's world more and more are impressed by image and if that's a way though the door, then that's the way to go. I do worry at times tho, that some contractors seem to put image first.
Good at what they do
Turn up when they are supposed to
Present a professional image and dressed accordingly
And be easily identifiable when on site
I have always used hiviz waistcoats and have supplied overalls to staff in the past but recently decided all staff will wear uniform clothing and M.I.B.Services branded hiviz.
I also took the decision that if any member of staff turns up for work and not in company issued clothing they will be sent home that day.
All my staff agree with this and they themselves have said they feel more professional in uniform clothing. I also had new van liveried up properly. I used to just use magnetics or not bother but i intend to have all 4 vehicles done in the next couple of months.
Your employees can also get a tax rebate for having to wear a uniform :)
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-tools.htm
In the commercial world a resounding YES for all the reasons above and more.
For Residential work, its a choice and depends on your marketplace, but we maintain a few high end properties and gated communities where we would be shown the door if not in uniform and identifiable to everyone.
I find it makes the guys work more professionally and productive - because they can be identified and they grow to feel proud of the work they do.
Personally, I could not go around in ripped, manky jeans and tatty T/Polo shirts, especially if it had some 'brand' or undesirable comment/logo on it, but that is just my personal standards coming into play.
There's a time and place for everything...
Not sure that's true....
The Employer can and should claim tax relief and in certain situations as Sole Prop can claim back, but an Employee can not claim any tax rebate for clothing and/or tools PROVIDED for their use BY their Employer.
Different if Employee BUYS it themselves for use in an employed position, then he can claim back at year end.
An employee can in certain situation claim tax relief for cleaning or maintenance of Employer provided clothing/tools.
Robbie Lynn said:
I have two sets of t-shirts, one set with the company name on the back, and one set with the flower and name on the front and phone/email/web on the back.
I also have white polo shirts with the company name embroided on the breast, which I happen to be wearing now, these I wear when going to do quotes etc.
I wear work trousers never jeans on jobs,
on days where it's going to be hot and I'm not at a job where branded workwear really matters i'll go for the vest top.
I'm still waiting for my van to get it's sign writing, my neighbour does it for a living and he has the design etc but has been so busy he's kind of put my project on the back burner. I'll have to give him some motivation, I don't like being in a plain white transit!
I do occasionally go with the vest on
if you want your business to look professional, then everythink you do, wear, send out, say should be professional even down to when a customer rings your office when your out and leaves a message on the answer machine, the anwers machine shouldnt say, welcome to bt answer machine this person is out please leave a message, it should be " welcome to professional lawn services ltd, providing professional lawn maintenance, with quality in mind, were are sorry there is no one in our office at the moment, please leave you name, address and your quirie and well get back to you shortly, thank you. Simply doing that sounds more professional and leaves the customer happy that you will get back to them and hopefully stops you loosing them if theres a problem.
Hi all,
Can anyone recommend a good place to get work wear logoed up in the south west, or a good online service?
Many thanks.
Ben
Agust Jonsson @NORDIC Landscapes said: hi i use a firm in shropshire mostly rugby brands ie kooga end of line items he does all the branding top man good prices mike townsend 07739582185 tell him cookie gave the number we have all ours invoiced as ppe so full tax allowed
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next