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.
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The recent malicious software outbreak and the lack of updates to unsuspecting visitors is one case where they [BALI] reacted poorly to an important matter.
Landscapers do not need secret societies but support and information.
A deisgner with CAD experience could design a new one for them,and charge them accordingly!!!
I have spoken to a couple of APL committee members over the last few months and I agree with what they say about the purpose of the APL.
This includes raising the profile and professionalism of the industry, introducing training schemes, giving the industry a trade mark so clients know they will get a high standard job and weeding out (excuse the pun)the bodgers among other things.
I am surprised you say they still communicate via post as they do promote networking as a key advantage of being a member. I have communicated with them by email. Surely though they realise sites such as this one is the way of the future.
I would be interested to hear how APL members have benefited, especially if they have gained more initial contacts through membership and if clients have preferred to take on APL members compared with none members.
sometimes it is better to be listed on an"approved contractors"list from your local council,word of mouth from your own clients,almost all information you may need can be sourced online.free.
training available from IOG, RHS, colleges,trade mags,nptc etc.......save your £500 for christmas presents............cheque payable to steve loftus :-)
Working for a BALI registered firm I may be a little biased but i'll try to stay impartial.
One of the often quoted comments is 'I know i'm good, so do my clients. So why should I have to pay someone to tell me i'm good'
If you are good and you keep working then good luck and carry on. However this could be a shortsighted or even selfish view.
Hopefully you are proud of your work and the industry you are in and would like to promote a good view of the industry. However there ar many people who you would not want to represent the industry, and increasingly in times of hardship every Tom, Dick and builder becomes a landscaper or gardener.
by being a member of any professional organisation which has a vetting procedure, BALI, APL, SGD, LI etc. You help weed out the less professional and promote a better industry.
The matter of the organisations being outdated is a personal opinion, however if you don't become a member you can't hope to change it. Ideally what is needed is greater communication between all the organisations to promote a united industry.
Your views are very welcome on this important subject.
The mere fact that we are able to discuss the subject in a public place is important. BALI or APL discussions by its members, remain behind the 'out of bounds' part of their respective sites, making it difficult for potential customers and members to an informed decision.
"however if you don't become a member you can't hope to change it." - I am going to disagree here. There is too much power given to a select few, to bring about any change to the wider landscape industries.
Please read my report of the BALI sponsored Worldskills landscaping final at the Saltex show.
The speed of the landscape build competition coupled with the very raw exposure for the young lads taking part meant that quality was not achievable and I feel that the landscape industry let them down.
However, every official outlet from horticulture media through to the other agencies involved put a positive spin on the event.
Sometimes, being on the outside can be advantageous in my view.
Regards
Phil
Thanks for your comments.
Perhaps my comment 'if you don't become a member you can't hope to change it' was a bit throwaway but what I mean is it's very easy to critisize from the outside but not actually do anything positive to change it. (Who hasn't moaned about the government).
By joining a forum like this is a start but to take the next step (such as running a site like this or joining an organisation and putting your point forward) takes comitment and dedication.
Too many people will happily critisize but not be willing to go the next step.
When people make the next step then things will start to change.
I know that you are right and maybe my aspirations for a third association are too adventurous.
The irony of all this is that the APL was started a breakaway person (group) who was unhappy with BALI.
I thought at the time that this gave everyone else a chance to join and I hoped at the time that the APL were a revolutionary non institutionalised fresh organisation.
Sadly, and I am not alone in thinking this. they lost their way very early on and seem more content with promoting the existing members rather than being open and forward thinking to attract new blood.
I would give my full support to the APL and BALI if they were a little more upfront about their ambitions and intentions - there are many aspects of membership that do not need to be a secret.
If was sent under the banner of The Landscape Juice Network, they might take a little more notice.
At least that way they have an oppertunity to reply.
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