The benefits of being a member of the LJ network

As we all probably appreciate the LJN is a great resource for anyone with an interest in “gardening” and to share ideas. However, one of the more powerful features must be the opportunity to “network” with follow professionals.Back in early April I was doing the "rounds" visiting my clients from our grass cutting operation.They look after about 200 lawns a week ranging from the odd £15M mansion to shall we say locations where you have to leave someone in the van to stop the wheels getting stolen.I always try to visit the clients once or twice a month to check on the quality of the work or roll up my sleeves and do the job myself.This also gives me the opportunity to have a cuppa with the clients and discuss any concerns or how we could help them on other projects / additional services etc. I must admit I drink far too much tea!Once particular client in Lightwater who usually isn’t at home (we only tend to meet up towards Christmas to quote for an annual tidy up) just happened to be in that day and during conversation she mentioned that she was getting her garden re-vamped and have approached two local landscape designers. One paid an initial visit a few weeks previously and hasn’t heard back and the other failed to turn up!I had one or two landscape designers in mind from the LJN that I would be confident that they would do a brilliant job and suggested that I would arrange for someone to contact her.I posted the “job” on the 15th of April and that evening the client emailed me her “ideas” as to what she wanted. See https://landscapejuice.ning.com/group/landscapinggardeninginganddesignleads/forum/topics/landscape-designer-requiredI arranged for Claudia De Yong to contact my client – in fairness to Clive Warwick (from CWLD LTD) he would have done a cracking job but I just knew that the Ugg boot wearing Claudia would be a great match.I emailed Claudia’s web site address (http://www.claudiadeyong.com) to my client and she immediately emailed me back- she was worried that her “requirement” wasn't too grand for such a top flight designer.Towards the end of April, Claudia had visited my client and discussed the initial requirements.As of today, my client is eagerly waiting for the final plan and hopes that the work will commence in mid June. She is busy arranging for a tree surgeon and we are undertaking a full lawn recovery (something we have been trying to encourage for the last five years!)My client is now one of Claudia’s biggest fans and keeps signing her praises. I’m toying with getting tee-shirts made up with a suitable phase! However, my guys have said they would kill me if I recommend and more of my clients to designers as they are worried that half the lawn would disappear, especially after I showed them one of Claudia’s email saying to put the Hayter mowers away and to bring nail scissors from now on. She has such a wicked sense of humour – I hope!Our client base is very much like an extended family and word is spreading fast among them that a “world class designer” has visited one of them. I am sure that it will only be a matter of time before a few more requests come in. Perhaps I should start asking for referral fees and take early retirement :-)But a big thank you to Claudia for taking the time to fully understand my client requirements and of course to Phil for giving us LJN.Fingers crossed that everything will work out to plan and if it generates anymore interest I am sure that the local press will cover the “event”! I must admit it is so satisfying to see someone being really "fired up" about their garden.On a smaller scale - Flower Power (frances and her son) have done a brilliant job tidying up one of our clients garden - Another LJN success.

Wow!! I could use a thousand nouns (if I knew that many – or should these be adjectives?) to describe the transformation.

Claudia has turned a damp, dark, and lifeless garden into a little bit of heaven. The project is nearing completion but boy the change is amazing. Given a little time for the garden to get established it will just get even better.

If you have read http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-g-spot Claudia mentions the build – I just can’t see where she gets the time to undertake projects and all the feature items on LJ that she writes etc.

The client is over the moon and to think that she was originally worried that an RHS Gold and Tudor Rose winner would accept the challenge!! Just goes to show that you don’t have to have a multi million pound house to get one of the best landscape designers.

A big thank you Claudia for looking after my client so well.

Replies

claudia de yong May 14, 2009 at 10:44pm

I am overwhelmed with such praise and when we meet up eventually I will make sure I am wearing my Ugg boots!! As you say it has been invaluable being able to share ideas and help each other and a big thank you to Philip.

If you can't help each other in life and pass on that experience to others then it is surely a waste. And I am sure I can dig something up for you in gratitude! 'Our client's dog ' though may get there first!!
PRO

Craig McGinty May 15, 2009 at 10:28am

That's made my day reading that :-)
PRO

Phil Voice May 15, 2009 at 11:00am

...and me too Craig:-0))
Graeme @ BGS May 15, 2009 at 8:58pm

I don't know if I could handle the ugg boots Claudia!!

Don't forget to factor in "aftercare instructions" for the clients "gardener" Claudia as I am not too sure what expercience he has. He seems to spent most of his time tidying up after the dog!
claudia de yong May 15, 2009 at 10:59pm

Will leave detailed instructions -but normally better not to tumble dry or use bleach! The dog that is not the garden!!
Ofer El-hashahar May 16, 2009 at 5:05pm

Nice to read,

It is great to see, how we everybody benefit in here at some point.
Graeme @ BGS August 17, 2009 at 9:54pm

Wow!! I could use a thousand nouns (if I knew that many – or should these be adjectives?) to describe the transformation.

Claudia has turned a damp, dark, and lifeless garden into a little bit of heaven. The project is nearing completion but boy the change is amazing. Given a little time for the garden to get established it will just get even better.

If you have read http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-g-spot Claudia mentions the build – I just can’t see where she gets the time to undertake projects and all the feature items on LJ that she writes etc.

The client is over the moon and to think that she was originally worried that an RHS Gold and Tudor Rose winner would accept the challenge!! Just goes to show that you don’t have to have a multi million pound house to get one of the best landscape designers.

A big thank you Claudia for looking after my client so well.
claudia de yong August 17, 2009 at 10:34pm

Many thanks Graeme. With such praise people might think I am paying you!! As if!!

Seriously though it has been a challenge. And I like a challenge. The soil was dreadful and the amount of rubble and stuff we dug out, well we could have built a motorway!! I am just happy that 'our client' loves it.

What a team!!
Graeme @ BGS August 18, 2009 at 10:11pm

claudia de yong said:
Many thanks Graeme. With such praise people might think I am paying you!! As if!!

I just want to go on record as saying that honesty no money has passed hands but I did buy Claudia a wonderful birthday cake from Waitrose which she kindly shared and made a nice cup of Earl Grey tea to wash it down.

I will now stop singing Claudia's praises or I will be accused of being the chairman of her "Appreciation Society".