business - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-28T08:38:21Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/businessUnlock the secrets to starting ANY successful business in 2023https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/unlock-the-secrets-to-starting-any-successful-business-in-20232023-01-20T18:08:17.000Z2023-01-20T18:08:17.000ZRobbiehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Robbie<div><p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3MmilTnx-Tg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p></div>Pocket money job sowed the seeds of success for award-winning young entrepreneurhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/pocket-money-job-sowed-the-seeds-of-success-for-award-winning-you2022-04-15T06:58:07.000Z2022-04-15T06:58:07.000ZJack Chapmanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JackChapman<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10390647286?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><strong>The grass definitely is always greener for a Kingsbury entrepreneur who has turned his pocket money hobby into a successful award-winning business.</strong></p><p>The seeds were sown for <a href="http://www.kingsburylawncare.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kingsbury Lawn Care</a> when 28-year-old Jack Chapman was just fifteen years old and mowing lawns in the North Warwickshire village. Now he employs three members of staff, specialising in lawn treatments and renovations at almost 900 homes across much of the West Midlands.</p><p>Kingsbury Lawn Care's success has just been rewarded with a top accolade at the West Midlands Federation of Small Businesses Awards.</p><p>Competition was tough for the Micro Business of the Year title, which celebrates small enterprises with fewer than 10 employees who are 'punching above their weight'.</p><p>Judges were looking for businesses which have demonstrated strong revenue growth and a product or service that stands out for its high quality.</p><p>As winners of the regional final, <a href="http://www.kingsburylawncare.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kingsbury Lawn Care</a> will be heading to Glasgow for the UK finals in May.</p><p>This latest gong builds on a previous history of award success for Kingsbury Lawn Care, which won Trades Business of the Year in both the 2018 and 2019 Tamworth Business and Community Awards, and became a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday winner in 2020.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.kingsburylawncare.co.uk" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10390649878,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10390649878?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p><strong>"Remarkable that our team of four have propelled us to this"</strong></p><p>Delighted, Jack said: "We're over the moon with this result. With five impressive finalists in the Micro Business category, including businesses double our size, we did not expect to be getting called up to the stage to accept the first award of the afternoon at the FSB Awards held at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club.</p><p>"Being recognised at the Tamworth Business and Community Awards pre-pandemic was brilliant for our business. To now be taking this beyond just trades businesses and from a local to a regional, and now a national level, has been a lot to take in over the last two days. It is remarkable that our team of four have propelled us to this. We are incredibly excited for what the next few weeks and months have in store for us."</p><p><strong>Sowing the seeds for success</strong></p><p>While Jack confesses that he loves what he does so much it doesn't feel like a chore, there's definitely a lot of hard work paying off.</p><p>It all began with Jack mowing his lawn at home using a push lawnmower for a bit of pocket money. He enjoyed being outdoors and posted flyers around the village of Kingsbury to expand his operations. He soon had 20 customers, before he was even able to drive. He then went to Loughborough University to study Sport Management with a placement year in the middle.</p><p>A little frustrated at the time-consuming nature of applying for placement roles, Jack instead presented a 13-page business plan he already had on his laptop to start his own venture - and Kingsbury Lawn Care was born.</p><p>Twenty customers became 60, the degree was deferred for a year, and Jack studied for a Diploma in Turf Surface Management with the Grounds Maintenance Association so he could refocus the business on becoming lawn care specialists.</p><p>When it was time to return to university, Jack took on his first employees so he could keep building the business while studying. Since then, the business has continued to grow rapidly.</p><p>Jack said: "Last year started with the business running as a two-van operation, with part-time office help from my mum, Lisa, and finished with us running three vans as a team of four. We will need to recruit an additional lawn technician and a further vehicle within the next 12 months."</p><p>As well as growing and developing his own business, Jack also supports the wider lawn care industry. In 2015, he joined the <a href="https://www.uklawncare.net/" target="_blank">UK Lawn Care Association</a> which gave him his first insight into the professional lawn treatment market. In 2019, he became the association's youngest elected committee member.</p><p><strong>Going for growth</strong></p><p>Jack said: "The business has more than doubled in size over the past two years and we anticipate serving the needs of over 1000 domestic properties in the near future. Looking after your lawn isn't as expensive as people might think. It can be as little as £125 per year for the smallest lawns.</p><p>"Simply, I love what I do. The variety that being a small business owner brings is an enjoyable challenge that I thrive on. I feel lucky that I relish Monday mornings."</p><p>While admitting it took a lot of confidence taking on employees in his early to mid-20s, Jack is incredibly <a href="https://kingsburylawncare.co.uk/our-team" target="_blank">proud of the team</a> he is building.</p><p>"It's not just about me anymore, I have three team members to look out for too. It's all well and good as a sole trader creating a living for yourself."</p><p>"However, it becomes really special when others are believing in your vision, and you manage to attract and retain, and train talented people. We're building our own little business family. The volume of 5-star reviews that we have achieved over the last two years in particular is no accident. It has to be a collective effort and I'm incredibly grateful to each individual team member and the magic touches they bring," Jack added.</p><p><a href="https://kingsburylawncare.co.uk/lawn-care-treatment-programme" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10390656285,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10390656285?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p></div>Covid-19 PSAhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/covid-19-psa2020-03-18T20:05:35.000Z2020-03-18T20:05:35.000ZFleur Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FleurVoice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4148773728?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>We are just tuning in for a quick second to voice a few points that we believe are important to reiterate during these very uncertain and lonely times.</p>
<p>I’m sure you have all seen the news - our aim isn’t to repeat things that you probably would’ve heard incessantly over the last few weeks.</p>
<p>However, we do want to remind you that Landscape Juice Network is first and foremost a place of gathering. Please use this platform to talk to one another and to ask questions, because someone will probably have the answer. It doesn’t have to only be about mental health issues or concerns – but also about sharing ideas for coping during these times where work is scarce, or even something completely unrelated to the current issues surrounding coronavirus!</p>
<p>Nevertheless, as the country is slowly (some may argue very quickly!) shutting down, there will be a surge in depression, suicide rates and domestic abuse. Please know that even though we are physically isolated from one another – we don’t have to be emotionally isolated. All of us here at LJN are always available to give any support, whether it is listening to concerns and worries or just to have a chat.</p>
<p>We will also be putting out more blog posts, too, so that there is something to engage with and to occupy in some way or another. </p>
<p>But ultimately – take care – and keep in touch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>All the best from us at LJN.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p></div>The Impact of Burglary on the Individualhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-impact-of-burglary-on-the-individual2019-11-20T16:14:05.000Z2019-11-20T16:14:05.000ZFleur Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FleurVoice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3726944715?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Studies report that burglary is one of the most emotionally impactful crimes to be a victim of. The prevention of being succumbed to it is always at the back of our minds – is anything on show? Are all the windows closed? Did you definitely lock the door before you left? However, burglary sometimes just cannot be prevented, and in its lingering gloom, it leaves you feeling vulnerable and unsafe. The most obvious impact would be the financial impact that the theft of tools and material items have on the business, not only because the tools need to be replaced, but also the damage caused to sheds, vans, and outbuildings causes even more expense in addition to the cost of the tools taken.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Progression on jobs is also hindered through the lack/absence of tools to actually complete projects – it financially hits businesses and workers from different aspects – not only by having to replace the tools and to repair the damage, but also by not being able to carry on with a job, which is costing time, and consequently, money.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, my main focus in this article is the psychological impact that burglary has on the victim. This is obviously linked to the inability to finish jobs and projects due to lack of equipment – causing stress. But I wanted to really think about the emotional turmoil burglary can cause.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There are different points of view that can be taken after being the target of a burglary, especially as a business owner. The first would be the feeling of being violated. We often see the places that belong to us or in which we spend the most of our time as little bubbles. Be it our homes, tucked away from the stress of the working day and the natural elements, warm and cosy, as well as safe, but also the office, where people come and go on a daily basis, or vans that are driven by different employees, places that are <em>yours</em>. However, when the realisation strikes that a window or possibly a door is open when it shouldn’t be or that something is missing, it takes a while for the panic to sink in. You look around to see if there may be an explanation to why the tool isn’t in the right place, or how that door may have not been shut properly. But the drop in your stomach that follows when you realise that it wasn’t a mistake, but someone has been inside your familiar space, this bubble is popped. The instinct to protect what you have built for yourself kicks in. The thought of an intruder, a stranger, gaining entry to the vehicles you drive on a daily basis, walking around the office where your employees occupy during the day, or even in your home – creates a very strong sense of violation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Consequently, though, your mind starts to wonder – have I seen anyone suspicious around lately? Isn’t it a known fact that the majority of burglaries are conducted by people who you know? A disillusionment with humanity starts to creep into your thoughts. You may have been a trustworthy person, a boss who gives their workers the benefit of the doubt, but now you’re kicking yourself for not thinking about the repercussions this could have. After all, everyone is in it for themselves these days. This paranoia progressively develops – who could it have been? Do I really know them? Will they come back now they know the layout of the shed/office/van? Is that noise I can hear the noise of someone trying to break in again? Maybe I should get out of bed to investigate. Or maybe we should sleep with the lights on just in case. This anxiety takes its toll – the individual becomes weary of the people who surround them, they are in constant fear that it might happen again, always prepared to confront the criminal. These kinds of subconscious emotions take over and can sometimes lead to the need to take medications to help sleep in some cases. In a lot of instances, studies have shown that the emotional impact of the burglary tends to be more important than the financial loss itself, that the intrusion is more disturbing than the damage caused to outbuildings, vehicles or living spaces.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It’s cliché to say, but you never expect it until it happens to you. A quick slip, an easy mistake can cause more damage than you would think. And sometimes, those mistakes happen, it shouldn’t be a case of beating yourself up about it because you forgot to lock a door or didn’t have double glazing. Insurance, tagging, and extra security such as a CCTV camera from Amazon or even just an action-activated flood light could make a long-term difference. Protect yourself first and be aware. It’s always worth it.</p>
<p> </p></div>The Landscapers Circle – Supersizing Your Business!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-landscapers-circle-supersizing-your-business2016-09-26T13:30:00.000Z2016-09-26T13:30:00.000ZMike Warmanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AuraLandscapes<div><p>Mike and Paula Warman are proud to announce the upcoming launch of <b>The Landscapers Circle.</b></p><p></p><p>This business is a service dedicated to <b>bringing in more customers and more money for landscapers</b> across the UK.</p><p>With targeted marketing campaigns, The Landscapers Circle grows your business and your revenue. Similar marketing strategies have been used on Aura Landscapes, taking it from a <b>£70k yearly revenue to £500k.</b></p><p></p><p>You can choose which package you’d like, and experience a quality done for you service. This service is also <b>only for landscapers,</b> so you can be sure that you’ll be marketed in a way that will successfully grow your business.</p><p></p><p>However, there is a catch.</p><p></p><p>To ensure you get the most out of this service, The Landscapers Circle is only offering this unique opportunity to <b>one landscaper per postcode area.</b></p><p>Some areas have already gone, so you need to check if yours is still open today.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.thelandscaperscircle.co.uk/exclusive-access" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I Want To See If My Area Is Still Available!</a></p></div>LinkedIn to launch new product to connect co-workershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/linkedin-to-launch-new-product-to-connect-co-workers2015-01-15T09:20:24.000Z2015-01-15T09:20:24.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314720102?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314720102?profile=original" width="118" class="align-right" /></a>LinkedIn is launching a new product that will help connect colleagues within an existing organisation.</p>
<p>New tools, which includes a new app, will create a shared user experience.</p>
<p>That includes a new product for sharing employee contact information, as well as something intended to help companies share its content with specific groups of employees, <span>reports <a href="http://recode.net/2015/01/13/upcoming-linkedin-products-connect-coworkers/" target="_blank">Re/code.</a></span></p>
<p>"The first product, which LinkedIn will begin to pilot in the coming weeks, will enable users to send InMail (LinkedIn’s private email-like messages) to co-workers even if they are not connected. It will also encourage users to upload their contact information — email, phone numbers, etc. — to a company database that will be visible to co-workers on the service."</p>
</div>Award Winning Family Business Owners Join Elite Club of Theo Paphitis #SBS Winnershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/award-winning-family-business-owners-join-elite-club-of-theo2014-06-23T20:37:29.000Z2014-06-23T20:37:29.000ZAyegardening Ltd - Aye and Susanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AyegardeningLtdAyeandSusan<div><p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">London, UK, 16th June – Aye and Susan Naing, Founders and owners of Ayegardening receive a coveted retweet from Dragon’s Den entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis. Ayegardening is a family run company who provide garden and landscaping services in Surrey and West Sussex. Aye and Susan now join the ranks of the exclusive club of Small Business Sunday (#SBS) winners.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314224869?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314224869?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="442" class="align-center" height="331"/></a></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Aye and Susan with their three children.</p><p></p><p>Small Business Sunday, shortened to the hashtag #SBS on Twitter, was created by Theo Paphitis in 2010. A passionate supporter of UK small businesses, Theo chose the social media platform to offer support and publicity to determined business owners. Each Sunday between 5-7:30pm, businesses can tweet Theo, explaining in no more than 140 characters why they would make worthy winners. Theo then chooses just 6 from over 700 to retweet and join the growing #SBS family.<img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314222349?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="326" height="230" class="align-center"/>“We started entering the #SBS competition back in 2011.” Explains Susan. “We think Theo is an inspirational business owner and love the advice and tips that he gives out to small business owners.”<br/>…and their winning tweet - ‘#SBS - For 5 years we have helped fathers relax in the garden with their family.’ Featured alongside an idyllic image of a stunningly beautiful garden – a fabulous example of their work.</p><p>Receiving the accolade on Father’s Day seems particularly apt for Aye and his wife Susan who run Ayegardening alongside raising their three young children. Founded by Aye in 2009, the company was built on a passion for working outside, a deep knowledge of farming and planting in Asia and an incredibly hard-working ethic. Susan quickly joined the team, and now this family run business prides itself on providing first-class, professional gardening and landscaping services.</p><p>Initially just serving Dorking, the business has expanded rapidly and now serves a wide area across West Sussex and parts of Surrey.</p><p>As the business grows so do the accolades. Last year and again this year, Ayegardening was named as a finalist in the Best Small Business Category at the Red Ribbon Awards, which recognise Britain’s thriving family business sector. Whilst in January this year Ayegardening was awarded the coveted Buy with Confidence accreditation from the West Sussex Trading Standards Department – an award not given out lightly as a number of rigorous tests must be passed.</p><p>For these hard working entrepreneurs the icing on the cake is joining the prestigious #SBS club; “We wanted to raise our profile further as we look to expand,” says Susan, “we are so pleased to be part of the #SBS family as there is such a wealth of knowledge and support amongst the members. We plan to make some valued contacts which will enable us to grow our business even further!”</p><p>Note to editors:</p><p>About Ayegardening</p><p>Ayegardening is a professional, friendly and ethical family landscape gardening business serving Crawley, Horsham and Dorking areas, also spanning across some of Surrey and West Sussex. They are committed to providing quality landscape gardening services that meet with complete customer satisfaction. Their gardening and landscaping services are delivered with the greatest skills and expertise – from management level right through to all operatives who work alongside them. From quote to completion, Ayegardening ensure that their customers are kept well-informed at every step, proving that they are a company built on trust, quality and care at all times. For more information email office@ayegardening.co.uk or call 01293 516874.</p></div>Running a seasonal small business from homehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/seasonal-cashflow2014-02-20T12:20:47.000Z2014-02-20T12:20:47.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>How do you keep your cashflow in check and bank account in the black when your business is dependent on the time of year?</p>
<p>Timely post from the Gaurdian Small Business Network</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/feb/20/running-seasonal-small-business-home">http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/feb/20/running-seasonal-small-business-home</a></p>
</div>Government Growth Vouchers programmehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/government-growth-vouchers-programme2014-01-27T14:00:00.000Z2014-01-27T14:00:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314685354?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><div class="get-started-intro">
<p><span class="font-size-2">This government programme helps small businesses get expert advice on:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="font-size-2">finance and cash flow</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2">recruiting and developing staff</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2">improving leadership and management skills</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2">marketing, attracting and keeping customers</span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2">making the most of digital technology</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="font-size-2">Some businesses will be randomly chosen to get a voucher for up to £2,000 to help finance specialist business support. You’ll have to match the amount with your own funds.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2">You’ll be asked to take part in surveys to find out how the programme has helped you.</span></p>
</div>
<p class="visuallyhidden"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-growth-vouchers?utm_content=buffer2dfad&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#what-you-need-to-know">What you need to know</a></span></p>
<p id="get-started" class="get-started group"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="https://smallbusinessgrowthvouchers.service.gov.uk/eligibility-check" rel="external" class="button">Start now</a></span></p>
</div>Report: How design is changing the way businesses operatehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/report-how-design-is-changing-the-way-businesses-operate2013-11-14T13:03:55.000Z2013-11-14T13:03:55.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>Companies like BMW, Alessi and Apple use design to differentiate their products, but design is not just for luxury goods and elite products.</p>
<p>There is considerable evidence for it acting as a mechanism for business growth and innovation. But how do companies utilise design to innovate and boost their business performance?</p>
<p>In his report, <a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfQHrF9yh-2BrRUy6HqmQeTSF0zJgUjriricMZXlrMU0WIRrL0fXnMU-2BE-2FUeAOHfL9hOOdttFOKHAUo8DzFeGYhGcLFu-2BiCLfaZLckvTHNTG1FFlEdforY5EskAUqLbNpTrf7CnUu9fRFzgDgrGlJwvTKo-3D_EOpstEwxYPZNS7zFupvnSHKq2otlD5AsqXHC79v5Y3P59ip12kxA8Qg85QxwhzP23e4wLh8WQb9HMGLMeCSyfbIBFNOVyaVZB7aaIFbistZeaDx2S3TxkKRnfanJVtgAwONnFrCDwXBHoOcf1iymiakE-2BM-2F7DuehHq3MAvm0kDUGL2-2B5MF2vmBXfnc9G4cacsdp182-2BAuahj1lBpM1LLPOMPXx4EfTM16z3KpXKKtF0oTQ6ghuWNYV1uPF-2Bh7eDNhie-2F5TZUflPi15YnhdjkXsWpml-2FC5nYKDdChFXJ1KaIztCFE-2B5xTaUCSCrlzSv-2BjpPcf39a6XSiLI-2FlztxgTCg-3D-3D" target="_blank">Leading Business by Design</a>, which will form the basis of the <a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfQHrF9yh-2BrRUy6HqmQeTSF3sEWXsc3-2BWWzI1385BGCceZXk3IVkWWEe6QNWdgyhTozR-2FSeN6U7uSwtxYZEDf3muR7TnIoMHgx5wzUROPwSXO_EOpstEwxYPZNS7zFupvnSHKq2otlD5AsqXHC79v5Y3P59ip12kxA8Qg85QxwhzP23e4wLh8WQb9HMGLMeCSyfbIBFNOVyaVZB7aaIFbistZeaDx2S3TxkKRnfanJVtgAwONnFrCDwXBHoOcf1iymiakE-2BM-2F7DuehHq3MAvm0kDW1BROzHAxrU7nL-2BRYGglUbnU3hy2qyO7KkToaroesbLkNtrWTRerAlypCW-2B4F6njFzFtLk5vmeZ9wsapqEEP5Yav0TRXRiUsx-2FlQ9Fw54ht5dizZtgnjvQsA-2BZTRIMc2le-2FvkPa-2FFSI-2BrFK56FMnMz2MhKk1aPmnuNjRe8AEsqvg-3D-3D" target="_blank">Design Council Summit</a> at the <a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfa9eQ6jljlYlrdm0ORYk4JEg6SiAE0-2B8VFpvMvmh-2BegX_EOpstEwxYPZNS7zFupvnSHKq2otlD5AsqXHC79v5Y3P59ip12kxA8Qg85QxwhzP23e4wLh8WQb9HMGLMeCSyfbIBFNOVyaVZB7aaIFbistZeaDx2S3TxkKRnfanJVtgAwONnFrCDwXBHoOcf1iymiakE-2BM-2F7DuehHq3MAvm0kDUpPmzC9KYIX1E1S2RQY0wN1AVzVGtrFsKwS2goEOk60sO2aZlt94d0Fx012ByBFXPtECiy-2Fzc6CWGL7VQX0gTxQWLBTv9qGx-2FskqracaNkNN4gatveJjRNtdPoj7BBIggmvntnRz3gY4MZZsXtti0OOEKSAEhoSFq1XwDLabnHUQ-3D-3D" target="_blank">British Museum</a> on February 12, Pietro Micheli, Associate Professor of Organizational Performance at Warwick Business School, has identified key practices through which organisations in various industries are using design to attain maximum impact, and has made eight recommendations for companies looking to gain a competitive advantage through design.</p>
<p>Dr Micheli conducted 48 interviews with top management at 12 private companies ranging from Barclays, Diageo, Jaguar Land Rover, O2 and Virgin Atlantic to small firms like DCS Europe, Gripple and Trunki.</p>
<p>The report says business leaders cited sales growth, increases in market share, enhanced customer satisfaction, greater process efficiency and employee productivity as a result of investment in design. Also, design was used to open up uncontested markets, strengthening brands and differentiating products and services to attract new customers.</p>
<p>To reap the full benefit of design, though, Dr Micheli found a company needs to have it fully embedded in its organisation.</p>
<p>“Our analysis reveals that the impact of design is lowest when design is seen as a service – an organisational function that has a well-defined and limited scope. It is higher when designers are involved throughout the process of new product or service development from beginning to end,” said Dr Micheli.</p>
<p>“The impact of design is greatest when design and designers challenge existing assumptions and meanings of products, services, categories etc.  </p>
<p>“How does design become embedded in an organisation, part of its DNA? For all companies and particularly for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), the initial answer is clear: the CEO and top management have to support and believe in it.</p>
<p>“We also found that design can benefit manufacturing and service-based organisations, small, medium or large. Plus, design’s benefit is greatest when it is intimately related to solving problems, especially customers’ problems.”</p>
<p>From his research Dr Micheli put together eight recommendations for companies looking to maximise the impact of design:</p>
<p>1.      Don’t limit the context in which design can operate</p>
<p>2.      Use design to differentiate</p>
<p>3.      Integrate design and branding</p>
<p>4.      Introduce a design process</p>
<p>5.      Trust and support your design talent</p>
<p>6.      Embed design in your organisational culture</p>
<p>7.      Design your work environment</p>
<p>8.      Don’t let the designer’s role be a straitjacket</p>
<p>Dr Micheli will present his report at the Design Council Summit in February alongside speakers David Willets, Minister for Universities and Science, Rob Brown, Head of Design at Barclays, Graham Hopkins, Executive VP Engineering & Technology, Rolls Royce, Molly Crockett, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging and many more.</p>
</div>Economic recovery hopes boosted by drop in failing firmshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/economic-recovery-failing-firms2013-07-17T07:44:13.000Z2013-07-17T07:44:13.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>40% fall in companies in financial distress raises in second quarter, according to restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor.</p>
<p>The number of companies in financial distress dropped sharply in the second quarter, in the latest sign of improvement in the wider economy.</p>
<p>Businesses in a "critical" condition fell 39% to 3,001 between April and June compared with the same period a year earlier, according to a report by restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor.</p>
<p>Julie Palmer, a partner at Begbies, said it was the "first real sign that the UK economy has turned a corner towards a sustained recovery".</p>
<p>She warned however the worst may yet be to come for so-called zombie businesses, which are smaller companies that have survived the recession but are chronically underfunded and do not have sufficient cash to take advantage of a recovery.</p>
<p>"We have real fears that many small and medium-sized enterprises will have serious financial difficulties at the time they least expect - during a recovery.</p>
<p>"Our experience has shown time and time again that many SMEs run out of cash during the recovery phase, as there is a real temptation to overtrade," Palmer said.</p>
<p>The Begbies red flag report, which monitors early signs of financial distress among companies, said that businesses in critical distress also fell 9% in the second quarter compared with the first.</p>
<p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jul/15/economic-recovery-fall-in-failing-firms?CMP=EMCJOBTXT502I2&CMP=&CMP=&CMP=&et_cid=41960&et_rid=5759877&Linkid=recovery" target="_blank">Economic recovery hopes boosted by drop in failing firms</a></p>
</div>New research suggests bank charges are hurting SMEshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/new-research-suggests-bank-charges-are-hurting-smes2013-06-18T09:10:13.000Z2013-06-18T09:10:13.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314104260?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314104260?profile=original" width="135" /></a>High bank charges are hurting small businesses already struggling with cash flow issues, new research carried out by the <a href="http://www.fpb.org/" target="_blank">Forum of Private Business</a> suggests.</p>
<p>The study, carried out among the not-for-profit group's membership, also saw an increase in firms reporting banks asking for harmful levels of collateral in return for finance.</p>
<p>The main financial concern for SMEs however, remains the rising cost of doing business, which was cited by 42% of respondents taking part in the Forum's cash flow and finance study. This was, however, significantly lower compared to last year's results which saw the figure at 54%.</p>
<p>But concerns around cash flow and late payment are on the up, from 33% last year to 38%. Concern around access to finance also increased, from 17% to 23% this year, and the actual cost of finance, from 6% to 8%. Lack of choice for finance at 19% was down marginally from 20%.</p>
<p>"As a financial concern the rising cost of doing business has abated slightly, which perhaps ties in with inflation having fallen recently, but it's clearly still a real and present issue for small firms," said the Forum's chief executive, Phil Orford.</p>
<p>"Overall though these results are more alarming simply by the picture of deterioration they paint with regards to SME finances. There's little doubt that this is being driven by the banks ongoing failure to deliver affordable finance to small firms, and it seems the banks are also now making even greater demands on SMEs to secure loans.</p>
<p>"The data also suggests there is a growing feeling of unease around cash flow and late payment among business owners, and there's certainly an argument that this is also being driven by the banks' lending dip. It stands to reason if finance is difficult to come by, cash flow becomes harder to manage, and the effect of this can be felt right through the supply chain. Our research shows 38% of businesses still reporting late payment as a problem despite the government's recent efforts to address this bad practice."</p>
<p>The Forum data also polled respondents on attitudes to banks in several key areas, with ratings from 1 to 5: one being no issue to five being seriously damaging, with anything over three classed as harmful to their business.</p>
<p>Bank charges scored the highest with an average rating of 3.6 – up from 3.23 on identical Forum research undertaken in 2006. Collateral requirements averaged 3.2, up from 2.88; reduction or calling in of loan/overdraft was up from 3.16 to 3.5. Perhaps not surprisingly the availability of finance saw the biggest leap, going up from 2.43 to 3.3.</p>
<p>"In not one of the indicators did the banks improve – that's pretty poor by anyone's measure," added Orford.</p>
<p>"We know the banks are still shy to lend, and now this research reveals a palpable fear among business owners that their credit could be withdrawn. If a business overdraft is withdrawn or reduced, it's the removal of a safety net which then exposes the business to charges if they run in to unexpected cash flow issues at a later date.</p>
<p>"It's common knowledge that the banks are looking to repair their balance sheets and a cynic might say this is one way of achieving that."</p>
<p>As part of the same research the Forum asked members whether there was a need for better credit control guidance to help SMEs better manage their finances. 39% felt that it was a good idea.</p>
</div>ANP Services Spalding (garden and grounds maintenance services) voted one of the joint regional winners of 2013 Local Business Accelerators campaign!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/anp-services-spalding-wins-local-business-accelerators-campaign2013-02-25T16:00:00.000Z2013-02-25T16:00:00.000ZAdam Pilgrimhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AdamPilgrim<div><p>Several months ago, ANP Services Spalding was entered into the local business accelerators campaign, which is aimed at helping 'up and coming' small local business to succeed by giving them access to free mentoring from a variety of sources and advertising and promotional features in the local media....</p><p>Following several meetings with various judges etc, we are delighted to reveal that we have been selected as one of the three joint regional winners!</p><p>This entitles us to a year of mentoring and support from various different sources including finance/legal advice, journalistic advice from the editor of the local newspaper and much more besides...</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197906?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197906?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>The full story as reported on the 'Spalding Guardian' website can also be viewed here:</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/features/success-not-wasted-on-ambitious-adam-1-4799931">http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/features/success-not-wasted-on-ambitious-adam-1-4799931</a></p></div>Niche communities are a strong business toolhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/niche-communities-are-a-strong-business-tool2013-02-21T09:55:29.000Z2013-02-21T09:55:29.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><p>I work with social media every single day.</p>
<p>Although I've had to make a conscious effort to remove myself from in front of the computer screen due to overload, even my weekends are spattered with a touch of social interactivity in some shape or form.</p>
<p>Even if I leave the house to go into town or partake in some other activity it's very rare I'm without my web enabled mobile (or should that be smartphone?).</p>
<p>Today's web and media savvy people (and that isn't just youngsters) seem to be increasingly at one with their mobile device and probably less so with their desktop machine.</p>
<p>There are some people who feel the blog is, as a medium, dead, like this blogger here.</p>
<p>To a certain extend I agree but there are still opportunities to make blog articles stick if you remain creative and use the right tools.</p>
<p>Continue reading <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/2013/01/niche-communities-are-a-strong-business-tool-.html" target="_blank">Niche communities are a strong business tool</a></p>
</div>Ayegardening in the Crawley news - A tale of hard work, success, love and happiness.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/ayegardening-in-the-crawley-news-a-tale-of-hard-work-success-love2012-07-12T19:30:00.000Z2012-07-12T19:30:00.000ZAyegardening Ltd - Aye and Susanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AyegardeningLtdAyeandSusan<div><p>Following on from our first press release, Crawley news contacted us as they were interested in Aye's 'story' - where he came from, how we met and our success as a gardening business.</p><p>You can read the full story here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/18-years-hard-toil-Aye-s-success-23/story-16515461-detail/story.html" target="_blank">Ayegardening in the Crawley News</a></p><p>Thank you for all the lovely feedback on our <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/ayegardeningcrawley" target="_blank">facebook page</a> too!</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314133345?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314133345?profile=original" height="392" width="392"/></a></p><h3 id="e4"><em>Ayegardening is a friendly, reliable, hard working family gardening business serving Crawley, Horsham, Horley, Redhill, Reigate and Dorking areas.</em></h3><h3><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ayegardening.co.uk" target="_blank">Ayegardening - Website</a></h3><p>office@ayegardening.co.uk</p><p>01293 516874</p></div>Drivewayfix: Sealing the Future of Domestic Driveshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/drivewayfix-sealing-the-future-of-domestic-drives2012-04-20T13:56:25.000Z2012-04-20T13:56:25.000ZDriveway-Fixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DrivewayFix<div><p><em><strong>RJC Building & Paving have recently completed another successful ‘Drivewayfix’ project, giving a new lease of life to a domestic driveway.</strong></em></p><p>Experienced Drivewayfixer, RJC Building & Paving, have left another homeowner reaping the benefits of the Drivewayfix range of driveway restoration products, following the application of Seal & Stop.</p><p></p><p>The homeowners had battled with consistent weed growth and much of the jointing sand had been washed away on their paved driveway.</p><p></p><p>Calling upon their local Drivewayfixer, RJC Building & Paving were soon on hand to restore the drive to its former glory. Dried kiln sand was used to re-point the paving before Seal & Stop was applied.</p><p></p><p>Applied using a watering can, Seal & Stop binds sand particles together sealing the surface of the paving preventing jointing sand from being washed away.</p><p>Seal & Stop prevents future weed growth as it creates a barrier that weeds struggle to break through.</p><p></p><p>The 80sqm project was completed with ease and on time, leaving the homeowners, and their neighbours, impressed with the results.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Want to become a Drivewayfixer?</strong></em></p><p></p><p>Becoming a Drivewayfixer is easy. Get in touch and you will be invited to join the team on a Drivewayfixer training day where you will learn all you need to know about the products, and be set on the path to increasing your skill set. As soon as you sign up you will receive a starter pack including flyers, quote sheets, pens, van stickers and post-it notes to promote your new business venture.</p><p></p><p>As an added benefit, Drivewayfix will forward all online enquiries in your local area straight to you, so you can provide a Drivewayfix quote directly.</p><p>With many contractors on board already, you would be crazy to miss this opportunity for your own skilled business.</p><p></p><p>For further information on the range of products from Drivewayfix, or for more information on becoming an approved contractor, please email <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk">approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk</a>, or call 01827 254469.</p><p></p><p>To contact RJC Building & Paving please email rjcbuilders@msn.com.</p></div>Enhance your skill set with Drivewayfixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/enhance-your-skill-set-with-drivewayfix2012-04-20T13:54:40.000Z2012-04-20T13:54:40.000ZDriveway-Fixhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DrivewayFix<div><p><em><strong>With house prices falling by 5% in 2012 and 5% again in 2013 (Guardian, October 2011) more and more homeowners are deciding to ‘improve’ , protecting their equity, rather than ‘move’ - now is the perfect time to develop your skill set and become a ‘Drivewayfixer’.</strong></em></p><p>Drivewayfix offers a range of innovative products that will repair potholes, cracks and patches and rejuvenate faded Tarmac drives.</p><p></p><p>Despite the range being very easy to use, plenty of homeowners would prefer to have a professional apply the products for them – this is where as a registered Drivewayfixer you could step in.</p><p></p><p>Becoming a Drivewayfixer is easy. Get in touch and you will be invited to join the team on a Drivewayfixer training day, where you will learn all you need to know about the products, and be set on the path to increasing your skill set.</p><p></p><p>Once you have signed up you will receive a starter pack that’s perfect for promoting your new business venture.</p><p>As an added benefit, all online enquiries made at Drivewayfix.co.uk will be forwarded straight to you, so you can provide a Drivewayfix quote directly.</p><p></p><p>With many homeowners across the country needing a Drivewayfixer, you would be crazy to miss this opportunity for your own skilled business.</p><p></p><p>The Drivewayfix range includes Drive Revive®, a water based paint which revives tired and dull Tarmac driveways; Rapid Repair, a fast setting repair for concrete paths and PaveJoint, a ready to use jointing compound for narrow and wide joints.</p><p></p><p>Other products available are:</p><div>• Pothole Repair Kit – a permanent pothole repair material</div><div>• Fix or Grout - bedding or pointing mortar</div><div>• Seal & Stop - prevents weed growth</div><div> </div><div><p>To watch step by step guides on how to apply all of these innovative products, simply visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.drivewayfix.co.uk">www.drivewayfix.co.uk</a>.</p><p></p><p>For further information on the range of Drivewayfix materials or for further details on how to become an approved Drivewayfixer, please email <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk">approvedcontractor@instarmac.co.uk</a>, call 01827 254469 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.drivewayfix.co.uk">www.drivewayfix.co.uk</a>.</p></div></div>Women and Work 2011-12: Supporting Women’s Skills Across the UKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/women-and-work-2011122011-06-27T11:15:47.000Z2011-06-27T11:15:47.000ZLantra Sector Skills Councilhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LantraSectorSkillsCouncil<div><p><b>Five hundred women working in land-based industries across the UK will continue to benefit from Lantra’s Women and Work 2011-12 Funding Project, as it has been extended for a fifth year.</b></p><p> </p><p>Women and Work has already helped 1212 businesses and 3,250 women to increase their skills in industries where women are under-represented. Not only that, for the first time ever, this project is open to women from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and those who have already participated in the project will be able to re-apply for a second wave of funding to develop their skills even further. </p><p> </p><p>Lyndsay Bird, Women and Work Project Manager, said, “Over the past four years I have seen some incredibly hard working women develop their skills, greatly progressing in their careers. I am pleased to announce that Women and Work funding will be available for another year. </p><p> </p><p>“This project is unique as it requires the support of the employer, so it is a way to show your female employees that you believe in them and want them be successful. Not only can participants undertake technical skills, they can also benefit from leadership and management courses.”</p><p> </p><p>Women and Work funding is available to those working in industries where women are statistically under-represented. These industries include agriculture, aquaculture, environmental conservation, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, game and wildlife, horticulture, landscaping and sports turf, production horticulture, land-based engineering and trees and timber.</p><p> </p><p>Lucy Taylor, HR manager for Thompson Bros. (Esher) Ltd, recently gained Chartered status in the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) with help from a Women and Work funding grant. She said: “Achieving a professional qualification has directly impacted on my work because it helped me get a promotion at work and now I’m recruiting for a HR Assistant.” In addition to her promotion, Lucy was awarded the Women and Work Production Horticulture Winner of the Year Award (2010-11). </p><p> </p><p>Lyndsay said, “Women have been registered for some time, waiting for a spot in this year’s Women and Work project. If you want to get involved, I urge you to act now, to ensure you get one of the 500 spaces. Don’t delay or you might be disappointed.”</p><p> </p><p>Find out more about Women and Work at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.lantra.co.uk/women-and-work">www.lantra.co.uk/women-and-work</a>. For more information about Lantra visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.lantra.co.uk/">www.lantra.co.uk</a> or follow us on Twitter at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.twitter.com/LantraSSC">www.twitter.com/LantraSSC</a>. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://feed.ne.cision.com/wpyfs/00/00/00/00/00/15/80/C7/_LAN110318_002.jpg"><img src="http://feed.ne.cision.com/wpyfs/00/00/00/00/00/15/80/C7/_LAN110318_002.jpg" class="align-center"/></a></p><p><b>Lucy Taylor</b> – Lantra’s Women and Work Production Horticulture Award Winner 2010/11</p></div>Barclays Business Competitionhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/barclays-business-competition2011-04-26T09:53:56.000Z2011-04-26T09:53:56.000ZLandscape Peoplehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapePeople<div><p><span class="font-size-3">Barclays - Taking The Next Step Competition</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Barclays</span> are running a business competition for new or existing business's and Landscape People need your support. We've entered into this competition because we need investment to help drive forward our online tools, which are currently in development.</p><p> </p><p>We need the support of Landscape Juice members & readers! Please click on the following link and view our short 2 minute animation, which explains what we are trying to do. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/hLdWk2">http://bit.ly/hLdWk2</a></p><p> </p><p>Please then read the short paragraph below the video and leave us your comments. We appreciate you taking the time to take part in our support. All comments will greatly improve our business and we will try to take them on board.</p><p> </p><p>Thank You Everyone</p><p>Michael</p><p>Founder of Landscape People</p></div>Strategic Ways to Beat your Big League Competitorshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/strategic-ways-to-beat-your2011-03-21T15:03:23.000Z2011-03-21T15:03:23.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314103722?profile=original"><img width="338" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314103722?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a>It’s always challenging for small businesses owners to bid against the big guys. Burdened with less staff and equipment, small businesses are often forced to compete on price alone – an action that ultimately leads to less profit – if any – at the end of the day. To stop the endless cycle of taking on unprofitable projects, small businesses need to compete on selling factors other than price alone. <br/><br/>There are a variety of features unique to your company that will definitely set you apart from your competition. The key is figuring out where your competition falls short, where you excel and how you can market your selling features to your customers in a way that shows them why you’re the favorable choice. <br/><br/>Step 1: Learn more about your competition: <br/>Prepare a report on your competition. You can do this by researching the web for local businesses, reviewing their annual reports and reading their company literature and marketing materials. You may want to view some of the sites and projects, either by checking out their portfolio online or taking a trip to look at some of their completed work. Take note of what you discover: how is their work, their marketing efforts, their approach, etc., different from yours? Jot down the services they offer and their pricing. From these notes, figure out what’s missing. What can you offer that’s different? Or what can you offer that your competitors cannot? <br/><br/>Step 2: Find your niche and target market: <br/>It’s not about appealing to the most customers; it’s about appealing to the right customers. One of the best ways to compete against the big leagues, who often provide numerous services and aim to reach a wide range of customers, is to zero in on a specific group of people who you know will be interested in your services. Businesses can’t be everything to everyone. There are going to be gaps between what big companies can provide and what customers want. Find out what that gap is and use it your advantage. <br/><br/>So how do you determine what your niche is? Start by taking a look at your current clientele. Does your business seem to attract average-wage home owners or luxury estate home owners? Do your services cater to corporations or commercial businesses? Perhaps they cater more to public parks, resorts or golf courses? Take your most valued customers into account. This will help you discover what your expertise should be. <br/><br/>Next take a look at your services and consider what you do really well. Are you known for your interlocking, your water features, your concrete work, your irrigation systems, your unique gardens? Does your best business come from your design and build landscapes or your maintenance work? <br/><br/>Once you determine your service compare it to your typical customer. Ask yourself: will they use this specialty service? Say you provide most of your business to average-wage couples; will they be looking for maintenance service? Or is maintenance service more attractive for commercial clients or estate-owning clients? Try and strike a balance between your “standard” customer and your decided niche. <br/><br/>Asking yourself these questions will help you sort through your work and pinpoint your expertise. And, if you can’t determine your niche from your current services, carve a new niche out for yourself. The most important thing to take away from this exercise is the fact that narrowing your expertise will narrow your competition and your variety of clientele – and this is a good thing! As an expert in one market, you’re more likely to have the undivided attention of a particular clientele rather than a broad base of fleeting customers. <br/><br/>Step 3: Find ways to cut corners: <br/>While competing on price shouldn’t be your selling point; you still need to offer a good price to your customers. And you can only lower prices when your overhead allows for it! Find ways to cut corners by offering promotional or discounted rates for a limited time. <br/><br/>Step 4: Ensure optimal customer service: <br/>Personal attention and one-on-one communication are elements that are often neglected by big businesses. Service with a personal touch starts with identifying with your customers. Instead of just communicating why you’re of value to your customer, show them. Show your customers how well you understand where they are coming from and what they are after. Bottom line: customers want to feel like they are taken care of. The last thing they want is the headache of having to worry about whether their project is completed on time and to their standards. Show your customers you’re dedicated to their satisfaction by taking the time to get to know them through a free consultation or meeting? They’ll notice and appreciate the extra effort you take to ensure the best in customer service and value. After all, it’s the little things that really do add up in creating a lasting impression. Other ways to add a personal touch to your business include: offering a free consultation, offering a free estimate, offering another similar service for free, increasing the value of a product or service, offering free maintenance for a designated time. <br/><br/>Step 5: Focus on convenience: <br/>Find a way to speed up the process of completing the project without sacrificing the quality of your service – your customers are always on the lookout for speedy, excellent service and quality workmanship. <br/><br/>Step 6: Provide buyer incentives: <br/>Whether you choose to offer discounts, new services, promotions or additional complimentary services, find a way to make customers feel as if they are getting more for their money if they do business with you.</p><p> </p><p>---</p><p><strong>The Landscape Management Network</strong> is the ultimate profit toolbox for landscape contractors. Developed by landscape contractors for landscape contractors, LMN's suite of online tools and systems offer landscape contractors anytime, anywhere access to tools that drive productivity. For more information, check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com">www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com</a></p></div>Systems Planninghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/systems-planning2011-03-15T12:24:13.000Z2011-03-15T12:24:13.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p><strong><em>Implement the right systems and spend less time working IN your business, more time working ON your business.</em></strong></p><p>After his last meeting with Bill, Dan returned to work with his mind set on jumpstarting the spring hiring process.</p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314097243?profile=original"><img width="338" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314097243?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a><br/>Dan started right away. He sent out job advertisements and when the resumes started streaming in, he weeded out the wrong applicants with his new hiring process. After meeting with the final applicants that made it through to an interview, Dan selected a few to take part in a 3-week working interview. Now, in March, his new hires are busy going through training, learning the ins and outs of Danscaping, which brings Dan to his next step: systems planning. Now that Dan has set himself up with the right people, he needs to take what’s in his head and ensure his people are executing accordingly, on their own and without Dan having to hold their hands. Dan understands that systems free owners up so that they can grow their business and get the most out of their people what he didn’t understand was how to actually step away and start working ON rather than IN his business. When he mentioned this to Bill over a phone conversation one evening, Bill assured Dan he once faced the same problem. <br/><br/>“What did you do?” asks Dan. <br/><br/>“First of all you need to understand what good systems are and why you need them,” Bill explains. “Because, ultimately, good systems are what will allow you to step away from the daily grind and work ON your business.” <br/><br/>Dan nods, “I definitely agree with you on that. A big problem around here is that everyone has their own way of doing things, and the right hand never knows what the left hand is doing. That leads to mistakes, and I’m constantly spending my time trying to fix them.” <br/><br/>“Exactly,” Bill replies. “Systems and processes are critical because they enable individuals to communicate in complex and changing environments using the same expectations so that predictable, repeatable results can occur. Without processes everyone would do what they want, when they want, on their own schedule, and using their own methods. At the end of the day what you have is total chaos. There’s no organized structure – and there’s certainly no way you could successfully step away from working IN your business when systems and processes aren’t in place.” <br/><br/>“Point taken,” Dan says. “That’s me and my business.” <br/><br/>“You bet,” says Bill. “I like to look at it this way: all fire trucks are set up exactly the same and there’s a reason for it! So that each fireman, regardless of which department they belong to, knows where everything is,” Bill explains. <br/><br/>“They put everything back exactly the same way and maintain it to the highest standard. When staff is transferred to other fire stations no further training is required because all the processes are identical. There is only one way of doing things. And thank goodness, because when someone’s house is on fire the fireman is not wasting time running back to the shop because they forgot the hose!” Bill says with a chuckle. <br/><br/>“To maximize your profit and productivity this year, you must work toward implementing these three critical systems:” <br/><br/>1. Job Planning – Job Planners take the information from the estimator’s head and puts it into the hands of your crews. This is critical for profitable jobs. How can you expect your crews to come in on time, on budget, if they don’t understand completely how the estimator saw the job? <br/>For design build projects, foremen need to know, at minimum: <br/><br/>•The man hours estimated <br/>•The equipment included (this has a significant factor on the hours) <br/>•The materials estimated – quantities, colors, measurements, etc.</p><p>For maintenance projects, foremen need to know, at minimum: <br/><br/>•Their route <br/>•Site maps/service instructions <br/>•Hours estimated per site</p><p><br/>A simple binder created for every job/route that includes designs or site maps, job specifications, copies of locates, blank timesheets and maps to the jobsite should be produced for every job or route. With the right information, your foreman can manage more work themselves. Less questions, less problems, and less waste – which will not only make their jobs easier, it will free you up to work more on your business. <br/><br/>Foremen should also be conducting daily meetings with their crews to discuss daily goals, order of operations, requirements, and problems/questions. To download a daily meeting agenda for your crews, go to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com/samples">www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com/samples</a>. <br/><br/>2.Job Costing – Job costing is the landscaping equivalent of keeping score. If you’re not tracking actual hours and materials, then you’re just playing around. For you or your employees to take success seriously, you must have a job costing system. I recommend you use your accounting software. All the information you need to track job costs has to be entered into accounting. Job hours need to be entered for payroll, material costs have to be entered for vendor bill tracking – it’s just a matter of ensuring these costs are not only entered into accounting, but they’re also billed to the correct jobs. Entering this data into two distinct systems is time consuming and, ultimately, waste. If necessary, change your systems to suit your accounting software. It’s easier than trying to find a software that fits your system. <br/><br/><br/>3.Organization Systems – Make a spot for everything. Label the spots. Organize your shops, truck and trailers just like the fire truck you think of. When everything has its place, it’s easy to train new people, it’s harder to “forget” or lose tools and equipment, and you know when it’s time to re-stock inventoried parts and materials. Every year, you lose hundreds of man hours working around poorly organized shops, trailers, and work areas. Solve these problems and you’ll not only save costs, but you’ll increase your opportunity for billable hours. Your company wins both ways. <br/>Implement these systems and you’ll find parts of your business start to run themselves. And systems development is an ongoing and continuous process. Solve some problems with systems, and others will creep up. But don’t be discouraged. That’s life as a business owner. The more systems you implement, the easier running your business will become. And believe it or not, your employees will find their work easier too. Systems result in clear responsibilities which leads to better planning, better communication, less mistakes and less frustration. And when you really start picking up momentum, systems lead to better wages for everyone. And that’s what we’re all in this for…. <br/><br/>“I’m always reluctant to delegate,” Dan says. “I constantly think no one else will be able to get the work done according to my high standards – or worse yet, I think the work won’t get done at all.” <br/><br/>Bill nods, “I get the fear of the unknown. But your fear is likely a self-fulfiling prophecy. Without systems, they won’t achieve to your standards – because they don’t know them. The only way to grow your business – and your own career for that matter – is by handing out higher levels of responsibility to your employees. After all, you need to start letting others help you work on your business too! <br/><br/>“Makes sense,” Dan notes, “But how do I make sure my employees take their responsibility seriously?” <br/><br/>“Once the systems are in place, you hold people accountable. All problems can likely be blamed on one of two things: no systems, or people who don’t follow systems. When you get your systems in place, then you only have people problems. Hold your people accountable to your systems. Good employees will thrive, bad employees will suffer, and you’ll know who your best assets are.” <br/><br/>Here’s another tip: hold regular meetings. Hold monthly meetings with your key employees to assess the state of the business. Are your jobs coming in on time/on budget? Are your sales on track to hit or beat your goals? Hold everyone accountable for systems that are falling off. Ask your foremen to evaluate their crew’s performance – which systems and processes are working for your guys? Which need to be changed? <br/><br/>As long as everything depends on you to run successfully, it’s extremely difficult to grow a (profitable) business. Systems for your business give your people clear responsibilities, and the information needed to carry them out successfully. And while your field crews increase their productivity, you can focus more on growing and/or improving your company.</p><p> </p><p><em>*Danscaping is a fictional company</em></p><p><br/><br/>Mark Bradley is the president of The Beach Gardener and the Landscape Management Network. The Landscape Management Network is collection of systems built for green industry contractors, from budgeting and estimating, to hiring and training, to job planning, accounting/financial management and health and safety. For more information, check out the website at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com">www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com</a>.</p></div>How to Get the Most Out of Employee Evaluationshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-get-the-most-out-of2011-02-10T17:06:30.000Z2011-02-10T17:06:30.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p>Many business owners dread giving out end-of-the-year employee performance evaluations – so much so that, oftentimes, employers will eschew the process all together. It’s easy to understand why – not only do some find it uncomfortable to have to rate another person’s level of adequacy (or perhaps, I should say, inadequacy), but many are fearful of being put in a compromising position. You know? The one in which your employees are gunning for more money and you’re forced to confront the request head-on.</p><p> </p><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207346?profile=original"><img width="282" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207346?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a><br/><br/>Such is the nature of a business owner’s job. But despite the dread or fear of giving them out, employee reviews are essential to the positive development of your company. <br/><br/>The good news is they don’t have to be a pain. One of the best ways to soften the blow of giving reviews is to scrap the idea that reviews have to come at the end of the year. Start thinking and treating reviews as a continuous process – one in which you are constantly providing feedback to your employees. The end of the year is not the first time an employee should be hearing about an issue. In other words, don’t treat your annual performance reviews as an opportunity to hash out problems and concerns. In fact, no information provided in a review or evaluation should be news to your employees. You’ve done your job right if you’ve consistently communicated expectations and standards throughout the year and have provided regular, ongoing feedback to your employees. Reviews should serve as a “sum up” of the points and ideas that were regularly discussed and the feedback that was regularly provided throughout the year. That being said, here are some other useful tips to help you get the most out of your employee reviews: <br/><br/><span class="font-size-5"><strong>Don’t just think change, communicate change –</strong></span></p><p><br/>To instigate change, you need to provide two things: 1.) Clear, concise feedback and 2.) A clear, concise plan of action. You can’t expect people to read your mind, which is why firstly you need to be honest, yet respectful, with your employees in your reviews. Secondly, in your evaluations, you need to be specific about what change and success looks like and the steps it will take to make that change happen. A plan of action also includes discussing goals and attaching timelines to each goal. <br/><br/><strong><span class="font-size-5">Set standards and voice them –</span></strong></p><p><br/>If you want your employees to meet certain standards, you need to discuss those standards with them. Determine what success is and ensure your employees are given the necessary training and knowledge to measure themselves according to your standards. For instance, if you expect a certain level of performance and productivity then make sure your employees know what this level is and how to measure themselves accordingly. Everyone needs to understand what constitutes success. Ongoing reviews are the best way to ensure everyone is on the same page. <br/><br/><span class="font-size-5" style="color: #000000;"><strong>Reinforce company culture –</strong></span></p><p><br/>Use your reviews to communicate the philosophy, core values and goals your company is built on. Your review should address how well an employee’s behavior and attitude is aligned with your specific company culture. <br/><br/>Employee reviews don’t have to be the dreaded end of the year build-up you imagine. When you open the lines of communication with your employees and continuously provide feedback throughout the year, there is no need for you – or your employees for that matter – to be fearful of the process. The guessing game is over and instead you and your employees are free to focus on improvement. Remember, as owner, it is your job to ensure everyone is working at an optimal performance and that the business is operating the way you envision. Continuous feedback and review is the best way to ensure that happens! <br/><br/>Want to learn more about this topic? Read and watch a video on Employee Evluations that Work.</p><p> </p><p><br/><em>Looking for the tools and education to help you build company, division and crew budgets? Look no further than <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com">The Landscape Management Network.</a> It’s simple. It’s online. It’s turnkey systems for success in the landscape industry, at a price every landscaper can afford.</em></p></div>The Seven biggest mistakes I have made in businesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-seven-biggest-mistakes-i2010-12-03T20:00:00.000Z2010-12-03T20:00:00.000ZMark Bradleyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MarkBradley<div><p><span class="font-size-2">The Seven biggest mistakes I have made in business</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">1. Starting the business without enough investment capital – my wife and I started from our 600 square foot apartment downtown Toronto with a pick up and a wheelbarrow and absolutely no money. I will never forget the first winter in business when she took a six week horticulture course at Landscape Ontario, we had to roll our pennies to put fuel in her car to get there…..it paid off! Starting the company on a shoe string budget was a mistake, we came close to losing our newly purchased home that winter too. The first five years of business were much harder than I realized at the time….we had huge obstacles to overcome purchasing equipment and maintaining adequate cash flow to support our projects without enough working capital. Had we spent more time on business planning before starting we would have understood the actual capital needed in advance. I believe that landscape companies need 15-20% of annual revenue in liquid cash made up of its own cash and/or a line of credit. We found that the bank was not terribly helpful until we were in business for five years and showed three years of very positive financial statements. It’s no accident that “technicians” start landscape companies……anybody with a business background would run for the hills if faced with the variables in this business! Lesson learned – start with a budget, and then stick to it!</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">2. Growing the company before the systems were in place – we started our business without the business education or experience we needed to operate an efficient business. We simply wanted to be great landscapers….the problem is, you cannot become a great landscape contractor without great systems to allow your company to produce great results once you add a second crew. The transition from being a hands on owners building our award winning gardens like craftsmen into trying become business owners that hire people to design and create projects at the same quality while earning the same profit margin that we had made as owner – operators was more stressful than it needed to be for us. We simply could not find a solution or a product that had the systems in a “out of the box” format. Creating systems by trial and error while managing the day to day operation from inside the vortex of day to day problems that arise in running a landscape company was almost impossible. We should have built the systems first, then grown into them. Unfortunately we realized what systems were needed using a trial and error method – an expensive but foolproof way to learn…I think if we had more business education or more experience in the industry we would have understood this sooner….we found out the hard way that the secret to success in business is being prepared to do the work before you get the work! Lesson learned – become a planning organization.</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">3. Growing too fast - We started in a neighborhood that was under a great deal of renovation, and the real estate values were increasing quickly. We simply didn’t have the working capital to expand at 30-50% each year. Our growth curve continued at such a high pace for the first nine years in business that we continually struggled with cash flow despite earning double digit profits every year! We could have went out of business many times had our suppliers not been as understanding and supportive during times of cash flow shortage, the banks simply are not helpful unless you are financially stable, most start up small businesses do not fit the lending requirements of the bank unless the company has a great track record and the owner has really high personal net worth. Being forthright, and explaining our financial situation to suppliers made a difference – if you find yourself in a bind with vendor accounts, make sure you communicate the situation clearly, and never break a promise once you have made arrangements to pay your debt. The best solution to this problem is to ensure you don’t out grow your working capital – you need at least ten to fifteen percent of annual sales in cash to manage your day to day operating requirements or you will struggle and make bad decisions as a result of a cash flow shortage. Lesson learned – never outgrow your working capital.</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">4. Not identifying Superstars soon enough – one mistake that haunts me, and probably the most expensive in terms of lost opportunity would be this one. We have had a few outstanding people leave our company over the years simply because they didn’t see this industry or my company being able to support their future financially….we could have kept these people, and capitalized on their capabilities together if we had the right system in place. I have developed a way or keeping these Superstars – again, unfortunately by trial and error! By leveraging these people and providing a more entrepreneurial environment and pay structure we have been able to expand the company beyond my expectations while reducing my own personal workload. Lesson learned – create an entrepreneurial environment or forever be surrounded by employees that work for a paycheque…..</span><br/><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">5. Trying to operate without the right equipment – in the first few years of business I was deathly afraid of monthly payments….when we really started to watch our spending on Labour and Equipment as a ratio to gross sales it was a scary state….we were spending 36% on Labour and 6% on equipment. Most of our equipment was old, we didn’t have a mechanic on staff to maintain the equipment so we had a lot of downtime, and often we were working harder longer hours than we should have, with more people than we needed to. I started turning out the older gear and leasing newer equipment, and more of the right equipment to ensure labour savings. We found we could do more work in less time with fewer people….we we on to the next project sooner…sales revenue increased, labour spending dropped to 22% of gross sales within 18 months, and equipment increased to 10% of gross sales. The result here was an increase of 10% in net profits….and better yet our revenue had increased by 82% with the same number of people!!! That meant we could pay better wages to staff, pay ourselves more, run a more professional company and attract larger more complex projects with this modern fleet of equipment! Lesson learned – being cheap is really expensive!</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">6. Doing complicated work without the right skilled trades – I can think of more than once when I decided to take on too much work at one time. As landscapers we have a short window to make hay. Customers are often buying with “instant gratification” in mind. We all have crews that are best suited for specific types of work….be realistic about this. I remember one Monday morning in my second year – we had two Supervisors, one was incredible, the other not so good! We had two complicated projects to work on at one time….I made the mistake of spending my day with the Superstar Supervisor setting up a new job – meanwhile at the other site the mediocre Supervisor was pouring a concrete pad for a flagstone patio 3” too high…..that was expensive! I have had more of these situations happen than I care to remember. Lesson learned – do not overbook your companies skills, and never take work that is outside of your skill set without considering a great subcontractor to manage the work that is outside of your expertise. Lesson learned – Understand how many hours of work you are selling – and don’t sell more than you have available, level the workload if you want to work efficiently.</span><br/><br/><span class="font-size-2">7. Hiring the wrong subcontractors – before we started building our own gunite pools and spa’s we hired subcontractors. There was a serious building boom at the time. The reputable pool companies in the area were booked solid for the season. I had a great opportunity to build a landscape project, but it included a concrete spa. I decided to hire a “start up” pool company who had a price that was $5,000 less than the others and he could start right away….he was basically a man and a pick up, and I should have known better. He built a concrete shell, but in the process he must have either forgotten to install some plumbing lines, or he may have broken them while pouring the concrete. Either way, I had paid him 15k of 22k and he disappeared…..I had to jackhammer the spa out and start again. That’s how I started building pools and spa’s. Lesson learned – never hire subcontractors based on price….always work with reputable companies when collaborating even if there isn’t much room for mark up.</span></p></div>Simply Business survey reveals businesses’ biggest concernshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/simply-business-survey-reveals2010-11-26T15:00:00.000Z2010-11-26T15:00:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><center>
<h1><font size="2">Small business - five top tips to prosper in austerity</font></h1>
</center>
<center><font size="2"><b>Simply Business survey reveals businesses’ biggest concerns</b></font></center>
<p><font size="2"><br />
<a href="http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/insurance/tradesman" target="_self">Simply Business</a></font> <font size="2">, the UK’s leading insurance brokers for small businesses, canvassed their community of customers to identify the key issues faced by small businesses today and in response provided five top tips to help weather the storm.<br />
<br />
Simply Business, who insure over 150,000 small business customers, conducted the poll over the last week and discovered the five main concerns listed were winning new business, cash flow, cost of compliance (government bureaucracy/red tape, increased running costs and support/lending from banks. In order to counter these concerns Simply Business have come up with the following top five tips:</font><font size="2"><br />
<br /></font></p>
<ul>
<li><font size="2">Running costs don’t need to give you the runaround – Don’t be afraid to renegotiate with existing suppliers for a better deal. New business price comparison websites will give you a strong steer on the best deals in the market place.</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Don’t be cursed by compliance costs – Sharpen your expertise in navigating the regulation minefield and use third party organisations for advice. Over compliance will cost you time and money.</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Creativity can improve your cash flow – Don’t be afraid to ask for partial payment up front and consider offering a 2% discount incentive for prompt payment.</font></li>
<li><font size="2">New business is out there and it’s closer than you think – Apply the following golden rules of marketing: 1) Identify a point of difference that allows you to stand out from your competitors. 2) Be clear on who you are targeting and how best to reach out to them. 3) Be visible both online and offline.</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Don’t be afraid of bank loan headlines – Approach your bank manager and financial institutions and be ready to argue the merits of a loan. Don’t just assume that the answer will be no.</font></li>
</ul>
<p><font size="2">The survey also found that 73% of respondents do not believe the coalition government understand the needs of small business. Many were concerned about the proposed VAT increases for 2011 and automatic pension scheme enrolment, due to come into force in 2012, which, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) fears could cost small businesses £2,550 in administration costs.<br />
<br />
A number of respondents also cited issues involved with completing PQQ’s (pre-qualification questionnaire) required when tendering for government contracts. Many called for a centralized database, more user friendly IT systems and a simplified tender process if the Government wants to achieve its goal of awarding a quarter of government contracts to SMEs.</font><font size="2"><br />
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Other common complaints were the amount of bureaucracy involved with increasingly demanding compliance regulations.</font><font size="2"><br />
<br />
Jason Stockwood, Simply Business, CEO, said:“Despite signs of an economic recovery in the UK, small businesses are feeling anxious about their short term prospects. Small and micro-businesses are the life-blood of the UK economy and from speaking to them it is clear that some of their biggest concerns are caused by high levels of bureaucracy and a perceived lack of support from financial institutions. This important group needs the wholehearted support from government and banks to ensure that it can continue to provide the much needed business growth and employment opportunities the country is relying on.”<br /></font> <font size="2"><br />
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<br />
November 24th, 2010</font></p>
</div>Registering a gardening businesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/registering-a-gardening2010-10-28T06:00:00.000Z2010-10-28T06:00:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div>We've come to post five in 'How to start and run a landscape or gardening business and it's probably the easiest and simplest one.<br />
<br />
Whilst online forums are a great resource for researching how and when to start a business, it is always the safest route to get professional help from an accountant and a lawyer because no two business or people are exactly the same or will be working the same way so they can evaluate YOU and advise on a structure that suits you and you only.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Avoid family and friends helping with the books</span><br />
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One word of caution: Bookkeeping and accounts can seem like a daunting task when you're new to business so it is easy let someone else take over when it should be you who is in control.<br />
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I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule but I'm speaking from first hand experience here: I used the services of a friend many years ago and my accounts got into a pickle and it cost me a lot of money - as well as a back payment in unpaid tax - to put right.<br />
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I eventually found a reputable accountancy company to conduct my affairs (we carried out our own bookkeeping using <a href="http://www.sage.co.uk/">Sage</a> accounting) and slept a lot sounder from then on.<br />
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Here are some useful resources to help with the mechanics of starting a business.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Inland Revenue</span><br />
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Starting in business<br />
<a href="http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm">http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm</a><br />
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A guide to working for yourself<br />
<a href="http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/se1.pdf">http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/se1.pdf</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Business Link</span><br />
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Setting up and registering as self employed<br />
<a href="http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.s=tl&r.l1=1073858805&r.lc=en&r.l2=1085161962&topicId=1073875654">http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.s=tl&r.l1=1073858805&r.lc=en&r.l2=1085161962&topicId=1073875654</a><br />
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VAT<br />
<a href="http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073859188">http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073859188</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/starting-a-gardening-or"><b>Business idea and evaluation</b></a> - asking yourself some tough questions<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/planning-a-business-plan">Business plan</a></b> - how to plan a business plan<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/determining-your-market-and">Determining your market and finding customers</a></b> - finding your rightful place on the ladder<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/advertising-your-garden"><b>Advertising your garden business</b></a> <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/xn/detail/2074886:BlogPost:155525?xg_source=activity">Registering a garden business</a></b>
</div>Advertising your garden businesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/advertising-your-garden2010-10-22T12:30:00.000Z2010-10-22T12:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314767570?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Welcome to week four in my series of posts on starting and running a landscape or gardening business.<br />
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Covered so far:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/starting-a-gardening-or">Ask yourself some tough questions before you get started</a><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/planning-a-business-plan">Planning a business plan</a><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/determining-your-market-and">Determining your market and finding customers</a><br />
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Having now determined what type of client you want to target, it's now time to advertise the fact you are in business and available.<br />
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Getting the word to reach all the right places isn't easy and you could spend a great deal of money achieving very little unless you give your advertising and public relations some thought.<br />
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There might be two types of garden contractor reading this: domestic or commercial.<br />
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The following information is a guide to how to approach advertising for domestic contracts but it can be applied to small scale commercial contracts where the contract may have a personal slant to it. For purely commercial advertising and PR, please read the notes at the end of this post.<br />
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<b>Word of mouth and a note of caution</b><br />
You've heard the saying that 'word travels fast'? well it's true and word of mouth is probably the best way to advertise your business. After all, it's not just peer-to-peer, it is also a personal recommendation and friends and family don't give recommendations lightly.<br />
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Word of mouth is also the quickest way to a PR disaster if something was to go wrong with a job. It is true that word and good news travels fast but it's also true that bad news travels faster so if you go down the route of working for friends and family then make sure you prepared to go that extra mile in a bid to keep your client happy.<br />
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<b>Using the internet</b><br />
The internet is evolving so fast these days that it's hard to keep track of the latest developments and before you decide what's right for you, have a think about your market segment.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://twitter.com">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com">Facebook</a></span><br />
Social media is currently taking the world by storm. it's still relatively new but extremely fluid and I'm certain we're still at the bottom of a long curve of disruptive technologies that will literally rip-up the rule book (if that's not happened already).<br />
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If you are a one-man-band operation it's going to be difficult to maintain a stream on Twitter but with mobile technology, it doesn't take more than a few moments to send a tweet or upload an image from a work location.<br />
If a potential client tracks location based posts then there's every chance of being spotted.<br />
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Similarly with Facebook, having an account or dedicated page can be an excellent way to get your brand noticed and constantly recycled.<br />
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Social media works extremely well in stealth mode and you may not always be aware of a genuine source of an enquiry if it's generated through this method. What social media does is to create and maintain brand awareness and as long as you remain relatively active, the potential for generating enquiries in a relaxed and passive way is enhanced.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep in local</span><br />
If you intend to work local to where you live then there's no point in advertising anywhere else other than local. Good places to be seen are parish magazines and local free papers.<br />
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Again, if you are staying local then I'd question if you need to spend a lot of money on having a website built for you. There are so many free or cheap self-build template and blog sites available and it'll only take you half a day or a day at most to produce something that can start working for you.<br />
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I started Landscape Juice as a blog in 2005 and although I would not expect you to try and replicate its content, it's testament to the fact that blogging works.<br />
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If you go down the blogging route then here's a few basic guidelines to follow:<br />
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Keep it simple - your site will function well enough with 3-5 pages but if you are a keen writer then feel free to add pages and blog posts.<br />
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Be Informative - content is key to attracting search engine traffic so write about what you know about - it's a good way to attract potential clients who share your passions for gardening or landscaping.<br />
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Be local - as I've previously mentioned. If you want to attract work locally then think locally. Centre your blog content about local stuff. Report on a garden open day at the vicarage; the local bring and buy sale; scout bob-a-job week or a school gardening club.<br />
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Include information about local suppliers such as your local builders merchants, quarries or sawmill to increase your chances of being found by potential clients who might be searching for information on or around your subject matter.<br />
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<b>Flyers</b><br />
I'm not a great fan of posting flyers through letter boxes, it was never that successful for me and if you go down this route then only expect an average return of 1-2%. However, having said that, there is always the chance that just one flyer can lead to a long-term successful relationship with a client.<br />
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Don't post flyers at random. Just as you would have i<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/determining-your-market-and">dentified your potential market</a>, you will have to apply a similar process to where you target your leafleting.<br />
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If you are selling gardening services then I think you'll instinctively know where to pitch for your work. As you walk around the streets or estates, take a look at the potential client's surroundings: their car, the condition of their house and what state the garden is currently in - there's a very good chance that if the garden is strewn with toys and rubbish and looks unloved that you'll be wasting your time.<br />
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If the garden is already spic 'n' span then again you might be wasting your time. If the garden is somewhere in between and it looks like the home owner aspires to have a nice garden and their existing surroundings suggest that they might have the disposable income with which to afford having a gardener or landscaper in, then you could be on to a winner.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Van livery<br /></span> Your vehicle is an ideal place to add promotional information about your services. It may cost you a couple of hundred pounds but after this, your advert goes exactly where you do and no better place to be seen is in the street or property where you're already working.<br />
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Similarly, placing a work board outside (I would ask permission) the house your working at sends out your message perfectly.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Yell.com or Yellow Pages</span><br />
I'm a great believer that Yellow Pages has had its day and concerns about the environmental damage caused by the trees being pulped, the transport pollution involved in delivery and the amount of directories that go to landfill have banged a nail in its coffin. The internet has also rendered the need for a paper directory pretty useless too, so I see little benefit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.yell.com">Yell.com</a> has some potential but there is little need to pay to advertise with them because there are so many free options available. If you are offered a free listing with Yell.com then take it - it'll cost you nothing after all.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Give talks</span><br />
Giving talks to local groups or even at a garden centre or plant nursery is an ideal way to not only help people but you can advertising at the same time, with the added benefit that your potential client gets to test drive your services and personality, at the same time as you do theirs.<br />
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And last but not least, there's the specialist landscaping and horticulture social network, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Landscape Juice Network</span> - <a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/main/authorization/signUp?"><span style="font-weight: bold;">sign up here.</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Commercial advertising</span><br />
Advertising your business brings a different set of challenges; not least because there's often a greater geographical range that a business will have to cover so therefore a slightly different approach is needed.<br />
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I would say that a website is the very first thing you should create: it doesn't need to be expensive but it does need to be done professionally so take time and care. Link your site to Twitter and possibly a dedicated business page on Facebook but if you do go down this route, make sure you update it regularly.<br />
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Again, utilising the Landscape Juice Network is also one way to get in front of a growing number of potential clients.<br />
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There are a host of topics that have been created already - see <a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/categories/advertising-1/listForCategory"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advertising</span></a> on the forum.<br />
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As always, this blog post is not exhaustive so if you have a specific question regarding any of the content or you'd like to add links to other resources or add details of your experience then please feel free.<br />
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Resources metioned in this blog:<br />
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<a href="www.blogger.com">www.blogger.com</a> - free blog software from Google<br />
<a href="www.Typepad.com">www.typepad.com</a> - professional paid-for blog platform<br />
<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/">www.tumblr.com</a> - free blogging platform<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/starting-a-gardening-or"><b>Business idea and evaluation</b></a> - asking yourself some tough questions<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/planning-a-business-plan">Business plan</a></b> - how to plan a business plan<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/determining-your-market-and">Determining your market and finding customers</a></b> - finding your rightful place on the ladder<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/advertising-your-garden"><b>Advertising your garden business</b></a> <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/xn/detail/2074886:BlogPost:155525?xg_source=activity">Registering a garden business</a></b></p>
</div>Planning a business planhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/planning-a-business-plan2010-10-08T07:30:00.000Z2010-10-08T07:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img width="200" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314145971?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;" />Welcome to week two of '<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-start-and-run-a"><b>How to start and run a gardening or landscaping business</b></a>'. Last week we <a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/xn/detail/2074886:BlogPost:141368"><b>asked ourselves some tough questions</b></a> and if you're reading this today then I guess you've made the decision to continue with your ambition of becoming your own boss?<br />
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Today we are not so much as going to look at writing a business plan but identify how writing a plan should be approached - with the emphasis on your own decision making - by looking at yourself and your future business from the outside facing in, rather than the inside facing out.<br />
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<b><u>What is a business plan?</u></b><br />
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A business plan is a route map of your planned journey through a set period of future business. It's designed to explain much about a proposed or existing business in a simplistic way and should be a concise but brief snapshot of a business setting out business objectives, strategies, the market the business operates in, as well as its financial forecasts - I'm not going to re-invent the wheel at this point so here are some excellent resources to help you with the mechanics of writing a plan:<br />
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Business Link - <a href="http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073869162" target="_blank"><b>Preparing a business plan</b></a><br />
The Startupdonut - <a href="http://www.startupdonut.co.uk/startup/business-planning" target="_blank"><b>business planning</b></a><br />
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A business plan can be any size shape or form. It matters not if you formulate a plan in your head, on a fag packet, a single sheet of paper or in a telephone directory sized presentation - they are all plans.<br />
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<b><u>Does every business need a plan?</u></b><br />
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No and yes: whilst it is not necessary to write everything down, when you do so - and read it back - it is much easier to determine if you've made any errors or if what you are planning is actually viable.<br />
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Many new garden maintenance or small landscaping businesses grow organically; by that I mean they start off small, have little need for outside finance and are just a means to provide their owners with an income and there are no real aspirations to become a large organisation.<br />
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It is these small owner-operated businesses that are often instinctively run and because they operate within a tight structure - i.e. the owner has a strict timetable of scheduled work and does not need to plan for additional staff and they are not looking to expand, there is little or no perceived need to operate a business plan.<br />
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<b><u>All businesses need to make a profit</u></b><br />
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One thing we all have to do - no matter what size of business we are - is make a profit.<br />
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Landscape Juice member, <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profile/ElaineClark">Elaine Clark</a></b> of Cheapaccounting.co.uk says, "the small business needs to ensure that it is making a profit and is really a business rather than a hobby" .<br />
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One-man-bands or husband and wife type enterprises may not require (i.e. there's no need to attract external funding or investment) a full business plan but it is important to isolate the two most essential elements - <b><a href="http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073901350&r.s=e&r.l1=1073858805&r.lc=en&r.l3=1073869162&r.l2=1073859137&r.i=1073791235&r.t=RESOURCES" target="_blank">sales forecasting</a></b> and <a href="http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1073791120&type=RESOURCES" target="_blank">cashflow forecasting</a> - it's probably the lack of understanding of these two important elements that leads to cash shortages and business problems later down the line.<br />
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When <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/2007/02/what_should_i_c.html" target="_blank">working out an hourly rate</a></b>, make sure you add a net profit into your figures.<br />
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<b><u>Having enough cash to trade</u></b><br />
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If you are operating a small business it may not be necessary to have a great deal of cash reserves to get up and running but if your overall plan is to be successful it is necessary to know what demands are being placed on resources - bear in mind that even if you've agreed an overdraft with the bank to cover any shortfall in the first few months or year of trading, any demands for cash you don't own will incur an expense, which impacts the bottom line net profit - make sure that this is taken care of in the overall plan and especially the cashflow forecast.<br />
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Remain flexible</u></b><br />
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If the 2007-2010? recession taught us nothing else it should have least taught us that despite there being a plan in place, the business environment can change dramatically.<br />
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With this in mind it is essential that anyone who's undertaken to work to a business plan must also be able to modify or abandon that plan should it become impossible, or negligent, to continue on the previously determined route.<br />
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Gardening businesses face a unique set of challenges</b></u><br />
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Any plan should always include a contingency that identifies likely areas of disruption.<br />
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The recession (using hindsight) is one example of how the desired business path has been severely disrupted but for garden and landscaping businesses there are a set of unique challenges that have to be built into any plan.<br />
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For example, in year one of your new business you may have identified that there is X number of hours you can work and get paid for in the months of December, January and February. On paper, the level of income looks good but should there be a high level of disruption caused by snow and ice, for example, then your plan becomes worthless unless there is a contingency built in.<br />
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That contingency might be that you've already planned to include working Saturdays and overtime during the spring and summer months so that you can build up some residual by the way of savings and safely abandon any working days that are called off due to the ground being frozen or you cannot physically reach your destination.<br />
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Some businesses might look to include path and drive clearance and salting/gritting as a contingency (although even a projection into this area of work might be unreliable).<br />
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Day length</u></b><br />
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The winter months bring shorter day lengths - think about how you sell your time. If you arrive on site at first light and leave when it's no longer productive or safe to work then there is every chance you'll be able to sell a full days services. If you intend to travel between one or more jobs on a winter's day you'll have to think about how your business plan copes with the potential loss of earnings (or how you'll set an hourly rate) when you are travelling.<br />
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Taking time out for training or education</u></b><br />
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If you've already gone through horticulture college and have a qualification behind you then the chances are you'll be able to get on with your new business without too much disruption. If however you've identified the need to top-up or increase your knowledge by taking a course then these hours will have to be planned for.<br />
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None of us are superman and we cannot do everything but if you've forecast a need to work 50 weeks x 8 hours to make the kind of money you'll need to cover your costs and make a profit, then taking a few hours or a day a week from your estimates means you have to plan to make up the shortfall.<br />
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Example: If you have identified that you need to make £20,000 per year<br />
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2000 hrs a year (50 weeks working 8 hr days) @ £10.00 = £20,000<br />
Go to college for one day a week for 10 weeks means you'll have to raise your hourly rate to £10.41 or work 80 hours of overtime during the course of the year when you are not attending college.<br />
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You'll have to add travel and sundry expenses into the equation and make the necessary adjustments to your plan too.<br />
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All of the above is by no means exhaustive and there will be crossover with other elements of starting and running a garden business in coming weeks.<br />
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As always, please feel free to leave a comment, ask a question or add any snippets of information based on your experience.<br />
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You may need to take legal or accountancy advice before proceeding.<br />
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Topics covered so far:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/starting-a-gardening-or"><b>Business idea and evaluation</b></a> - asking yourself some tough questions<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/planning-a-business-plan">Business plan</a></b> - how to plan a business plan<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/determining-your-market-and">Determining your market and finding customers</a></b> - finding your rightful place on the ladder<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/advertising-your-garden"><b>Advertising your garden business</b></a> <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/xn/detail/2074886:BlogPost:155525?xg_source=activity">Registering a garden business</a></b>
</div>Things to look out for when buying insurance for landscape gardenershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/things-to-look-out-for-when2010-09-27T14:00:00.000Z2010-09-27T14:00:00.000ZSimply Businesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/SimplyBusiness<div><p>As requested at Landscape Juice Network, my colleague Laura and I put some things together to look out for when you are looking for <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/partner/landscape-juice/landscapers">Landscape Gardener’s business insurance</a>. I hope this clarify buying the right cover for your business.<br/> <br/> <b>Public liability insurance</b><br/><br/><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/partner/landscape-juice/landscapers">Public liability insurance</a> is important for your business because it will pay out in the event that a mistake is made which causes an injury to a member of the public or customer, or which damages their property. We recommend taking out a minimum cover of £ 2 million.<br/><br/><b>Chainsaw licence</b><br/><br/>If you’re a landscape gardener and you’re using a chainsaw to cut trees and bushes, please mention this when you take out an insurance policy. Insurers segregate landscape gardeners in two categories: “excluding treefelling” and “including treefelling”.<br/><br/>Also important: you do need a chainsaw licence in the UK if you are a landscape gardener and your business involves treefelling.<br/>Failing to have a licence will result in problems with your insurance.<br/><br/><b>Tool cover</b><br/><br/>How important adequate cover is for your landscape business was the “<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/this-is-england-2010?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=2074886%3ATopic%3A136491&page=1#comments">This is England 2010</a>” post from Jill.<br/><br/>One of the most made mistakes is that people assume that tools will be covered by a Public Liability Insurance. That’s not the case: you need to take out a separate cover for your work tools.<br/><br/><b>Tools overnight cover</b>: You can also choose to include tools whilst left in your vehicle overnight. Cover can be provided for up to £10,000 and may include cover for tools in transit (dependant on insurer). Cover is for loss, destruction or damage by any cause not specifically excluded within the insurer's policy.<br/><br/><b>What will an insurer NOT cover for tools cover?</b><br/><br/>An insurer will not cover you when you find missing tools during a routine check or individual items exceeding 500 Pounds.<br/>If you have work tools exceeding this amount, always contact your insurer for a separate arrangement.<br/>If you keep your worktools in a van (overnight) and you took out additional cover to cover this, your vehicle doors should be fully closed and properly fastened. Lock all doors and windows.<br/><br/><b>Specific questions your insurer might ask you when buying insurance for landscape gardeners:</b><br/><br/>• Do you gain access by using ropes, harnesses or suspended platforms?<br/>• Do you dispose of fumes, effluent or other harmful waste as part of the insured business activity?<br/>• Do you work at depths below 1 metre underground?<br/><br/>I hope this will clarify things to look out for when you take out insurance for landscape gardening.</p></div>How to start and run a gardening or landscaping businesshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-start-and-run-a2010-09-26T10:30:00.000Z2010-09-26T10:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><p>Welcome to my Landscape Juice 'How to start and run a gardening or landscaping business', online course.<br />
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The current recession (I'm writing this whilst the world tries to recover from the worst financial crisis since the greatest depression of 1929) has caused rise to the number of men and women starting out in the gardening and landscaping business and pitching for work in an already congested market place; this has led to businesses failing, with others finding it difficult to attract enough work to keep their businesses healthy and viable.<br />
<br />
Whilst the <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/business/" target="_blank">business</a></b> articles I've published through Landscape Juice since 2005 has helped many hundreds (if not thousands) of garden and landscaping businesses, I'm aware that none of this has been collated into an easy to find index - this ongoing business and development course will hopefully help you in your quest to start, run and profit from working in horticulture.<br />
<br />
All of the following is based on my experience through my 30 years working in the gardening, landscaping and turf care industry. Much of what you'll read is based on what went right and what went wrong for me during my 21 years owning and running a landscaping and gardening business but I hope, through readers' comments and email snippets as well as links out to information in our members' <b><a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum">forum</a></b>, I can pass on enough help, advice and knowledge to help you avoid mistakes an help you succeed.<br />
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I will try to keep the information as crisp, clear and positive as I can but there will be digressions into personal experiences and opinion - like how when three employees handed in their notice on the same day to start their own business caused me to re-evaluate, leading me to sell up - I will delve into what can and did go wrong and what it's like to work with and for other people during the course of you business.<br />
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New post will come out every Friday morning so that you will have time over a weekend to read and digest before (hopefully) putting some of the ideas into practise the following week. Don't worry if you miss a post - there will be a full index as well as make new posts available through RSS.<br />
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This course will also remain fluid and flexible in the sense that at times I will go backwards in the sequence - this might be stimulated via an email question or reader comment.<br />
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<b>Asking questions</b> - never be worried about leaving a comment or asking a question. In my time on Landscape Juice I have found that many people stay silent because they are afraid that they will make a fool of themselves and seem unprofessional but let me tell you something - in my experience - only a very small proportion of business owners are equipped with all the knowledge, experience and skills to run a successful business. I don't know it all and there's no reason you should feel you should either.<br />
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I appreciate that not everyone will be at the start of their journey but I hope that whatever stage or even if you've been in business for many years, you'll find the information useful and as the course matures I'm sure there will be something for everyone.<br />
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If there's a particular subject that hasn't been covered but you feel will be useful then leave a comment or send an email and I'll add it to the list.<br />
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Here's the first part (6 weeks) of 'How to start and run a gardening or landscaping business'<br />
<br />
<b><u>Part 1.</u></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Business idea and evaluation</a> - asking yourself some tough questions<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Business plan</a></b> - how to plan a business plan<br />
<b><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Determining your market and finding customers</a></b> - finding your rightful place on the ladder<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Advertising your garden business</a> - understanding the basics before you start<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_blank">Download the full ebook now for just £1.60</a></p>
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