course - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-19T10:03:31Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/courseBear Grylls Event A Disasterhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/bear-grylls-event-disaster2015-10-06T10:10:32.000Z2015-10-06T10:10:32.000ZSamhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Sam<div><p><b>Bear Grylls Race a disaster.</b></p><p><strong>The ultimate survivor, an obstacle course race (OCR) took part at Trent Park last weekend the 3<sup>rd</sup>/4<sup>th</sup> of October 2015 and was designed by Bear Grylls and his team, the woods were transformed into an obstacle course as well as other features of Trent Park, the team used scaffolding and other equipment to create this ultimate survivor style race for attendants, including all sorts of military style tasks. </strong></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314732699?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314732699?profile=original" width="486" class="align-full"/></a></p><p><strong>Reviews from participants were dreadful, the Facebook page was swamped with complaints and bad reviews the Monday after the event to the extent that the page owner was removing large amounts of bad comments that included bad language because people were that annoyed at the lack of organisation.</strong></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314733366?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314733366?profile=original" width="451" class="align-full"/></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314734157?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314734157?profile=original" width="271" class="align-full"/></a></p><p><strong>To top it all off a dog was run over and killed by one of the staff members who drove off quickly and nothing was done about it, comments continued to get removed from the Facebook wall as people demanded justice for the poor dog and its owner.</strong></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314733561?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314733561?profile=original" width="328" class="align-full"/></a></p><p><strong>By the sounds of it whoever designed the course and layout did an awful job with hazards and other problems all over the course, hopefully Bear will sort his staff out for next year and get someone who knows what there doing to design and layout the OCR Race.</strong></p><p>Lockey Digital Suppliers of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.lockeydigital.co.uk/" target="_blank">Digital Door Locks</a></p></div>Sherriff Amenity Announce 100% Pass Rate for BASIS Coursehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/sherriff-amenity-announce-100-pass-rate-for-basis-course2014-05-28T14:04:55.000Z2014-05-28T14:04:55.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Sherriff Amenity is pleased to announce a 100% pass rate for greenkeepers and other turf professionals for the BASIS Foundation Award in Amenity and Horticulture for the second consecutive year, held at BTME in January, which raises the knowledge of pesticides among professional users.</p><p>With support from Bayer and Everris, the four candidates, from golf clubs up and down the country, took part in a three-day course conducted by the STRI’s Head of Research Dr Ruth Mann and researcher Christian Spring at this year’s BTME in Harrogate and the STRI HQ at Bingley.</p><p>The four candidates recently found out that they were successful in the exam set subsequently by BASIS, the independent organisation which sets, maintains and assesses standards of pesticide production and usage.</p><p>“We helped support candidates through the course in association with Sherriff Amenity,” said Dr. Colin Mumford, Technical Support Manager at Bayer. “We feel that it is important to support education within the industry and continued professional development. We are very pleased for the candidates and congratulate them on their success.”</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314217872?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314217872?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>The full list of award winners is:</p><p>Andrew Kerr, West Malling Golf Course in Kent<br/> James Bonfield, Crown Golf in Berkshire<br/> Andy Greenslade, Hainault Golf Course in Essex<br/>Gwynn Davies, Mere Golf in Cheshire</p><p>Club Ed Carter, Sales and Development Manager for the Turf and Amenity business at Everris commented: “We are very proud of our relationship with Sherriff Amenity and as a long standing supporter of BTME we have tried to support education at the show. Naturally, we took the opportunity to support this course by investing in greenkeepers and course managers so that they can achieve their goals of better understanding pesticides.”</p><p>The Foundation Award is one of many recognised qualifications that BASIS offers those working in turf and other land-based professions.</p><p>“The BASIS course is a practical way of promoting a professional understanding of pesticides and its use,” said Sherriff Amenity’s Marketing Manager Kevin Whitby. “That everyone passed says a lot for the attitude of our greenkeepers and of course Ruth and Christian as excellent tutors.”</p><p>For further information, or if you would like to register for the Customer Order Portal please contact Sherriff Amenity on 01638 721 888 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sherriffamenity.com">www.sherriffamenity.com</a></p><p>For more news and insightful views, you can follow Sherriff Amenity on Twitter @SherriffAmenity</p></div>Purchase of SISIS Aer-Aid by Golf Course Leads to Multiple Saleshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/purchase-of-sisis-aer-aid-by-golf-course-leads-to-multiple-sales2014-02-03T13:21:13.000Z2014-02-03T13:21:13.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>The Emerson Country Club in Sejong City, South Korea has recently upgraded its turf maintenance machinery with the delivery of a SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid 1500 tractor mounted aerator by local SISIS dealer Arcwin Co, which has led to six further sales of the machine in the region.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314184209?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314184209?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-left"/></a>The course is considered one of the region’s best, so Head Greenkeeper Chang Gue-Oh chose what he considered to be the best aeration machine on the market and after-sales service available to care for the course.</p><p>“We had a gas exchange problem on our greens and our previous machinery did nothing to help with the problem,” explained Chang. “We visited a recent demonstration day by Arcwin Co and were astounded by the SISIS Aer-Aid. It was so quick in its operation yet left minimal surface disturbance and since our purchase we’ve not only completed our aeration tasks quicker, but also saved resources which can be better spent on other areas of the course.”</p><p>The Aer-Aid system injects air directly into the root zone speeding up the aeration process, moving air uniformly throughout the root zone for complete aeration and not just where the tines have penetrated the surface. The cam trigger mechanism ensures that the air is always at the bottom of the tine penetration enabling treatment to be targeted precisely by the operator.</p><p>“Over the past twelve months; we have seen a significant increase in the number of demonstrations and sales of the Aer-Aid, not just overseas but also in the UK,” said Ewen Wilson, Dennis and SISIS Export Manager.</p><p>“Greenkeepers, course managers as well as groundsmen and contractors like that the machines can be used all year round due to the large selection of tines which help to break up compaction allowing water, air and nutrients to penetrate the root zone. Constant use helps to produce a sports surface that is less affected by weather changing weather conditions.”</p><p>“The wide range of tines available combined with the low maintenance and quickness of operation are all great advantages of the SISIS Aer-Aid,” said Chang.</p><p>For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sisis.com" target="_blank">www.sisis.com</a><br/> For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery">www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery</a>. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery">www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery</a>.</p></div>The world’s first online gardening for wildlife coursehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-world-s-first-online-gardening-for-wildlife-course2013-09-04T08:30:00.000Z2013-09-04T08:30:00.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>wp>Today, the RHS announces the launch of the world’s first global online gardening for wildlife course- to educate people on planting and creating attractive habitats for wildlife in their gardens. The course is bookable from September 7 via both The RHS and The MyGardenSchool websites. </p>
<p>The four week online only course is unique in that you get video lectures, weekly assignments, a downloadable e-book, and an online classroom with personal feedback from a world expert throughout the course. The gardening for wildlife course is tutored by acclaimed horticulturist and RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal record holder, Andy McIndoe who students will meet and have their work marked by in the virtual classroom.  The Gardening for Wildlife course starts on the first Saturday of every month, costs £145 and is only bookable two months in advance.</p>
<p>Dan Wolfe, Director of Marketing at The RHS, said: “Both organisations are passionate about educating the next gardening generation online, so it was a natural fit for us all to join forces and help to bring a global audience the opportunity to learn more about gardening for wildlife via the internet.  Not everyone can always get to face-to-face courses and lectures, and yet we feel that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from a gardening expert, wherever you are in the world.” </p>
<p>RHS Advisory and RHS Education teams have been heavily involved in the production of the course from conception through to delivery.  Photography has been supplied by world-leading wildlife photographer, David Tipling.  </p>
<p>The course is bookable now via <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/courses">www.rhs.org.uk/courses</a> or <a href="http://www.my-garden-school.com/courses">www.my-garden-school.com/courses</a></p>
</div>Grasses Move Into The Spotlighthttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/grasses-move-into-the-spotlight2012-08-26T20:00:00.000Z2012-08-26T20:00:00.000ZElspeth Briscoehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/ElspethBriscoe<div><p>"The cold wet summer experienced in Western Europe this year doesn’t seem to have held back the flowering of the ornamental grasses in my garden. From now on until the end of autumn is when things really begin to get exciting here. Of course calamagrostis had been effective for months, but with panicums, molinias and finally my miscanthus coming into flower the garden is reaching its peak." - Speaks Michael King this week (co-author of Piet Oudolf). </p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314147020?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314147020?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="524" class="align-left" height="348"/></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Michael King is probably one of the world's foremost authorities on planting design with grasses. Michael lives in the Netherlands, but he is now holding four week online courses at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.my-garden-school.com" target="_blank">MyGardenSchool</a> teaching gardening enthusiasts, aspiring and professional garden designers, and practising landscapers all about the beauty of using different grasses for both form and function.</p><p>Here is a taster for the course (which includes a new video format). Bookings are now being taken for Sept 1st intake. You can learn more about the Designing With Grasses <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.my-garden-school.com/course/a-masterclass-in-garden-design-with-grasses/" target="_blank">Gardening Course</a> here.<object width="640" height="360" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VbuYpJfeteI?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="false"></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="640" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VbuYpJfeteI?version=3&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object></p></div>London Garden Design Diary: Week 4 2012https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/london-garden-design-diary-week-4-20122012-01-31T21:00:00.000Z2012-01-31T21:00:00.000ZKatrina Kieffer- Wellshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/KatrinaKiefferWells<div><p>Matt has had a slow week on site due to the weather, as most of the jobs he needs to complete on the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/garden-design-bethnal-green-london-e2.html" target="_self">garden design and build in Bethnal Green</a> , such as painting walls and sheds, require a dry day. He has fixed some lighting and completed the planting, however.</p><p></p><p>Katrina has been working on the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.gardenpresents.co.uk/" target="_self">postal garden design</a> for our clients in Tadworth Surrey. The client has a relatively new house and wanted a curvy garden design to self-build over the coming year. Click on the link to read the details of this <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/general-garden-design-chit-chat/postal-garden-design-surrey" target="_blank">landscape design in Surrey.</a></p><p></p><p>Katrina has run into a few complications for our <a rel="nofollow" href="../general-garden-design-chit-chat/garden-and-interior-design-in-romania-part-3">garden design in Romania</a>, as some of the measurements supplied by the client don’t seem to make sense. Katrina has emailed the client a layout asking them to complete the dimensions. Once she has these dimensions hopefully it will be plain sailing.</p><p></p><p>Updates continue on both our web-site and our <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/html/gardendesign/" target="_self">garden design portfolio</a>. The job is a long and laborious one and attention to detail takes it toll on concentration. We have several new projects to add to both our web-site and portfolio as well as updating all our magazine articles. If anyone has any comments regarding our web-site it would be great to have some feedback.</p><p></p><p>Matt has been asked to produce a quote to replace some garden decking and fencing in Holloway, North London.</p><p></p><p>We have also been contacted by a multi-media communications company based in Shoreditch, East London, to provide a quote for a temporary roof garden for an event they are holding in July. They require a long deck and pergola built over a shallow bespoke water feature. The roof terrace is on a 5 storey building with limited access, and they would require the project to be completed in 5 days prior to the event, so it would be an interesting and challenging project.</p><p></p><p>Katrina was contacted with regard to a small <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/garden-design-west-hampstead-london-nw6.html" target="_self">garden design in West Hampstead</a>. The client has a small son and wishes to create a safe outdoor environment for him to play. They would like to remove the existing paving and replace it with decking and artificial lawn. He is in discussion with his wife as to whether they require a design lead approach, adding more into the space, or whether they would like to follow a more practical approach and scale down their plans for the garden to allow funds for the interior renovation of their new property.</p><p></p><p>Katrina is taking bookings for her <a rel="nofollow" href="../general-garden-design-chit-chat/earth-designs-garden-design-school-garden-design-short-courses">garden design courses</a>. The next batch of courses will take place in the Spring and are beneficial for both trained garden designers and students alike.</p><p></p><p>The guys at popular garden design blog, Studio ‘g’, have run another fantastic feature on Earth Designs this month. Click <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.studiogblog.com/garden-inspirations/inspiration-boards/a-garden-story-the-renderings/">here</a> to read the post.<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WOTB-wk4-2012.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WOTB-wk4-2012.jpg"/></a></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 />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Avoid family and friends helping with the books</span><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
Here are some useful resources to help with the mechanics of starting a business.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Inland Revenue</span><br />
<br />
Starting in business<br />
<a href="http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm">http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm</a><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Business Link</span><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<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>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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
There might be two types of garden contractor reading this: domestic or commercial.<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
Similarly with Facebook, having an account or dedicated page can be an excellent way to get your brand noticed and constantly recycled.<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
If you go down the blogging route then here's a few basic guidelines to follow:<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
Similarly, placing a work board outside (I would ask permission) the house your working at sends out your message perfectly.<br />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br style="font-weight: bold;" />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
Again, utilising the Landscape Juice Network is also one way to get in front of a growing number of potential clients.<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
Resources metioned in this blog:<br />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<b><u>What is a business plan?</u></b><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<b><u>Does every business need a plan?</u></b><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<b><u>All businesses need to make a profit</u></b><br />
<br />
One thing we all have to do - no matter what size of business we are - is make a profit.<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<b><u>Having enough cash to trade</u></b><br />
<br />
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 />
<b><u><br />
Remain flexible</u></b><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<u><b><br />
Gardening businesses face a unique set of challenges</b></u><br />
<br />
Any plan should always include a contingency that identifies likely areas of disruption.<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<b><u><br />
Day length</u></b><br />
<br />
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 />
<b><u><br />
Taking time out for training or education</u></b><br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
Example: If you have identified that you need to make £20,000 per year<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
You'll have to add travel and sundry expenses into the equation and make the necessary adjustments to your plan too.<br />
<br />
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 />
<br />
As always, please feel free to leave a comment, ask a question or add any snippets of information based on your experience.<br />
<br />
You may need to take legal or accountancy advice before proceeding.<br />
<br />
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>Starting a gardening or landscaping business?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/starting-a-gardening-or2010-10-01T05:30:00.000Z2010-10-01T05:30:00.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314681524?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_blank"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314124442?profile=RESIZE_320x320" class="align-right" /></a><em><strong>This series isn't just for landscapers and gardeners starting out: it's also a refresher for existing businesses</strong></em></p>
<p>Welcome to the first section of my course - How to start and run a garden and landscaping business.<br />
<br />
In this first section, we'll take a look at what your reasons are for wanting to go into business in the first place but also how to consider some of the tough questions, such as - Am I physically and mentally prepared for the weather and the financial aspects of being my own boss?<br />
<br />
This first lesson is geared to those people who are thinking about or have recently started to trade but I hope some of the points may be of help to anyone who has been trading for a while.<br />
<br />
Don't worry if this first post doesn't answer all of the specifics as we'll go into greater detail shortly. If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment regarding anything that's mentioned then please feel free.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Why start a garden business?</u></b><br />
<br />
A plethora of TV gardening programmes have tended to create a misty and romantic notion that a garden makeover or a complete landscaping project is quick, easy, fun and may be achieved on low to modest budgets. This has unfortunately led to unrealistic and undeliverable ambitions by the consumer who is now under the impression that gardens are quick and easy and the employing of a gardener or a landscaper is cheap.<br />
<br />
Consequently, the stark reality is that gardening is still often viewed - despite the ongoing work we are all doing on Landscape Juice - as a second class profession. It is also significantly undervalued compared to many other skilled trades, it's totally unregulated, hampered by the vagaries of the weather and is blighted by a common impression that everything can be renegotiated for cash.<br />
<br />
I hope, after reading this lesson, you will form a realistic view about gardening and landscaping, that leaves you under no illusions - despite this industry being so rewarding - of the challenges faced when starting and running a profitable business.</p>
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<p><b><u>Why do you want a garden business?</u></b></p>
<p>So here we go, straight in and here are some of the reasons why people want to enter the horticulture profession (in no particular order):<br />
<br />
They've:</p>
<ul>
<li>Recently qualified from a horticulture college having had a long term aspiration of becoming a gardener or landscaper.</li>
<li>Have gardened as a hobby and/or created their own garden and cannot resist making it a career move.</li>
<li><b>A</b>lways wanted to work outdoors but never had an opportunity.</li>
<li>Cannot find other suitable work and gardening is a last resort.</li>
<li>Had children who are now in full time education or have left home and they now have the time.</li>
<li>Worked in the industry as an employee for a short/long time and want to go it alone.</li>
<li>Want to be their own boss and why not as a gardener?</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span class="font-size-2"><u><b>So what about you?</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Whatever your reason, you have to determine if you want to go into business for the right reasons but bear in mind, what might be right for someone else, might not be right for you and you have to weigh up everything based on your own personal set of circumstances.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">The decision is however the most important one you'll make at this stage of your new career and if your mind isn't in the right place or your motives are wrong, then there's a very strong chance that your business will fail.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">There are so many other aspects of a garden business that have to be considered at this important stage and the following <b><u>is</u></b> designed to put you off - if it doesn't put you off then there's every chance you're, mentally at least, equipped to get started.</span><br />
<span class="font-size-2"><u><b><br />
It's good to talk</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Talk to as many people as you can. Whether they're people you know already who work as a gardener or landscaper or people who you feel might be a potential (not necessarily of your future services) consumer.</span><br />
<span class="font-size-2">Listening to someone who has already been at the stage you are at now will be a great help in focussing your mind or stimulate further debate or flag up more pertinent questions.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">A good starting point is on the Landscape Juice Network <a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum">forum</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2"><b><u>Be tough with yourself</u></b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">I'm sure we've all done it. Convinced ourselves that something is a good idea yet deep down, there are strong feelings of insecurity and doubt, possibly already knowing, whatever you're about to try and undertake, is really not in your best interests?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Sure, even if risk and disadvantage is against them, some people have the ability to be single minded enough to turn a negative situation into a positive one. Ask yourself why you want to become a gardener or a landscaper. Is it something you'll feel you would be good at?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Could you hack working in the outside world: gardening might well be a great pastime when you can please yourself, pick and choose when you work, and dodge the rain and foul weather - including snow and ice - but when you come under the commercial pressures of working to a timetable and delivering a quality service and value for money, then you have got to seriously ask yourself if you can cope as it's a different ballgame entirely?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">If you've got a mortgage or rent to pay then you'll need to be confident that you'll be able to meet your obligations during times of disruptive weather conditions. If you easily buckle under stress then being snowed-in during January (as it was the case for most of the UK in the winter of 2010) not having significant capital to meet your financial needs can be mentally debilitating. Ask yourself, can I do this, do I want to do this?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Are you equipped, both physically and mentally, with the demands of running your business? You'll not only have to work physically hard carrying out the tasks on site but you'll also have to deal with people and hold your own in what can be a harsh business environment: remember, the client will want the best possible service for the price they've agreed to pay and you'll want to receive the best possible price for the service you've agreed to provide - it will be all down to you.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">On paper, negotiating a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly schedule for selling your time and expertise seems simple; talk is cheap and it's easy to give the client the impression that they'll be getting a lot more from you than you'll ultimately expect to give.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Negotiating is tough at times and you'll often feel caught in the middle. You'll have to negotiate the best possible prices and discounts with suppliers as well as resists pressure from potential clients to give away too much. Can you do this, do you want to do this?</span><br />
<span class="font-size-2"><u><b><br />
Setting up a business costs money</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">You might have a strong plan and a certain amount of work already in the pipeline but setting up and running a business costs money.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">I would suggest that if you are setting up as a single person enterprise then you keep strict control over your debtors and insist, where possible, that you are paid on the day you do the work. Unless you are anticipating taking on commercial contracts then there's no real benefit. or sense, in letting your clients have any form of credit.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">We'll go into business plans and cash flow forecasting in the coming few weeks but before you even get as far as putting too much on paper, ask yourself - do you have sufficient capital to see you through the first few weeks or months? There may be capital expenditure on tools and equipment (if you don't own these already) and potentially an investment in a commercial vehicle to carry your tools and materials to the sites you work.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">The family car's all well and good but do you really want to be unloading tools and equipment and hoovering out soil and muck just so you can take your family out for the day over a weekend?</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span class="font-size-2"><u>Saleable skills and knowledge</u></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">It's the same with any profession. You can only receive the right remuneration dependant on the experience and skills you possess. It doesn't matter one iota if you are unqualified in some or all of the aspects of gardening or landscaping but you have to be able to deliver on your promise. You'll be foolish and bordering on insane if you sell yourself as being experienced and skilled in certain aspects of gardening or landscaping and then expose yourself and let yourself down when trying to deliver the goods to your clients.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">You also have to be aware that the price you can charge is pursuant to the knowledge and skills you already possess so you have to do some research into your local gardening markets and assess what's already being charged for the service you aim to deliver and then work out if you have the ammunition to provide those skills to receive the right compensation for the income you need from your business.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">Don't take a chance - if you're not sufficiently equipped, both skilfully and with the necessary experience at this stage then your business might suffer from day one and not get off the ground.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2"><span class="font-size-2">Bad news travels fast and so does a poor reputation.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="font-size-2">I hope this first post has given you some useful tips to help concentrate your mind and remember, if you want help on specifics then leave a comment below.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Business idea and evaluation</a> </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Business plan</a> </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Determining your market and finding customers</a><br /></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Advertising your garden business</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_self">Registering a garden business</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><b><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/starting-a-landscaping-or-gardening-business.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.landscapejuice.com/Sidebar%20book.jpg?width=150" class="align-right" width="150" /></a></b></p>
<p>Phil Voice has worked in the landscape and horticulture industry all his working life. He qualified in amenity horticulture at Merrist Wood college, Worplesdon, Guildford and greenkeeping at Sparsholt college, Hampshire.</p>
<p>Running his gardening and landscaping business for nearly twenty-one years, from the age of nineteen, employing sixteen people, at its peak.</p>
<p>Phil has picked up some valuable experience - including the knocks and hardship - and skills. In this book he passes on some of this value to help you get started.</p>
<p>The book is not so much about the numbers but more about the mental approach and how to think business-like.</p>
<p> </p>
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<p><br /></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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
<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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
<br />
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 />
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<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 />
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<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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