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Sample Articles

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Move Over Black Friday -- It's Trade Secret Thursday
Jody Shilan, Editor

In keeping with the current holiday spirit of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, I am declaring the first Thursday after Thanksgiving to forever be known as "Trade Secret Thursday". So it is written, so it shall be done -- I hope. . . . keep reading

"Resistance is Futile" -- There will always be "low ballers"
Jody Shilan, Editor

If I hear one more contractor use the excuse that they can't get work because of so called "low ballers", I think I am going to scream. Believe it or not, there will always be companies working without insurance, or licenses, and paying their employees cash . . . keep reading

Knock His Block Off and You Win
Jody Shilan, Editor

Most landscape contractors have a mix of residential maintenance and design/build work, as well as commercial maintenance and bid work. Now before you go any further, look at what I just wrote: "A mix of residential maintenance and design/build work, . . . keep reading

Design, Decide, Determine - The 3 D's For A Successful Sale
Jody Shilan, Editor

If you've been a member of FromDesign2Build.com for a while and/or have been receiving Trade Secrets, you should know that when it comes to my design/build process I want my clients to dream big. And you should too. . . . keep reading

"We Don't Know How Much We Want to Spend" - How To Get A Budget Number From Your Client
Jody Shilan, Editor

A common problem for landscape contractors is trying to find out what a client is budgeting for a particular project. Clients are always hesitant to throw out a number, and contractors know that without a budget they are going to be flying blind . . . keep reading

Wimpy Burger - I'll gladly repay you Tuesday for a hamburger today
Jody Shilan

Beware of the client who promises you future work to get a deal today. For those of you too young to remember this quote, it is from the cartoon "Popeye the Sailor Man". One particular character, "Wimpy", would often utter this phrase. You see "Wimpy" (actually Wimpy J. Wellington for you nostalgia buffs) consumed an extraordinary amount of hamburgers daily, but somehow never had the money to pay for them . . . keep reading

Ban The Term Landscaper
Jody Shilan, Editor

As we all know, our industry, like many others, has a significant problem with how we are perceived by the general public. Some of it is "rooted" in the history of our profession, but most of it is perpetuated by ourselves, our industry, suppliers and vendors. . . . keep reading

The Importance of Designing the Landscape and Architecture Together

When it comes to new construction and major home renovations, we as landscape design/build contractors are usually called in to a project after the majority of the home construction is completed. In reality, we should be involved in the process much sooner. . . . keep reading

You Want Fries With That Plan?
Jody Shilan, Editor

Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your client is to actually limit the amount of choices they have when it comes to the design of their landscape. I know, at first glance, this sounds counter intuitive. . . . keep reading