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Business Strategies
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Business Strategies
"Success cannot just be measured in terms of smiling, satisfied customers but also in the cold, hard realities of facts, figures and finances" - Unknown
Whoever said, "Business is Business", never worked for a landscape design/build company. Not only do we have the traditional business requirements of every other industry such as taxes, insurance, payroll, controlling overhead and maximizing profits, we are also over-regulated and constantly scrutinized as an industry. On top of this we are always managing weather, equipment problems, language barriers and client expectations. It's amazing that we still enjoy our work! As a member of FromDesign2Build.com, you will learn:
- How to finally take your company to the "next level"
- How to work "on" your business instead of "in" it
- What office and field employees to hire and when
- How to develop business plans for 1, 3 and 5 years
- What to charge for your work and why you're not charging enough
- About successful retirement planning exit strategies
- What "benchmarking" is and why it is vital for a profitable business
The knowledge and skills required to create a beautiful landscape are much different from those needed to manage and grow a successful landscape design/build business. Learn what other landscape contractors are doing successfully and how they overcome problems both large and small.
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The Landscape Facility Tour
Jody Shilan, Editor
We are trying something new at our next NJLCA membership meeting. We're doing a facility tour. For those of you that have never been on one, it's exactly what it sounds like, a guided tour of one of our contractor's facilities. . . . keep reading
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As the Networking World Turns
Jody Shilan, Editor
I haven't written a networking Trade Secret in a while so I thought this week is as good as any. However, instead of focusing on social networking, I want to revisit the concept of "traditional networking". You know, the kind of networking you used to do where . . . keep reading
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So, How Does This Work?
Jody Shilan, Editor
As a freelance landscape designer and salesman who works for a variety of landscape design/build contractors, one of the first questions I am typically asked is, "so how does this work?" In my typical wise guy style, I usually respond, "it works great." . . . keep reading
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Screw "U" Landscaping
Jody Shilan, Editor
Whenever I consult with a landscape contractor to help him improve his company's sales I ask him to give me three reasons why a homeowner should choose his company over another company. In other words, what makes his product, company or service different from his . . . keep reading
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Co-Brandscaping
Jody Shilan, Editor
If you've never heard the term "co-branding" before, it refers to the concept of two companies using their brand name or product recognition to help both companies sell more products or services. For example, who isn't familiar with the Ford Explorer, . . . keep reading
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Make a New Year's Evolution
Jody Shilan, Editor
I'd like to ask you something (and please be completely honest). Are this year's New Years Resolutions the same as last years? Isn't it time to evolve from just making resolutions and actually start achieving them? This upcoming year I want you to . . . keep reading
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First Sell. Then Upsell!
Jody Shilan, Editor
In last weeks Trade Secret, "The Art of the Apology", I realized that many people may not be familiar with the term "up-selling", let alone, how to do it properly. . . . keep reading
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The Art of the Apology
Jody Shilan, Editor
Just like Donald Trump's book, "The Art of the Deal", where "The Donald" focuses on the nuances that will make one business deal a success and another a failure, we are going to explore the little things that make one apology a resounding success . . . keep reading
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Barriers to Entry
Jody Shilan, Editor
"Barriers to entry" is a business term that pertains to the level of difficulty required to enter a given industry or market. A high barrier means that it is difficult. A low barrier means that it is easy. Makes sense. . . . keep reading
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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
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Welcome to the Landscape "Chicken" Awards Dinner?
Jody Shilan, Editor
Last month, I finally took the plunge and purchased an iPhone 4S. Like so many others, I was fearful of giving up my tactile keyboard and replacing it with a touch screen. In my defense, I did need to wait a few years until the iPhone was . . . keep reading
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Will that be Cherry, Maple or Oak?
Jody Shilan, Editor
Believe it or not, I'm actually not talking about landscaping, but rather kitchen cabinets. Now wait a minute Jody, I put down good money each month to learn about landscape design/build not kitchens and baths. What's the . . . keep reading
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How Social Media Can Quickly Become "Unsocial"
Jody Shilan, Editor
Like all of you I am trying to get a handle on social media and how to use it to grow my membership and consulting/speaking business. As you all know, it is a daunting task with no end in sight. Social media is exploding exponentially while most of us are . . . keep reading
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Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
Jody Shilan, Editor
Right now I am stuck at the airport in Cleveland, Ohio because Newark airport is getting snowed in. Yes, that's right. We are having out first ever "White Halloween". It's not quite the same excitement as having a white Christmas, but if you're like one of . . . keep reading
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Now that's "Edutainment"
Jody Shilan, Editor
For some reason I am in a more comical mood than usual and have decided to include a couple of jokes in this weeks Trade Secret. As the editor, one of my goals is to entertain you and the other is to educate you. There is actually a term for it, it's called "edutainment". . . . keep reading
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You've Been Served - How to Deal with Small Claims Court
Jody Shilan, Editor
As I write this week's Trade Secret, I am sitting in a courthouse in Hackensack waiting for the small claims courtroom to open. A client from 2 years ago is suing me to return his design fee. I will explain the circumstances in a few minutes and try not . . . keep reading
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