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The Write Stuff - How to Speed Up Your Proposal Writing Jody Shilan, Editor I think you'll all agree that writing a proposal is probably one of the least enjoyable tasks in our business. Truth be told, most of us hate it. The real irony here is that we consider writing proposals hard work yet look at running equipment and building things all day as enjoyable. . . . keep reading
More Than Just A Pretty Picture Jody Shilan, Editor If you are like many design/build contractors, you may think of a landscape plan as an unnecessary expense that is often required just to get the sale - and that's all. Well, nothing could be farther from the truth. Its real value is typically misunderstood and completely overlooked. . . . keep reading
Download: Site Visit Proposal Jody Shilan, Editor Sometimes when you go out on an appointment it winds up being a potentially small project or a potentially annoying customer. You probably don't want to "blow off" either situation (OK we know you do) but you certainly want to minimize the amount of time you spend on these appointments . . . keep reading
Forget About the Righties -What You Really Need is a Left Hand Man Jody Shilan, Editor One of the biggest mistakes I see contractors make once their business begins to grow is to start looking for that perfect "Right Hand Man". The "go to" guy. The guy who is going to be at your command and solve all of your problems. Essentially a clone of yourself. . . . keep reading
Bid is a Four Letter Word Jody Shilan, Editor Throughout my career I have never been one to participate in the bidding process. I know that for many landscape contractors "bidding" is a very successful business model, but clearly less so these days . . . keep reading
Too Much Information (TMI) -- When less is truly more Jody Shilan, Editor In the early stages of my career I used to bring every piece of sales paraphenalia I had to my initial client meetings. Sample drawings, my leather bound portfolio of my installation work with my resume as the first page, and so many brochures and marketing pieces that I often had to take two trips to my car just to bring everything into the client's house . . . keep reading
The Not So Odd Couple -- Landscape Design and Production Jody Shilan, Editor The ultimate goal of any landscape design is to see the "plan" ultimately installed. The role of the designer is to create a vision of the client's goals and desires and develop these "dreams" into a thoughtfully created landscape plan. The role of production is to take that plan and build it . . . keep reading
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Rod Dickens | Contributor There's no mystery to getting your company name and projects in a magazine, newspaper, or other publication. The process begins by targeting the right publication, understanding who the reader is, and knowing what the editors want . . . keep reading
Understanding The Difference Between Imaging and 3D Software Len Hordyk, Contributor It appears that there is some confusion out there about the difference between imaging software and 3D software for landscape design. There are significant differences between them and we should start by defining what they are . . . keep reading
Job Costing Basics -- Inaccurate Job Costing Can Be Costing You Plenty Marcus VandeVliet, Contributor We're all acutely aware of the labor shortage facing our industry and also the limitations being placed on the H-2B seasonal guest worker program. This is a real problem for the Green Industry, but one that can be minimized if we approach it from different directions . . . 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
Download: Plant Guarantee Jody Shilan, Editor We all know that we would like to find the guy who started the whole plant guarantee thing and beat him senseless, but since it's too late for that let's at least protect ourselves as much as possible . . . keep reading
Outsource Your Drawings--Why You Need a Virtual CAD Assistant Kyle Burgamy, Contributor Before you hire a full time landscape designer, why not consider "outsourcing" your drawings to a freelance CAD operator? To remain competitive and profitable, a landscape designer or contractor must constantly seek to improve efficiencies with their services . . . keep reading
The Write Stuff - How to Speed Up Your Proposal Writing Jody Shilan, Editor I think you'll all agree that writing a proposal is probably one of the least enjoyable tasks in our business. Truth be told, most of us hate it. The real irony here is that we consider writing proposals hard work yet look at running equipment and building things all day as enjoyable. . . . keep reading
About this Site
The Write Stuff - How to Speed Up Your Proposal Writing
Publicity and the Anatomy of a Press Release--Part 1
More Than Just A Pretty Picture
Download: Site Visit Proposal
