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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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