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Author: Landscape Management

An altruistic gesture

A landscaping firm is showing that altruism is alive and well. In honor of its 20th anniversary, Blue Ridge Landscape & Design in Winchester, Va., thought it only appropriate to give back to the city that has brought it so much success. So, Blue Ridge has donated 20 trees to the the city’s Jim Barnett […]

U.S. Lawns makes franchise list

In a report that appears on MSNMoney.com, Kiplinger rounds up “Seven fast-growing franchises.” U.S. Lawns made the cut. “All have demonstrated solid growth despite the harsh business climate,” the site reports, “and none of them require exorbitant startup fees. We focused our search on franchises with growth of 70% or more since 2006 (or 10% […]

One night only: trading my pen for a mic

I’m a writer and a reporter for a reason. I’m most comfortable behind the keyboard, telephone or notepad as the one asking the questions. That’s why I’m nervous but excited to have the tables turned on me by LM friend and columnist Jody Shilan next week. I’ll be the featured guest on his FD2B Talk […]

Go vote! And, why we vote on Tuesdays

This is just your friendlyreminder to go vote, in case you happen to be poring over the Landscape Management blog and forgot it was Election Day. Also, in case you were wondering why the heck we vote on Tuesdays, check out this short, enlightening video. (The quick answer: No good reason, whatsoever, other than tradition. […]

Cryan Landscape Contractors wins award, LM and PLANET partner on one of their own

Kudos to Cryan Landscape Contractors for being named Business of the Year by the North Attleborough, Mass., United Regional Chamber of Commerce. Deb Hanson of Design Elements for Business nominated Cryan Landscape Contractors for the award. “I have been providing graphic design services for Kevin Cryan over the past eight years and am constantly impressed at […]

Study: Green roofs, walls will soon be a $7.7 billion market

Lux Research reports that “green roofs and green walls, sought to address environmental issues like air pollution, heat-island effect and loss of green spaces in cities, will balloon into a $7.7 billion market in 2017, driven by mandates and incentives by cities across the globe.” You can see the entire press release here. Green roofs […]

GIE+Expo iPad winner!

Congratulations to Ben McCutcheon, production manager for Team Green Lawn in Xenia, Ohio, for winning an iPad at our booth at the GIE+Expo. It was a great show!

Bizarre economic indicators

Are you a market-watching junkie, allowing your blood pressure to rise and fall with the Dow? If so, you may want to tune in to Business Insider’s list of “36 weird economic indicators you’ve never heard of.” Trust me, they’re much more interesting to track than the Dow. I wrote a column, not nearly as […]

Setting a good example

When we read about Thomas Cahill, we couldn’t help but be impressed. The guy’s a junior at New Jersey’s Hillsborough High School, yet he already owns his own landscaping business—Cahill Landscaping. Now he’s been selected as the recipient of the 2012 Young Entrepreneur Award, presented every year by the Somerset County Business Partnership in his region. The […]

Jobs nobody wants

Several members of the Ohio Landscape Association and its Executive Director Sandy Munley shared the industry’s worker woes on the local news in Northeast Ohio yesterday. Let’s hope it brings the companies some good candidates. “Many times our landscapers run ads and don’t get anybody to answer them at all,” Munley says. “And other times, when […]

‘Tis the season

Green Industry businesses that offer holiday lighting services (which is 16 percent of the industry, according to our forthcoming 2012 Industry Pulse report) are revving up for a busy time of year.  ‘Tis the season for closing contracts, ordering supplies and prepping for installations. After Halloween, it’s go time, right?To get you into the holiday […]

A son’s plea for safe driving

We received this note from Louis Crisitello Jr., the son of landscape company owner Louis Crisitello, who died on the job last month when he was walking alongside his truck and was hit by a motorist.  Louis Crisitello was killed on the job last month by a motorist. We’re sorry for your family’s and the […]

Association membership elevator pitch

I recently received an email from Javier Lesaca of Bakersfield, Calif.-based Lesaca Landscape Co. He’s the director of membership for the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA), and he wanted to share his response to the question, “What value have you received from your association membership?” Belonging to an association is something he says he always […]

Employee feedback should go both ways

By Jeffrey Scott, Consultant Too much time is spent telling employees what to do. You often give your employees feedback, but instead, ask them to give you feedback. They see so much going on with your clients and company, you are likely under utilizing their insights. Two years ago I consulted with Maine contractor Mark […]

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Please provide your feedback for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!We would appreciate your time in helping us understand the ways you keep up-to-date on the latest lawn and landscape management news and information. Your feedback is important to the continued improvement of communications in your industry. This survey should take you […]

ASLA launches guide to D.C. landscape architecture

Do you live near or are you planning a trip to Washington, D.C.? If you’re a fan of landscape architecture, you’ll be pleased to hear the American Society of Landscape Architects has created the “Landscape Architect’s Guide to Washington, D.C.” The tidal basin This online, mobile-friendly guide helps visitors and locals discover more than 75 […]

Marketing in the new world order

By Jeffrey Scott, Consultant “I saw your trucks” and “I saw your job sign” used to be big drivers for the landscaping and maintenance business.  People would look down the street, see your work, then call you up and give you their business if you returned their call – as long as you didn’t insult […]

Syngenta to acquire DuPont Professional Products’ insecticide biz

Syngenta announced Wednesday it will acquire DuPont Professional Products’ insecticide business for $125 million. The acquisition, still subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012. It includes many of DuPont’s registered trademark brands, including Advion,Arilon, Acelepryn and Altriset. Syngenta says the acquisition will further strengthen its Lawn and Garden […]

Price cutting, then and now

As we work on Landscape Management’s 50th anniversary issue, coming out next month, I’d like to share with you this editorial from the September 1963 issue of our predecessor, Weeds and Turf. If nothing else, it will restore your belief in the phrase, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” It is […]

Rebranding checklist

Here’s another teaser from our August issue. The cover story, “Rebranded: Changing your company name might be a hassle, but it could pay off,” details what it takes to launch a company name or rename. There are bunch of special considerations when undertaking a rebrand. Here’s a checklist to walk you through some important steps, […]

Who’s the face of your company?

Here’s a teaser from Bruce Wilson’s August Best Practices column. In talking about how your employees represent you to the public, he says: Remember, the team on the loading dock is the face of your company to the vendor; the courtesy of the receptionist is the sound of your company to the caller; the precise, […]

Beverly Hills, baby!

It’s time again for Rain Bird’s Intelligent Use of Water Film competition. And that means you have another chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Southern California this October!At the beautiful Paley Center in Beverly Hills, you’ll join other Green Industry professionals and journalists in watching the films unfold on the big screen. […]

Big clients CAN kill you

By Jeffrey Scott, MBA It almost happened to me: the biggest client we ever had (million ++), at a time when we really needed the money and cash (think: recession…15 years ago). He was a pain through negotiations, and yet we bit our tongues and signed him up with a big margin. Big mistake. This client […]

No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care

Randy’s Take While flying to Chicago with 2 buddies for a golf getaway (one of them is from there) I am reading “The Big Miss” by Hank Haney. It’s about his time coaching Tiger Woods. I keep referring back to a folded page featuring a quote from Kevin Kleven: “Nobody cares how much youu know […]

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