Landscape Live!

Steve Bailey of Steve Bailey Consulting discusses new retail profit centers.Some of the topics include: -Landscape contractors who own garden centers -Purchasing a garden center to be it’s own profit center -Adding installation services if you own a garden center -Providing design/build opportunities to a garden center -Selling retail, wholesale, plants only, plants plus hardscape and moreBailey began his career working at a garden center while attaining a bachelor’s degree in Plant & Soil Science and a specialization in Business. With more than 40 years in the garden center industry and 18 years as a garden center owner, he currently serves as the financial analysis consultant for The Garden Center Group. His focus is on retail margin management, inventory control and profitability.Bailey is also the developer of the $eason2Buy Budgeting System, an online buying budgeting and inventory control tool for retailers.For more information, visit www.stevebaileyconsulting.biz

In this episode, Sid Raisch will discuss growing your garden center. Learn how to make your company both logically and emotionally appealing and boost your profits at the same time. From cheap paint and wallpaper tricks to investments that money can't buy, you can build the marketability of your business one step at a time with little cash and no credit in four strategic areas: Products, Place, People, and Customers.Sid Raisch is a small business advocate. He is the founder of Horticultural Advantage, a consulting firm to the commercial horticulture industry and Service Provider to The Garden Center Group. He has created the Advantage Development System to help client companies increase their effectiveness to earn greater profits.For more information, visit www.AdvantageDevelopmentSystem.com.

Even though many landscape contractors have been in business for 5, 10 or even 20 years, they still overlook the fundamentals when it comes to running their businesses. This causes them to improperly price work, month after month and year after year, not knowing whether they made money or lost money until the end of the year.Whether you're new to the green industry or a seasoned professional looking for a business basics refresher course, you must listen in tonight as Marcus vandeVliet walks us through the five business necessities that you must have to remain competitive and profitable - both now and in the future. 1. Why you must have a business plan 2. How to create a realistic budget 3. The importance of an accurate estimating system 4. Job costing basics 5. What is an information management systemMarcus vandeVliet is the founder of a design build company in New Jersey that he re-directed into a niche business specializing in project management of high-end projects for the re

Kevin McLaughlin discusses successful event marketing. Some of the topics covered include: -Promoting yourself through a trade show -Choosing the right event -Preparing and setting goals for the event -Proper booth setup -Pre-show marketing -Incentives and discounts in the booth -Employees working the booth -Post show follow-up -Measuring resultsMcLaughlin is a trade show manager and partner of MAC Events, L.L.C. For the past 22 years he has been responsible for up to 8 annual consumer events with responsibilities including event marketing, sales management, new business development and leads the firm's Internet Marketing initiative.In 2010, McLaughlin expanded MAC Events into the business-to-business side of trade shows with the addition of NJ Plants – Professional Landscape & Nursery Trade Show and in 2012 he added the Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (PANTS) to their inventory of annual events.Kevin received a B.S. in Marketing & Finance from the University of Oregon in 1

Brett Kelly is an expert in bamboo decking, with years of experience in the lumber and landscaping industries.In this episode he talks about: -The history of decking -Decking vs. raised patios -Decking sustainability and environmental issues -Pros and cons of various materials -Building codes -Construction techniques -Fasteners, hangers and hardware -Outdoor living spacesKelly began his building materials career with Georgia Pacific in 1993 after graduating from college. In 1995, he joined Thompson Mahogany Company in Philadelphia to sell a new hardwood decking specie, Ipe. Thompson Mahogany was one of the three original companies to market Ipe to the residential deck market.In 2005, Kelly left the lumber industry to work commercial construction as a project manager. In 2008, he returned to the lumber business and was able to combine both skill sets as he began to sell lumber into the commercial marine construction market. Kelly worked with New York City on their pile supply and also w

Jim McClintock is a master of internet marketing, who will help you learn: -Whether you really need a website -Using a Facebook page as your website -Free websites vs. paid for services -How to make Google work for you -Pulling data from your website to help you better understand your clients -Finding time for Social Media, Blogging and e-mail marketing -How e-mail marketing will work for your businessAs business development director of Company 119, McClintock is working with companies reach out to prospects through various channels to better interact with them and tell their story, working with them to create and implement marketing strategies that generate more leads and ultimately sell more and using technology to make business processes more effective and efficient.His first sales role was with Electrolock, Inc., where Jim quickly learned how frustrating, difficult and lonely sales can be. Plodding through a career of mediocrity until he was introduced to and trained in a nationally a

Waterscaping can be a creative outlet...and a catalyst for profit for your business.Some of the topics Demi Fortuna talks about include: -The types of water features that are fastest to install, easiest to maintain and most profitable -Creating and sizing above-ground and in-ground reservoirs -Selecting and hiding pumps and plumbing -Making a water feature out of literally ANYTHING -The most fool-proof ways to maintain your customer's water feature. Demi Fortuna is Director of Product Information for industry leader Atlantic Water Gardens, traveling and working with contractors and distributors alike in developing targeted Atlantic sales support materials. Fortuna has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of water garden design and construction, the last ten years in product research, development, sales and product training. When he isn't presenting complex topics via seminars and lectures in an accessible, enjoyable manner, he can usually be found up to his elbows in pond slime working wi

Have trouble estimating? Jim Huston will show you the right way.Some of the topics talked about include: -The six methods of estimating -Overhead budgets -Labor burdens and average wages -Time and Materials -Break-even points (BEP) and Gross & Net Profit MarginsHuston has more than 35 years of diverse business management experience and holds an MBA degree in finance. He is also a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators. He is a Certified Professional Landscape Estimator and he is one of only two such CPLE's in the world.As a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, he held positions in finance, aviation supply inventory management and procurement. After his tour of duty with the Marines, he became a senior production control analyst for the electronics division of General Dynamics.Since 1987, he has been a management consultant to the Green Industry. Early in his career, he was in charge of the consulting division for Charles Vander Kooi and Associates, Inc. In 1989 he formed J.

Low-voltage landscape lighting is Michael Deo's specialty. He'll share his tips and cover some other hot-button lighting topics such as: -Misconceptions the public has about landscape lighting -Common problems in lighting installations -The most exciting things happening in the field of lighting -How landscape designers or design/build firms can work with a lighting-only pro to increase profitsDeo is the president and founder of NatureScape Lighting and an award winning lighting designer. Since he is also formally trained in landscape design, his lighting projects reflect a deep knowledge of horticulture. He is keenly aware of how plants change not only with the seasons but over time and how each will react to light. His signature style is evident anywhere there is texture – beautiful millwork, exfoliating bark, the transparent leaves of a Japanese maple.Deo frequently teaches lighting design at Rutgers Home Gardener's school and appears as a guest lecturer in residential garden design classes at bot

Your business reputation depends on your employees' ability to recover unsatisfied customers. No one enjoys being confronted with an angry customer, but we all understand the importance of conflict resolution for positive word of mouth and the future business. From receptionists to owners how many of your employees have been trained how to handle these sensitive situations? When confronted with these "uncomfortable" moments it is no time to be "HAP"-hazard in your approach. HAP ("Handling Angry People") will provide you with a system to cool customers down because you can't fix the problem until you fix the person. Your newly acquired knowledge and confidence will not only be effective with customers, but also co-workers, vendors, neighbors, spouses, and teenagers (well...maybe not teenagers).Some of the topics Mark Adamson covers include: -Why it is important to "stay in touch" with customers -What Mark's definition of an angry customer is -Why dealing with angry customers is important to a business

What are the most common and most preventable causes of equipment downtime? What are examples of a good preventative maintenance program? Who is responsible for what in a preventative maintenance program and how do they log change? How do I tracking equipment usage?If you've ever had these questions, listen in as Mark Caprio sets you straight. He'll also talk about : whether to have an in-house mechanic versus outsourcing; winter storage/spring startup; and the big "ethanol controversy."Caprio joined Lawn Doctor, Inc. in 2000 after twenty years in the automotive industry. Since coming to Lawn Doctor, he has held the position of Senior Equipment Specialist for over eight years and has worked together with their Equipment Research and Development team in the design and support Lawn Doctor's Turf Tamer® equipment to their 490 franchise locations. He currently holds the position of Director of Equipment Support and his responsibilities include supervising the Equipment Support Department.In 2006 he earned the

Jan Johnsen discusses the serenity in the garden.She covers: -The surprising role that shapes, water, place, trees, and color play in transforming our state of mind outdoors -The three primary features that are needed for a serenely inspired landscape -Why north is the direction for contemplative viewing gardens -How well-placed stones can add a sense of calm to a setting Jan Johnsen is a professional landscape designer and is a principal, along with her husband, of the established design/build firm, Johnsen Landscapes & Pools, in Westchester County, NY. She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and an award-winning instructor at the New York Botanical Garden. For the last several years, Johnsen has written the popular garden blog, "Serenity in the Garden." She is also a contributing editor for Garden Design Magazine.Ever since she lived in Japan as a college student, Johnsen has been an advocate of the transformative power of nature upon our wellbeing. Her initial experiences of walking

Laura DePrado has achieved numerous awards locally and nationally for her work in horticultural therapy. What is that you ask?Listen in as DePrado defines what horticultural therapy is, what it's benefits are, where it is practiced, how it differs from "garden therapy," the types of training needed to become a Horticultural Therapist and legislation to promote awareness and benefits of horticultural therapy.DePrado is a horticultural Specialist and Horticultural Therapy Practitioner and founder, owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC, Branchburg in Somerset County, N.J., specializing in connecting people and plants through customized activities and programs from children through seniors throughout New Jersey. She is a featured Horticultural Therapy columnist for Gannett Publishing, mycentraljersey.com, Courier News, Home News Tribune and Asbury Park Press, and writer for state and local magazines. Laura has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, and Horticultural Therapy Certificate from Rutgers University.She

Business communication methods don't have to be complex. You can effectively communicate via: -Snail Mail -E-mail -Phone calls -Text MessagesJohn Massaro is the President of Customized Business Software, LLC, whose flagship product is BILLMASTER, a complete software service solution (office and mobile) for the lawn care industry. Massaro has been a Glen Rock, N.J. resident for over 23 years, but is originally from Rockland County, N.Y. He is the Scoutmaster of Troop 15 of Glen Rock and a Free Mason with the Hawthorne-Fortitude Lodge in Ramsey, N.J. He is married with four children.

Sure you know about social media, but do you know anything beyond Facebook and Twitter?Denice Shuty is an avid "Houzzer" both personally and professionally and is fluent in the use of the popular web platform and its value as a marketing/PR tool for businesses and organizations involved in residential design, construction, and remodeling. She creates and manages Houzz profiles for her clients and offers best-practices coaching on how to optimize the program's features and tools for increased brand visibility. She'll answer the following questions for you: -What is Houzz? -How is Houzz different than other social media or other types of online marketing? -What Houzz can do for my landscape business? -Who is the typical "Houzzer"? -How do I get started on Houzz? -Is there a "right way" to use Houzz?Shuty is a former landscape design/build professional with more than 15 years experience working with some of the Chicago area's top landscape and interiorscape companies. With in-depth knowledge o

Why do small business owners STRUGGLE to grow their businesses or get STUCK along the way? Jonathan Goldhill says its because they're still thinking like an employee. Goldhill will tell you W=what the owner of a design/build landscape company needs to be doing as the CEO and why and how business owners need to learn how to be better entrepreneurs and leaders.Goldhill is a master business coach delivering one-on-one, group and team coaching and specializing in Sales Training, Online & Traditional Marketing Planning, Financial Analysis, Profitability Planning, Leadership and Team Development. Since 1987, Goldhill has advised the owners, managers and sales professionals in privately-held and family-owned businesses in more than 125 different industries. As an expert in developing and executing business growth strategies, he has worked with more than 75 landscape business owners, since joining the green industry in 2006, helping many to achieve double-digit percentage growth in their sales and profits. Jona

As the founder and CEO of Exscape Designs, Bill brings more than 15 years of experience to the leadership and project direction of the company. Bill uses his skills to cast the strategic vision for the organization as a whole as well as overseeing talent acquisition and business development at Exscape Designs.Bill has made a commitment to continuing education and leadership to development as he maintains a Landscape Industry Certification as a member of PLANET (Professional Land Care Network), is a member of the Ohio Landscape Association and The Leader's Edge (a national peer group). He was recently elected as a Director of the Geauga Growth Partnership and works with the Entrepreneur Task Force. Bill graduated with “the best class” of Leadership Geauga and is a past V.P. on the Board of Trustees. He truly enjoys participating at the Auburn Career Center as part of the Horticultural Advisory Committee.When Bill's not working on developing Exscape Designs, you'll find him at home enjoying time with his wife a