|
|
 |
The Rise and Fall of Saturn (or Why Your Customers Don't Want to Buy From You)
Chris Heiler | November 15, 2010
Just because you offer your customers everything they need doesn't mean they want to buy everything from you.
I see numerous Green Industry companies who ride this train of thought into becoming highly diversified businesses stretched thin striving to be all things to all people.
Just because you design and install landscaping doesn't mean you should start mowing lawns, climbing trees, and hanging Christmas lights.
Some companies are even expanding into washing windows and striping parking lots for their customers.
While your customers may need these services, this doesn't mean they want to hire you to perform them . . .
keep reading
|
7 Random Musings From PLANET's Green Industry Conference
Chris Heiler | November 4, 2010
I returned from Louisville, Kentucky this past Saturday with my head spinning and a bit exhausted. The reason? My very first PLANET Green Industry Conference and GIE+Expo!
I have to say: I was blown away and thoroughly impressed with the event.
Now that I've had a few days to wrap my head around the experience I'd like to share some take aways with you . . .
keep reading
|
9 Ways to Win Customer Loyalty
Chris Heiler | October 25, 2010
Do your customers like you?
If you polled them, what do you think they would say? Would they give you four stars and say they are "satisfied" with your services?
"Satisfied" is such an ugly word. It's like someone calling you average.
Average isn't good enough today.
Satisfied customers aren't good enough.
What we need are customers who love us.
This post will cover nine ways to convert satisfied customers into ecstatic fans who absolutely love you and your company . . .
keep reading
|
Man Overboard! Why Diversification Cannot Save a Sinking Ship
Chris Heiler | October 14, 2010
In the September 2010 issue of Landscape Management, Editor-In-Chief Nicole Wisniewski asks, "Do you feel like you are drowning in a sea of recession, consumer confidence, low sales and even lower prices and profits?"
Most Green Industry folks I speak with would answer with a resounding "YES".
According to Wisniewski's article, "The Five Biggest Ideas of the Year", her answer is to "jump on the diversification lifeboat".
Man Overboard!!!
Diversification may be a popular idea--especially during a recession--but that does not make it a good idea.
The lifeboat analogy is perfect. Diversifying your business may get you off a sinking ship, but not necessarily safely to shore. . . .
keep reading
|
Policy, My Ass!
Chris Heiler | October 12, 2010
Don't tell me I have to wait seven days to have my gas turned back on. Not with an 18 month old in the house.
But that's exactly what Kim from Semco Energy informed me: "Our next opening isn't until Friday. I can't do anything about that. That's just our policy."
That's just our policy...
Put all your policies into a pretty, spiral bound manual--then burn the damn thing.
Next time you hear an employee or coworker mutter the line, "that's our policy", stuff a dirty sock in their mouth and smack 'em (I will not be held liable for this statement :-) . . .
keep reading
|
Don't Be Scared
Chris Heiler | September 23, 2010
I have a great friend, also a terrific salesman, who is affectionately nicknamed "The Shark".
As roommates back in the day, whenever I faced a challenge or doubted myself The Shark would tell me in his sarcastic smart-ass tone, "Don't be scared, Heiler".
What did he mean? Jump in...take a chance...risk it...go for it--don't let fear of the unknown hold you back.
Now it's my turn to use The Shark's phrase: Don't be scared!
Specifically, don't be scared to put yourself out there.
I'm talking about making yourself the face of your business, specifically your marketing. . . .
keep reading
|
What it Takes to Get a Premium Price for Your Services
Chris Heiler | June 18, 2010
Buying decisions are not always based on cost or the perceived quality of a product or service. As Charm City Cakes has proved, consumers are quite willing to pay a premium price for goods and services. This should be good news to those of us in the Green Industry. . . .
keep reading
|
Copy Success by Finding a Bright Spot
Chris Heiler | February 25, 2010
The following is an excerpt from a Fast Company magazine article, originally adapted from Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by best-selling authors Chip Heath and Dan Heath . . .
keep reading
|
Outsourcing Your Design Work: A Case for Virtual Assistance
Kyle Burgamy | October 15th, 2009
In order to remain competitive, a landscape designer must constantly seek to improve efficiencies with their services. With the internet changing the way businesses are run, countless opportunities exist to streamline a company and increase profitability . . .
keep reading
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
2010 PLANET Green Industry Conference
2011 ANLA Management Clinic
Lawn & Landscape Magazine
2010 APLD International Landscape Design Conference
2011 Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Assoc. Northern Green Expo
|
|
|
|
