If you know anyone looking, we have some space available in our building on Waukegan Rd. in Glenview, IL.
Office Space in Glenview
June 30, 2009 by tntjrTime keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future….
June 17, 2009 by tntjrJust read a really great blog entry by college friend and fraternity brother Howard Getson. Take a look: Click here.
Just Thinking…
May 7, 2009 by tntjr
I was doing some thinking. Do you?
“I think therefore I am.” – René Descartes
“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.” – Voltaire
“Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” – von Goethe
“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” – Oscar Wilde
“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” Voltaire
“The world we have created is a product of our thinking.” -Albert Einstein
“What luck for rulers, that men do not think.” Adolf Hitler
And one of my favorites: Thinking As A Hobby by William Golding. Download at MS Word here.
“Please consider your commitment to our environment before printing this email”
March 17, 2009 by tntjrThis tag line appears at the bottom of a lot of emails I get. Maybe you’ve noticed it too.
A few observations:
- There are many people who prefer to read printed words rather than those on a screen. Or they would rather sit in a comfortable chair to read, so they print many of their longer emails to read later. By the time the get to the tagline….too late! How about make it your first line?
- I thought that recycling saves the planet??? If I don’t print, I don’t have anything to recycle. Hmmmm…. a conundrum. Probably better to print, you know, just to be safe.
- Have you seen Google’s new service?
Web Savvy 2009
February 17, 2009 by tntjrIf you are looking to create or improve web presence for your landscape or landscape design business, Chris Heiler at LandscapeLeadership.com is offering a FREE 3-week seminar entitled Web Savvy 2009. See the web site for info and an Agenda. You must register ahead of time.
L.A.R.E. Study Guide
February 12, 2009 by tntjr
Hey all you Landscape Architects! If you are studying for the L.A.R.E., this guide will come in handy. It’s in “like new” condition, barely paged through. I’ve got it listed on eBay for a bargain price. Good luck.
Human Etiquette
February 12, 2009 by tntjrIn my last e-newsletter (sign up here) I talked a little bit about sales in the landscape industry. I really don’t think that “sales” is a great word, as it implies that we are the ones causing someone to purchase, that if we push hard enough that we can convince someone to give us their hard-earned money. Instead, I prefer to take the view that we are here to help people solve a problem, or reach a goal. We are on the same team, and together we will reach a solution.
How to you position yourself that way? Well, it’s not that complicated, really. I call it “being a human.” How about that? Just “be a human.” That is, instead of turning into a “sales machine,” you actually treat people like, well, people. And carry on actual human conversation! You can talk about the big game last night, the weather, an upcoming vacation, their kids, pets, or anything that has nothing to do with the landscape, or with whatever you want them to buy. Pretend you just met at a social function and begin there.
People buy from people they like and from people they trust. Be likable. And give trustworthy advice. Be a human.
That was the topic of the last newsletter. Actually, the topic was Etiquette, but it’s all the same thing. People absentmindedly do things that can sabotage a business relationship (answer the phone in the middle of a face-to-face conversation, for example). I listed a few things. In response I got some good feedback and a couple other suggestions. For example:
- Don’t sell your idea to the client until you find out what the client is looking for.
- Don’t offer your hand for a shake first if the client is a woman; she should put her hand out first.
- Take your hat/cap off
- Don’t smoke
- Don’t wipe your nose (and then shake hands)
Not sure if the second one is true any more. If any women out there want to comment, by all means, let me know.
Have a nice human day.
Perks
January 21, 2009 by tntjrIn a service business, good feelings go a long way. Take a simple Cup of Joe. When you visit a client’s house, it’s nice when they offer you a cup of coffee, or a glass of water, isn’t it? Once in awhile you get a client who offers nothing–not even an offer to take your coat. Once in awhile they won’t even let you in the house. They may have their reasons, but it sure doesn’t feel very good.
A number of years ago I went to meet with a client, and she was a few minutes late. We had a good relationship and I didn’t worry about it. But when she offered me a Starbucks (she’d bought an extra for me!), it felt really nice. It made the business relationship more friendly. Communicating on a human level is such an important thing when it comes to selling. It’s so easy to go into “sales mode” and lose track of the fact that you really should be working on a relationship, on creating trust, on being liked. Yes, it is a popularity contest.
I was at the dry cleaners this morning. For quite some time they have had free coffee for visitors. On a cold winter day, it’s a nice thing. My auto mechanic has the same in his waiting room. Why not? It doesn’t cost much and gives warm feelings. If you have a client that you know is a coffee drinker, why not pick one up on the way over? Or do like another landscape designer I know does, and take Girl Scout cookies! He buys them by the case (the mint ones of course), and puts them in the freezer. On a warm July day, he shows up with frozen mint cookies. Nice!
I neglected to mention that the dry cleaners actually has the coffee sponsored. It is provided by a local restaurant and there is a sign prominently displaying their name. So they get a two-fer out of it.
Nice perk.
10 Step Design Process
January 15, 2009 by tntjrThe 10 Step Design Process is the foundation upon which my landscape design business, Garden Concepts, built its reputation as a high quality, high touch professional organization. Recently I recorded an interview on the process with Chris Heiler at LandscapeLeadership.com. Members can download the podcast by logging in!
More on the iPhone
December 12, 2008 by tntjrWell, I’ve had this thing for 4 or 5 months now and I have to say, it’s an amazing piece of technology. The internet is really good. The Apps are pretty cool. Other than the basics that come built in, the ones I use the most are Toodledoo, Reqall, Facebook, NewsDesk, Sportacular and Vlingo.
I just found Vlingo, which is a really cool voice control program. It’s free too! With Vlingo, you can voice dial and much more. Amazon just added an App too. So did Ebay.
Of the built in apps, I use Mail, Safari, and Maps the most. SMS too. The way the GPS integrates with Google Maps and Address Book is genius.
Recent updates to the software have solved some of the battery and coverage issues, though not 100%. I can live with those. But the lack of copy/paste is a stunning omission. Also, the way Mail handles POP mail is really bad too. A “delete all” command would be nice. I’m switching to an IMAP server soon, so those issues may solve themselves. Those who use Gmail, for instance, will have no problem at all. Exchange works well too.
The calendar is really lacking though. I’ve used Palm OS for 10 years or so. Palm was better 10 years ago than the iPhone calendar is now. Hard to believe really. I thought this was well-written: http://stealthisidea.com/articles/palm-vs-iphone/
Good love/hate chart here: http://stealthisidea.com/articles/iphone-love-hate/
It says “steal this idea,” so I did.
