A wise old man once told me your definition of wealth will change as you accumulate it and grow older. In my work with large and small contracting firms, I’ve discovered four types of wealth that are measurements of success. You might place these in a different order, but I’m sure you’ll think of all four throughout your life: personal... read more
The economy is heating up. Have you altered your sales style to take advantage? The following proven approaches will help you become a sales superstar. Build emotional bonds At the heart of it, people make emotional decisions and use facts to rationalize their choices. Your job is to help prospective clients realize—from an emotional point of view—why they need your... read more
Justin Flatow, director of landscape maintenance for Green Meadows Landscaping, talks about his position as at the company, their business mix and the processes he uses each day to make Green Meadows run smoothly. He discusses how Green Meadows Landscapes maintenance pricing can be influenced up or down based on the distance the property is from their home base or... read more
As design/build business picked up, one company found a better way to manage and communicate its installation schedule. The Problem: As the housing market rebounded and business picked up for Ross NW Watergardens, the Portland-based company found itself scheduling jobs as far as 10 to 14 weeks in advance. Managing this kind of demand was no simple feat. If a... read more
Have you ever wondered what your clients experience during a construction project? In this episode, Jody Shilan of From Design 2 Build talks to his clients about their current backyard renovation project. They share their perspective on the design/build process, including what they like about it and what scares them. In addition, his clients discuss why working with a landscape... read more
Master the tricks of a perfect kitchen-table presentation. Public speaking or giving presentations is a nerve-wracking experience for most people. It requires confidence, concentration and knowledge of your subject matter. It also requires experience. If you’re not comfortable making a presentation to a customer, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Over the years I’ve literally given thousands of presentations to homeowners... read more
