Spring is here! Even though it's the second longest season, for many landscape professionals it feels to be the shortest since we have a limited amount of time to set up our clients’ landscapes for success. They need to be ready to withstand the stresses of the summer heat and nurtured to meet garden goals over the long term.
Read MoreThe Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Incentive Program is a $125 million project to encourage California businesses and government agencies to purchase or lease zero-emission off-road equipment. This incentive hopes to offset the high cost of zero-emission technology with a point-of-sale discount. I’d recommend taking advantage of this program before the funds run out.
Read MoreYes, water restrictions are a big pain in the backside. But they can also provide a healthy new income stream for you. How? By your getting educated about ways to save water in the landscape which can make you a hero to your clients.
Read MoreCrazy weather this month can also be a blessing for your business. It has been a long time since I’ve seen this much rain down in our area and we needed it. Yes, some of the projects have slowed down but you can also look at this as a positive.
Read MoreAs we end this year, let's remember all the ways we've grown as a community. We've made new friends, strengthened our partnerships with other chapters and organizations, and had some great parties! We've also continued to grow as a chapter adding several new members in just one year!
Read MoreIn this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all the volunteers this year. They have been a real blessing and we truly appreciate their involvement. We had some new board members step up into their roles. As a collective we had great ideas and events that really gave back to the members. Volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes and at the events to ensure everyone had a worthwhile CLCA experience.
Read MoreInvolvement in our organization is a key factor in the success of your business. Being an involved member opens doors for learning, growth, and of course, additional business. But being involved AND joining our board, opens opportunities for you at a whole new level. Let me tell you why.
Read MoreI recently played in a corn hole tournament called Bags Against Bullied. This event was an eye opener. It made me realize that the friends and mentors I've made in CLCA are the real reason why people remain in the organization.
Read MoreWhen I was a kid, I was always good at engineering, breaking things down and putting them back together. When it came to paper airplanes or changing a tire on my bike, I always figured out how to make it work with what I had.
Read MoreBeing quick on your feet is almost counterintuitive to what we’ve been taught by business coaches who tell us that those who fail to plan, plan to fail…that we’re to look before we leap…and that we’re to measure twice and cut once. All these sound business practices are still valid. But there’s no time to think and plan or measure when your car died on the tracks and the train is heading straight for you. That’s when being quick on your feet has to kick in and get you to safety. There is room in your business life for both approaches. You can both walk and chew gum, right?
Read MoreOur June 9th Mixer and Educational Event at Ventura Brewing was our first event since the Installation Dinner back in January. We had a great turnout of 25 plus people. Six board members were among the group that came to learn the latest news on water – and water restrictions – in Ventura and surrounding communities. The focus of the discussion was getting people the training for how they’re expected to manage water use and new installations. Upgrading to the newest clock and sprinkler heads will help. Also discussed were ways to limit water waste, the use of drought tolerant plants, and the installation of drip systems as needed.
Read MoreMay is here! The first trimester of the year is done, and a lot of things have been talked about, but no real events have been pulled together, as yet. At the beginning of the year, we started our meetings on Zoom, and Covid was averaging 100,000 cases a day in California. We have been meeting every month discussing ways we can improve all aspects of our CLCA Chapter, and to look at possible events from which all our members can benefit.
Read MoreThere is a philosophy I have adopted over the years that involves the closest people in my life. I call it my Circle of Friendship and it includes family members, dear friends, key customers, and a few additional special people as well. Whether planned or it just evolved, I realize it determines how I think about these folks, how I interact with them, what they can expect from me, and what I might expect from them. I can count on them, and they can count on me. Just consider for a moment the tremendous value in that statement!
Read MoreEveryone is now talking inflation. The cost of everything is going up and the cost of doing business is also rising. As a business representative you always need to think about your customers and your customer service. Keeping our businesses strong will ensure we will continue to be here for them throughout these difficult times. CLCA is a nonprofit organization, and we are all volunteers to help our association and industry grow. Now more than ever I believe community unity and education can help us fight and overcome the effects of rising prices.
Read MoreMost of us are still recovering from all the activity of the Holidays, with our personal and business get-togethers, shopping sprees, and delicious but fattening Holiday foods. In our industry, business is generally a little slower this time of year, which gives us the chance to re-charge, re-stock, re-think, and to reinvigorate our staff and crews as we prepare for the excitement and crazy increase of activity just around the corner…when springtime arrives.
Read MoreIf you want the New Year to be better for you than the old one, then it would be wise to include some new projects, doing old things in new and better ways, and even adding new suppliers and new technical people to the way you do business. As difficult as it may be to add the right new things to your New Year’s to-do list, letting go of familiar things – and people that may be holding you back from making the changes you need to implement – is a hundred times more difficult.
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