But I decided to delete a thread about someone's business name here. Claims he went to the po po today and then spoke to his attorney. What they told them I have no clue other than you you have absolutely no case probably.

Now, the fact that he has a business website with his full name and his wife's as well with their business number on the internet (opening page no less) but doesn't want it seen by members and guests of a green industry message board (like this one) kind of makes me really really wonder.

And after reading the business beginnings part, I kind of figured he would have thrown in a group family portrait with the family dog, goldfish tank, and the bowl that sits on top of the living room television with the 2 turtles in there as well.

Look, I have guys that want to post their website in the sig line here all the time and I don't allow it with the exception of a few long standing members who have been here a long time. This individual could have received free publicity on a large industry site in line with what he does to make a living for his wife and children and wants nothing of it! That makes absolutely no sense to me boys and girls.

Also claimed that he was getting hassled by people, he couldn't do his work so in effect, his children were going to suffer as well. Well, we all know this is a crock of sh!t. But whatever.

Wish I could play the message he left on my cell phone today for you guys to listen to. Just before it was over, somewhere in the background I heard someone yelling "oh sh1t, lookout it's falling the wrong way!!!"

Carry on peeps...

Customer request to get rid of moss and prevent it on a red brick deck in the future.

Any ideas or products out there peeps?

Judith Guido and John Allin will lead the Snowfighters Institute’s first-ever advanced sales training forum. This three-and-a-half day forum will be held May 21st through May 24th at the Snowfighters Institute’s newly constructed training facility in Erie, Pennsylvania.They will teach snow professionals how to build a profit-driven sales strategy while increasing market share.

Attendees of the forum will learn key negotiating strategies along with industry trends, business models, sales strategies, technology and marketing techniques. The hands-on learning event will have four components consisting of education segments, an interactive workshop, strategic networking session and one-to-one consultations with Guido and Allin.

Continuing Educational Units [CEUs] will be awarded for those working on the Certified Snow Professional [CSP] designation by the Snow and Ice Management Association [SIMA].
“Most snow contractors focus solely on the equipment and the operations side of the business. By not having a targeted sales strategy that is aligned with the market, combined with an unprofessional and inexperienced business development team, companies are losing out on significant opportunities and profits,” said Allin.

Judith Guido of Guido & Associates explains that customers have increased their expectations and demands for transparency over the years, and as a result, the industry has become more sophisticated. “Those companies that can demonstrate their expertise and abilities in this market are increasing their revenues, profits, and market share while differentiating themselves from the competition,” she says.

Guido and Allin are both highly respected leaders in the industry, and have over 50 years of snow management experience combined. For information on the program and to reserve a remaining spot, please call the Snowfighters Institute at 814-455-1991

Ryan, a Schiller Grounds Care brand, has completely redesigned www.ryanturf.com. The goal of the new website is to make it easier for customers to find the appropriate products for their lawn care needs. Also, a new “Additional Resources” section provides a wide assortment of information for professionals and their customers to help them better understand the importance of proper lawn care. The site even offers a handy Seed Calculator on the Overseeder page.

Ryan has also added more images, key feature callouts, interactive product demos, videos, detailed product specifications, and new accessories information designed to help customers be more productive with their Ryan equipment. A new online form for requesting a free product catalog also allows visitors to view the Ryan catalog immediately in digital format or download the catalog in PDF format.

Mondays overall just suck for me, especially with walk behinds.

You would think I would learn after this many years. You guys remember christine, right?

Now, I'm running a 1 year old 61" wb with a 1 wheel velkie (new too) when the 2 parts of the unit come undone. The !@#$%^&* C clip came off some how up top where it swivels and I went down like a ton of chit.

Shoulder 0, Rock in ground 1.

Should have listened to my high school counselor and went to barber college.

Me and the good doctor will be spending some quality time together this evening. :yes:

I was noticing today that I have someo e elses business logo as my avatar. No idea where it came from and how it got there. Just curious how it happened. Thanks for any info.

By the politicians themselves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrBLx...&feature=share

Unfrickingreal.

Not surprising we are in the shape we are.

Time for a good ole fashion gallows in the town square. Either for the politicians or the citizens that allow it.

What is your idea of being a successful Lawn Care Operator? What kind of goals do you have for your business?

Are the spike aerator/spreaders any good for fertilizing and aerating? Any advice would be appreciated.

I had a strange request from a customer this week. "Can you carry out these two bags of trash for me..?" This customer is a long time friend of mine whom I worked with for years before he was sent to a wheel chair from a motorcycle wreck. He had two bags that where drawing ants and his wheelchair could not get out to his trash can. Should I charge? How much?

Survey shows top outdoor living trends for 2012
INDUSTRY NEWS
People are still fond of spending time in their backyards.


Washington, D.C. – The American love affair with the back yard shows no signs of slowing, according to the 2012 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Landscape architects with a specialization in residential design across the country were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements. The category of gardens and landscape spaces, with 94.9 percent rating somewhat or very popular, was followed closely by outdoor livings spaces at 91.5 percent, which were defined as kitchen and entertainment spaces.

Across all categories, 97.4 percent of respondents rated grills as somewhat or very in-demand for 2012, followed by low-maintenance landscapes (96.6 percent), fireplaces/fire pits (95.8 percent), and dining areas (95.7 percent). Lighting features remained a popular choice from 2011 at 93.1 percent, as Americans plan to take more of their lives outside once the sun sets – to an extent.

“The economic recovery continues to struggle, but residential design has remained stronger than other categories throughout the recession,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA.

Americans also love their pools (79.2 percent), but not quite as much as their spas (80.4 percent) and other decorative water elements (89.9 percent), such as waterfalls or bubblers.

Seating and dining areas remain high on people’s lists (95.7 percent), as do installed seating at 86.9 percent and weatherized outdoor furniture at 81.2 percent.

When thinking of gardening, Americans tend toward the practical and sustainable with native plants (86.3 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (81.2 percent), with over half of them preferred to be organic (61.2 percent).

Besides planting locally and organically, other sustainable elements continue their popularity with homeowners. Native or drought-tolerant plants (85.4 percent), drip irrigation (81.7 percent), and permeable paving (71.6 percent) are making their way into outdoor living spaces across the country.

I am in the southern suburbs of Chicago. I believe the grass is Kentucky blue. It seems to be very weak and not growing very fast. There is a lot of brown grass mixed in with the green grass. I would appreciate any help determining the problem. Thank you.

Can I keep it?

Some pics of my latest addition.

72" deck (naturally) with a 36 hp Briggs & Stratton.

Attached Images

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Once again the weather swing is upon us. It's rained more days in the past 2 weeks than it hasn't and although it's needed it seems to be getting very inconvenient.

Spring growth is back, and the warmer weather is coming too.

Double cutting is upon us..........

Any one do it and (if you do) what do you charge for this premo service per hour?

I just got a huge request given to me today from one of my long time big clients who got fed up with trying it with college kids over the past couple of years since the caretaker left too, trying to schedule it all, etc, etc.

He wants most done everything very 2 weeks. Some can go once a month like re-edging beds.

I am looking at I figure 4 guys for 4 hours at least each time bi-weekly.

Ideas?

BTW, he's an mechanical engineer in the oil refinery. That should tell you his degree of perfection.

Almost forgot, the joint is 23 acres total.

I can post the address if anyone wants to see this place. It includes a huge animal kennel as well with all the grounds..