Greetings!
It's hard to believe another season is gone. It was pretty exciting though, at least from where I sit. A quick summary: A job, Landscaper's Challenge, cicadas, Lawn and Landscape and other recognition...lots to be thankful for, and that's just the business side. Now the holidays are upon us, as well as the beginning of the teaching season. An announcement with our winter schedule is forthcoming.
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Click here to read a review of a design workshop I presented at Planet's Green Industry Conference in October. It was a short visit, but it was nice connect to connect with colleagues who share common interests and common problems. Of course I took advantage and sat in on a few education sessions while there. Good stuff. The venue was familiar, as the Galt House has been home to ANLA's Management Clinic for many years. I'll be back there in February.
I can't say I'm a huge fan of HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge, but I poke my head in every now and then. My own experience with the show was interesting, and it's nice to compare notes with others who have participated. Recent episodes featured some designers I know and have great respect for. Those include Bob Hursthouse and Rocco Fiore , who appeared on the same episode, and Joanne Kostecky, a talented designer in Allentown, PA (click here for episode info). These things tend to be rebroadcast, so if you want to take a look, see the links. |
| Do You Have A Style Manual?
Regular readers know that I write a lot about words. Writers who write for certain publications are often held to standards that come from a specific style manual. Examples include Strunk's Elements of Style or the Chicago Manual of Style. These are basically the "Rules of the Road" for writing.
 Businesses need style manuals too. I'm not talking about Procedure Manuals, though those are important. I'm talking about a big picture vision. Who are you and what are you all about? Once you know that, decisions in the business are easier. We commonly call this a Mission Statement or a Vision Statement.
Here's an example: Let's say that part of your company's Vision Statement is "to provide high end residential clients with high quality, custom landscape design." The phone rings and it's a developer who asks you to come up with a landscape plan for a strip mall. What do you do? Does it fit the company's Vision? Of course not. Perhaps the developer is a high-end residential client, and you are obligated; but if not, you really ought to think twice before taking on the project. This is, of course, a very simple example, but you get the idea. A well-thought-out Vision or Mission Statement can provide direction for all kinds of business decisions.
Building on the example above, we use the phrase "high end clients." Perhaps that provides some guidance as to how representatives of the company ought to dress, how the phone ought to be answered and what company vehicles ought to look like. It can also help you decide the best way to promote your business. A Vision provides guidelines, not rules. Does your company have a Vision?
Consider this an introduction. There will be more on this topic. I'm interested in your thoughts as well. | |
Winter Course Schedule
The winter course schedule will be announced in the coming days. Final touches are being made to the web site and you will receive a notice shortly. Topics, driven by survey responses from YOU, inlcude Grading and Drainage, Hardscape Design and a 3-Day Design Studio. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, for those of you in the U.S., have a great Thanksgiving. Talk to you soon.
Sincerely, 
American Academy of Landscape Design
| 1926 Waukegan Road
Glenview, Illinois 60025
847-657-7900
www.aaldweb.com
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