J Man

Thanks for the suggestion.
I also prepare images and perspectives. What I wanted to ask was: Generally the client doesn’t know what they want and when you come up with new ideas rather than the usual concepts, they don’t understand it. Therefore I develop a story for them. For example, I say ” It’s a Mondrian Garden and the design structure is ……[Read more]

Elif,
I hope I understand your question, here’s goes. When I present a project to a client I bring pictures of plants and I try and draw quick perspesctives or elevations of the job. A lot of people can not visualize a plan view into a real life project. They have not had the training we have and don’t look at plans as we do. When I go to their…[Read more]

I have a question!
Each time I prepare a project, I write a story for it. I try to present it telling this strory. I don’t simply say “Here a group of shrubs you like and some other here!”
My clients are quite high level people but I don’t know why they don’t understand much when I try to give an identity to the design I prepare for them.
I would…[Read more]

Hello Chris,
In regards to your question about marketing at a home or trade show, I have some experience in this realm.
20 years ago I designed and installed a small intimate garden exhibit at the San Francisco Garden Show. I had just recently moved to the Bay area and wanted to open my own design practice.
The show was a success for me.
After 5…[Read more]

I’m trying to develop a specific contract for my firm’s LA work and am trying to find a good sample contract to model ours after.

Thanks!

I just recently filled the only LA position in my firm in a region where there aren’t many LA’s practicing locally. I’ve been asked to develop some marketing strategies to increase what I can bring in to the firm. Any thoughts as to how to develop the marketing side of what I can provide clients?

A member in another forum in the lounge asked a question about resume’s and CV’s- where might she find a template to create these.
Here’s an online resource I found recently that might be of use to some of you-

http://www.visualcv.com

I haven’t used it myself., but it does seem to have potential.

Chris Heiler
Editor- http://www.landscapeleadership.com

I have found this website (http://www.whillsgroup.com) and people to be very informative and helpful. From their website- ‘Wellesley Hills Group is a management consulting, marketing, and lead generation firm specialized in helping consulting, professional, financial, and technology service firms achieve their growth and profit potential.’ I get…[Read more]

Finally Hooked-Up!

Matthew E. Wilson suggested that I read this book! It looks good so I will be picking it up shortly! It is called: “The Answer: Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life (Hardcover)”

Good call Brandon! I have added it and a few others to the Professional Practice category in the Bookstore. Any other suggestions?

If any of you are looking for a great book to help you with marketing then I have got one for you! “Rain Making – The Professional’s Guide to Attracting New Clients” by Ford Harding……Very insightful!

Thank you, Jay, for the info… I am looking into the cost of E & O insurance as I get into more commercial and large scale projects.

Hey Mack,
Great questions! Feel free to add them to the group forum. Just click the little green plus sign…

Mack,
I think Errors and Omissions Insurance is usually a policy that the firm keeps on itself, you may change Insurance companies from time to time but the insurance is usually constant. I don’t believe it is available on a job by job basis.
helpful link:
http://www.nfib.com/object/3789933.html

This is the key quote which may speak to your…[Read more]

One more question….E&O is this something needed forever? If I do a job today do I have to carry it till I die or is there a statute of limitations?
Can it be obtained on a month to month or by job basis?

I wanted to add a comment/question.
I have seen serveral diffrent ways to approch contracts and proposals. One way is keep it very simple, the other it to complicate it to the point of needed a harvard law degree to understand the contract.
The questing I have is where is the middle ground? I don’t want to be too simple, miss something and then be…[Read more]

Good to be here!

Brandon…
Thanks for creating this group. For anyone that will be attending the ASLA Annual Meeting in Philly, I will be moderating two roundtable discussions regarding topics revelant to this group.
The first roundtable is Best Business Practices and Client relations in the Residential Market. It is scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 9:45 a.m.…[Read more]

Hi Business Group people,
looking forward to your comments, especially from more experienced colleagues. I graduated 2 months ago, business is still waiting for me.

Greetings from Sarajevo