[agla]

1. Be calm and confident with a portfolio to back it up. This only comes from experience.

2. Listen carefully and demonstrate that by expanding on their ideas and concerns or discussing problems that they have not noticed. Always work from their thoughts outward or inward. The difference between your services and the next guys are YOU as far as the client is concerned.

3. Propose what they are looking for the best way that you know how. Then price it out. Designing to a budget without delivering the goods is a mistake all the way around. The client is disappointed. The client does not get a chance to see the value in doing it right and therefore does not get a chance to value it enough to find a way to adjust the budget. You have to put more time into calculating prices at the same time that you are trying to put together a functioning landscape.

4. You are only perceived to be as good as your worst project. Know when to cut and run.

5. Have a quantitative pricing system that makes you money and keeps you busy enough and stick to it. Once you negotiate, you have become negotiable and it won't stop. This makes people think that you invent prices as you go. That is not the mark of a trustworthy person. Once you discount a job, you are a discounter (think about what you think of discount stores. Is that how you want to be perceived?)

[site]

We get referrals from LA's, builders, past customers, and suppliers. The people calling know what to expect. So, our professional image has been promoted by a third party. We can also refer to our resume. Once I start listing our previous clients folks are impressed. We have worked on many of the fanciest public and private properties in the area. Lastly we keep our promises. If something happens and we aren't able to keep a promise (rain days, flat tires, etc) we call the client asap and apologize and then make a new promise.

[GLAN]

Noel you presented this question

"What would you say are the three most important things you and your company do to convey the professional image necessary to get the caliber of clientele, the price -- and the respect -- you desire (and deserve)?"


Ok.......I thought about this.

I can tend to rabble and wander around when trying to explain or define a question such as this.....I will try not to here.


I have but one simple answer. Sorry it is not the three that you are asking. However this one answer encompasses all your questions.



My answer is this...........




I make it my own. As if I am doing it for myself.



And with that philosophy I improve on everything I do. It is unrealistic to be an absolute perfectionist. Though we do seek perfection in every job we do. No matter if it is design, installation or maintenance.

As important it is for me to have a fabulous landscape at my own home. It is more so important to provide that for our customers. I have known for far to many years that reputation often precedes me.

I may not be the largest player in the sand box. What I have observed over the years is that I am one of a select few that are benchmarks in this industry, where so many try to emulate.

The Wisdom I achieved through the years........Be humble. Respect is not a right it is earned. Be honest / truthfull. Allways bring your "A" game. Stop second guessing, but look for where improvements can be made and do it.