Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/120635
business bests Landscapers can attend educational seminars, like the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association's event shown here, or Field Days, shown below, to meet and learn from other industry pros. certain skill set and knowledge," Williams explains. "It provides a point of differentiation that sets you apart from the competition." Adds Fuller: "If your customer has five bids on the table…every credential you have is helpful. While I can't quantify the value of certifications, I can tell you that our members keep coming back for recertification, and when they lose a certified employee, they send another one in for certification, so they must feel it's important. "Any time you can educate your employees and yourself, that's a win-win right there." In addition, many associations sponsor landscaping competitions or recognize members with various awards, which gives winners another feather in their marketing cap. "Any time you're recognized by your peers in the industry, it acknowledge you're doing a great job," Williams notes. Networking opportunities Associations also enable landscapers to befriend industry colleagues. This is particularly advantageous if they're not local competitors, because they're more likely to freely share knowledge and advice. 2 6 To ta l L a n d s cap eC are.c om TLC0413_BusBest2.indd 26 As an example, Fuller points to a young man who joined the AGIA at the advice of a financial partner. He did so, and by getting involved, he can now call more-experienced colleagues who share knowledge and discuss specific issues and concerns. "Networking offers members a chance to compare notes and share experiences with someone who might be at the opposite end of the state," Williams says. "And our trade shows give members a chance to develop relationships with suppliers." a p r i l 2 013 3/26/13 6:38 PM