Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/32573
Viewpoint coins, and then slowly and methodically tuck them safely back inside the porcelain pig that guards his personal treasure. Although he keeps close tabs on his coins and is reluctant to part with them, his 5- O year-old sister, on the other hand, has traditionally been more than happy to ask for a few dollars out of her piggy bank to buy a new toy. However, she too had a recent epiphany regarding the value of her money and declared that she will no longer spend money from her piggy bank on toys, but would “save up for a trip to Disney World in- stead.” As is the pigs’ intended goal, both children are grasping various aspects of money management — while no doubt adding in some of their own perspectives of the process. Whereas my son sees the coins as a booty that is the envy of the tiny toy pirates who sit patiently aboard their ship on his bookcase, my daughter has come to the real- ization that she can spend her coins on something that she sees as more valuable to her — and continued savings could eventually lead to the ultimate purchase. Both are lessons that have strong value, and reminded me that I could better prac- tice those habits myself. For those of you who are business owners or managers, the lessons that were learned as children are just as important today — only on a larger, more challenging scale. Finding areas to save, while determining where, and how, to spend, are not easy tasks. While researching the article about company growth through bolt-on business op- portunities (see page 10), it struck me how the people I interviewed grew their own businesses by thinking outside the box. In some cases, these were small businesses whose owners used persistence and ingenuity to grow their existing business or ex- pand in a different direction. Now those companies are helping other business owners expand their offerings through franchise or dealership opportunities. These entrepre- neurial minds were not content with the status quo, but rather used their expertise and knowledge of their markets to build something bigger and better. And they are en- couraging other smart business owners to do the same. With fuel prices and other business expenses continuing to soar, it is a challenge to keep the money in the bank and save for more magical days. But it also doesn’t mean that we have to sit idly by while the treasure is plundered. With a little foresight and proper management, business owners in this industry are showing that it is possible for you to fill the “money pig” and achieve your goals. LI 1030 W. Higgins Road, Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 720-5600 • Fax: (847) 720-5601 John Kmitta The Practical Practices of the Pedagogical Porcelain Pig ne evening a few weeks ago, my 3-year-old son walked into our living room and asked me to get his “money pig” down. It took me a few sec- onds to realize that he wanted his piggy bank off the shelf in his bedroom. He proceeded to empty its contents onto his carpet, look at all of the IRRIGAT ON M2MEDIA360 1030 W. Higgins Road, Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 720-5600 • Fax: (847) 720-5601 Web site: http://www.landscapeirrigation.com Executive Vice President Charles Forman Editorial Staff Editor John Kmitta (847) 720-5613; fax (847) 720-5601; jkmitta@m2media360.com Products Editor Steve Noe (630) 499-1017; fax (630) 499-1026; snoe@m2media360.com Editorial Direction Richard Brandes Production Team Art Director Production Manager Brian Snook Karen Kalinyak Direct Mail List Sales Cheryl Naughton, (678) 292-6054; e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com Reprint Service Cheryl Naughton, (678) 292-6054; e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Vice President, Finance and Operations Vice President, Circulation and Collateral Services Production Director Marion Minor Gerald Winkel Joanne Juda-Prainito Mary Jo Tomei Circulation For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (847) 763-9565, or fax (847) 763-9569 business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CST Landscape and Irrigation is published monthly except May/June, July/Aug and Nov/Dec. Publisher’s Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Landscape and Irrigation. Reader Service Numbers are given to facilitate further inquiry. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorse- ment by Landscape and Irrigation or M2MEDIA360, or preference over similar products not mentioned. Account Representatives: Bruce Loria 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 500,Los Angeles, CA 90017 Ph: 213-596-7226 • bloria@m2media360.com Joy Gariepy 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste 202, Beverly Hills, MI 48025 Ph: 248-530-0300, ext. 1401 • jgariepy@m2media360.com Classified Sales / Marketplace: Glenn Datz Phone: 213-596-7220 Fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com 6 Landscape and Irrigation May/June 2011 www.landscapeirrigation.com