PERSPECTIVE
®
Be Prepared
rosesMaking your grow,
The services that can be done with your existing employees, scheduled has just been simplified.
in off-peak hours and accomplished with little extra equipment are your
best bets. For instance, storing clients’ patio furniture might be ideal if
you have extra storage space or can rent it at a reasonable rate, and then
Algoflash® Rose ready to use formula
charge for the cost of cleaning the furniture along with your pickup and
combines N-P-K nutrients and the unique
action of Basacote® slow release formula
delivery services. Other types of seasonal add-ons may be more of a gamble
to provide complete nourishment from
because of factors such as weather, equipment costs and additional supplies.
first planting to maturity for your roses and
For example, a snow-removal service requires special equipment: plows, flowering shrubs.
blowers, salt and sand, to name a few. And with the unpredictable nature of
the weather these days it’s hard to anticipate when or if a signifi cant snow-
fall will occur. In warmer areas of the country, power washing decks and
driveways is a popular service to offer because the equipment costs are low
and it is something you can easily offer your existing customers.
Holiday Options
ALGOFLASH AMERICA, INC.
Another service that is gaining in popularity is selling holiday deco-
6833 Phillips Industrial Blvd.
Jacksonville, Fl 32256
rations, including lights, trees and wreaths, and then adding services to Tel: (800) 714-4384 / (904) 886-9917
install them. Both commercial operations and residential customers are
Fax: (904) 886-9517
email: algoman1@aol.com
potential clients. Most residen-
www.algoflash.com
tial installations can be done
from a ladder if you want to The key is to
Over 28 World Records in the Guinness Book of World Records!
keep your costs low. A bucket
truck might be required determine whether
Write in 751
for larger jobs. Since most
lights go up in October and you have the time
November and come down
n
a
el
C
and personnel to
n
e
er
in January and February, you
G
“Into our second year
may need to consider whether
dl
o
S
si
this service would cut into the ramp up a new
of selling GreenClean,
!
er
e
fall or spring operations for
H
we doubled our order.
your core business. business and
Thanks to great
Some owners I’ve talked to
products, we expect
are using a holiday lighting manage it
another great year.”
franchise company. The
advantage is the franchise effectively.
offers training and marketing
support so you’re not trying to
fi gure it out on your own. They also have design consultants, so you can
offer custom styles. The owners report that there is a good percentage of
repeat business once a client signs on. They also offer lighting mainte-
nance and storage services, so depending on how long the clients keep
their lights up, there are opportunities for added profi t. The downside:
Franchise fees and royalties take a bite out of your bottom line. There are
always pros and cons to consider.
Selling fi rewood and holiday trees are also possible off-season services.
You need to weigh the value of these offerings against how many other
businesses you may be competing with and the costs involved, such as a
tree bailer to wrap up the holiday trees, and whether you have easy access
to wood and tree supplies.
The GreenClean Pond Line Sells Itself.
For each of these services the key is to determine whether you have the
From algaecides to bacteria to colorant, this easy to learn
time and personnel to ramp up a new business and manage it effectively.
product line creates repeat customers. With no complicated
You should also be sure there’s a balance between the volume you can
directions and a quality you can trust, GreenClean works for you.
bring in from the added service and the cost of the equipment, training
It’s as easy as A-B-C.
and potential liability.
Some companies have found a good way to test the waters is to perform
ALGAECIDES • BACTERIA • COLORANT
the service for themselves, a friend or family member. Putting up your
own holiday lights or power washing your friend’s deck will give you the
hands-on experience you’ll need to develop accurate estimates for these
additional activities.
P. Allen Smith is a professional garden designer,
Sustainable Solutions for Beautiful Water.
host of two national TV programs, a regular guest
on NBC’s Today Show and author of P. Allen Smith’s
Bringing the Garden Indoors and other books
in his Garden Home Series. Visit Smith’s website
at www.pallensmith.com.
1.888.273.3088 (toll-free) • www.biosafesystems.com
Write in 757
www.lgrmag.com November 2009 Lawn & Garden Retailer 15
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