Re: blowing petals

Why is it we don't shudder (too badly, anyway) when we
write the check to plumbers, electricians, and so many
other contractors for $80 per hour (and up) yet too
many of us "expect" truly CHEAP labor when it comes to
maintaining and fixing a number of diverse elements of
a landscape?

We shouldn't wonder why landscape maintenance folk
have to hustle -- "numerous clients in a short amount
of time" -- to make a few bucks each day.

This is, indeed, the reality of this business and
we've created that reality.

We jokingly call it the "mow-blow-and-go" business and
we are expected to accept the trade-off: noisy blowers
instead of brooms.

But we do have the power to change it.

First, I taught a certificate program for Santa
Barbara County's Water Agency.  It's called the "Green
Gardener" program.  It teaches landscapers to be more
enviromentally sensitive.  Moreover, it teaches these
business people how to sell their new "added value" --
their knowledge rather than their speed.  Yes, they
can make more money "per hour" by being smarter and
environmentally safer.  And no, we don't expect them
to keep the clients that want cheap and nothing else. 
See if your County is sponsoring such a state-wide
program.

Second, communities throughout the U.S. are initiating
laws to halt the use of noisy blowers.  If that
doesn't send a message to manufacturers, I don't know
what does.  You can believe that manufacturers are
working hard to put proper technology in place to
muffle the offensive noise.  I'm sure they have it;
they're just waiting for the "break point" to figure
it's worth their costs.

Third, if you do hire a landscaper, quit complaing
about the cost while on the other hand complaining
about the poor service.  That's the real trade-off.

Fourth, hug your landscaper.

Joe

--- bridget lamp <bridgetlamp@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Having to wield one of these backpack blowers, I
> can't
> say it's an enjoyable task.  Yes, it's smelly and
> loud, but, when you have acres to clear of debris
> (at
> a formal garden in the SF Bay area), it saves a lot
> of
> time.  Don't be upset with the gardeners.  They're
> expected to be efficient and handle numerous clients
> in a short amount of time.  They're also probably
> following directions from your neighbors who hired
> them!  Ask instead, "Why do my neighbors not like a
> pink-petaled drive?"
> 
> Bridget 
> 


	
		
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs  
http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/careermakeover
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index