The APL shuts the barn door after the horse has bolted

I am trying to remain in a calm state and not get hot under the collar but I have to admit that it is not easy.

I have just read this piece on Hort Week - Landscapers advised to overhaul businesses.

Where the hell have the Association of Professional Landscapers been for the last two years? Too much time on Chelsea show sites and not enough forward planning it seems.

I don't know so much about 'being above the clouds'; I think it is more a case of having their heads in the clouds.

The APL are giving advice that should have been given one to two years ago and not when we are in the midst of the situation.

These two particular statements are an absolute insult to the members that are paying fees into the HTA and APL coffers.

"Overhaul your website – it needs to have great images and customer testimonials"

The APL have not even updated their own website.

"Stay in touch with customers, colleagues and industry experts"

I think it would be an idea for the APL to read Craig McGinty's piece on Transparency in a trade association and they might realise that they are now so out of touch with modern times, and the needs of members, that it is not possible for the organisation to survive in my view.

Even the White House is running a blog and has promised the most a new fresh era of transparency.

The APL are only just publishing advice that has been discussed openly and freely (apply both meanings to the word free) on the Landscape Juice Network since its inception in April 2008.

Have you a view - please feel free to leave a comment.