There is a quiet revolution going on in the United Kingdom, and some people and organisations don't want you to know about it.
Just over one year ago the Landscape Juice Network was softly launched following on from the success of the main Landscape Juice blog. My ambition has always been to provide the tools and the platform for horticultural linked businesses to network together in solidarity for mutual benefit.
I have felt for a long time that the existing landscaping associations have failed and continue to fail their membership and are doing nothing in broad terms to further the industry or influence the landscaping market for the benefit of all.
The concept of trade associations, which once thrived during the days of newsletters by snail mail, telephone boxes and regional meetings has long since died. I believe that the market and the psychology that lies behind trade associations has changed so much that they cannot exist in their current (or previous) format for much longer.
The reason for that change is quite simply the Internet - more recently, instant and fluid social mediums. The UK's existing organisations - BALI, APL and SGD - cannot fulfil their constitution and have currently no policy or direction, let alone understanding, of how to network and distribute resources to all of their membership - quite frankly, they have not discovered the Internet.
The sad thing for their respective members is that they are paying a lot of money into the coffers but there appears to be very little change to the marketplace and representation of their collective needs.
In contrast, members of the Landscape Juice Network are thriving on mutual help. There is no hierarchy or gold medal mentality but a desire on a day to day basis of sharing and assisting each other.
Just last week, David Brain joined up to the site. It was evident that David was hungry for information and instantly made some great contributions to discussions.
David found Landscape Juice through a Google search (a concept that landscaping associations have not understood) and filled out his profile - anyone can read it because it is not hidden from view. Competitors, clients and anyone with an interest can get a feel for who they are dealing with or up against.
Quite typically of our members, David wrote a little about himself with honesty and openness:
"I am an extremely hard working person. I'm not looking for untold wealth, just to know that after a hard days work the bills are being paid, the odd luxury can be afforded, a little goes into the bank and a vacation once a year can be looked forward to.
"Happy go lucky but can get serious if and when needed. Polite and approachable and live by old fashion values. I am hoping that at 43 these principles will guide me to success. Eventually."
David wrote a post a little after he joined asking if any of the members had any surplus work and immediately, fellow member Graeme Mann responded and for all of this week David has worked with Graeme.
This is just one small example of the strength of the site and all of it for free.
Many members have made donations for the running of the site which goes towards the software rental and the basic costs.
I received a £50.00 donation yesterday from Glasgow based landscaper Niall Gibb with a little note that read: "I have sent donation of £50. would it be possible to get a receipt. I feel I would pay about £100 per annum for publications like Horticultural week etc and not get half the info and help I get on here. So think 2 payments of £50 would be fair to LJ."
After thanking Niall for his donation I asked if I could quote what he said with the strict understanding that I would keep his details confidential. Niall's response was somewhat evidence of the openness and feeling we have generated throughout.
Niall said: "I don't mind my name being used as the facts are there. I also had the APL representative chasing me for a meeting recently and politely declined as I don't think in my opinion they are relevant due to sites like LJ.
Niall continued, "I think through time we can all go on and forward with the bond and help on your site."
You should not have to pay hundreds of pounds a year for a committee to tell your potential clients that you do a good job because you are more than capable of doing it yourself.
Each member gets their own page which is customisable to suit their needs, if you understand CSS then you can even make it look like your own website.
There are facilities to upload project photos, documents and video, start and respond to discussions and/or write blog posts, chat live or send messages within the site to other members.
You can use the site to promote your business and link to your site(s) and there are no restrictions on what you can link out to and there are not even any rules and you will be treated by others how you expect to be treated face to face.
We have no need to go out and inspect work - if any member is ever caught lying or consistent poor workmanship is flagged up then they will naturally expose this themselves and they will easily be found out. Members join because of their aspirations to be good at what they do.
You too could benefit from this atmosphere and support - come and join the Landscape Juice Network.
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