Business
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Why a website is essential for your business
Pro Landscaper finds out why its essential that a business has a website. With the rise of the internet, the number of possibilities in terms of finding jobs and opening new businesses has expanded broadly. Not only that, but the internet made our lives much easier. We can now shop online, pay the bills, book flights and hotels, read the news, etc. We wanted to stick on the business side of the internet and focus on the importance of having a website for your business. With that thought in mind, we decided to name a few reasons as to why…
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DLA restructures to set clear path for succession
DLA Architecture has completed a restructure of the business with a re-brand and succession plan. The practice has evolved its brand from DLA Design to DLA Architecture, giving more clarity on its offering to commercial and public sector clients. It has also identified key people within the business to carry forward the succession strategy for the future DLA Architecture has been established for more than 40 years with offices in Leeds, Manchester and London. The award-winning practice employs over 75 architects, landscape architects, architectural technologists and graphic designers. During the last 12 months the DLA leadership team – comprising Mark…
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Trades’ Coach reached finals of UK’s Best Business Women
The Trades’ Coach, Alison Warner, has reached the finals of the UK’s Best Business Women awards for her work supporting trade and construction businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A former troubleshooter for global brands such as Starbucks, Alison founded Evolve and Grow coaching company in 2010, and has since transformed the fortunes of businesses across the UK dramatically increasing turnover. Alison is one of just two business coaches to make it to the finals, beating thousands of entries from across the UK. The awards, which celebrate female entreprenership, are considered one of the UK’s most prestigious awards for business women…
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How could coronavirus impact the commercial sector?
Phil Jones of ESL Landscape Contractors discusses the impact coronavirus could have on the commercial landscaping industry and how his company remains robust despite COVID-19 The current situation is worrying for all business owners and employees in the landscape industry. First and foremost, the responsibility we all feel for the health of our staff and their families is a burden above anything else in order of priority. It doesn’t help that some decisions are being left to landscape contractors to make for themselves, with some customers closing sites and others choosing not to. At the end of the day, however,…
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What help is available during the coronavirus crisis?
During these unprecedented times, it’s important that we come together as an industry to support one another. It’s often difficult to know where to turn, though, and what help is even on offer. Together with industry associations and charities, we have put together a list of useful resources to help get you through the coronavirus crisis. The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Through the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the APL is offering help in a number of ways. Members have access to financial support information, HR support for businesses, information on business grants available, member to member advice, and so…
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How do you respond when a coronavirus crisis hits?
Business coach for the Trades and Construction industry, Alison Warner, gives her expert advice. In recent weeks we have all been thrown into an unprecedented situation, one that we have never seen before in our lifetimes. For landscape gardeners, I would imagine that this couldn’t have happened at a worst time, just as you come into your busiest months. So how do you respond? Well, at times of huge challenge such as this, it is all about how you adapt, and the speed at which you do so. Here are the key things to think about: Plan for the worst,…
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Maternity leave – knowing your rights
Pregnancy in the workplace and maternity leave can be a difficult thing to get right, especially in our industry where so much of the work can be manual. But it is important that both the employer and employee do it get it right. When you are pregnant, you have four main legal rights that an employer must abide by: Paid time off for antenatal care This must be at your normal rate of pay and can include antenatal and parenting classes if they have been recommended by a doctor or midwife. Maternity leave Statutory maternity leave is 52 weeks made…
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National Living Wage set to increase from April 2020
Low-paid workers will receive a 6.2% pay rise with a new National Living Wage (NLW) of £8.72 per hour. The new rate starts on 1 April 2020 and results in an increase of £930 over the year for a full-time worker on the National Living Wage. Younger workers who receive the National Minimum Wage( NMW) will also see their pay boosted with increases of between 4.6% and 6.5%, dependant on their age. Commenting on this the chancellor of the exchequer, Sajid Javid, said: ” This latest rise will mean that since we introduced the National Living Wage in 2016, the…
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BALI launches Digital Marketing Masterclasses
BALI and Adtak have teamed up to launch a one-day digital marketing workshop for landscape industry professionals. It will provide the latest tools and tips on ways to stay ahead of the competition online. Join BALI’s marketing team, qualified digital marketing consultant Andrew Lloyd Gordon and digital marketing agency Adtrak for a six-hour workshop at BALI Registered Affiliate Majestic Trees in St Albans and Talasey Group in Doncaster. Exclusive to BALI members, this brand new BALI workshop has been designed to offer delegates who have an intermediate knowledge of digital marketing a chance to learn new skills and discover innovative ways to…
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Pitfalls to Avoid When Writing a Job Advert
Getting your job advert right is crucial. After all, it can be the difference between employing mediocre candidates and great ones. Getting the right calibre of applicants through door, relies heavily on how you write your job advert. However, this isn’t always an easy task, nor is striking the right balance when it comes to making your business stand out. With a long list of things to consider, it can quickly become an overwhelming process. Trying to make the procedure less of the struggle, the Pro Landscaper team have complied a list of their top tips on the pitfalls to…
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HMRC is urging people to get their Self Assessment return done early
With 100 days to go before the 31 January deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding customers to complete their tax returns early to beat the Christmas and New Year rush. Last year more than 2,000 people sent their tax returns on Christmas Day, according to HM Revenue & Customers. Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “The deadline for completing Self Assessment tax returns is only 100 days away, yet, so many of us wait until January to start the process. Avoid the last minute rush by completing your tax returns on time…
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Mental health awareness in the workplace
With some devastating suicides hitting the headlines in the recent months, it seems that a conversation surrounding mental health – specifically men’s mental health – has opened up even more than before. So why is it so important to continue this conversation and how can we as an industry support one another? In 2017 5,821 people took their own lives in the UK and Republic of Ireland. That equates to 16 people per day. Although suicide rates are actually decreasing year on year – something we all want to see continue – suicide is still the single biggest killer of…
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National Living Wage to apply to 21 year olds
The Chancellor has announced his intention to reduce the age threshold for the National Living Wage (NLW). This will mean that it applies to those aged 23 and over from 2021, and to those aged 21 and over within five years. This follows a review of the youth rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) carried out by the Low Pay Commission over the past year. The LPC made its recommendations to the Government in a letter sent in August, and which has now been published. The LPC will publish its full report on the NMW youth rates,…
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Can you use data to improve mental health at work?
In today’s business landscape, huge amounts of data surrounds all organisations, large or small. Data can improve all aspects of a business’s functioning, but not all types of data are used well. Employee data is one type of data that is underutilised by today’s businesses. Employee data refers to any information about a workforce, and how its workers think, feel, and act. Analysing and using employee data isn’t a new concept, but it is still rarely done. Research has found that only 8 percent of managers report they have usable employee data. Mental health organisation, Mente, has said that businesses…
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Business secretary launches £10m Brexit readiness fund
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has unveiled a £10 million grant scheme for business organisations and trade associations to support businesses in preparing for Brexit ahead of 31 October 2019. Activities funded by the grants must be open to both members and non-members, and to businesses large and small preparing for Brexit on 31 October. This will ensure all businesses will benefit and can be reassured that they are fully ready, from major British producers to the smallest tech startups and entrepreneurs. There will be no barriers, such as affordability of membership. Applications for grants will be accepted up…
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How to prepare for a new starter
Making sure you are prepared for your new starter and make them feel welcomed into the team by following these 8 tips. Make an announcement – ensure that the rest of your staff is aware that a new starter will be joining them. You don’t want the new starter to feel uncomfortable if they turn up and are greeted by blank faces who don’t realise who they are. Assign people to help the new starter – it is good practice to assign a group of people to show them the ropes or even a ‘buddy’ who they can partner…
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