Well here we are in the 2nd week of March and all of us now have a idea on the ’09 season.
In the South and West it’s warmer and some folks have started installing. In most other parts of the country Spring clean-ups are underway and where/when possible there’s some dry ground actual landscape work may be getting done.
The Home Shows are finished(thank God) and it’s time to go through those lead sheets/numbers, etc., . . . that is, if there were any to go through. I have heard from several others around the country that Home Show traffic was down, down some . . . to down alright awful.
Maybe the leads are from projects that were left on the bubble at the end of ’08, or those fence-sitters from ’08 who said
“Call me next Spring so I can get 1st in line”.
The old call me next Spring line!
Could be possible clients just showed up many other ways throughout the Winter and now is the time to strike. If you’re like me we are drawing now so when the weather breaks and the ground gets ready to work . . . boom! We’re having at it.
Unless
The economy is killing you. The leads have dried up, the phone is now a dust collector and all possible clients have blown away with the Spring winds . . . now what?
So where are you? Good to go, or next to gone?
The Whispering Crane Institute 
I don’t think business owners feel they are going to fail. The poll I think may reflect slightly more positive than the general public might vote I think than average people on the street. My business has been busier than last season which was the best to date.
Be happy if you are doing well, thank God and keep persisting.
If you find yourself with less business this year right away start thinking of things you perhaps would not have done in the past, offer more services that may make you less revenue but it may be more revenue you need. Stay busy, don’t limit yourself and don’t consider yourself above work in your field.
I know a landscape architect from the Hudson, OH area that for two years has not wanted to design both a grotto and a small mosoleum type stucture for two churches in the area where he works. His boss however does not mind the business and accepted both clients. This is why of course his boss runs the company and the guy I know will probably never run anything. His mind isn’t big enough to consider other options as work. He also reads this blog so he may even stumble upon my comment. Work hard and think outside the box. You will probably get through this time and many other obstacles.
Zac
Appreciate you taking the time to reply and the pep talk for those reading here and are not doing so well in certain areas of the country.
I agree that not only a positive attitude but-an open attitude to other clients or job opportunities.
So, you think you’ll get a e-mail or a phone call?