Open Association of Landscape Industries
Pro Landscaper magazine, APL and the meaning of life...
Just reading the initial launch issue of the new Pro Landscaper magazine and wondered if I had picked up an APL brochure by mistake..
Is this magazine the unofficial or official new mouthpiece for the APL ?
In the headline article, the current APL chairperson wants to:
- educate consumers to watch out for rogue traders (good)
- implicitly only use APL members (the jury's out on that one for me....)
- setup an exclusive SGD & APL monopoly to deliver landscape construction projects (totally arrogant...?)
- believe only 1 trade association is required ( wouldn't be APL based by any chance would it ...?)
If ever there was any doubt, the Editor's endline states:
"Thanks for your time Mark, when it's obviously something you have little of, i hope our magazine can be the voice that APL needs to encourage new members and we look forward to hearing more from you in the future."
So, is the 'tie-up' desperation, arrogant, misguided, misunderstood, acceptable or really good for our industry....?
Would love to hear your views..............
At the moment for me - APL comments = 'uncomfortable'..
Any before any APL member accuses me of 'bashing' I will remind them that it was their chairperson (whom I have utmost respect for as a 'Landscaper') who stated the above and it's the not the first time there has been similar comments or a move for an exclusive club..
Come on, prove me wrong and I'll happily apologise...
UPDATE - This thread does not read as well as per its original form as several members have removed key posts and thus the flow of the debate has been interrupted or left confused.
Tags: APL, advertising, landscaper, pro, stats, visitors
Replies to This Discussion
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
I don't see a great deal of fuss Steve but I do see a point of principal and a misrepresentation of facts.
When an advertiser commits a great deal of their budget to advertising on the basis that someone has told them something then that person has every right to expect to get what they've been told.
I would hope nobody here would tell lies in order to win business?
The silly thing it's so easy to avoid. All Pro Landscaper has to do is publish and display a certificate of print and distribution...as urged here by The Landscaper magazineSteve London Stone said:
Whats all the fuss about? I would imagine a very large portion of SGD, bali & apl members WILL receive the Pro landscaper magazine. Okay the claim that all members of these groups receive the pro landscaper is not exactly true, but is there any need for this massive over reaction and people releasing statements left right and centre? The pro landscaper magazine is a magazine which I have always enjoyed reading and everyone I have ever spoken to about the magazine has only good things to say about it. Additionally I thought the Futurescape event showed a lot of promise Maybe we should be thanking pro landscaper for making a positive contribution to our industry rather than lining up to knock it
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Just to add Steve
The reason I re-started this thread is because Jim Wilkinson (who was once a member here) participated and made some comments regarding ROI on advertising.
Jim Wilkinson said:
"Phil, trade advertising has and will continue to prove good value for money as long as the media is chosen correctly. Also I understand that the advertising spend this September is up on the same period last year - some companies must believe that they get some type of ROI."
Steve London Stone said:Whats all the fuss about? I would imagine a very large portion of SGD, bali & apl members WILL receive the Pro landscaper magazine. Okay the claim that all members of these groups receive the pro landscaper is not exactly true, but is there any need for this massive over reaction and people releasing statements left right and centre? The pro landscaper magazine is a magazine which I have always enjoyed reading and everyone I have ever spoken to about the magazine has only good things to say about it. Additionally I thought the Futurescape event showed a lot of promise Maybe we should be thanking pro landscaper for making a positive contribution to our industry rather than lining up to knock it
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Premium SupplierPermalink Reply by Steve London Stone on -
They've got this one wrong, absolutely, but lets cut them a little slack. We've all made mistakes in the line of business, I've made some horrendous howlers as I am sure you have phil.
Ljn and pro landscaper are two important institutions and our industry is much stronger if they are pulling in the same direction
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Are we pulling in the same direction?
Pro Landscaper printed this on page 3 of the Jan 2013 edition:
"Pro- Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate of BALI
Pro- Landscaper is proud to be an associate member of The APL"How on earth is the landscape industry going to benefit from an impartial view if trade press are buying into organisations they should be reporting on?
Steve London Stone said:They've got this one wrong, absolutely, but lets cut them a little slack. We've all made mistakes in the line of business, I've made some horrendous howlers as I am sure you have phil.
Ljn and pro landscaper are two important institutions and our industry is much stronger if they are pulling in the same direction
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Mind you the Landscaper claim they are the official journal of BALI and the APL too:
http://static.landscapermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Med...
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Either the Landscaper has told a porky pie or BALI and APL have let them have their member email addresses?
Phil Voice said:Mind you the Landscaper claim they are the official journal of BALI and the APL too:
http://static.landscapermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Med...
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Mick Gammage on -
exactly I can't see any issues here what so ever
the pro landscaper monthly magazine is superb and I tip my hat to all those involved, why not give them credit for what they have achieved instead of giving them a verbal bashing at every opportunity you can find
just because they choose to support the APL and BALI (as far as I am concerned there is nothing wrong with that) does not make the reading any worse and its like your saying anyone involved with the APL and BALI should be banished to "HELL"
what's different with their approach embracing the 2 organisations and you getting support from Marshalls
answer = NONE
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
"what's different with their approach embracing the 2 organisations and you getting support from Marshalls
answer = NONE"
There is a big difference. I will write both positive and negative things about Marshalls and I still remain impartial. I will not be bought.
Mick Gammage said:exactly I can't see any issues here what so ever
the pro landscaper monthly magazine is superb and I tip my hat to all those involved, why not give them credit for what they have achieved instead of giving them a verbal bashing at every opportunity you can find
just because they choose to support the APL and BALI (as far as I am concerned there is nothing wrong with that) does not make the reading any worse and its like your saying anyone involved with the APL and BALI should be banished to "HELL"
what's different with their approach embracing the 2 organisations and you getting support from Marshalls
answer = NONE
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Permalink Reply by Dave Sewell on -
The other big difference is that marshalls sponsers LJN, the trade associations don't sponsor the magazines mentioned here.
That aside I'm a bit confused because the excerpt says 'the ABC recognised The landscaper...' etc etc, which isn't quite the same as The Landscaper claiming they are anybodys official magazine.
So what is the ABC??
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
http://www.abc.org.uk/ Reporting Standards
Dave Sewell said:The other big difference is that marshalls sponsers LJN, the trade associations don't sponsor the magazines mentioned here.
That aside I'm a bit confused because the excerpt says 'the ABC recognised The landscaper...' etc etc, which isn't quite the same as The Landscaper claiming they are anybodys official magazine.
So what is the ABC??
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Scott Kinnear on -
I underline what Phil mentions...
Can they describe what they consider a rogue trader?
I cant help but feel that it may be aimed to folk (perhaps like me) who dont have a qualification in the industry.
I would point out though - while I may not have a qualification, I worked with my local parks department for a year, I have helped uncles who were builders lay slabs etc,and Ive been doing my own garden for nearly 30 years, Ive dipped in and out of gardening for others as a sideline. I love the physical demands that garden and landscaping brings, and I love being self employed after having tyrant managers in the past with no fair system of work or integrity.
My first year as self employed has saw me with all my customers being happy with my work. No complaints so far, and I believe if there were any queries, I would sort this. My belief is - when folk are paying you good money, the least you can do is great service and attitude.
And organisations who run "old boys clubs" are not for me, If your a part of an organisation - It should be what is best to progress that organisation, and not down to cliques or ego's.
well thats my input on the subject. what do others think?
best regards
scott
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Permalink Reply by Dave Sewell on
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So actually The Landscaper magazine is definitely NOT saying it's the official magazine of the two trade associations it's saying that the ABC are recognising it as such. And to be fair it's just making the most of it, as would anybody in business.
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