Return to LEARN

DAILY UPDATE ARCHIVE


January 5th, 2012 — A Better Way Members Come Alive Outside
Have you been to the Come Alive Outside website yet? We update it regularly with great ideas you can use.

Come Alive Outside's purpose is to simply create awareness with the intent of exposing every opportunity for an individual, family, business, and community to Come Alive Outside.

Remember...EVERYBODY WINS WHEN SOMEBODY GOES OUTSIDE!

July 19th, 2011 — Face to Face Tour Returns!
Simply put, there is no other event like it in the country. Combining a workshop setting with the opportunity to network and benchmark your business against some of the best companies in the country provides unbelievable learning opportunities for attendees. You will learn what has helped other companies achieve the wins needed to continue to grow their businesses and provide careers for their employees and outstanding service to their customers. The innovative FACE TO FACE approach will occur at the following locations:
- The LaurelRock Company in Wilton, CT on Aug. 2
- Sebert Landscaping in Chicago, IL on Sept. 22
- CoCal Landscape in Denver, CO on Oct. 13

April 7th, 2011 — Join Us In Chicago!
We are excited to announce A Better Way's 2011 national event to Come Alive Outside in Chicago July 14-15! These incredible two days will bring together Green Industry leaders to explore Downtown Chicago's fantastic outdoor spaces and to brainstorm how the same concepts can be put to use in your company. This is going to be one of the most unique and powerful events JP Horizons has ever held, and it’s going to help your company create the plans and partnerships that will inspire action and results as we Come Alive Outside together.



April 4th, 2011 — Inspiring Students
We’re energized by Discoveries in Gardening! The company has partnered with high schools to show students the fun in planting. They have inspired many students to develop new skills and Come Alive Outside.

March 22nd, 2011 — COME ALIVE OUTSIDE!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG, and all of the SALES STRATEGIES and MARKETING IDEAS that you been developing over the winter will be put to the test. Igniting those strategies and ideas and capturing the attention of millions of potential clients across the country could be just one great idea away. This upcoming webinar is designed to help all of us discover that idea!

October 28th, 2010 — Continue Your Success
Growing Point: Companies must share the success in order to be continuously successful.
Consider this: How many ideas can you develop and put into action to create energy and the opportunity for everyone in the company through recognition of their efforts?

October 26th, 2010 — GET OUT!
Growing Point: Do things out of the ordinary. It’s alright to be different!
Brain Probe: I wonder how many ideas I can develop and put into action that will move the entire organization out of our comfort zones to grow and learn?

October 6th, 2010 — Qualified Clients
Consider this: How can your sales team creatively and completely distinguish the qualified client from the unqualified client?
Action item: Develop and put into action a list of criteria that will always have the company working with the most qualified clients?

September 30th, 2010 — Sharing Your Success
Growing Point: Companies must share their success in order to be successful.

Consider this: How many ideas can you develop and put into action to create energy and the opportunity for everyone in the company through recognition of their efforts?

September 29th, 2010 — Qualifying Customers
How can your sales team creatively and completely distinguish the qualified client from the unqualified client?

Action to take: Develop a list of criteria that will always have the company working with the most qualified clients. Then take the criteria, talk about it with your team and determine which standards match what you are looking for in customers. Put those standards into action and stick to them!

September 22nd, 2010 — Passionate Leadership
“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” - John Maxwell

What do you have passion for? Consider how you can make a difference today by applying your passion to make courageous decisions.

September 16th, 2010 — Efficiency Experts
Help your crews understand that when they are finished for the day, it is their responsibility to call into the shop. The manager who takes the call can see if the crew can pick up another property or if they should come back to the shop. If the crew comes back early, a manager should be able to provide those team members with a list of tasks to be performed around the office.

September 13th, 2010 — Consider This
“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes

How are you making sure you're moving in the right direction?

September 9th, 2010 — Thought for the Day
"Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things." -Peter F. Drucker

How do you know when you're pursuing the right things at work and at home?

September 1st, 2010 — Best Month Ever
As we start a new month, it’s a great time to consider where we are and what we want to accomplish. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make September your best month of the year? A Better Way believes that by writing down a list of goals for the month - and referencing the list on a regular basis - you put yourself on a solid path to having one of the most successful months of 2010.

August 19th, 2010 — Company on a Mission
Thought of the day - Consider how effective your company would be if each employee knows exactly how their actions relate to the overall mission of the business.

Action to take: Have a brainstorming session with your team and talk about the actions they do on a daily basis. Talk about why these actions are done, and determine is what the purpose of each action.

August 12th, 2010 — Celebrating Your Customers
Thought for the day: Do your customers know how much you appreciate them?

A Better Way action: Each time you make a sale, send a personalized thank you card to the client. They will know that you are celebrating your relationship with them, and your great work will stay on their minds.

August 9th, 2010 — Extreme Makeover - Green Industry Edition
Anewalt's Landscape Contracting played a major role in Extreme Makeover - Home Edition when the show came to Pennsylvania. Ed Anewalt, owner of this great company and member of A Better Way, led the effort to provide landscaping for a family getting a new home. Anewalt's crews installed 25,000 square feet on the project and inspired the community.

May 24th, 2010 — Don't Quit
Thought For The Day - Make a habit of looking past the obstacle toward your goal and beyond.
A Better Way Action - With the help of your family, make a list of all the people you can think of that overcame obstacles to obtain their goals. Remember people you know along with the famous and those you've read about.

May 21st, 2010 — Set Goals
Thought For The Day - With a deep understanding and commitment towards goals comes direction in life.
A Better Way Action - Help your partner and children set personal and family goals. Be supportive, be creative in planning rewards and enjoy the process over the accomplishment.

May 20th, 2010 — Improve Your Attitude
Thought for the day - Attitude can color any situation and I get to choose the color.
A Better Way Action - Post a positive quote on your refrigerator each day and see who can be the first to recite it at the dinner table.

May 19th, 2010 — Appreciate People
Thought For The Day - We are the same, only separated by the choices that were made prior to our lives beginning and the choices we've made for ourselves.
A Better Way Action - What choices did you make this week that will affect you next week?

May 18th, 2010 — Continue to Learn
Thought For The Day: Never Pass up the chance to meet a new Person
A Better Way Action: Commit time to learning from the expertise of others. Remember, the key is to ask questions and truly listen to the answer.

May 17th, 2010 — Don't Quit
Thought For The Day: Every idea I conceive and aspiration I desire are only thoughts and wishes without conviction to follow through and achieve them.

A Better Way Action: Make a list of the books you’ve read and seminars or training sessions you’ve attended in the last year. Next to each write one thing that you learned and check those you have acted upon.

May 13th, 2010 — Set Goals
Thought for the Day: Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. – Abraham Lincoln.

A Better Way Action: Fill out your “free ticket to anywhere”. Begin writing your goals on a 3x5 card each month with positive affirmations as if they’ve already happened. Read them 5-7 times each day and vividly visualize their reality.

May 12th, 2010 — Checking Your Attitude
Thought for the Day: Whether I respond positively or negatively is the deciding factor between possibility or loss.

A Better Way Action: Discuss common concerns with your family, colleagues, or team that could be changed by looking at the flip side of a situation.

May 11th, 2010 — Continue to Learn
Thought for the day: Books hold the keys to unlock the doors of every challenge and opportunity that I may face.

A Better Way Action: Find and write down one thought from a book that will inspire and impact your future.

May 11th, 2010 — Appreciating People
Thought for the Day: Every great thing that has ever been accomplished or even will be accomplished was and will be achieved through people.

A Better Way Action: List the 10 people you most admire. What do these people have in common?

May 10th, 2010 — Get students’ perspectives of today’s industry
Three great students join A Better Way Community to offer their thoughts on the Green Industry. Use this link to register for today’s webinar at 3:00 Eastern: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/128527858.

May 6th, 2010 — Inspiring Others - Share Your Thoughts
“People will forget what you say, forget what you do, but they will never forget how you make them feel.” What do you do each day to make other people feel great? Please visit our PEOPLE forum to share your thoughts

May 5th, 2010 — Cut Costs, Save Energy
Work with your staff to reduce your energy costs. Energy costs are about 30 percent of an office building’s operating budget, and you can cut this amount significantly. If you reduce your energy use by 30 percent, you can save $25,000 a year for every 50,000 square feet. There are many strategies to employ, but we recommend saving on wasted energy.

May 4th, 2010 — Achieving Cleaner Clothes
To maintain a professional appearance, many outfits require dry-cleaning. This service, though necessary, can be harmful for the environment. There are several ways to preserve clothing and be more sensitive to the planet.

May 3rd, 2010 — Sign up for today's webinar
Today we will discuss the launch of the Great Rain Barrel Brigade. We are excited to help your company, school, neighborhood or civic organization learn how to sell rain barrels and discuss water conservation. Jim Paluch will facilitate an hour-long discussion of how we can join together with communities across North America to effect real change on our water supply.

April 30th, 2010 — Get Involved in the Great Rain Barrel Brigade
A Better Way Community is excited to sponsor the Great Rain Barrel Brigade, a campaign to sell rain barrels and educate North America about water conservation. We would like to encourage your company, neighborhood, civic organization or school to get involved in the brigade.

April 29th, 2010 — Resources for your green business strategy
Just starting to consider incorporating sustainability into your business? A Better Way wants to serve as a resource as you embark on this journey of green. The companies that have the greatest success incorporating sustainability into their organization have tracked their savings and progress.

April 28th, 2010 — Barreling into History
Together we can save a million gallons of water this year. Consider what would happen if every person reading this newsletter set a goal to create a buzz that his or her community is a place where people are compelled to use their rain water effectively.

April 26th, 2010 — Join Us Today!
Do you work in the Green Industry? You are invited to a unique, interactive webinar at 3:00 Eastern today!

"Down With Downtime!" Use this link to register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/852399770

Special Guests:Ken Taylor & Jason Rife lead an INTERACTIVE Webinar experience.

April 22nd, 2010 — Happy Earth Day
On the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, it's exciting to think how far we have come in terms of sustainability. What will the next 40 years look like? There are so many ways for Green Industry companies to benefit the planet.

April 21st, 2010 — Quality of Questions
When working as a team, questions are essential. It's important to ask thorough questions when you don't understand what is expected of you or what is going to happen in the future. As a leader, questions come into play every day.

April 19th, 2010 — Expand Your Company's Reach
Join us today at 3PM eastern for a webinar featuring Belgard Hardscapes. Al Pfannenstein will speak about expanding to new markets using permeable pavers. This webinar will be an excellent chance for A Better Way Community to explore the notion of capturing the business opportunities of today while creating a better world for tomorrow. If you still need to register, please email kristen@jphorizons.com for a link. We look forward to having you on the webinar!

April 15th, 2010 — Personalize Your Business
“Keep it personal. It probably sounds obvious, but I learned on my personal passions, my own life experiences and abilities. Do what you know, what you are.” Gary Erikson in his book, Raising The Bar.

April 14th, 2010 — Eliminate Waste to Grow Your Company
When you put a focus on eliminating waste, it continually benefits your company. To put the spotlight on waste reduction, you must measure your costs, the amount of resources your company is using and the time your employees are spending on projects. Once you know the numbers, you can see where resources are being used well and where waste is occurring.

April 9th, 2010 — Views of sustainability
“Sustainability is about profit. It’s the opportunity of the century,” said Ben Clarke, a vice president for Kraft Foods.

How do you view sustainability? Is it a chance for your company to grow? Is it a topic your business struggles with? Please share your stories with us. We want to help you communicate with peers who are wrestling with the same issues as you, and we want the networking to help you solve your problems and grow your business.

April 8th, 2010 — The Future of the Green Industry
JP Horizons is excited to be attending Planet’s Student Career Days today through Sunday. We will be spending time with students and professors, discussing the notion of ACTIPRENEURISM TM — capturing the business opportunities of today while creating a better world for tomorrow.

April 7th, 2010 — Get Rewarded for Green Decisions
When your office building is in need of upgrades, consider making green decisions. Federal, state and local governments provide different types of tax credits for various upgrades. The US Small Business Administration offers a website that provides guidance for companies looking to receive tax breaks for green renovations.

April 6th, 2010 — Energy Drives Success
Keep the enthusiasm high at work. As an employee, your energy motivates fellow workers and shows your bosses your passion for the job. As a leader in the company, your energy can encourage your employees to work harder, and it shows you care about the work your team is producing. Energy translates into better work, which provides superior services to your customers. ENERGY is a key to success.

April 5th, 2010 — Sustainability ... Now What?
The term sustainability is a regularly used word applied to business, personal life and government actions, but what does it mean for you? Ron Dodson, chairman of the International Sustainability Council, will speak to A Better Way members and visitors about what we can do with the notion of sustainability.

April 2nd, 2010 — Junking Junk Mail
Are you tired of receiving pounds of junk mail and concerned that trashing it is spoiling the environment? One company wants to help you stop that cycle. Green Dimes, an organization founded to stop junk mail, allows individuals and companies to join for a small annual fee. Once you pay $15 Green Dimes guarantees to reduce the unwanted paper flowing through your mailbox.

April 1st, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip - People
There are many ways to reinforce the benefits of Builder outlooks each day. Start each meeting with upbeat music, and allow everyone at the meeting to say one positive experience. Remind destroyers that a “me”-centered focus cannot build up the group, and praise Builders for their care for other people. An increase in positive attitudes will help your team connect with each other, and it will help your company become a better business.

March 31st, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip: Profit
Have you considered offering rain garden instillation to customers? In addition to benefiting the planet and providing you with a new source of revenue, these gardens allow property owners to be eligible for tax credits or rebates from their local government. This credit is popular with homeowners, and educating them about your local policy can aid you in selling the rain gardens.

March 30th, 2010 — Company Creates Sense of Community
What can you do to engage your community in the product or service that you offer, while driving the mission of your company?

One grocery store sells food — and does much more. Whole Foods, a natural and organic food store chain, informs customers about healthy eating, offers yoga classes, hosts Make-a-Wish parties, sorority events and Hawaiian luaus.

March 29th, 2010 — Tune in this afternoon
A Better Way Community is determined to help you put your ideas into action. Jim Paluch, Jr. will speak to community members today at 3pm to explain the psychology of action plans. He will help you organize your schedule so that you can create the plans. You will learn why putting your ideas in a plan is such an important step to take on your path to achieving results. In today’s webinar, Paluch will show you how to utilize A Better Way’s website to electronically structure your action plans and receive automated reminders. Please tune in today at 3pm to learn how to make effective plans.

March 25th, 2010 — Take Charge of Your Finances
Steve Russell of Weed Man teaches A Better Way community how to deal with banks from a position of strength. Russell's insights on how to prepare for meetings shows us that we are in control of our business position. He teaches us that we can improve the structure of our loans and secure better rates. Ultimately, Russell explains that our approach can cause multiple banks to compete for our business.

March 24th, 2010 — Consider Hosting an Office Book Club
You can be the most indispensable employee at your company, according to Seth Godin, the author of Linchpin. Godin, a marketing expert and business author, writes about how you can create art through your work — if your work is passionate, personal and resonates with your target audience.

He tells readers that putting your passion behind your work is a gift to yourself and to your audience. He calls it emotional labor, and he argues it is the best way to work.

March 22nd, 2010 — Waste Reduction at JLS
In our current newsletter, we saw how JLS Landscape & Sprinkler provided its customers with the greenest services possible. John Reffel III, the company’s president, also explained that his office stays true to environmental values.

“We’re always thinking about ways to be green and to reduce waste,” Reffel said.

March 16th, 2010 — Barrel of Sales
Has your company considered offering rain barrel instillation as a service?

These barrels are great for your customers to own and easy for you to market. Rain barrels mitigate stormwater runoff, keep the water in creeks and rivers clean and reduce the customers’ water bills. These low-cost conservation tools allow families to water their gardens at no cost.

March 15th, 2010 — A Better Way Members Partner With Communities
"You have to be patient to create something revolutionary," said Anil Duggal, a technology leader for General Electric who has spent much of his nearly 20-year career on the commercial development of organic light-emitting diodes.

This scientist is changing the way the world views light - a task that requires some patience.

JP Horizons and a group of more than 100 landscape construction, lawn care and Green Industry suppliers have rallied to start a revolution of their own. A Better Way Community has begun to change the way the world views the Green Industry in an effort to reclaim the mantle of green, helping all to see this industry is composed of innovative professionals set on preserving the environment.

March 10th, 2010 — Working Toward Your Goals
At the Reunion Jam last weekend DJ Gregory, a young man born with cerebral palsy, talked with A Better Way members about taking steps daily toward accomplishing goals. Doctors told Gregory that he would never walk, but he refused to accept that fate. Not only did he learn to walk, he achieved his goal to walk every hole of the 2008 PGA tour.

March 9th, 2010 — Creating Green Living Spaces
Architect Steve Mouzon spoke to A Better Way Community at our Jam in New Orleans. He discussed increasing your sales by offering greener options and selling your customers on green living spaces.

March 2nd, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
To save a couple hundred dollars on utility bills and conserve a significant amount of energy, set the office’s thermostat one degree higher for air-conditioning and one degree lower for heating.

March 1st, 2010 — Patagonia Encourages Creativity, Generates Loyalty
Patagonia's employees go surfing on weekdays, do yoga at the office and see their children at lunch. These individuals also contribute daily to the clothing and outdoor equipment company dedicated to educating customers about Patagonia's high quality products environmental values.

February 26th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
You may be eligible for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot if you improve the energy efficiency of your current office or newly designed office building.

February 25th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
People. When approaching a triple bottom line strategy, don’t believe that you have to possess all of the answers.

February 24th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
PLANET: When your office is in the market for new technological instruments, look for Energy Star items.

February 23rd, 2010 — Beating the competition
A Better Way member Borst Landscape and Design provides its customers with individualized service that surpasses its competition and benefits the planet.

Mark Borst, the company’s owner, began offering organic lawn, tree and shrub care in 1995. These services use soil conditioning products to make the soil healthier, allowing the plants to fight insects and diseases on their own.

February 18th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip - Planet
Eliminate cluttered closets in your office and recycle old equipment. GreenDisk (www.greendisk.com) takes old computer systems, floppy disks and CDs and disposes of them properly.

February 17th, 2010 — Tell Us What You Think
We are excited to be launching this site on Monday to A Better Way Community members. We are still making content and design changes, but the site will be ready for your use on Monday. We hope you enjoy the current information, and we look forward to the education and networking that will take place soon.

February 16th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip - People
When introducing the triple bottom line approach to your team, talk about how team members can use their interests and skills to help shape the company’s strategy. When you appeal to employees’ passions, the entire plan with become more clear. Plus, your office will buy into the triple bottom line approach of energizing people, increasing profits and benefiting the planet.

February 15th, 2010 — Landscape Company Cleaning Lake, Changing Community
Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies is making a tremendous difference in its community by leading the 2010 Blue Community Makeover to clean up nearby Diamond Lake. It all came about as one ambitious employee took the initiative to find solutions to a community problem that concerned her. "We found a way to really help the community and rely on some of our skills as a company," said Tina Plant, Hedberg's chief marketing officer.

February 1st, 2010 — Welcome!
Welcome to the new A Better Way Community website. We hope this will be a place for you to come and connect with your peers to discuss today’s innovative business opportunities that create a better world for tomorrow. We believe that working for the triple bottom line -- energizing people, increasing profits and benefiting the planet -- is the best way to run a business and spark innovation. On Monday, Feb. 8 we will start updating this space daily with tips, stories and information for you to use in your daily professional endeavors. For this to be the best website possible, we need your feedback. Please email us to let us know what you like about the website and what you would like to see improved. We welcome your input and participation in A Better Way Community

January 22nd, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
If you have a water cooler in your office, consider eliminating the use of paper cups. If you make an investment of purchasing reusable water bottles for all employees, you will save money and benefit the planet in the long term.

January 21st, 2010 — Help Create A Better World
The A Better Way and JP Horizons team believes there are many ways to create a better world for tomorrow. We have seen the devastation in Haiti and believe this is a time for action. There are many ways to help.

January 19th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
Remember to set SMART goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound. If your team discusses its goals for the week and follows up to see if they were accomplished, you will develop a more disciplined and organized group.

January 18th, 2010 — Business Opportunity Found In Playground
Blanchford Landscape Contractors found an energizing new business opportunity as it helped a local school build a natural playground.

January 14th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip: Profits
Remember to ask your customers for referrals. After you do a fantastic job on a project, discuss it with your satisfied client. Then, be bold and ask the customer if he or she knows of anyone who might be interested in your services.

January 13th, 2010 — Celebrate A Better Way with the community in New Orleans
Are you registered for our New Orleans event to celebrate A Better Way? It is going to be a fantastic celebration of the past 20 years of JP Horizons and the launching of A Better Way Community. We will have a fantastic collection of speakers who will encourage you to join with your peers in the Green Industry to discuss energizing people, increasing profits and benefiting the planet.

January 12th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
Consider setting up a direct deposit system for your employees. Not only does this save on paper costs, but it also reduces the amount of gasoline that employees would have used driving to the bank.

January 9th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
Have you set goals to accomplish throughout this year? Join together with your team at work and set individual and group goals. Set deadlines for the achievement of your goals, and establish rewards for getting them done.

January 8th, 2010 — Playing To Win
The Alabama Crimson Tide, to the delight of Alabama athletes, students and hundreds of thousands of fans capped off a 14-game season with an unexpected win over the Texas Longhorns. The student-athletes on both teams -- and football players throughout the country -- spent an entire year mentally and physically preparing to take on opponents. They watched hours of film, ran thousands of drills and developed into a tight-knit team.

January 7th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip: People
Communicate openly with your customers about how they view your company. Understanding how the community views your brand is essential to expanding your customer base and increasing profits. Some successful landscape companies take customers out to lunch and discuss what clients think.

January 6th, 2010 — Get Involved In The Community
A Better Way community is strong, thanks to its members and web participants. We encourage you to join with other people interested in this movement to grow your knowledge and sense of belonging.

January 4th, 2010 — Creating Loyal Customers
As a triple bottom line company, it's important to educate your customers and include them in company updates.

Seventh Generation, a producer of environmentally-responsible home products, spends time informing its customers how the items sold benefit the planet. With its laundry products, Seventh Generation's website shows potential buyers the environmental benefits in addition to the detergent's cleaning powers

January 4th, 2010 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
If your office needs new computers, think about purchasing refurbished computers. You save money, and you spare the 139 pounds of waste, 7,300 gallons of water and 2,300 kilowatt-hours of energy associated with manufacturing a new one.

December 31st, 2009 — A Better Way In 2010
Better Way Community will be here for your in 2010. We hope to help you leverage the community for personal and professional success by adhering to the values of energizing people, increasing profit and benefiting the planet.

December 30th, 2009 — Starting A Better Way
We look forward to finding A Better Way with you in the new year. JP Horizons and Epic Creative appreciate your interest in capturing the business opportunities of today while creating a better world for tomorrow.

December 29th, 2009 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
Encourage your staff to use the power management mode on their computers. If 10 employees use the sleep mode, the office can save up to $500 a year per computer by using the low-power sleep mode.

December 28th, 2009 — Christmas Event Ties Company to the Community
Bob Maffei, the owner of Robert Maffei Landscape Contractors, led his company in a tremendous effort to give back to their Cape Cod community.

December 26th, 2009 — Triple Bottom Line Tip
Work to reduce the amount of printing your office does. Set up an online database, such as Google Docs or WebEx to allow your staff to access documents from anywhere. It keeps you more organized and allows everyone to have the most current version of a document. Plus it saves paper and ink.