Making Connections

Hello and welcome to another bog where we discuss all things landscaping and trades.
This blog will be about the importance of making connections and friendship within the landscaping industry.
I think it was Todd Henry, a key note speaker and author who said ‘Leadership is lonely at the top. If your doing it right, its actually not’.
You might see quotes from many inspiration speakers that say such things as ‘its lonely at the top’ or ‘you can only take yourself to the top of the mountain’ but I couldn’t disagree more. I think , maybe without realizing it, we make connections with people on our way to our end goals and within these connections we spark an essence of loyalty and friendship.
Picture this, it’s the first day of a new landscaping project. You’re a little nervous, jittery but excited as your very passionate about all the project you undertake. There is always an uneasiness how your relationship with a client is going to be and in some ways you paint a picture in your head before you have even spent a full day at their property with them.
For me personally I have all these feeling but after a while of me working on their garden all worries seem to lessen. I have always liked to talk to clients about their stories, their journey so far and their goals in life. In-turn I share with the my passions both in work and at home. This exchange of information from the start builds an invisible connection between contractor and client.
I believe these connections helps us as human beings evolve and mature to better understand one another.
Some of my clients I have worked with over the years I still keep their number in my whatsapp and we talk, not only about work but about family, future plans and that’s thing all British love talking about…..the weather.
Moving on to relationships with other landscaper/trades and merchants.
I think there is a stigma around tradesmen not wanting to talk and share ideas with others that are in the same trade in fear we might loose work.
I have never liked that idea, how do we grow as a community and expand our knowledge without developing a connection with someone else who is also passionate about their work.
I have always tried to help any landscapers out there who may have questions or worries about the industry. You can see yourself when you talk to them and they had the same worries you once had (and still do sometimes). Tradesmen working alone, like myself sometimes, benefit massively from having these conversations. It doesn’t always have to be about work , as I discussed previously, it could be about their future aspirations or home life. These social interaction are vital to keep you grounded and feel that sense of someones got your back.
Speaking about someone that’s got your back, Mr Lee Poole of Frank Keys Patio world. If there was anyone who wasn’t in my family that has helped me push forward its Lee.
A bit of background……
I was looking for a person I could ring for my orders who understood the landscaping industry, I really didn’t want to speak to front of house counter staff. I needed someone who I could ring with a material issue or product advise and they would know exactly where I was coming from. I was in between merchants as my previous contacts I used to use had either retired or moved on to greener pastures, so I rang my Bradstone rep and ask if they knew anyone within frank key I could rely on and that’s how I first met Lee.
I have never met someone who would happily help you out of his day off (I also apologies to him every time I forget its his day off) and actively want to help you on your projects. We share similar aspirations which has helped us not only become someone to rely on but good friends.
On to my last point, relationships with existing friends.
I am sure this will ring true for all tradesmen who have friends that are not in any trades, and when we talk to them we are sure they don’t fully understand what point we are making (potentially my wife included in this!). I have had many friends and family over the years come to help me with projects when I was in need and in turn I have given them some work when they where in need.
The action of talking and actually doing the work broadens their understanding of our world which makes it easier for them to understand our troubles and joys. The benefit about not having friends in the trade is it can be an escape to get away from the grind and unwind, a space for you to be a person not a tradesmen.
I hope you all enjoyed this blog and I hope you find this blogs interesting. If you have any recommendations and what you would like read about in upcoming blogs please email me at k.w.slackandson@live.co.uk or comment on the blog below.
Making connections and networking is so important! Having a shared passion and helping each other towards a shared goal is empowering. And often, as you say, these people who just started out as business associates, end up becoming friends. Fantastic blog! Looking forward to the next.