Interiorscape Forum / Scaper Talk Discussion Forum / General Scaper Talk / A Little out of the ordinary.......
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| Posted: 22 Jan 2012 06:03 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling 
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[b]We've mention "reinventing ourselves" many, many times and I've been thinking about a few things here in the Atlanta area. I'd like to suggest "RentATech". We have QUALIFIED technicians that could fill in for other companies when technicians are on vacation, sick or if you'd rather use us for your jobs rather than hire someone to train and a few other ideas up my sleeve. I know this is questionable until I have a chance to talk openly and honestly with ATL scapers. I'd be willing to (and you'd WANT to do so) sign a non compete for your clients and give you back some of your windshield time. I think most people know me as bing honest above anything. Please shoot holes in this as I have not begun to market it but your thoughts are important to me. Would YOU trust me??? Would you appreciate our technicians taking care of your plants in the very best way?
I wish someone would take me up on this one time. It only takes word of mouth to make or break. I could not afford to become anything but grateful. Wha'chall think??? Carol |
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| Posted: 22 Jan 2012 18:45 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom 
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It's a noble and theoretically practical idea, but I'm guessing it probably won't fly. Non-compete or not, once "foreign" companies' personnel have access to your accounts, all bets are off. You'd be asking an employee of a competitor to be impartial. Not practical...and that tech's employer is naturally going to be curious about those accounts of yours that are being serviced occasionally by his/her tech. Too much temptation and too much trust is required on the part of all parties to make it work.
Plus there would be insurance issues aplenty. The paperwork alone would be daunting. It's never been a major problem for us, and we're a very small contractor; larger firms probably have enough slack in their schedules to manage coverage when the occasion arises. The other unspoken elephant in the room is that the net result of this kind of arrangement is fewer jobs in the industry in your market. Is that what we're really after? Clem |
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| Posted: 23 Jan 2012 22:49 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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Clem, ah yes. I have thought of all those things you have mentioned. I would hope we could put "competitor" aside and have a rather unique plan. My goal is to have GOOD people working rather than some that are puddle jumping. We know that happens. I would have to disagree about MY techs being impartial. We have discussed all the red flags that would be flying but what I am asking is one account to give us one chance. Again, I would not bite off the hand that feeds me. Being on the south side of Atlanta would give some North Atlantans a real advantage of not having the windshield time and gas to burn. The insurance??? That is a topic up in the air and I think we could work it out as this unfolds. I would just like some feedback so I can proceed or get disgruntled. Thanks, Clem.
Carol |
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| Posted: 23 Jan 2012 23:03 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2012 |
Posts: 28 Reputation: 3 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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There is a special and "non-transferable" mutual goodwill relationship between Technician and Client. The appearance of a 'strange face' on an account raises eyebrows and questions on the Client's part. This happens even when the 'Relief Tech.' is from the same Company; more so if from another Company or "Pool". This continuity is the only justification - a weak one - for teams of 2.
I wish that I did not have good reason for saying this but a Relief Tech. is likely to do a sub-standard job because s(he) is not as accountable. |
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| Posted: 25 Jan 2012 03:32 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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| @ ronalawn82, I appreciate the client/tech relationship and I am very sure most businesses relate to the caregiver rather than owner/managers. Our approach would be not to allow eyebrows to raise but to introduce ourselves "Hello, I'm Carol from (the company that hires us). John is on vacation this week and/or "Julie is on maternity leave and I will be taking good care of your plants during this time. I've received special instructions for your account and I'm very happy to be here and to meet you." I can assure you our techs would not do a sub standard job as I could not NOT be accountable for the plants serviced during our time of service. But more importantly - using us as part time permanent techs would make the most sense. That clears up insurance, gas, etc. | |
| Posted: 26 Jan 2012 02:10 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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Carol,
Sorry, I was following your last post up until the last quotation marks, but then you lost me. Could you please re-post more clearly the last three sentences? Clem |
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| Posted: 26 Jan 2012 20:04 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Sep 2011 |
Posts: 8 Reputation: Unranked User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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I'd do it,LOL I also turn cash I find on the street to proper authorities so they can locate the rightful owner.
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| Posted: 29 Jan 2012 04:17 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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I can assure you our techs would not do a sub standard job as I could not NOT be accountable for the plants serviced during our time of service. But more importantly - using us as part time permanent techs would make the most sense. That clears up insurance, gas, etc.
@Clem. I know that is confusing. In some circumstances, our company would be liable for replacements. We have our own insurance and if the account was close to something else, gas would not be a huge factor. Clearly, this is not something I'd want to do with someone that I'd not gotten some good feedback from. It is obvious this is why I call on the experts and thank you, Clem. @ Mike. Now aren't you "clever". Are you making any of that cash?? If so, good. If not, try thinking outside of the box. |
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| Posted: 30 Jan 2012 06:32 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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I get that your techs would do a good job at covering for other firms' absent personnel on an interim basis, but there would always be the question of who's on the hook for replacements that become necessary during or just after their stint as fill-ins. The insurance part is also a bit tricky, as you'd have to arrange for the other contractor to become an additional insured, as well as each of that other contractor's clients, on your various policies (general & special liability, pesticide coverage, workers comp and employer liability, auto, etc.). It's not as simple as it seems at first.
Clem |
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| Posted: 30 Jan 2012 06:45 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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| Clem. It's a tricky nitch but could be helpful if people worked together. | |
| Posted: 30 Jan 2012 16:04 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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Let us know whether you get any nibbles to join your network and how it goes once it's actually in practice. I'm sure there are a few people out there who could make it work, but I'm not so optimistic about it becoming a trend.
Clem |
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| Posted: 31 Jan 2012 02:10 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Sep 2011 |
Posts: 8 Reputation: Unranked User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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Sorry for my cynicism, yes it would be great if we helped each other but with even all the above mentioned "legal" reasons, ethics and so on would linger well beyond a 2 week fill in.
And what are supervisors or mangers for if not to cover accounts. I've seen some really nice accounts and I've seen some really nice accounts that I would love to get some inside info on too. You can open Pandoras box but I've done that before myself so good luck. What if the fill in has a problem who do they call? you, and then you call your competitor/friend to call them about the problem...? 
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| Posted: 13 Feb 2012 06:53 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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| I did make a few phone calls and surprisingly I got a lot of positive feedback. Actually one said "Why didn't I think of that?" What I am offering is to do YOUR job YOUR way but with all the background of the expert interiorscaper. It only takes ONE slip to post "CAROL'S COMPANY IS A THIEF" I'd surely not step into that. Actually, think of it as a temp agency for horticultural technicians. We have become so, so, so protective of our clients but I see plants looking poorly all the time!! Better be looking around if you are that frightened. I'm trying to help!!!!! (CC throws up her hands) Regarding insurance.....we'll ask the insurance company!!! We will BE your rep on all accounts. I think we've done this missionary style for too long and it's time to change it up a bit. | |
| Posted: 14 Feb 2012 02:37 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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Carol,
I like your spunk! Hope this works out for you and doesn't just turn into Carol's Home for Wayward 'Scapers, with you cleaning all the bedpans. Clem |
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| Posted: 15 Feb 2012 05:14 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 15 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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Clem!! Hell, it's not spunk - it's starvation!! I might dole out meds but I don't do bedpans. 
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