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practice and the way they install water
features. This is an opportunity to talk
about why you choose your construction
method in a way that shows your
professionalism. A great way to start your
answer to this question might be, ‘There
are some different views on which
method is best. Let me tell you why
I choose this installation practice…’ You
may even want to suggest that the
homeowner do their homework on
different construction methods. A bettereducated
consumer will also be a better
customer in the long run.
3. A friend of mine has a pond and
it has always been a problem. Why
would I want one While a common
answer might include bad-mouthing
either of the two previous topics
(components and construction), the
truth is that every ‘expert’ has a water
feature out there that someone isn’t
happy with. It’s kind of like bouncing
a check – everyone has had it happen in
their lifetime and it doesn’t mean they
are poor or bad; just that something
may have gone wrong that day. If a
homeowner is unhappy with their water
feature it may be because the homeowner
did not properly care for it. It could be
that a tree fell and punched a hole in the
liner that has caused an undiscoverable
leak. Perhaps a pump went bad. Maybe
it was built up to be ‘maintenance free’
or ‘low maintenance’ but that doesn’t
mean ‘no maintenance.’
The list goes on and on… At the end
of the day when this question comes up,
it may be a good idea to take a healthy
dose of modesty, not put any one or
thing down, and talk about the positive
attributes you bring to the table and the
assurance it takes (and mean it) to have a
client feel confident that this is a decision
and investment they won’t regret. Start by
saying, ‘I understand and unfortunately
that happens from time to time. Let me
start by reassuring you…’. And please
remember, it is better to promise small
and deliver BIG!
The greatest problem we face as an
industry is not the economy, it is the great
divide combined with an unprofessional
image. My biggest personal struggle right
now is the merging of two homes and two
groups of people (and pets). We may be
different and have different ways of doing
things, but we all have a common goal, to
live together without tension and chaos,
and hopefully enjoy each other’s company
in the long run, making life better for
everyone. I think it is about time that we
do this as an industry too. a
About the
Author
Pam Greiner founded The Green
Pen five years ago as the result of a
passion for gardening and the
environment. Focused on providing
online, and off, marketing solutions,
our active client list includes several
contractors, retailers, and distributors
across the country. Our advice is
regularly sought by many other
contractors and businesses in the
Green Industry, as well as other
industries. Our services have included
developing a variety of marketing
materials for our clients including
brochures, newsletters, as well as logo
design, branding initiatives, and Web
design & development. Additionally, we
help our clients develop cost-effective
marketing and e-marketing plans.
Pam can be reached at
pam@thegreenpen.com
or 215-313-0183
38 pondtrademag.com
POND Trade Magazine