BLG Environmental Services - June 2022

BLG Environmental Services - June 2022

JUNE 2022

407.702.7905

BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM

COMMUNICATION IS A FRIEND, NOT A RISK

WHY TALKING AND WRITING BOTH MATTER

In any creative project, good communication is crucial to its success — and it’s no different for landscaping projects. But what should we do when communication goes wrong? In honor of Effective Communications Month, I thought I’d share a little bit about why skilled communication has become a fundamental part of my business as well as my life. As you might’ve experienced by now, my clients and I spend plenty of time communicating to find the right designs. From there, I create a plan and communicate with my team. Every step needs to be as clear as possible. If people aren’t on the same page, it’s very easy for mistakes to happen. When mistakes happen during the planning and execution process — which is rare — we always make sure to fix them right away and at no extra cost. Fixing mistakes is crucial. To me, there’s no question that accountability is a part of great communication. In a way, accountability isn’t just being honest to others, but being honest to yourself. Integrity, honesty, and keeping my word are some of the most important values I keep close to my heart. I tell my kids all the time that 99% of getting a job is keeping your word. Just like my parents and mentors surrounded me with that honest wisdom, I continue to guide myself along that path by surrounding myself with the right books and podcasts. However, as any business owner knows, it’s not always the later phases of the creation process that were the actual problem. Miscommunication can happen in the earliest phases of any project. Not everyone has an easy time communicating what they want, especially in creative projects like landscape design. I’ve even had those moments myself, which accidentally causes problems. As I mentioned, it happens very rarely (maybe once a year). I always fix my mistakes by putting in a new process to

ensure it doesn’t happen again. But at the end of the day, everyone learns the hard way that poor communication is risky.

To empower accurate and effective communication, I always ensure that my clients understand exactly what they’re getting when they see the design. I walk through every aspect, no matter how small, and I make sure to communicate things not only in speech but in writing as well. After all the paperwork is signed, and everyone seems to feel good about what we’re doing, the project begins. I pride myself on making the BLG Environmental experience as stress-free as possible for my clients. There are a lot of moving parts in nearly every single project we take on. Our team does every part of your landscaping from start to finish, which is pretty rare in our field. That’s why it can be a real challenge when a client suddenly changes their mind on a color or material that they’d agreed to previously, especially since our process can take several months. But because I know that we’ll have every decision made in writing, our communication process becomes our friend rather than a risk by relying on memory. Here is my advice for any young professionals: If you’re proud of something, don’t be afraid to protect it. Written communication can be just as important as spoken communication. You never know when that writing will protect you the most — even when you least expect to have problems.

Robert Burns

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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL

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PERFECT PATHS ARE MADE IN PORCELAIN WHY I LOVE TREMRON’S PORCELAIN PAVERS

We all love a garden that looks ruggedly gorgeous and maybe even a little overgrown for a more natural appearance. Yet, there’s also a majestic, modern appeal to the gardens of the world’s greatest castles, museums, and galleries. These gardens are absolutely breathtaking — and painstakingly clean. You may not realize, however, that it’s not only the gardeners who are maintaining the garden’s smooth appearance. It’s also the impressive stone and/or porcelain paths and construction used to contain the garden. Unlike stone, however, porcelain gives you the cleanest lines you can get. Their surface has no imperfections or tumbled edges like travertine or marble. They’re even slip-resistant if you ever take a stroll while it’s raining or if the sprinklers are on. And the best part is that you don’t have to use

THE ART AUCTION CHICKS DIG IT

agent named Kaplan. They bring me to the evil United Nations ambassador who wants to hire me. I refuse! I manage to escape, and I even tell people about the kidnapping — but nobody believes me! “That sounds like something straight out of a Hitchcock movie,” people tell me. Well, they’re wrong, and I’m stubborn enough to prove it.

So, I go to the United Nations and try to find the ambassador to clear things up once and for all. But it’s not the ambassador at all! I learned, however, that he was the real ambassador. The evil man I’d met was falsely using his identity. Suddenly, mid-conversation, the ambassador falls forward with a knife in his back — and I’m framed for murder! What does this have to do with art? Well, long story short, my chase to clear my name eventually leads me into an art auction. I find the evil man who tried to hire me, and he says to me, “Seems you could stand for a little less training from the FBI and a little more from the actor’s studio.”

Hi, newsletter friends! Lately, my dad has read me a bunch of poetry, and I really enjoy it — and it makes me think I’ll really be famous one day. See, poetry puts you pretty deep in your own head. In fact, it puts you so deep that you can basically see the future! I know I’ve written in the past about how I’ll definitely be a famous artist, but, today, I wanted to share exactly how it’ll happen.

One day, I’ll be working a busy desk job, and my secretary will tell me that I have a jampacked day. Then, I’ll go to lunch with my busy friends in a bustling restaurant. When suddenly, I’m pushed into a car! After demanding to know why, I learn the masked kidnappers have mistaken me for a secret

I realize he’ll never believe that I’m just an office worker! I say grumpily, “Apparently, the only performance that’s going to satisfy you is when I’m dead.”

He says, “Your very next role. You will be very convincing, I assure you.”

Then, the auctioneer pulls out a painting that I’d sneaked into the gallery. The auction went crazy! I immediately became so famous, it’s clear I’d have to give up my career as an agent. A career I never had, of course. After the evil man realizes it was all one big mistake, he apologizes. He buys the rest of my art, and everyone lives happily ever after!

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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING

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OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST!

We recently asked BLG Environmental Services to provide a backyard landscape for our nearly 20-year- old home that would include a play space for our three large dogs as well as a space for people to enjoy being

these pavers only for creating paths through your landscape. You can also use them by the pool, for an outside patio, or for any commercial purpose. These pavers are fantastic for a timeless yet contemporary feel. I’ve loved using them as slabs for grand entrances to long winding pathways. Take a look at this snapshot from one of our projects. There are very few paths in life that are perfect, but if you want to get pretty dang close, look no further than Tremron’s Porcelain Pavers. (That’s not sponsored; it’s just fact!)

outside. The result is amazing — the creative layout included a paver patio and pergola, a water feature set amongst a variety of plants, and the much-needed play area for the dogs. Robert listened to us regarding our needs and desires and gave us a yard that is as gorgeous as it is functional. We were so happy with the entire experience — working with honest and courteous people and seeing the fantastic results — that we hired BLG Environmental to landscape the front yard as well.” – Kirk Searls

Robert Burns

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?

-Psalm 32:8

EASY OUT

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’”

-Jeremiah 29:11

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

-Isaiah 40:31

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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL

BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM

BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM 407.702.7905

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P.O. BOX 521090 ● LONGWOOD, FL 32752

Schedule a Free Design Consultation with Robert Burns

WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL

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The Importance of Open Communication

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Create Breathtaking Porcelain Paths Chicks Dig It: The Art Auction

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The Good News Hear From Our Clients Take a Break!

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Summer Skin Protection

TIME FOR SAFE SUMMER FUN

3 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN

It’s time for fun in the sun! Whether you’re heading out to the beach or lake, catching a ballgame, hosting a barbecue, or taking a boat tour, it’s important to protect your skin to avoid sun damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans develops skin cancer by the time they are 70 years old, and every hour, two people die of skin cancer nationally. The risk of skin cancer is severe — it’s not just one sunburn. Having five or more sunburns in your lifetime can double your risk of developing skin cancer.

apply sunscreen, which leaves them vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. The National Cancer Institute recommends using an SPF of at least 15 and reminds everyone to remember their feet if they are exposed! Seek out the shade. No matter the activity, try to limit your exposure to the sun — you’ll be cooler, too! Look for trees, pavilions, and shelters. When these options aren’t available, create your own shade by wearing a hat and toting along an umbrella. Wear protective clothing. Whenever possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. UV protective clothing is best for maximum protection. Don’t forget about your eyes — UV sunglasses are important for your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Just because sunglasses appear dark does not mean they protect against UV rays!

Here are some surefire ways to avoid a pesky, painful, and potentially harmful sunburn.

Always check: Did you apply (and reapply sunscreen?

Apply sunscreen, and then reapply after going in the water or a few hours later. According to the National Cancer Institute, only about 30% of women and less than 15% of men regularly

This summer, be sure to have fun but don’t forget to protect your skin from sunburns, possible skin cancer, and early signs of aging due to damage from sun exposure! Lather up!

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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING

407.702.7905