Many futurists predict that the lowly cockroach would emerge as the dominant species on Earth should humanity wipe itself out in a nuclear war. But ask any Interiorscaper, and they’d likely say fungus gnats or spider mites would reign supreme.

These two pests have become the “fly in the ointment” of many ‘scapers as they are tough to monitor and control, and often distract and annoy clients.

With so many office buildings focusing on green environments and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines, the somewhat effective chemical pesticides are now out of the question.  So let’s put it bluntly, is there ANY way to control these buggers without using chemical insecticides?

Yes! Over the years, Interiorscapers have shared with us some ways to take out fungus gnats and spider mites naturally, and some of the most effective methods are with other living organisms available locally or online.
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NewPro’s first photo contest was such a resounding success that I’m announcing another one that focuses on your fall season trade-out projects. Submit project photos for this year — or completed in years past –to be in the running for a $150 cash award. Second and third place winners will receive $100 credit toward a NewPro purchase on our website or phone order.

Wondering what kind of photos we need? Quality! Each image should be hi-resolution (1-3 MB in file size). Images captured by cell and smart phones, generally yield a lower quality image and will not be considered. I recommend using a point-and-shoot or traditional “SLR” camera.

Need some ideas? Your fall trade-outs on tabletops, window planters, floor planters, partition installs, lobby installs are just a few suggestions. When in doubt send it anyway, we want to see it! Photos that feature Gainey Fiberglass and Ceramics or NewPro products such as Vista, PotLuck, Quadrangle and Rockafillers will be given special consideration. Shots of Lechuza containers, Fiberglass Fishbowls and Orchid Bowls, Vista Fine Metallics, and Mega Outdoor Pots are great too.
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35 days.

840 hours.

50,400 minutes.

3,024,000 seconds.

No matter how you state it, the duration of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day this year will be hectic for many Interiorscapers who add on holiday installations to their service profile. Oftentimes the item central to holiday designs also provides the most headaches from hair-pulling – the Poinsettia.

It is not uncommon for some Interiorscapers to install the majority of decor during the week of Thanksgiving. But some Interiorscape companies shared with us some tried-and-true methods they will be using this year to extend the Poinsettias they install in November all the way to late December. (more…)

Do you spend more time going after new customers or trying to keep those who currently enjoy your Interiorscape services? Here are six easy questions to ask that can allow you to deploy low-cost strategies that remind customers of your value.

1. How much is each customer worth?
A great way to inspire an increase in sales to existing customers is to see how much your biggest and/or best customers have contributed to your bottom line.

2. Of the services I offer – what’s most important to my customers?
The best way to find out is to get on the phone or schedule a meeting with a handful of your best customers and simply ask what is the most important service you offer on which they rely. Make sure to listen not just to WHAT you provide, but HOW you provide it.

3. Are my employees involved in communicating with customers?
Interiorscaping can be a very visible service if you and your employees engage with your client when you stop by for a service visit. Remind them of what you do and why you do it by just checking in and having a conversation.
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“Why can’t I ever get a handle on figuring out freight costs when it comes to containers?”

“Why am I getting charged a 30 lbs rate for an item that only weighs 10 lbs?”

“Why does it cost three times more to ship a 20-inch pot than it does a 16-inch pot?”

These are frustrating questions Interiorscapers find themselves asking when ordering decorative containers. It is not uncommon to miscalculate the freight from a wholesaler, include that miscalculation in a bid and discover the wholesaler charged you far more for freight than expected. Unlocking the freight conundrum is linked to one concept used by all major freight companies like FedEx and UPS: dimensional weight.

Understanding dimensional weight is important when trying to order containers since Interiorscapers must also determine their mark-up. By charging only by actual weight the lightweight, low density packages that contain plastic decorative containers becomes unprofitable for freight carriers to deliver. Why? A package containing a large but lightweight item takes up a lot of space in a delivery vehicle relative to its weight. So a vehicle filled with 20 large, lightweight packages means less profitability for a freight company than a truck filled with 100 boxes of smaller, heavier items.

Understanding the formula
 carriers use to determine dimensional weight is straightforward: length times width times height then divide that amount by 194. FedEx includes a calculator that can be viewed by clicking HERE. In NewPro’s case, FedEx uses this number for boxes that are 17in x 17in x 17in and larger to determine the cost of shipping an item. For boxes under this size, the shipper charges by actual, or gross, weight. (more…)