Some personal recommendations from our members

WHY I Joined eFIG from a Small Business Perspective

As a small Interior Landscaping company, I joined eFIG as I wanted a better understanding of my peer group in this industry and to learn from the experience of the "bigger" players. This I felt would help me develop and grow my own business. Additionally I wanted to know more about key areas of the industry as a whole, which are being developed and to have open discussions with other members. Having access to relevant training courses I also felt was of paramount importance for me and the future of my company.

I volunteered to join the eFIG Committee, as I felt it was important that the experiences of a small company should come to play in the decision making of the organisation. There is always the danger that those involved in much bigger businesses will, unintentionally, make decisions that are occasionally unintentionally biased towards the bigger players, and I believe that my contribution has been helpful and represents the smaller companies’ perspectives.

I have also had many opportunities to 'pick the brains' of others in the industry whom I have met through the shows and meetings, not least of which has been the sourcing of a cheaper supply of quality plants.

I have also benefited from realising that the problems I face with my small business are very much the same as others. Learning how they have gone about dealing with them has been extremely helpful. Building a business is never easy but how much better it is if you can fall back on others experience to help you through. This is part of what eFIG is about and of course ultimately is helping me develop a thriving and successful business.

TIM LAW- SIMPLY PLANTS

”There are many reasons why we joined and actively support eFIG, the main ones being:
There is no other organisation promoting our industry.
eFIG is an alliance of nearly all the major contractors and suppliers with each member having one vote and an equal voice.
Presenting a united voice will inform and educate our target market growing it for all our benefits.
Encouraging our suppliers who benefit from contractors orders to put something back for all our benefits.”

GRAHAM PRINCE - PLANTFORCE

What I have got out of eFIG

I haven’t sat on the sidelines. I have done my bit to contribute but I have had an enormous amount back, principally:

• A rather nice contract in Northampton through a fellow member.
• A nation-wide network of contractors that I can trust to do a good job when I get work out of my area.
• Plenty of people who are far more knowledgeable than I am on plants that I can ring up when I get out of my depth.
• A good tip for cheap new vans.
• A rude awakening on how lax my health and safety and pest control procedures are.
• Training for my staff
• An insight into how other companies are fairing; what works in sales and marketing, what we can all do to boost our incomes etc.
• Confidence in my own abilities
• A real sense of putting something back into industry
• A begrudging acceptance that Rentokil and PHS actually have some nice people working for them (that one was a hard pill to swallow).
  SARAH LEATHER - GREEN INTERIORS LTD.

Why I Joined eFIG

For a couple of years I had considered joining BALI, I felt that although BALI was primarily an exterior landscaping organisation the ILG had some interesting and dynamic members. Tony Muldoon of Enterprise Plants then told me about eFIG that had been formed specifically for the interior landscaping industry. When I heard about the aims and ideals of eFIG, I decided that it was more like the type of association that I would like to join. I was invited to attend the next meeting of the marketing committee to meet some of the members, and to see the way that eFIG was shaping, and joined shortly afterwards.

I have not regretted joining for a number of reasons:

1) I have met some very interesting people involved in the interior landscaping industry, and that would have been very difficult in the wilds of Norfolk.

2) I feel that I am part of a ‘club’ where ideas and problems can be shared.

3) I have received work through being a member (I am in profit!), at the moment this has been all sub-contract work, but as eFIG becomes the industry standard (like a Kite mark) then I anticipate more work through my membership.

4) I have, with my staff, attended the training course on pests and diseases, and will be attending any future course that is relevant, as I feel that education is vital to ensuring high standards within the industry.

5) I have, and will be attending the shows and exhibitions that eFIG organise (what a change from BALI and IFTEX!).

Whilst I have been writing this I have been contacted by another eFIG member to quote for more work…. more evidence that the ‘club’ works!!

JONATHAN COMPSTON - RIDYARDS