2008 ALCC Fall Landscape Business University

ALCC is going green! To eliminate paper waste, all conference PowerPoint presentations will be available on this page after the meeting. Read the Schedule at a Glance.

The landscape industry projects a positive public image when contractors incorporate the best business and technical practices into their company operations.

Why attend? Join us for the third annual Fall Landscape Business University; offering key information for owners and managers by providing:

Developed for ALCC members by ALCC members, sessions were designed to meet the immediate needs of green industry professionals. Education is scheduled off season at a single location to accommodate landscape professionals statewide.

Courses will cover business management tools to help small or large companies improve operations! Pick and choose your track of interest on both days.

Registration – It’s Easy!

Join ALCC for low member registration rates. Download the registration form and fax or mail to ALCC today.

Registration Rates: Deadline extended until Oct. 10th for early bird registrations!!!
Members- register early and save $25 per attendee!

Members/GreenCO Members (Before Early Bird Deadline: Friday, October 10)

Members/GreenCO Members (After Early Bird Deadline: Friday, October 10)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Opening Keynote: A Look Inside PLANET’s Crystal Ball- Time is the Currency of the Future
Jason Cupp, CLP
What does the future hold for green industry companies? PLANET’s President, Jason Cupp, CLP, will walk you through how PLANET gazed into its crystal ball to see how the industry will change over the next decade and came up with recommendations for your company’s future course. Find out why lawn and landscape companies need to plan for the future, see how today’s business world has changed, what is threatening the industry’s future and look at the opportunities landscape business owners will have in 2020.

9:00 a.m.— 10:30 a.m.

Bidding and Estimating
Estimating System Overview
Jim Huston, J. R. Huston Consulting
Get a big picture overview of the estimating system. Attendees will understand the overview of an effective estimating system and the overview of a company budget. Discuss how to calculate labor burden, general and administrative overhead, labor hours and project sales.

Operations
Building and Retaining Your Dream Team
Yolanda Duperret, Action Coach
Being an effective leader is not just about being the boss or supervisor. Attendees will discuss the six keys to a winning team and how to implement strategies that will create the best team possible. Learn how to build a supportive and productive culture in your company.

Software & Technology
The Power of QuickBooks
Briana Reidle, CPA, Accounting & Tax Solutions, Inc.
Attendees will focus on how QuickBooks can help run a business alongside a CPA and understanding the bigger financial health picture. Understanding invoicing, paying your bills and tracking these processes by each job is vital to running a profitable company. Other topics will include estimating, sales taxes, payroll and viewing various reports in QuickBooks.

10:45 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.

Bidding and Estimating
Estimating Costs
Jim Huston, J. R. Huston Consulting
This is the continuation of the estimating system and understanding how to properly bid a project, whether it’s big or small. Learn the right way to estimate general conditions and costs for a bid. Explore how to perform proper estimating, controlling material costs, estimating and controlling labor costs, estimating and controlling equipment costs and estimating and controlling subcontractor costs.

Operations
Time Management
Steve Coughran, CLT, CIC, CLIA, Superior Landscape Design, Inc.
Time is a limited resource and must be carefully planned in order to achieve maximum results. Become a more efficient green industry professional by learning important principles about time and proper planning. Attendees will learn techniques and strategies required to be successful in all aspects of life.

Software & Technology
Software and Technology Table Discussions
Join your fellow colleagues for an informal discussion about technology or software related issues. Attendees can use this time to network and learn lessons from other key decision makers or green industry professionals.

1:15 p.m.— 2:45 p.m.

Bidding and Estimating
Completing and Analyzing Bids
Jim Huston, J. R. Huston Consulting
Building off the prior estimating sessions, attendees will continue learning estimating general and administrative overhead costs, profit margin, reviewing a bid and bid reports and understanding market predisposition. Attendees will learn the six most common methods of estimating used in the market today.

Operations
Bridging the River—Building a Cross-cultural Team
Mike Leman, Singing Hills Landscape
Discuss lessons learned from real life situations and what it means to walk in someone else's shoes. Learn tools you can use to foster trust, understanding, and team work in a multi-cultural company. Attendees will learn how to motivate all employees, not just English-speaking workers.

Software & Technology
Project Management Software Panel Discussion
Justin Yarbrough, American Civil Constructors
Rich Wilbert, Robert Howard Associates, Inc.
Adam Porter, Thunderbird Design
More than half of landscape contractors in Colorado use Microsoft Project, Excel, QuickBooks Contractor, or no project management software at all. Attendees will understand the pros and cons of a project management system and the differences between several types of contracting software. Digital technology in the field will also be discussed.

3:00 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Bidding and Estimating
Preparing for a Down Economy
Jim Huston, J. R. Huston Consulting
Review lessons from the previous sessions and understand how to “get the sale” in a down economy. Attendees will dissect and analyze the four major functional areas of a landscape and irrigation company. Learn how to create a unique and industry-specific approach to the bidding and estimating philosophies, methodologies, systems, and strategies.

Operations
Sustainable Business Practices
Ellen Schultz, Next Level Results
A tight economy is the best time to engineer new strategies. Strategy without execution is a wish and execution without strategy is busy work. Attendees will understand how to become a more sustainable business by increased leadership and proper operational management strategies. Learn how to link strategy to flawless execution with authentic communication, alignment, commitment and accountability.

Software & Technology
ALCC Online Tools
Vernon Fernandez, American Civil Constructors
Cynthia Jackson, ALCC
Attendees will learn about the tools and information that is available to members and consumers on ALCC’s Web site. Benefits such as buying or renting a vehicle, insurance information, software search and referrals are available at www.alcc.com and designed specifically for landscape contractors. This session provides a quick lesson in the benefits that you may have been missing.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

8:00 a.m.— 9:30 a.m.

Leadership & Communications
Communications in Leadership
Peter Bemski, Ph.D., Regis University
Kathleen Dudek, Ph.D., Regis University
Attendees will examine their technical leadership proficiencies, including communication and interaction skills, as well their ability to create environments that release, rather than extinguish, human potential. Discuss how technical and relationship skills can help you get work done more efficiently and be a better leader.

Sales & Marketing
Benefits 101—How to Maximize Your Sales Potential
Vish Iyer, Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado
Are you ready to realize your potential as the best consultant to your clients? In this session, you will become conscious of the basic do’s and don’ts that provide you the best ammunition for maximizing your talents and abilities when dealing with your clients. This seminar will make you aware of a few simple steps that can make a big difference in building that all important relationship with your client.

Off-season Business
Snow—Starting into Liquids for Snow & Ice Contractors
Scott Zorno, Care Enterprises
Wayne Lupton, Envirotech Services, Inc.
Sponsored by: Snow and Ice Management Association
This session is geared toward small to medium-sized contractors. Attendees will understand how liquids are used in snow removal. Topics include costs, chemicals and equipment. Liquids in snow and ice are just one tool in the tool box. Explore how to use the right tool, at the right time to create a successful snow removal program.

9:45 a.m. — 11:15 a.m.

Sales & Marketing
Building and Maintaining a Brand—the Truth
Lisa Sigler, Sigler Communications
How do you build a brand name that others easily recognize? What do well known companies do that others should emulate to market their own services? Attendees will discuss building and maintaining brand recognition in the marketplace through the right products, services, distribution of services and marketing and public relations.

Off-season Business
Snow Contract Pitfalls and Negotiations
Richard Arlington, CSP, CLP
Rich Arlington & Associates
Arlington Lawn Care, Inc.
Sponsored by: Snow and Ice Management Association
Educating and negotiating customers is the key to successful contracts. Learn from an expert witness; Rich understands the pitfalls that contractors fall into just to sign the next contract. Understand how to cover yourself in the event of a lawsuit, what contract language you should never sign, and how to get your contract validated with tough customers. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Rich will teach how to create proper wording, what to look for in customer-written contracts, and knowing when it’s advisable to just walk away.

12:15 p.m.— 1:45 p.m.

Leadership & Communications
Leading, Working and Training Across the Generations
Debra Lasich, Colorado School of Mines
For the first time in American history, we have four different generations in the workplace. And, when you consider that each one has its own distinct attributes, behaviors, and expectations, it’s not uncommon for challenges to occur in the office or in the field. Generational differences can also affect how successful an organization is at managing departments, dealing with change and recruiting employees. Attendees will learn how to effectively communicate with different generations and discuss what makes them tick. This session will help attendees make the workplace a more productive, creative and positive environment for all ages.

Sales & Marketing
Surviving—How Customer Service Can Save Your Business
Lisa Sigler, Sigler Communications
In a business with a growing number of competitors, rising costs and frugal customers, why is customer service one of your most important survival skills? Attendees will learn how to cultivate customer loyalty, skills and communications tools.

Off-season Business UPDATED!
Doing your Business on Purpose
Greg Ritscher, The L.L. Johnson Distributing Company
Discuss how to prepare your business for the coming season while in the off-season. More details to be annouced.

2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.

Leadership & Communications
Leadership Flexibility—One Size Does Not Fit All
Debra Lasich, Colorado School of Mines
Current research has shown that the most successful leaders have the ability to use different leadership styles, depending on the situation. These same leaders also have more positive work environments and better financial outcomes. Understand how to groom key staff for leadership positions to create a more productive work team. Discuss how to be a good leader that will motivate staff, make decisions, deal with change, gather and use information and handle a crisis.

Sales & Marketing
The ABCs of Successful Marketing Strategies
Vish Iyer, Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado
Take your business to the next level. Learn how to design a successful marketing strategy and discuss basic pre-requisites for strategy formulation. Attendees will outline basic marketing strategy options and fully understand how to implement these strategies. Discover how highly profitable firms utilize the components of successful marketing strategies.

Off-season Business
Landscape Lighting—How to Increase Your Contract Profits
Laurel Madden, Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting
Increasing your profits during the contract process can be hard. But, not if you know what to offer and how to properly sell your expertise. Learn how to review options with clients and shine above the rest. Topics covered include design and installation, fixture selection and placement, marketing and sales techniques and the latest technology.

3:45 p.m.—4:45 p.m.

Closing Keynote Presentation
Leading Yourself: Work-life Balance and the Art of Continuous Re-design
Debra Laisch, Colorado School of Mines
Dealing with the demands of your personal life and work can be challenging in this 24/7 world. Very often, people are living by “default rather than by design.” Take the initiative to live a more balanced life. Attendees will learn to find the right balance, understand personal changes and be aware that not everything is a “one size fits all” solution.

Jason Cupp, CLP, Opening Keynote
Wednesday, October 28

Jason is PLANET’s current president and the chief executive officer of Highland Outdoor, headquartered in the greater Kansas City area. Jason will kick-off the conference with a discussion on the Crystal Ball Report, Time is the Currency of the Future. Jason holds an industry certification through the Professional Landcare Network as a Certified Landscape Professional. He helped to grow PLANET’s certification programs and their recognition, and has also served in many roles as part of PLANET leadership.

Jim Huston, Bidding & Estimating
Wednesday, October 29

Jim has more than thirty years of diverse business management experience and holds an MBA degree in finance. He is also a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators. He is a Certified Professional Landscape Estimator and he is one of only two such CPLE’s in the world. Since 1987, he has been a management consultant to the Landscape and Irrigation industry. He was in charge of the consulting division for Charles Vander Kooi and Associates, Inc., and in 1989 he formed J. R. Huston Consulting.

Debra Lasich, Leadership & Communications/Closing Keynote
Thursday, October 30

Deb is the executive director for the Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics (WISEM) Program Colorado School of Mines. She has worked in the academic arena as a college administrator and adjunct faculty member for more than 25 years. She specializes in the areas of leadership, professional development, communication styles and gender issues. She has her masters from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her bachelor of science from Kearney State College.

Peter Bemski, Ph.D
Peter is a graduate professor for Regis University. He has presented on organizational leadership, ethics and change management for several years. Peter has a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, a master of arts from Boston College, and a bachelor of arts from the University of Colorado.

Steve Coughran, CLT, CIC, CLIA
Steve is the president of award-winning Superior Landscape Design, Inc. in Englewood, Colorado. His passion can be found in designing high-end landscape projects and improving education throughout the green industry. In addition to his CLT, Steve has obtained his CIC and Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor certifications.

Kathleen M. Dudek, Ph.D.
Kathleen received her bachelor of science in business administration and her masters and Ph.D. in human communications. She has a proven track record of success in executive level leadership positions specializing in turnarounds and the creation of high performance work teams and environments.

Yolanda Duperret
Yolanda is a Business Coach and is successful at leveraging capital to increase the customer base and profitability. She excels at breaking down businesses into smaller components to focus on areas of improvement and ultimately grow profit. Yolanda is a team-builder, promoter and change-agent.

Vernon Fernandez
Vernon has worked in the green industry for more than thirty years. For the past nine years, he has worked for American Civil Constructors as a project manger and project operations manager. During his career, he has acquired various certificates, certifications and acknowledgments. Vernon has built everything from golf courses, parks and special projects to setting bridges and site development along with Sport Field Construction and Management.

R. Vish Iyer, Ph.D.
Vish is a member of the Business Marketing Association and is the professor of marketing at Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado. He has a bachelors in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in business administration and a doctorate in marketing. He has published more than 50 manuscripts and made numerous presentations for large and small businesses. Vish has been teaching for more than 30 years.

Laurel Madden
Laurel is the district sales manager for the Rocky Mountain Region for Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting. Laurel has more than 18 years in the green industry. His previous jobs include working as a territory manager for Smith Turf and Irrigation and owning a landscape and irrigation company. In October 2003 he moved to Denver as the district sales manager for Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming.

Ellen Schulz
Ellen is a business performance expert and president of Next Level Results, Inc. She has her masters in business administration. As an executive with AT&T for 10 years, she was recognized as Best in Class for Execution in the nation. Ellen founded Next Level Results in 1993 and now teaches others how to lead and build successful and sustainable businesses.

Lisa Sigler
Lisa has more than 20 years of experience in public relations in the Denver market. She founded Sigler Communications, after serving as director of public relations at The Children’s Hospital and managing teams at several Denver public relations firms. Lisa has extensive expertise in trade association public relations and represents a number of high profile national clients.

Hotel Reservation Information: Call 800 315-2621 for rates.

Holiday Inn Express
6092 East Crossroads Blvd.
Loveland, CO 80538

Directions: The Ranch is located directly adjacent to I-25, just North of Highway 34, in Loveland, Colorado. To reach The Ranch, exit I-25 at Crossroads Blvd., Exit 259. Travel East 1 mile to
Fairgrounds Avenue (County Road 5) and go North to the entrance.
Parking is free and available at The Ranch in lot H.

“My time is valuable and I just didn't see how I could be out of the office for two days at a conference. But, I attended the Fall Landscape Business University anyways and I was inspired! I was truly amazed at what you can still learn from the interactions with your peers and outstanding speaker presentations. I definitely plan on attending again in 2008.”
--Annie Huston, Columbine Design, Inc.

“I learned so much from the speakers at last year's conference! I have been able to implement several new ideas about labor and job issues.”
--Megan Thomas, Ewing Irrigation

“I found the University to be full of things that helped us plan throughout the winter. It was great!”
--Mike Frank, Greening Up Landscape & Maintenance, Inc.

Located at the ALCC Registration Desk
Open October 29-30, 7:15 a.m. — 4:45 p.m.

The ALCC Bookstore offers a great selection of publications to help you and your staff improve your business operations. Purchase books written by conference speakers, ALCC’s employee training manuals in English and Spanish, PLANET publications and more. The bookstore has a wide array of books, CDs and booklets on industry-specific assistance for accounting, estimating and more.

Wednesday, October 30, 4:30 p.m. — 6:30 p.m.
Budweiser Event Center, Executive Club Level

Join us for a relaxing tasty drink and scrumptious appetizers at the Budweiser Event Center Executive Club Level. Meet and greet other colleagues from around the state and learn more about the products and services you need. Cash bar.
Rates: Free for Members, non-members: $10

Contact Debbie Kay for more information on this conference at 303 757-5611 x 301.