Getting your paper.
- Thread starter Limbgrabber
- Start date
- Location
- Michigan
The papers have been getting us clients for years. Between us (and mostly Jeff), we have almost all the certs./papers available. BCMA, Certified Arborist, CTSP, RCA, TRACE, ACRT Certified Line Clearance Arborist, MIOSHA Level 1 Safety, TCIA Aerial Lift Specialist, TCIA Aerial Rescue Specialist, 3 classes from two degrees, and going for ISA Aerial Lift Specialist, Tree Worker Specialist - etc.
These papers provide us a client base that needs our services for our knowledge and our ABILITY to perform the work.
Jeff has 30-some years experience and I have 20 years experience. The papers and college education, for us, serve as a benchmark of the knowledge that we have attained through WORK and education. The attaining of more certs/papers and college education is the proof that we strive to learn and attain more knowledge.
We did not start to get our credentials until 10 years or so into the arboriculture industry. We encourage our staff - young/old, experienced or non-experienced to attain any and all credentials they wish to attain. In fact, after a year of being on our team - we push for the staff member to attain paper credentials and college education. It becomes a requirement for our staff to pursue knowledge. Paper Certifications, Credentials and College Education are a direct path to an industry with "skilled laborers, skill-sets, a "TRADE," and professionalism.
That being said, we do appreciate and realize that OJT is one of the best credentials out there. But, eventually, within our company, we require the individual to back up their OJT, experience and knowledge with paper credentials, college education, workshops, and safety. The individuals that join our staff are there because of their work ethic - some have been experienced and worth their weight in gold and some have been inexperienced and worth their weight in gold, but all, eventually are required to attain "PAPER!" The "PAPER" proves to us, as a proprietor, that they are meeting benchmarks set forth by our company - they are attaining OJT and knowledge.
We feel that as proprietors, we owe our staff the opportunity to attain all that they can from the Arboricultural Industry...that while they were on our staff they grew as members of the Arboricultural Community. If they so choose to leave us, we know that we provided the chance to learn and attain knowledge from OJT and the many certifications available in the Arboricultural Industry.
The "Papers" don't prove we are the best or better than any other Arborist out there; but, for OURSELVES, they prove that we are attaining knowledge and retaining knowledge.
90% of our clients telephone us because of the credentials, not in-spite of them. It is our job as a well-PAPERED company and individuals to prove to the client that we have the knowledge and experience to perform the work. We must be doing that because we retain approximately 95% of our clients.
I do think public service announcements by ISA and TCIA would be a step in the right direction. I would love to watch my favorite programs and a commercial for the Arboriculture Industry Associations and its members would appear before my eyes. Radio and television is an excellent way to "get the word out!" Certified Arborist should be a household name.
This is our opinion on attaining "Papers." It may differ from everyone else's, but it seems to work for us.
These papers provide us a client base that needs our services for our knowledge and our ABILITY to perform the work.
Jeff has 30-some years experience and I have 20 years experience. The papers and college education, for us, serve as a benchmark of the knowledge that we have attained through WORK and education. The attaining of more certs/papers and college education is the proof that we strive to learn and attain more knowledge.
We did not start to get our credentials until 10 years or so into the arboriculture industry. We encourage our staff - young/old, experienced or non-experienced to attain any and all credentials they wish to attain. In fact, after a year of being on our team - we push for the staff member to attain paper credentials and college education. It becomes a requirement for our staff to pursue knowledge. Paper Certifications, Credentials and College Education are a direct path to an industry with "skilled laborers, skill-sets, a "TRADE," and professionalism.
That being said, we do appreciate and realize that OJT is one of the best credentials out there. But, eventually, within our company, we require the individual to back up their OJT, experience and knowledge with paper credentials, college education, workshops, and safety. The individuals that join our staff are there because of their work ethic - some have been experienced and worth their weight in gold and some have been inexperienced and worth their weight in gold, but all, eventually are required to attain "PAPER!" The "PAPER" proves to us, as a proprietor, that they are meeting benchmarks set forth by our company - they are attaining OJT and knowledge.
We feel that as proprietors, we owe our staff the opportunity to attain all that they can from the Arboricultural Industry...that while they were on our staff they grew as members of the Arboricultural Community. If they so choose to leave us, we know that we provided the chance to learn and attain knowledge from OJT and the many certifications available in the Arboricultural Industry.
The "Papers" don't prove we are the best or better than any other Arborist out there; but, for OURSELVES, they prove that we are attaining knowledge and retaining knowledge.
90% of our clients telephone us because of the credentials, not in-spite of them. It is our job as a well-PAPERED company and individuals to prove to the client that we have the knowledge and experience to perform the work. We must be doing that because we retain approximately 95% of our clients.
I do think public service announcements by ISA and TCIA would be a step in the right direction. I would love to watch my favorite programs and a commercial for the Arboriculture Industry Associations and its members would appear before my eyes. Radio and television is an excellent way to "get the word out!" Certified Arborist should be a household name.
This is our opinion on attaining "Papers." It may differ from everyone else's, but it seems to work for us.
Fairfield
Participating member
- Location
- Bucks County pa USA
Maybe the thought of some shouldnt be that of "if I get this cert (paper) I will be able to get more money." Rather "if I get this cert I am bettering myself and becoming that much better at my craft because I care to."
- Location
- Michigan
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe the thought of some shouldnt be that of "if I get this cert (paper) I will be able to get more money." Rather "if I get this cert I am bettering myself and becoming that much better at my craft because I care to."
[/ QUOTE ]
Succinct - right to the point!! Well said!
Maybe the thought of some shouldnt be that of "if I get this cert (paper) I will be able to get more money." Rather "if I get this cert I am bettering myself and becoming that much better at my craft because I care to."
[/ QUOTE ]
Succinct - right to the point!! Well said!
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
The larger markets have a higher percentage of educated affluent homeowners. They are more likely to appreciate credentials.
I've set up in a small market of farmers, loggers and mill workers. They could care less, actually I'd do better marketing as a "trees cut and hauled" guy.
These people deserve proper tree care as much as anyone so in the marginal markets it would be nice to have SOME assistance to rise above the hacks other than our own best marketing. Or is it just a big city thing of arborists saving pet trees from the most unnatural enviroments? And if that's the case, as we know it is, the ISA could increase it's influence signifiganly if they could get beyond the large centers. It wouldn't do my bottom line any harm either.
I've set up in a small market of farmers, loggers and mill workers. They could care less, actually I'd do better marketing as a "trees cut and hauled" guy.
These people deserve proper tree care as much as anyone so in the marginal markets it would be nice to have SOME assistance to rise above the hacks other than our own best marketing. Or is it just a big city thing of arborists saving pet trees from the most unnatural enviroments? And if that's the case, as we know it is, the ISA could increase it's influence signifiganly if they could get beyond the large centers. It wouldn't do my bottom line any harm either.
- Location
- Phoenix Arizona
I think certs are a good thing as long as the guy or gal who put the time and money into it can trim there way out of a paper bag. Unless they took the rigging/pruning/and climbing portions out. I think its hillarious a guy can get certed on those chapters and never even be required to climb. Just like, I got my Tree Worker cert with such a narrow field of study in PHC...or any of the non climbing/pruning/rigging chapters, which is all I do. Maybe its all just a crock.
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
It is basically a crock currently. I'm still upset about an online test's correct answer being c)it's absolutely manditory to prune the roots of every tree being planted. Got me stuck at 1.5 CEUs and lost all motivation for more on the fundamentals of that principal.
CA is a good start going in the right direction. It takes time, relatively young profession. Trees will only get more important as the enviroment becomes more damaged.
CA is a good start going in the right direction. It takes time, relatively young profession. Trees will only get more important as the enviroment becomes more damaged.
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
[ QUOTE ]
It is basically a crock currently. I'm still upset about an online test's correct answer being c)it's absolutely manditory to prune the roots of every tree being planted...
[/ QUOTE ]
I wonder how accurate this quote is...
All those moaning about lack of PR resources--haw many have gone here http://www.isa-arbor.com/membership/benefitsTools/prToolbox.aspx
and used what you (members) have already paid for?
It is basically a crock currently. I'm still upset about an online test's correct answer being c)it's absolutely manditory to prune the roots of every tree being planted...
[/ QUOTE ]
I wonder how accurate this quote is...
All those moaning about lack of PR resources--haw many have gone here http://www.isa-arbor.com/membership/benefitsTools/prToolbox.aspx
and used what you (members) have already paid for?
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
Not sure about "absolutely manditory" but something very close to that. I feel the same about the fert. part of the process. That was also after calling the ISA asking where the free online tests were even though she knew exactly what I was talking about she had to run through all the options that cost money that I was already aware of.
You call it moaning I call it working towards making Arboriculture a recognized profession. The current state of affairs is not satisfactory. It's as regulated as mowing lawns. Maybe that's the way it should be but I feel there is a difference between the quality of service. Whether removal or tree care a CA is expected to do a better job without financial incentives, or being recognized as a real professional. The dood with the ladder and the yellow rope competes on equal footing. Seems wrong and bad for everyone.
You call it moaning I call it working towards making Arboriculture a recognized profession. The current state of affairs is not satisfactory. It's as regulated as mowing lawns. Maybe that's the way it should be but I feel there is a difference between the quality of service. Whether removal or tree care a CA is expected to do a better job without financial incentives, or being recognized as a real professional. The dood with the ladder and the yellow rope competes on equal footing. Seems wrong and bad for everyone.
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
[ QUOTE ]
The current state of affairs is not satisfactory.
[/ QUOTE ]I agree. So which of those press releases and PSA's have you used, to develop your market?
The current state of affairs is not satisfactory.
[/ QUOTE ]I agree. So which of those press releases and PSA's have you used, to develop your market?
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
I've put the term arborist in my company name. The first couple years here everyone asked how to spell it because they hadn't heard the term before. I've got the CA logo on my promo stuff, but that's it. I'm actually afraid of scaring away potential customers by coming on too strong as a know it all. Different market. I've done more than enough to be a martyr for the ISA and wasted enough time and money. They've got to do something for me. How about that perspective?
All I'm trying to do is survive financially doing what I'm good at and love. It's not possible in a small market unless it's a weekend side job. I know it's an essential and important service. Right now I can't afford to remain involved and pay all the others with their hands in my pockets.
All I'm trying to do is survive financially doing what I'm good at and love. It's not possible in a small market unless it's a weekend side job. I know it's an essential and important service. Right now I can't afford to remain involved and pay all the others with their hands in my pockets.
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
"I've put the term arborist in my company name. The first couple years here everyone asked how to spell it because they hadn't heard the term before. I've got the CA logo on my promo stuff..."
All good--btw have you ever been asked why you kill babies?
"I'm actually afraid of scaring away potential customers by coming on too strong as a know it all."
Understandable, which is why those tools are good for any market. The info comes not from mr. boreality, knowitall. It comes from the ISA, and your connection can be stated loud, or soft, or not at all, your call.
I hate to be a nag, but try opening that link. Send your local papers/communication sources an article or a press release, which your dues helped pay for. We can't expect them to strategically inject tree info into every market for us. ISA furnishes it, we use it--that's the deal.
All good--btw have you ever been asked why you kill babies?
"I'm actually afraid of scaring away potential customers by coming on too strong as a know it all."
Understandable, which is why those tools are good for any market. The info comes not from mr. boreality, knowitall. It comes from the ISA, and your connection can be stated loud, or soft, or not at all, your call.
I hate to be a nag, but try opening that link. Send your local papers/communication sources an article or a press release, which your dues helped pay for. We can't expect them to strategically inject tree info into every market for us. ISA furnishes it, we use it--that's the deal.
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
Do you mean babies as a reference to not rotten, dangerous trees? The biggest danger is to those that have to work on them so I guess I do prefer killing babies. I remember spacing trees with a brush saw. Musta been killing over ten thousand babies an hour. Most of the clients I have wait til they're dead or hazardous before requesting a removal. Whatever pays the bills and lets me work outdoors with trees. Planting, spacing, logging, nursery work, pruning, climbing, whatever, it's what I do if I have to go to work anyway. I have to pick and choose the expenses if I want to continue and the ISA is on the chopping block. Make it manditory and I'll be at the front of the line.
GlennButler
New member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
[ QUOTE ]
All good--btw have you ever been asked why you kill babies?
[/ QUOTE ]
Translation:
Has anyone ever looked at your Certified Arborist logo and asked if you were a certified abortionist?
I've always responded to that question with a slight smile and complete silence. The interrogator invariably offers an instant correction.
All good--btw have you ever been asked why you kill babies?
[/ QUOTE ]
Translation:
Has anyone ever looked at your Certified Arborist logo and asked if you were a certified abortionist?
I've always responded to that question with a slight smile and complete silence. The interrogator invariably offers an instant correction.
boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
Oh ya I knew that.
Guy's such a veteran tree person I assumed otherwise and look what happens when you assume.
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
I've heard "veteran" defined as 1 aged, 2 battle-scarred, and 3 containing many decay organisms. I'm SO flattered!
and boreality, i hear ya on decisions--i chopped asca and tcia memberships this year, mainly to simplify my life, and save money, but I kept ISA. Use those media resources etc. to build your market, and you may see more value.
and boreality, i hear ya on decisions--i chopped asca and tcia memberships this year, mainly to simplify my life, and save money, but I kept ISA. Use those media resources etc. to build your market, and you may see more value.
