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Interior Landscape Business Top 40

Interior Landscape Business » Research Polls »

Past Poll Results

Recent Poll & Results


Week of 9/21/2007
Q: Do you plan to attend CalScape 2007?
Yes: 35%
No: 35%
Maybe next year: 27%
I never attend: 4%

26 Total Responses


Week of 6/29/2007
Q: How will Plants at Work’s new name, Green Plants for Green Buildings, affect the organization?
It will make it stronger.: 25%
It will confuse people in and outside the industry: 38%
It will be detrimental.: 12%
It will have no effect. : 25%

24 Total Responses


Week of 5/17/2007
Q: What type of plant health products do your clients prefer?
Synthetic: 0
Organic: 71%
They have no preference: 29%
We do not treat our plants: 0

14 Total Responses


Week of 3/21/2007
Q: Does your company offer irrigation services for indoor/potted plants?
Yes, we do.: 57%
No, we don't.: 23%
We don't yet, but we'd like to.: 9%
We have in the past, but don't anymore.: 11%

44 Total Responses


Week of 2/9/2007
Q: What type of content would you like to see more of in Interior Landscape Business?
Container trends: 31%
Plant trends: 25%
Business tips: 39%
Products: 6%

36 Total Responses


Week of 1/12/2007
Q: What is your New Year's business resolution for 2007?
Create a greater marketing presence: 24%
Launch a new add-on service: 3%
Grow our sales to existing customers: 14%
Grow our new sales: 55%
Add more staff: 3%

29 Total Responses


Week of 12/15/2006
Q: What type of training does your company offer plant maintenance technicians?
No training: 6%
In-house training meetings: 75%
Reimbursement for outside training: 19%

36 Total Responses


Week of 9/22/2006
Q: The price of gas is going down. Will you make any changes?
I will drop the fuel surcharge.: 4%
I will temporarily drop the fuel surcharge.: 9%
I will save the money.: 9%
I will invest in new equipment/materials.: 6%
I'll do nothing; prices will rise again soon.: 73%

70 Total Responses


Week of 8/25/2006
Q: A year after Hurricane Katrina: are you worried about a repeat storm wiping out plant crops again?
Yes, anything is possible.: 91%
There could be a storm, but not as much damage: 6%
No, new improvements will provide protection: 0
No, there won't be any storm that severe again: 3%

33 Total Responses


Week of 7/28/2006
Q: What do you think of the current minimum wage rate?
It is sufficient.: 15%
It should be raised.: 65%
It's sufficient because it was raised in my state.: 6%
Raising minimum wage would hurt business.: 15%

48 Total Responses


Week of 6/29/2006
Q: Do you plan to attend the OFA Short Course July 8-11 in Columbus, Ohio?
Yes, we always attend: 0
We don't attend annually, but will this year: 0
No, we will not attend: 91%
No, but we are thinking of attending next year: 9%

11 Total Responses


Week of 5/19/2006
Q: How are the rising gas prices affecting your business?

Slightly: 19%
Significantly enough to cause us to raise prices: 46%
Significantly, but we haven’t raised prices: 33%
Not at all: 1%

72 Total Responses


Week of 3/24/2006
Q: Are you familiar with 'Lean Management?'
Yes, we're very focused on Lean in our business.: 17%
Yes, we use some Lean principles at work: 17%
Yes, but we don’t incorporate the principles: 6%
No, but we’re interested in learning about it: 61%
No, and we’re not interested in learning about it: 0

18 Total Responses


Week of 3/10/2006
Q: What type of advertising/customer communication generates the most leads for your company?
Direct mail: 0
Door-to-door soliciting: 0
Home and garden shows/public displays: 0
Word-of-mouth: 73%
Internet: 0
Print advertising: 0
TV or radio commercials: 0
Telemarketing: 9%
Other: 18%

11 Total Responses


Week of 2/27/2006
Q: How much content does your company's Web site contain?
The works: News, bios, photos, online payment, etc: 11%
Solid content: Company info, services, photos, etc: 41%
The basics: Contact info, services/products offere: 16%
We don’t currently have a Web site: 32%

37 Total Responses


Week of 2/14/2006
Q: Do you allow your employees to smoke during work hours?
No, we've taken to hiring only non-smokers: 9%
No, not at all during business hours: 6%
Only in our shop; not in vehicles or on jobs: 6%
Yes, but only on breaks: 24%
Yes, as long as it's outside: 56%
Only if the client allows it.: 0

34 Total Responses


Week of 1/27/2006
Q: How do you expect your company's sales to be this year?
Great - Way up from last year: 31%
Good - We're picking up some new accounts: 26%
Steady - About the same as last year: 26%
Down - Some clients are cutting interior services: 17%

35 Total Responses


Week of 1/16/2006
Q: What is your New Year's business resolution for 2006?
Be better organized: 16%
Increase operational efficiency: 11%
Be a better boss/manager: 16%
Join an industry or business association: 5%
Create or improve our company Web site: 21%
Create a three- or five-year business plan: 11%
Track leads: 16%
Reduce costs: 0
Reduce service call-backs: 0
Other: 5%

19 Total Responses


Week of 12/16/2005
Q: When will you begin removing your clients' holiday decorations?
Dec. 26: 32%
Jan. 3: 47%
Second week of January: 19%
Third week of January: 2%
Fourth week of January: 0
First week of February: 0

59 Total Responses


Week of 11/28/2005
Q: What business task or opportunity are you most looking forward to this winter?
Perfecting our holiday services: 6%
Attending trade shows: 6%
Developing new business-boosting systems: 25%
Making sales/renewing contracts for spring: 25%
Vacation! We close up shop for the winter.: 0
Relaxing! We're open for business, but work slows: 19%
Catching up on past issues of ILB: 19%

16 Total Responses


Week of 11/14/2005
Q: Have your clients requested more traditional or more modern designs for this holiday season?
More traditional designs: 62%
More modern designs: 15%
A little of both: 23%

13 Total Responses


Week of 10/14/2005
Q: Will you be attending the Green Industry Expo Nov. 2 - 5?
Yes, we never miss it: 11%
Yes, this will be our first GIE: 4%
No, not this year: 39%
No, we never attend: 46%

28 Total Responses


Week of 9/30/2005
Q: When will you start installing holiday decor?
Early to mid-October: 12%
Late October: 16%
Early November: 52%
We don't provide holiday decor: 20%

25 Total Responses


Week of 9/6/2005
Q: Will you or your company contribute to hurricane relief in the Gulf Coast?
Yes, I've made a personal donation: 47%
Yes, my company and I are both donating: 23%
Yes, my company is matching employee donations.: 10%
Yes, my company is making a flat donation.: 7%
We're sending help directly to friends and family.: 3%
We're donating to industry-specific causes: 0
Not yet - we'll donate later during rebuilding: 3%
Not at this time.: 7%

30 Total Responses


Week of 8/29/2005
Q: Did your company participate in any employee-pricing vehicle discounts this summer?
Yes, we purchased more than one new vehicle.: 19%
Yes, we purchased one new vehicle.: 6%
It was tempting, but we passed.: 0
Not in time - we bought before the sales started.: 0
No, the deal wasn't as good as we expected.: 0
No, our current vehicle fleet is fine for us.: 56%
No, we only buy used vehicles.: 19%

16 Total Responses


Week of 8/22/2005
Q: How are ever-increasing gas prices affecting your business this summer?
We're fine - we add fuel surcharges to all jobs: 0
It's okay - we add fuel surcharges to some jobs: 40%
It stings - we didn't anticipate such high prices: 0
Not good - it's pulling down our profits: 40%
Ouch! We're in the red this summer: 20%

5 Total Responses


Week of 8/15/2005
Q: Fuel prices have reached new record highs. What does regular gas cost in your area?
Less than $2 per gallon:: 0
$2 to $2.14: 0
$2.15 to $2.24: 8%
$2.25 to $2.49: 25%
$2.50 to $2.74: 58%
$2.75 to $3: 8%
More than $3 per gallon: 0

12 Total Responses


Week of 8/1/2005
Q: Where do you purchase light hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruners, etc., most frequently?

Direct from the manufacturer: 0
From a distributor: 31%
From a local garden center and/or mass merchandise: 69%

13 Total Responses


Week of 7/25/2005
Q: Do you and/or your business volunteer in your community?
Yes, we view this as essential: 53%
Yes, but not as much as we'd like: 16%
No, but we plan to: 11%
No, we have not: 21%

19 Total Responses


Week of 7/18/2005
Q: Do you provide patioscaping/outdoor color bowls to your interiorscape clients?
Yes, we do: 83%
We are thinking of offering the service: 9%
No, we do not want to do exterior work: 9%

23 Total Responses


Week of 7/11/2005
Q: Does your company provide landscape lighting, indoors and/or outdoors?
Yes, both: 22%
Indoor only: 11%
Outdoor only: 0
We are considering it as an add-on sales: 11%
No, we don't sell lighting: 56%

9 Total Responses


Week of 7/4/2005
Q: Do you plan to attend the OFA Short Course July 9 to 12 in Columbus, Ohio?
Yes, we always do: 8%
Yes, but we don't attend annually: 8%
No, we will not attend this year: 77%
We are thinking of attending next year: 8%

13 Total Responses


Week of 6/27/2005
Q: When is your high season for holiday sales?
Summer months: 14%
Right after holiday install: 14%
Late summer to early fall: 71%
Spring through summer: 0

7 Total Responses


Week of 6/20/2005
Q: Are you experiencing foliage availability problems or delays?
Yes, frequently: 29%
Yes, but spotty problems: 43%
No, challenges are winding down: 29%
No, we are using a broker: 0

7 Total Responses


Week of 6/13/2005
Q: At this point in the year, how is your business performing?
We've exceeded our expectations: 11%
We're meeting our expectations: 11%
We are struggling: 11%
We are struggling, but we expect improvement: 67%

9 Total Responses


Week of 6/6/2005
Q: Do you plan to take a summer vacation this year?
No, we're too busy: 17%
No, I can't leave the business behind: 0
I'm not sure yet: 0
Yes, I do every year: 67%
Yes, I will be taking one this year: 17%

6 Total Responses


Week of 5/30/2005
Q: Do you survey your internal customers (technicians, managers, etc.) about your business?
No, we do not: 45%
No, but I would like more information about doing : 18%
Yes, we do: 0
Yes, but we're inconsistent: 36%

11 Total Responses


Week of 5/23/2005
Q: Which of the following is the primary way you communicate with prospects?
In person/face to face: 65%
On the telephone: 29%
Via e-mail: 6%
Through sales letters: 0
Faxes: 0

17 Total Responses


Week of 5/16/2005
Q: Are you a member of IFMA and/or BOMA?
Yes, BOMA only: 29%
Yes, IFMA only: 14%
Yes, IFMA and BOMA: 14%
No, but we will be joining one or both: 43%

7 Total Responses


Week of 5/9/2005
Q: Does your company sell and/or rent holiday props as part of your decorating program?
Yes, customers love them: 67%
No, but we are thinking of doing it: 6%
No, we do not: 11%
We don't offer holiday decorating: 17%

18 Total Responses


Week of 5/2/2005
Q: Which of the following add-ons is most profitable for your business?
Holiday decorating: 44%
Exterior landscaping/patios and rooftops, etc.: 0
Corporate floral and/or gifts/baskets: 11%
Color rotation programs: 44%
Water features: 0

9 Total Responses


Week of 4/25/2005
Q: Have you adjusted your prices or added surcharges to account for increased fuel prices?
Yes, with little recourse from customers: 50%
No, but we are thinking of doing so: 17%
We adjust on a case by case basis: 33%
No, our market is too competitive: 0

6 Total Responses


Week of 4/11/2005
Q: For better or worse, which has had the greatest impact on your business in the past 5 years?
The Internet: 51%
Gas prices: 17%
Changing labor force: 23%
Association involvement: 3%
Industry-specific technologies like subirrigation: 0
Plants at Work message and research: 6%

35 Total Responses


Week of 4/4/2005
Q: How much do you expect your holiday decorating business to grow this year over last?
1 to 5 percent: 26%
6 to 10 percent: 11%
11 to 20 percent: 26%
More than 20 percent: 11%
0 or negative growth: 26%

19 Total Responses


Week of 3/28/2005
Q: Which educational resource do you find most valuable in running your business?
Industry associations: 11%
Industry trade magazines: 63%
Extension personnel and consultants: 5%
Industry vendors: 16%
Other: 5%

19 Total Responses


Week of 3/21/2005
Q: Do you service residential accounts?
Yes, it is lucrative business: 17%
Yes, but we dislike the business: 42%
No, but we are thinking of getting into it: 0
No, we don't service residential customers: 42%

12 Total Responses


Week of 3/14/2005
Q: How effective is telemarketing in soliciting new business?
Very effective: 29%
Somewhat effective: 29%
Not effective: 29%
N/A, we don't use telemarketing: 14%

7 Total Responses


Week of 3/7/2005
Q: What is your company's primary method of pest management?
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM: 23%
Pesticides: 18%
Biological controls like beneficial insects: 5%
Organics such as soaps and oils: 55%

22 Total Responses


Week of 2/28/2005
Q: What is the most demanding aspect of your job?
Dealing with customers: 12%
Long hours: 25%
Physical demands: 12%
Competitive pressures: 50%

16 Total Responses


Week of 2/21/2005
Q: How do you communicate with your office personnel while on the road?
Pager: 0
Walkie talkie: 11%
Cell phone: 89%

19 Total Responses


Week of 2/14/2005
Q: Do you plan to attend the Mid-Atlantic Interior Landscape Conference March 17 to 19 in Malvern, Pa.?
Yes, we never miss it: 47%
Yes, this is our first time: 11%
We are undecided: 5%
No, we don't go every year: 0
No, we won't attend: 37%

19 Total Responses


Week of 2/7/2005
Q: Which of the following types of containers are you seeing increased demand for?
Poly/plastic types: 10%
Ceramic: 0
Faux ceramic: 35%
Stoneware/terra cotta: 0
Metal: 55%

20 Total Responses


Week of 1/31/2005
Q: Do you sell, install and maintain water features?
Yes, we always have: 0
Yes, we sell and install but do not maintain: 0
No, but we are looking into it: 0
No, we are not interested in it: 100%

1 Total Responses


Week of 1/24/2005
Q: Which of the following is the greatest challenge for your technicians?
Diagnosing and treating plant problems: 67%
Relationship building with clients: 17%
Maintaining a professional image: 0
Keeping up with replacements: 17%

12 Total Responses


Week of 1/17/2005
Q: Has your business donated to the tsunami relief effort?
Yes, it is an important cause: 50%
No, we are not donating: 50%
No, but we plan to do so: 0

2 Total Responses


Week of 1/10/2005
Q: What is your new year's resolution for 2005?
Create a greater marketing presence: 33%
Launch a new add-on service: 10%
Grow our sales to existing customers: 10%
Grow our new sales: 43%
Add more staff: 5%

21 Total Responses


Week of 1/3/2005
Q: What is your greatest challenge with holiday takedowns?
Getting them done in a timely fashion: 54%
Maintaining an organized storage system: 15%
Keeping our warehouse organized: 0
Minimizing damage to our decorations: 23%
Keeping our troops motivated: 8%

13 Total Responses


Week of 12/27/2004
Q: Typically, when do you do the bulk of your holiday purchasing?
Right after holiday takedowns in January: 75%
We wait until spring: March or April: 0
We wait until summer: July or August: 0
We shop late in fall: 25%

4 Total Responses


Week of 12/20/2004
Q: How often do you provide in-house training seminars to your staff?
Weekly: 8%
Monthly: 62%
At least twice monthly: 8%
Quarterly: 15%
Several times a year: 8%

13 Total Responses


Week of 12/13/2004
Q: How many employees in your company currently are certified (CLT or CLP Interior)?
None: 75%
1-10: 25%
10-20: 0
More than 20: 0

24 Total Responses


Week of 12/6/2004
Q: Do you plan on attending the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) this year?
Yes, we never miss it: 55%
Yes, but we go every two or three years: 15%
No, we cut out the trip this year: 15%
No, we have never been: 15%

20 Total Responses


Week of 11/29/2004
Q: On average, how often do you return to a site to fix/repair holiday installs during the season?
Never: 44%
At least once: 31%
Two to three times: 19%
More than three times: 6%

16 Total Responses


Week of 11/22/2004
Q: Are you planning on having a company holiday party for your employees this year?
Yes, we always do: 33%
Yes, but after holiday takedowns: 0
No, we are cutting it out: 0
No, we don't have holiday parties: 67%

3 Total Responses


Week of 11/15/2004
Q: Which of the following is the biggest challenge you face during holiday installs?
Managing the schedule: 50%
Keeping crews energized and motivated: 25%
Making sure the warehouse stays organized: 25%

12 Total Responses


Week of 11/8/2004
Q: How often do you update your company's Web site?
At least quarterly: 38%
Weekly, or as often as we can: 0
Annually – we don't do it enough: 50%
We haven't since we launched it: 12%

8 Total Responses


Week of 11/1/2004
Q: How often do you provide safety training to your employees?
Annually: 0
Several times a year during company meetings: 25%
Less than annually – not as often as we should: 75%

4 Total Responses


Week of 10/25/2004
Q: What is your greatest challenge when it comes to marketing your business?
Finding time to do it: 38%
Being consistent with it: 46%
Figuring out a marketing plan: 8%
Knowing how to track leads: 8%