The business of doing business

[TimberMcPherson]

Because chainsaw pants are compulsory here, its easy to spot arborists around the place and its good "uniform". Keeps things a little more tidy and the fact that you can get a year or more use from a pair they are a good investment.
Not to mention how well the protect you from dog attacks, falling off your motorcycle and being a little more padding when you get wacked across the shins.
I heard they are supposed to be protection from a saw, dont know yet.

 

[Pancake]

I'm feeling a little better now, I knew we were different but some of the feedback was making me think we were off the chart. We typically knock off around 3:30-4:00. And the training isn't daily. Serious stuff like AR or ascender work once a week. Hard core after work training daily happens a month prior to comps and is ininated by us.

 

[treeseer]

I wear tshirts with a tree logo and always cargo pants because of the pockets. Rips or camo style would not go well in the neighborhood$ I like to work in.

On hot days or in scratchy situations I put on a white longsleeved shirt that got too old for dress. I looked for light fabric longsleeved work shirts I could put a logo on but did not find them--references?

I got guns too but I save my flex-to-impress for the boudoir or beach. My singleandsearching helper showed up in a tank top and shorts one day but never again. If anyone's desparate enough to hustle housewives he needs to run an ad or something.

Does Poteet ever do diagnostic training for crew members? Kind of a what-to-look-out-for kinda thing? Looks like a class outfit worth being proud of from seeing the guys at the isasc tcc

Hang in there pancake; you may get flipped here but the skillet temperature control is yours.:angry2:

 

[beowulf343]

Treevet- Let me try to qualify my remarks. We are a TCIA Accredited company, an ISA Sustaining member, with all employees being Certified Aborists, Tree Workers, and a Utility Specialist. We are all competition climbers, and have won 3 out of the past 4 (may be 3 out of 5) ISA Southern Championships (including a sweep this year)and numerous other in and out of state events ( My Co workers are the champions, I have only recently started competing but will climb in at least 6 competitions this year).

Pancake-first off kudos on taking the ribbing so well. Sorry about some of the things i said but your outfit seems a little too good to be true.

But a serious question-you guys are champion competition climbers. What does this do for you exactly? Does it enable you to get more jobs? Is the reward money pretty good? Why do you guys put all the extra stress on your bodies that may cause you to retire early from something you previously said you guys love to do? What is the benefit of being a champion climber? And what do you have to do to be a champion climber-first one up the tree, quickest rope job, first to finish a job with no damage? Genuinely curious.

 

[Pancake]

Thanks for the compliments. With a name and attitude like mine, I was born with thick skin. It's great to be recognized in the local media as champions, and even better to tell prospective clients, "all of my employees are competition climbers and we just won the..." gets curiosity up. We came away from competitions with $3000+ in swag so far and a free trip to Honolulu. the training and stretching keeps us ( me I'm 33) in shape, hopefully depositing some good funds in the health account. There is a post from the tennessee urban Forestry Council (TUFC) that gives a great description of the Competitions.

 

[Pancake]

Not sure what you mean about diagnostic training, if you mean hazard/risk assesment we got it covered. I am the PHC Guru of the team so we look at disease and pest issues also.

 

[treeseer]

we look at disease and pest issues also.

Yeah that's what I meant. If everyone onsite knows what to look for, then they could report what they see and more phc services could be proposed. phc to me is general tree care, not just chemicals.

 

[Pancake]

I agree, I prefer to look at the trees immediate enviornment and conditions including microclimates and uncalibrated auto irrigation- 2 big problems here, as well as IPM and chemical options.

 

[SRT-Tech]

Stretching before working helps you work harder longer. Don't try tree work at age 56 if you don't do something extra to stay loose--you'll get sore or injured long before, as most of my contemporaries have quit long ago.

As for the rest, sounds like a lot of chest-thumping, rooster-crowing, and such an intense peeing contest that I either need to put on waders or leave.

Bye!:biggrinbounce2:

there is a difference between stretching before work compared to starting at 4Am with PT drill and then starting work at 6am (thats just freaking NUTS, and YES, i'd pop a punch or twenty if i was ever asked to do that.) we get ENOUGH physical workout at work, no need for exercise (except stretching ) before work...lol

i'll stick with my working 4 days a month and then relaxing the remaining 25 or so days.

 

[SRT-Tech]

Thanks for the compliments. With a name and attitude like mine, I was born with thick skin. It's great to be recognized in the local media as champions, and even better to tell prospective clients, "all of my employees are competition climbers and we just won the..." gets curiosity up. We came away from competitions with $3000+ in swag so far and a free trip to Honolulu. the training and stretching keeps us ( me I'm 33) in shape, hopefully depositing some good funds in the health account. There is a post from the tennessee urban Forestry Council (TUFC) that gives a great description of the Competitions.

but can you do good treework? opcorn:
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.just ribbing mate!!!

 

[Pancake]

I like to think I do a fair job. Wish I could do more, but who dosen't. I am honest and try to use the best means necessary to be on the cutting edge.

 

[Pancake]

I need to bring this thread up again. I was a company man, and now the company appears to be a house of cards. Image isn't everything. It is what's in your heart. Big trucks and clean shaven faces dosen't mean squat. A good arborist is good because of their skill set. I love being an arborist, and the people I have met in this industry.

 

[Ironxylem]

It's all about attitude.
I've done quotes in golf shirts, I,ve done qoutes in work clothes after climbin for 9 hours. People for the most part are real. They understand if your busy.
They can tell if your professional by talking to you , not looking at you.
BUT......Presentation is important.
Cheers........

 

[treeseer]

I need to bring this thread up again. I was a company man, and now the company appears to be a house of cards. .

Disenchanted with them now? There is no perfect company. Geez I just got a call from Murfreesboro and was going to look at their trees around the asca conference time, and was going to invite your company in to do the work. email me if that is a bad idea.

 

[clearance]

I need to bring this thread up again. I was a company man, and now the company appears to be a house of cards. Image isn't everything. It is what's in your heart. Big trucks and clean shaven faces dosen't mean squat. A good arborist is good because of their skill set. I love being an arborist, and the people I have met in this industry.

Thanks for agreeing with me and Beowolf about the image vs. the reality of men. Sounds like its time to move on, good luck and look up. Cheers/Jim

 

[Mitchell]

interesting thread

I need to bring this thread up again. I was a company man, and now the company appears to be a house of cards. Image isn't everything. It is what's in your heart. Big trucks and clean shaven faces dosen't mean squat. A good arborist is good because of their skill set. I love being an arborist, and the people I have met in this industry.

I have followed this thread with interest. I have considered investing in uniforms; matching saw pants shirts etc for the troops. I feal that all else being equel, clean and neat "uniformally" dressed guys will present better. That should translate into a little more work from people who have no reference to you.
Most of my work is by referals and with those folks i don't sweat it if I am neat, tidy or sweaty and stinky or for that matter what truck I show up in [ones nice ones not]. If im responding to a advertisment call I will try to arange to be more presentable as It can not hurt and can only help.

 

[Treetom]

In my humble experience

A lot of my work comes from word-of-mouth: do good work and the word gets around. On the job, my crew has "fun." We enjoy the work as well as the commeradery and the variety of challenges we encounter along the way. Most clients are people too, so the positive energy rubs off. Many times, clients call and say they've seen my trucks around: slap a little paint on, do a little body work, go to the car wash, it's worth a little effort. A truck is like a rolling billboard, very cheap advertising. But, the average Joe is just looking for the best price, and every Tom, Dick and Harry "knows a guy" who works cheap and does trees on the side (after work, on the weekends or when he's out on work release). On the other hand, I've had clients call back and tell me my bid was "in the ball park" with everyone else, but they liked my attitude, so I got the job. Dealing with the lowballers and the fly-by-nights is just another challenge in doing business. Bring em on.

 

[beowulf343]

Wow, what the heck happened Pancake? (If you don't mind my asking.) Seems like they were the "perfect company."

 

[RedlineIt]

Me too, Pancake, it took some guts and considerable integrity to bring this thread back up and 'fess what you have, you didn't have to do that.

But it is intriguing, you say the company was a house of cards, was it one instance that brought it crashing down in your eyes, or did you just piece by piece begin to see behind the masks, or spot the man behind the curtain? Maybe all the claims were just hot air, too much do as I say, not as I do?

I haven't seen a bunch of I told you so's here either, which is encouraging.



RedlineIt

 

[Pancake]

I think the quote should be "Integrity is everything". Masks could be construed as "arborist and accredited" in name only. Dosen't matter if you don't care. I still believe in a good apperance, and thay may be just how you present to clients. I thought they were the perfect company, 3 great climbers/arborists and sharp equipment. I equate it to a championship team loaded with all stars (trying not to sound over confident here), they can only stay together so long before a conflict arises between coaches, owners, and players. Maybe the caoching style, playing time, or draft picks. The emeror has no clothes. See you in New Hampshire!