PLANET to Launch New Publications at GIC

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) has announced the release of several new publications that will premier at its Green Industry Conference (GIC), held in conjunction with the GIC+EXPO, October 22–25, 2008, in Louisville, Ky.

The publications will be available for purchase at the PLANET booth #4116 in the Kentucky Expo Center:

2008 Operating Cost Study for the Green Industry. How does your company’s financial performance compare with other lawn and landscape companies in your area — across the country for that matter? Find out in the newly updated 2008 Operating Cost Study for the Green Industry report. More than 200 companies nationwide contributed data from their 2007 income statements, balance sheets, and operating costs to this report, which features trending analysis for the industry. This publication is sponsored by Agrium Advanced Technologies.

Green Industry Employee Handbook. This easy-to-follow resource guides you through the wording for benefits, policies and other obligations of employment with your company. The Green Industry Employee Handbook, written by PLANET’s Human Resource Consultant William Cook, provides you with a quick and easy way to inform your employees of the privileges and responsibilities of employment in your company, and assures consistency and equality in policy decisions. Plus, its customizable format allows you to draft a handbook tailored to your needs and makes it very easy to update the information it contains.

Landscape Design Showcase. Helping your clients visualize their landscape projects and move from concept to actual design just got easier with PLANET’s Landscape Design Showcase. With this easy-to-navigate CD, filled with some of the most beautiful landscape projects created by PLANET members, you’ll be able to help clients see the potential in their landscapes or simply refine the ideas they already have. Every design/build/installation company will benefit from this breathtaking sales tool, filled with wonderful photographs of pools, patios, decks, beautiful entry ways, and much more! This publication is sponsored by John Deere and Kichler Lighting.

Safety Tailgate Training Manual. The new Safety Tailgate Training Manual contains hundreds of tips and solutions for a crew that’s tight on time. Keep your team safe. Put safety first in your day-to-day activities with a brief and informal lesson right on the job site. Know the specific hazards associated with a task and the safe way to do the job. This publication features English on one side of the page and Spanish on the other and weather-proof paper so it can be used in any weather condition. This publication is sponsored by CNA and Caterpillar Customer Safety Services.

Safety Made Simple. The purpose of the Safety Made Simple: Low-Budget Tools for Green Industry Companies CD is to provide simple, low-cost tools you can use — no matter what your company’s size — to help build your safety program and reduce the risk of preventable injuries and deaths. This valuable publication will help you set safety-related goals, implement the most basic elements of a good safety program, get assistance from your insurer, and achieve safety “buy-in” from employees at all levels of your company. This publication is sponsored by CNA.

For more information about PLANET’s new publications, contact Sonia Myrick at
(800) 395-2522 or e-mail Sonia Myrick.