Kirkham's Comments

  • Christmas in Birmingham

    I was out and about around the Greenleaf branches last week, so didn't have much chance to blog sorry.  Mark Ducros and Barry ThomasStill haven't figured out how to do it from my Blackberry yet....maybe one day.

    Anyway, back to the story, I was in our Christmas production branch last Thursday, catching up with what Barry Thomas (Christmas Manager) and Marc Ducros (Production Manager) are up to.  They were busy showing our marketing and sales people some new Christmas tree ideas for colourways and designs. 

    This is something the Christmas team do this time every year - put a selection of tree ideas together for our staff to comment on and choose.  The winning trees then end up in our Christmas brochure.

    I won't spoil the surprise yet and tell you what our new Christmas tree ranges are going to be, but I think you're going to be impressed when you see them in our new brochure.

    Keep watching this space!  

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  • Recruitment time

    As you know we had a new managing director, Stuart Price, join us in January and since then he's been really getting to know the company by travelling around all our branches, meeting staff and reviewing how we operate. 

    One of the things he is keen to implement is our focus on sales and the support and training we give our sales staff.   As a result, we're now looking for a National Sales Manager to look after our field-sales based account managers. 

    This is an exciting brand new role and the successful candidate will report to me.  Any enquiries about this role please email me at keithkirkham@phs.co.uk

     

     

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  • eFIG's new website

    Coll from eFIG contacted me earlier this week to tell me about their new website eFig's new websitewhich they launched last week.   It's Cleaner, fresher and easy to use, www.efig.eu.com should work well for members.

    It contains all the usual suspects, a member and suppliers’ directory, a list of eFIG news and members’ news, details of the eFIG training courses, expanded information on the health benefits of plants, details of the Award categories, forthcoming industry events and so on.

    New to the site is the eFIG Community, a social networking function where members and non members can sign up, initiate and join in discussions.  This community of like-minded or like-interested people makes it possible to discuss or exchange views on matters related to interior plantscaping, the health benefits of plants, health and safety laws, business laws – anything that you want to discuss in fact.  Hope PHS members will lead the way!

    The new site will also be the ‘home’ of the new digital newsletter which launched at the latter end of last year.  You can register at the site to receive your copy and each month’s edition will bring you eFIG news and members’ news with links back to the site.  Register to receive your copy now at www.efig.eu.com.

    Meanwhile the eFIG digital team will be spreading the word far and wide to forums and blogs of industry interest including Twitter. 

    Excuse me whilst I go and and register!

     

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  • Water, water everywhere

    Louise Hemmens, one of our sales account managers has been looking at this water feature idea for one of her customers.  water featureI know the concept's been around for some time, but customers still seem really fascinated by the idea.  

    The picture opposite shows an indoor glass water wall.   Believe it or not, this is a specially manufactured piece of strengthen glass through which recycled water is constantly pumped to give a waterfall effect.  The water well is built into the floor so doesn't spoil the look and clean-lines feel of the wall itself and because the water is sealed, there's less risk of leaks occurring.

    In the examples shown, the etched logos are lit with led lights to give them a glow - a simple but very effective concept, don't you think? 

    Creating wall barriersOutdoor water features are also available, as are stainless steel versions and globes. They're manufactured and installed by a third party company and we're looking at the possibility of offering them with a maintenance contract with monthly payment options.

    For more details of these water walls, contact Louise by email at louisehemmens@phs.co.uk

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  • Get well soon Chris!

    Our thoughts are with Chris Jeffries, one of our London sales consultants who had a heart attack a Chris Jefferiesfew weeks ago.  Luckily he's recovering well at home and sounded in good spirits when I spoke to him recently.  Here's what Chris had to say: -

    "Having the heart attack as you can imagine was a complete shock. It was the emergency services operator that I was speaking to on the phone, by the side of the road, who told me I was having a heart attack!  The irony was that I was on my way to see a health club to sell them plants but didn't feel well enough to conduct the appointment professionally so sat outside for a bit to recover.  The blue light run to hospital that followed was great fun!!

    "I will be back at work as soon as I am able... I hate being off ill.  I think this may be only the second time I've had off work due to illness in five years.!"

    Chris, all your friends and colleagues at Greenleaf are thinking of you and wish you a speedy recovery. 

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  • Palace Perfect

    Our Gunnersbury branch Palace Greenhave just won an award for the standard of their work at 3a Palace Green in Kensington.  They won first prize in the Brighter Kensington & Chelsea Scheme which is a scheme that aims to encourage pride in the borough by planting trees, shrubs and plants. 

    If you've ever seen this site at 3a Palace Green, you'll probably agree that it deserves a first prize too.  It's a very prestigious apartment block, adjacent to the gates of Kensington Palace and the standard of planting and topiary in the gardens is just fantastic.

    Well done to the Gunnersbury team for their hard work on the landscaping.

    Landscaping at Palace Green

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  • Photo Opportunity

          Jo takes a breather                                     Photo time, I know you all like looking at pictures, so here goes. 

    I mentioned recently that Ascott Designs, our artificial plants part of Greenleaf, attended the Interiors Show at the NEC.  Well, I thought I'd show you some photos of the event.

    Harj Shemar, our Ascott sales manager was really pleased with the stand and the new products we had on it.  This must be the eighth show he's attended at the NEC over the years and felt that we had our best year ever for range of products on display.  

    I asked Harj to comment on the show: "We had a lot more artificial flower displays on the stand this year which attracted a lot of attention, and the orchid as usual were popular.  I was suprised by the great response we had to the artificial outdoor range though - just goes to show that whilst people like lookingThe Ascott team at the plants, they don't necessarily want the work that's involved with looking after them.  The box hedging was well received this year too - I call it the lazy gardeners instant garden. All in all it was a good show and we were all shattered by the end of it!"

    I'd like to thank the team for all their hard work at the event.  So, well done Derek Brown (he's the one in the suit), Christine Mills (you can just see the back of her in the picture below), Jo Gibson (above), Lynda Francis and of course Harj. 

    Also, thanks to Danielle Noakes and Sam Potts who were really thrown into the deep end and interiors showhelped us out on the last day. 

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  • Coll to the marketing rescue at eFIG

    I was delighted to hear that Coll Smith from the Plants for People project joined eFIG recently Coll Smithas marketing coordinator. I've spoken to Coll a few times in the past, when she's helped me out with various facts and figures, and I've always been impressed with her enthusiasm and knowledge. 

    So it should come as no suprise then that Coll is certainly no stranger to our industry, having worked with the interior landscaping sector for the last 12 or so years delivering press information, web-site writing and seminars about the health and motivational benefit of plants. 

    She'll be working  part-time for the organisation to help them realise their marketing strategies.
     
    She's taken a bit of time out to write a comment for my blog: “I am obviously working closely with the eFIG committee especially the Chair-person, Thomas Palfreyman.  Our objective is to promote eFIG as a professional trade body and all its members as accredited industry professionals to the widest possible audience,” commented Coll. 

    She explained that they will initially concentrate on promoting eFIG and its members to architects and developers, facility managers and businesses through the media and their new website due to launch any day.

    The messages about the health benefits of plants and why other professionals or businesses should contact an eFIG member will be paramount.

    “I am very excited about joining eFIG,” admits Coll, “I look forward to working closely with members to achieve the organisation’s goals.”

    All that's left for me to say is good luck in your new role Coll.

     

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  • Happy to re-sign

    Had some good news last week from Clarissa James, one of our Major Projects sales team.  Riverside QuarterShe's just re-signed  the Riverside Quarter contract in London for another couple of years.  This is a really prestigious job for us and one we were keen to hold onto, so well done.

    Our technicians Byron Hickman and Bob Glover work really hard tending to the gardens at this riverside apartment complex every week and make sure they change the displays seasonally. The grounds really do look lovely and I can imagine this outside space is a joy to look at for the residents.  

    Apparently our customer was so pleased with the quality of workmanship and high standards that they didn't hesitate to re-sign with us.  Well done to the team for all their hard work and commitment to this project.

     

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  • Meet our new Chief

    I'd like to introduce you to our new Greenleaf managing director, Stuart Price. Stuart Price, our new Managing Director

    Dave Wicks, who was previously in charge, has left us in order to concentrate on restructuring his other division, PHS Teacrate and growing PHS Datasafe.

    So, welcome aboard Stuart!  Let me give you a bit of background about our new chief for those of you who don't know him yet. 

    Stuart was previously Marketing Director at DHL before joining the PHS Group over eight years ago as Marketing Director.  He lives near Cardiff with his wife and three sons and I'm sure everyone will be delighted to hear that he is a real avid fan of plants.  In his spare time Stuart enjoys nothing better than growing things and his passion - or sanctury - is his greenhouse!

    I'm sure our staff will get a good chance to meet him over the next few weeks as he makes his visits around all our Greenleaf branches.  But in the meantime, we'd like to congratulate him on his new role and wish him all the best.

     

      

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  • We need your comments

    Screen shot of surveyOver the next few weeks, our Marketing services team will be conducting an online questionnaire to find out what our Greenleaf customers think about our service.  This is an annual questionnaire they do and it's really useful to gauge customer opinion.  You may be contacted to take part in this service - if you are we'd really appreciate your support please.

    Whilst this questionnaire is useful, I would like to think though, that our customers can speak to us at any time about our service, they shouldn't need to wait for a questionnaire!  If you'd like to take part please email me at keithkirkham@phs.co.uk

    We'll let you know shortly how we get on in the survey and what you really think of us!

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  • New Year, New Me

    KeithWhen I was in Caerphilly on Tuesday I got nabbed by the marketing team who insisted I have a new photo taken for my web blog.  Apparently they are fed up looking at the same mug shot of me.  That's not very nice, good job I've got a thick skin!  Anyway, hope you like my new photo - if not, you know who to blame.

    I quite like going to Caerphilly as it gives me a chance to see people and catch up with news (ok, gossip).  The latest news I heard was about one of our ex-members of Greenleaf staff, Nathan Henwood.  You may remember him, he was one of our most successful tele-sales people in Caerphilly a few years ago?  Well, anyway he got married last year in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vagas to Rachel.  They are expecting their first baby very soon, so best of luck to them both.  Nathan's even traded his car in for an estate - now that's something I just can't picture.

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  • Visit the Show

    Glad to see there was no snow yesterday when I traveled down to our head office in Caerphilly for the annual review with our Chief Executive.  (Thankfully it went really well and he was particularly pleased with our Christmas performanceChristine on the Ascott Designs stand.)

    Let's hope the snow stays away too this weekend.  Ascott Designs, our artificial plant sales company, is attending the Interiors Show at the NEC in Birmingham and they're hoping for better weather than last year to attract the crowds. 

    The Show starts this Sunday (24th Jan) through to Wednesday and is a great opportunity to see some lovely ideas and trends in the world of interior design.  This year they're got  Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen, Kelly Hoppen and a couple of other celebrities giving talks, which should be interesting.

    Derek Brown and the Ascott team, including, Christine Mills, Harj Shemar and Jo Gibson will be there showcasing some of their new ideas so pop along and say hello if you can.  You can register for free tickets by following this link.

    I'll be calling into the show as well at some stage, so I may see you there!

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  • Holy Guacamole!

    We're often asked to produce unusual displays for our customers, but when one of our Mexican planting themecustomers asked for a Mexcian theme last year, in replica, you could say it tested our skills a bit!

    The Restaurant Group (TRG) own the chain of restaurants called Chiquito, and they wanted their planting to reflect a real Mexican theme - both indoors and outdoors. 

    Putting our thinking caps on we came up with some designs for their troughs, which TRG really liked.  So that's when our work really began!  Our first big challenge was to find suppliers in Holland and China who were able to provide replica "desert" style plants to meet our design specifications.

    When the plants were sourced, our next challenge was to put together an agreed installation program which would be rolled out to their branch network.  The first installation took place in September and was rolled out to 20 Chiquito branches nationwide.   Phase 2 starts at the end of January.Artificial cactus and grasses

    As you can see from the pictures, the planting includes a mixture of cacti, such as Echinocactus (that's the round spikey one), Pachycereus (the tall spiky one)  and Euphorbia
    (cowboy cactus), with Sansevieria, grasses and other succulents added for effect. Gravel was then added to the troughs to give a dry desert feel for the finishing touch.

    Even if we say so ourselves, we think it was a great job and an interesting challenge. Certainly doesn't look like replica planting does it?

     

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  • Nominate a PHS Star!

    We've just launched our new Three Year Group Strategy called Project Apple.  Basically, one of the Sara Swainmain highlights of this strategy is acknowledging that it's our staff who make the difference to our business. So as a result we’ve developed a regular communications initiative called PHS People.

    I'll  let Sara Swain, who has been the driving force in launching this iniative, explain more: " Well, we know that PHS’ customers don’t just buy a product off the supermarket shelves, they buy a service that’s managed and delivered by people.  To win and keep our customers, therefore, we need to help them to trust our service, the people who deliver it, and all the good things PHS stands for.  It’s our job, every day, to show them they’re right to trust these things.

    "But how do we, as individuals, deliver all the good things we stand for?  And what are PHS’ core values, that it’s so important for us to communicate in our daily dealings with customers?  Back in June, we carried out a survey, called “What Do You Value?”.  We had a great response to this and, interestingly, over 80% of  our people identified the same, top four values that epitomise PHS.  These are Professionalism, Teamwork, Trust and Honesty."

    "To  recognise and reward PHS employees who demonstrate exceptional, practical, working examples of the core values underpinning Project Apple, we will be rewarding them as PHS Stars.  Every quarter, people will be recognised for their positive contributions to Professionalism, Teamwork, Trust and Honesty. Here's where our customers come in. You can nominate a Greenleaf person for an award, just give us as much detail as you can about why they demonstrate Professionalism, Teamwork, Trust or Honesty in their work. Email your nominations to keithkirkham@phs.co.uk."

    Thank you Sara.  I'll be highlighting our Greenleaf "Stars" in this blog over the next few months, so please keep your nominations coming in. 

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  • We're snowed in!

    Like the rest of the country, the snow has affected our business too at many of our branches. snow affects our business I'm sitting here writing my blog when I should have been at a meeting at our head office near Cardiff today. Not only has South Wales had some serious snow, I, along with a few million other people I suspect, am struggling to get out of my home. 

    Gatwick Airport has had to cancel or delay so many flights that we've been asked to postpone our Christmas uplift - scheduled to take place overnight - as so many people were sleeping at the airport and we couldn't physically get around them!  The earliest they'll allow us into the airport is now next week.

    Meanwhile up in our North West branch, which recorded one of the lowest temperatures last night, we've had to delay an installation in the Lake District as the fuel in the cherry picker keeps freezing.  We're going to have to wait for a break in the chill or come up with another suggestion.

    I have to say though, despite the interruptions to our work and inconvenience generally, I'm a big fan of snow really, it makes our country look so much prettier in the winter!

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  • O2 looking good

    Mrs Kirkham and I went to see Paul McCartney in concert at the O2 Arena during the holidays.  Tree lined avenue at the O2 ArenaThis venue is still one of Greenleaf's largest installlation projects in the UK and it only seems like yesterday that we were sourcing the plants. 

    It was so good to see how the trees and plants have "matured" into their environment nicely.  I say "matured" in a very loose sense as the trees in the Arena are artificial of course since the light levels wouldn't support live trees.   If you'd like to read more about the work that went into this project, take a look at the O2 Arena Case Study on this website.

    Have to say as well that the concert was really good and we had a great time - nice to do something different that didn't involve constantly eating over Christmas!

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  • Happy New Year to everyone!

    Thought I'd just ease myself gently into the New Year with a final mention about Christmas - and I promise no more Christmas trees in St Mary's Hospitalmention about Christmas for, oh let me see, another few months at least. 

    I'd like to say a big thank you to all our Greenleaf guys and gals who worked tremendously hard removing Christmas trees from our customers' premises over the last few days, whilst many of us were still off enjoying our Christmas breaks.  Weather conditions were atrocious at times, so thanks everyone for all your hard work.

    Thanks also to Bob Capel for emailing me some great pictures of the Christmas trees we installed at Manchester Hospital.  I've attached one for you to see opposite. They look lovely, even if I say so myself. 

    So I'll leave you with one last final thought - although Christmas may be over for you now, cast a thought for our Marketing department and Christmas design team who will be just about starting work on the Christmas 2010 product range and brochure!  Christmas is just starting for them! 

     

     

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  • Plants are good for patients

    I was eating my toast this morning, half watching the BBC breakfast news when an article caught my eye.  It was a debate about whether flowers and plants should be banned on hospital wards because their pots were believed to potentially harbour germs.  The conclusion of the study though was that plants improve patients' mood and are good for them.  Could have told them that ages ago.

    One thing I forgot to mention last week was the BALI National Landscape Awards I attended at London Grosvenor House Hotel.  BALI always manage to put on a really enjoyable day and professional awards ceremony.

    It was good to catch up with many people.  Paul Green was there who is our contact on the Heathrow Airport contract as well as some landscape architects who we have worked with in the past.  I was accompanied by Clarissa James, quite the Cinderella in her purple outfit.

    PHS Greenleaf was an award winner for the prestigious Cribbs Causeway in Bristol.  This scheme has huge palms with lush underplanting and maintained by our Caerphilly team.  Well done to Lynne Williams and her team down there.

    Our branch in Waltham Abbey is unmanned today because staff can't get there due to the snow.  After all the rushing around they've done over the last few hectic weeks, it'll be a chance for some people to recharge their batteries!  If you need to get hold of us, please call 02920 859129.

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  • Another Christmas story

    I was watching the BBC Sports personality of the year the other night and it reminded me of a wet and Christmas trees at the BBCsoggy Sunday a few days earlier when I helped our Gunnersbury team install Christmas trees at BBC Television Centre. 

    Oh boy, was it wet!  Roy Cowley, our regional manager had hand-picked 18ft, 15ft and 12ft trees to create a uniformed design by the main entrance but to install them we had to use a small crane to lift and fix the trees in place. 

    Not an easy job in those wet conditions so I'd like to thank Clive Coates, Paul Johnson and Steve Bell personally for their terrific work.

    I'm sad to say that yes, I did do a bit of celebrity spotting during that day. I think if I worked in a place like that I'd be forever people watching!

     

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Keith Kirkham

 

Keith Kirkham is the Commercial Director for PHS Greenleaf. Read a bit more about the man behind the suit by Clicking Here.

 

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