APLD Design Online April 2024

Design Online

The mission of APLD is to advance the profession of landscape design and to promote the recognition of landscape designers as qualified and dedicated professionals.

Participate, Validate, Educate: Be Market Strong! April 2024

APLD Celebrates Earth Day

Earth Day was first launched in 1970 and has since grown to become a global celebration, with more than a billion people participating in activities such as clean-ups, tree planting, and educational events. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to take action to protect the planet. It reminds us that we all have a responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth and to do our part to ensure its health and sustainability for future generations.

As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 (and every day for some of us), we want to recognize the many ways our organization and individual members strive to protect the Earth. APLD educates its members through webinars, lectures, and resources available on the Sustainability page on its website. The organization adheres to a Sustainability policy and honors exemplary individuals with its Leadership in Landscape Sustainability Award.

Two recent recipients of APLD’s Award of Distinction – Larry Weaner, CPLD, FAPLD and Darrel Morrison – are well-known masters of ecological landscaping. This newsletter routinely features articles on landscape sustainability. APLD supports a Sustainability Committee and the Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet initiative, which this year aligns perfectly with EarthDay.org’s 2024 theme, “Planet vs. Plastics.”

APLD members practice sustainable design and educate others on best practices in water management, fire protection, wildlife habitat, native plants, edible landscaping, and more. They volunteer, mentor, advocate, recycle, and repurpose, using their skills and energy toward good environmental stewardship.

We do this because we understand the importance of environmentally sound landscape practices and planning, and the direct impact our work has in this realm. We’ve been doing it, and we’ll keep doing it.

Take a bow, APLD, and happy Earth Day!

Promoting Eco-Friendly Horticulture

Toni Bailey on the Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet Initiative

As the world continues to grapple with the impact of climate change, it’s important to find ways to reduce our dependence on plastic and promote sustainable alternatives. One area where this is particularly important is in the landscape industry, which generates thousands of plastic plant pots every year.

HEALTHYPOTS HEALTHY PLANET

The Impact of Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet: Insights from Toni Bailey

In advance of Earth Day on Monday, April 22, 2024, we recently chatted with Toni Bailey, who is the Chair of APLD’s Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet initiative. Toni reflects on the success of 2023 and shares the plan ahead for 2024. Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet focuses on promoting alternatives to 100% virgin plastic pots to reduce the dependence on plastic pots in the landscape industry.

Q: What is the current status of the “Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet” initiative?

A: We are an APLD committee that arose as an offshoot of APLD’s Sustainability Committee. “Suscom–” as we called it–had many concerns, but Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet has a singular focus: to build support for more sustainable options for plant pots through advocacy, education, and engagement with others in the green industry. APLD members recognized that our projects generate thousands of plastic plant pots every year, and disposal is a significant problem. Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet was formed to address that.

We have five dedicated committee members, a team of ambassadors, and APLD’s terrific Communications staff supports us. We meet several times throughout the year–usually once a month, but sometimes less frequently, depending on what we’re working on. If we’re not actively meeting, that means we all have tasks keeping us busy.

Q: Can you provide information about the program,s 2023 achievements?

A: We can point to several highlights:

• We surveyed APLD members about what attributes they want to see in more sustainable pots.

• We held an Earth Day promotion that featured an article in Design Online, e-blasts to those who signed on to the coalition, e-blasts to APLD members who had not signed on, and social media posts.

• We successfully completed substantial renovations to the Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet website, which removed the printed list of signers and added a search capability to to see who’s supporting the effort.

• We compiled a report entitled “2023 State of the Pot,” which reviewed what we’d learned since publishing “Plastic Pots and the Green Industry.”

Q: What kind of feedback have you received?

A: Positive, gratifying, and supportive, especially from APLD members. While that kind of feedback inspires us to keep at it, we do welcome constructive criticism. An indirect kind of feedback is seeing the hundreds of non-APLD members from around the world who have signed on.

Q: Have you seen any measurable impact on the environment or public health as a result of the initiative?

A: That would be nice to know! We are currently looking for a way to measure the pots situation. For instance, we’d like to know how many plastic pots are produced annually, what is the breakdown of virgin vs. recycled content, what are the quantities of various resin numbers, how many of those pots are going to waste in either landfills or incineration and what’s happening with the pots that don’t go to waste.

When it comes to an impact on the environment or public health, we’ll have to infer that the initiative has had an effect. If fewer pots are manufactured with virgin petroleum, then that would point to a positive impact on the environment and perhaps also public health.

Q: What are the long-term goals of the “Healthy Pot, Healthy Planet” initiative?

A: That more sustainable options for plant pots are readily available, affordable, and the norm, and that plastic waste from pots is greatly reduced. That we did our part for a healthy planet.

Q: Are there any plans to expand in 2024?

A: In 2024, our expansion is going to be focused on growing the list of signers. By the time this is published, we will have around 800 signers, most of whom are individuals who want to show their support and demand more options. Now, we’d like to bring entire organizations into the coalition, which would greatly strengthen our voice. It should send a clear signal that the demand is there and motivate producers to meet the challenge.

Message From Our President

by Bill Ripley, CPLD, FAPLD

Happy Spring Everyone!

I am so happy that winter is in the rearview mirror and spring is upon us. Every season has its benefits, and spring is such a lovely season. Spring embodies renewal and growth; it is a season of new beginnings. I hope all of you experience renewal and growth in your practices and businesses this year while enjoying the wonderful gifts that spring provides.

APLD is also experiencing renewal and growth. I mentioned in my previous message that I would speak more about the strategic plan developed to help guide and grow our organization in the future. The APLD strategic plan, developed following the 2023 SWOT analysis, is our road map to a stronger organization and better membership experiences.

Without getting too far in the weeds, our strategic plan defined six focus areas or pillars.

• Building Awareness to the Profession / Education the Profession

• Building Awareness in the Marketplace / Education the Public

• Designer Community

• Organizational Structure

• Advocacy and Outreach

• Professional Development

Within those pillars are defined goals. Each goal will be achieved by completing specific tasks executed by board members, staff, and/or volunteers.

For example, under the pillar of ‘Building Awareness in the Marketplace/Educating the Public,’ our goal is to develop the best methods of improving APLD’s visibility and the value of professional landscape designers to the general public. The task that will help achieve this goal will be creating a ‘Visibility Task Force’ to develop the ideas and criteria to form these best methods. The board wants to implement and complete these goals over the next two years with the help of willing members and staff.

So now that we have identified all the pillars, goals, and task... what’s next? What’s next is: I need your help!

I am asking all able and willing members to donate just a little time to help with some tasks that will help fulfill the goals defined within each pillar. Not all tasks require volunteer participation, and a combination of staff and board members can complete some.

The philosophy is simple. Instead of a few volunteers donating a big chunk of their time over a long period of time (e.g., a board position or chapter president), I am asking the opposite. I want many of you to donate a very small piece of your schedule for a very brief amount of time to help us collectively meet our goals. This strategy is called micro-volunteerism, and I think will be quite successful. All of us lead hectic lives, and sometimes, it is just not possible to commit to long-term positions or projects lasting months. Micro-voluntarism allows each of us to give a little over a very brief amount of time.

I know it sounds cliche, but it is true... ‘the more you put into something, the more you get out’.

As a long-time APLD volunteer, I can attest that my time with APLD has been especially gratifying. I have grown personally, met amazing people, and contributed to the growth of a great organization.

Find out for yourself! Can you work on a small project or join a task force? Please consider joining our volunteer ranks. We have several areas you can serve that are easy, flexible and will make a difference. Click here to check out ways you can get plugged in. If you have questions, please reach out to our staff or me. We are happy to answer your questions and get you connected.

As always, thanks for your membership and support!

Bill

Join APLD on Houzz!

Build your brand and grow your business through Houzz, the leading online platform for home remodeling and design. Please follow us on Houzz and add our badge to your professional profile to let clients and prospects know that you are a proud member of the APLD.

APLD 2024 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

President

Bill Ripley, CPLD, FAPLD Stride Studios 8525 Miami Road Cincinnati, OH 45243 (513) 984-4882 bill@stridestudios.com

Treasurer

Lisa Nunamaker, PLA Iowa State University, Dept of Horticulture 129 Horticulture Hall Ames, IA 50011 (515) 294-6375 lisa@papergardenworkshop.com

Directors

Francesca Corra, CPLD Dirt Diva Designs

4030 Cartwright Avenue Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 370-3200 fcorra@aol.com

Mardi Dover, CPLD 15 Warwick Place Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 273-5134 mardi@gardensbymardi.com

Rachel Gioannini 2046 Cortabella Las Cruces, NM 88005 (520) 955-1861 rachelgi@nmsu.edu

President-Elect

Katie Weber, CPLD

Katie Weber Landscape Design 5637 45th Avenue SW Seattle, WA 98136 (206) 391-8894

katie@katieweberlandscapedesign.com

Immediate Past President

Richard Rosiello

Rosiello Designs & Meadowbrook Gardens 159 Grove Street New Milford, CT 06776 (860) 488-6507

rosiellodesigns@gmail.com

Linda Middleton, CPLD, FAPLD

Terralinda Design

1839 Ygnacio Valley Rd., #150 Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (925) 448-2441

linda@terralindadesign.com

Maryanne Quincy, CPLD, FAPLD

Q Gardens Landscape Design PO Box 2746 Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (408) 739-5493

qgardens@sbcglobal.net

Feature Yourself in Design Online!

Looking for an opportunity to showcase your company and share your experience in the industry? Look no further than APLD’s Design Online newsletter! Our upcoming issues will feature member spotlights, highlighting the amazing work of our community. Don’t miss out on this chance to gain exposure and recognition for your business. Submit your story today!

Do you want to be featured? Simply click HERE and fill out our interview survey. Then, please send your headshot, photos of your work, and/or your company logo to apldnewsletter@gmail.com.

If you have any questions, please email apldnewsletter@gmail.com.

APLD Changes Membership Categories and Dues for 2025 Membership Year

The APLD Board of Directors reviewed the membership categories and dues structure for the 2025 fiscal year and made the unanimous decision to make some changes. It was noted these are only changes for membership categories and not for those professional landscape designers who are certified through APLD. Certified landscape designers have other criteria which is not tied to membership in APLD. Following are the changes being made:

• To streamline the membership categories, the three professional categories were changed to two: Emerging Professional (those with up to 5 years’ experience) and Professional (those who have more than 3 years’ experience.)

• All individuals who were previously in the Qualified Professional category will be moved to the Professional category of membership.

• Anyone can join the Professional level of membership at any time.

• Emerging Professionals may only remain in that category for up to 5 years, but may move to the Professional category sooner, upon request.

• No membership categories will require CEUs to be submitted. (Those individuals who are certified will still have to submit CEUs as part of their re-certification requirement.)

• The previous “Allied” membership category has been changed to “Landscape Design Enthusiast.” This category of membership is for those individuals who work in a related and/or associate field to landscape design. It is not intended for practicing landscape designers who would fall under either the Emerging Professional or Professional categories of membership, nor is it intended for part-time landscape designers, potential sponsors, or landscape architects. It is intended for those who are hobbyists, master gardeners, and others who are interested in landscape design but not practicing professionals.

• Dues are increasing in 2025 (2024 dues did not increase) to cover increasing costs and new programs.

• Chapter and district dues are increasing by $5.00 in 2025 to help those entities provide services to members.

President Bill Ripley said, “The intention of these changes was to streamline membership categories, remove additional tracking currently required of some members (related to CEUs), and to help the organization cover increasing costs that all businesses experience. We also want to grow the organization and feel we will be able to do so by adding the Landscape Design Enthusiast category. We believe those individuals may eventually decide to become professional landscape designers and join at the professional level of membership.”

In addition to maintaining current APLD activities and member benefits, some of the new activities being rolled out in 2024 and 2025 are:

• Performing a communications audit of all APLD tools and make recommendations for improvement through surveys, interviews, and SWOT analyses to members

• Conducting a competitive analysis of other green-industry organizations and developing APLD’s unique selling propositions

• Investigating pathways to entering the profession and creating a plan to promote education and networking opportunities to potential members

• Researching pro-bono opportunities and developing guidelines and incentives for probono landscape design programs

• Researching best methods of improving APLD’s visibility and the value of professional landscape designers to the general public

• Re-envisioning APLD’s conference to allow for more garden tours and designer interaction

• Research new member benefits that could be available to members

• Promote and expand APLD’s mentorship program, “DesignShare”

This information is being communicated now as the changes will impact the few members who are still in the July 1 – June 30 membership renewal cycle in the coming months, as they pay for their 2024-2025 membership. The majority of members will see these changes in the fall during the 2025 dues renewal period.

Bill Ripley noted, “It is my hope that all members, and potential members, of APLD use the many opportunities available to all of us and take advantage of their membership in APLD. This organization provides a lot of benefits to members and many of them are not being used by the membership. I encourage everyone to visit the members’ only section of the website, promote your APLD membership to the general public, include links to the APLD website on your own website, attend conference and webinars, and enter the design awards program. APLD will work for you if you use the services and benefits available. I am proof of that!”

Questions regarding the new membership categories and dues amounts may be directed to APLD Membership Director, Dawn Losiewicz, at membership@apld.org.

Did You Miss a Webinar?

If you missed an APLD webinar or our virtual conferences and you’re still kicking yourself for it, no worries! You can find them all in APLD’s catalog of webinars!

Choose from 22 different webinars presented in the last few years, including “The Truth About Dirty Pots,” with Marie Chieppo and Jean Ponzi, which highlights efforts around APLD’s Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet initiative, and sessions on many other timely topics.

Recordings are available for $20 for members and $40 for non-members. A form at the back of the catalog makes ordering easy.

For a copy of the catalog, click here

23 Unique Shrubs You Might Not Know About

by Kristina Howley

Falling in love with a new plant is one of the best feelings you can have as a gardener. The only thing that feels better is seeing your garden change right alongside you. Together, you and your garden get to evolve! Over time, you’ll see the plant choices come together to reflect your personality and ideas of beauty. Perhaps one of the plants below is the missing puzzle piece for your space, ready to make it even more unique to you and your style.

1 - Tres Amigos® Abelia

Abelia × grandiflora

• USDA zones 6-9

• full to part sun

• 2-3 ft. tall and 3-5 ft. wide

• most colors of the rainbow are featured throughout the growing season

• taller-than-wide habit gives the front of the border a lush and cohesive feeling

• naturally maintains a tidy habit, but can easily be pruned to shape in late winter

2 - Fluffy® Arborvitae

Thuja plicata

• USDA zones 5-8

• full to part sun

• 5-10 ft. tall and 3-6 ft. wide

• bright golden foliage

• resists winter burn quite well

• rather small habit, easy to fit into most landscape sizes as a specimen or as a grouping

3 - Perfecto Mundo Pink Carpet ® Azalea

Rhododendron x

• USDA zones 6b-9

• full to part sun

• 1-2 ft. tall and 2-2.5 ft. wide

• impressive bloom count in the spring and again in late summer

• small evergreen leaves make up its tight habit

• an exciting new low-growing habit, perfect for use as ground cover

4 - Cesky Gold® Birch

Betula x plettkei

• USDA zones 2-7

• full sun

• 1.5-3 ft. tall and wide

• extremely fine textured foliage adds depth to gardens filled with medium-texture

• very cold hardy

• makes a neat low hedge or edging

5 - Beyond Pink’d® Bluebeard

Caryopteris incana

• USDA zones 7b-9

• full sun

• 2-2.5 ft. tall and wide

• abundant light pink flowers attract pollinators in late summer and fall

• essentially unaffected by deer, drought, and heat

• looks its best when chopped to the ground in the late winter

6 - Sugar Shack® Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

• USDA zones 4-10

• full sun

• 4-5 ft. tall and wide

• a remarkable quantity of handsome features – ball shaped summer flowers, bright red seed heads, shiny foliage

• half the size of a typical buttonbushes

• doesn’t need pruning

9 - Lemony Lace® Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

• USDA zones 4-7

• part sun

• 3-5 ft. tall and wide

• exciting foliage coloring – red tints in spring and chartreuse the rest of the season

• flowers for pollinators and fruit for birds

• handsome native species well suited as a border plant in any garden style

10 - Estrellita Little Star

Bouvardia x

• USDA zones 8-10

• USDA zones 3-7

• full to part sun

• 3-4 ft. tall and wide

• heavy fruit set for the fall

• handsome matte blue foliage

• blooms on new wood, so you don’t have to worry about winter zapping your flower and berry show

• USDA zones 6-9

• full to part sun

• 5-8 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide

• a totally new plant, a combination of two North American natives

• very long bloom time, starting in late spring and goes well into summer

• unbothered by deer and heat

• full to part sun

• 1.5-2 ft. tall and wide

• bold multi-colored starburst-like flowers attract pollinators like a magnet

• super rugged performance

• convenient low-growing habit fits in easily as an edging or hedge plant

-

Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata

• USDA zones 3-8

• full to part sun

• 4-5 ft. tall and wide

• delicate flowers scattered around a nicely rounded form

• attracts pollinators and cut flower gardeners

• gives any garden a care-free wild look, well suited for a border position

7 - Proud Berry ® Coral Berry Symphoricarpos

8 - El Niño™ Desert Orchid Chitalpa

® Bouvardia

11

Invincibelle Lace® Smooth Hydrangea

12 - Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia

• USDA zones 5-9

• full to part sun

• 6-8 ft. tall and wide

• massive, nearly round blooms

• large foliage that adds coarse texture to shady ornamental or native gardens

• interesting twisted branches add architectural interest

13 - Juiced Orange™ Jessamine

Cestrum corymbosum

• USDA zones 7b-10

• full to part sun

• 4-5 ft. tall and 3-4 ft. wide

• plenty of flowers for pollinators

• blooms for months, adding constant color to the middle of the border

• stands up beautifully against heat and drought

14 - Tortuga

• USDA zones 2-7

• full sun

• 2 ft. tall and 3-4 ft. wide

• the toughest plant you could wish for – holds up against deer, drought, and more

• plentiful soft needles add texture to the garden, but no discomfort

• wider-than-tall habit fills the front of the border nicely

15 - Interstella ® Lily Of The Valley Shrub

Pieris japonica

• USDA zones 5-8

• full to part sun

• 3-4 ft. tall and wide

• interesting during the winter, when little else pops

• evergreen foliage emerges a pretty red color and deepens to dark green

• adds drama to gardens that successfully grow rhododendrons

16 - Waxwing™ Orange Mirror Bush

Coprosma repens

• USDA zones 9-11

• full to part sun

• 2-3 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide

• tons of tiny multi-colored leaves make the front of the border look like a celebration

• glossy foliage stays handsome year-round

• vigorous grower, even in tough conditions

17 - Illuminati Sparks™ Mock Orange

Philadelphus coronarius

• USDA zones 4-7

• full to part sun

• 3-4 ft. tall and wide

• very long season of interest with its speckled variegation

• super fragrant blooms

• habit stays tight, perfect for the middle of the border

® Juniper

Juniperus communis

18 - Peppy Le Pom™ Pomegranate

Punica granatum

• USDA zones 7-9

• full to part sun

• 3-4 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide

• one plant makes a powerful presence with its loud color and interesting springy habit

• dwarf size works in a container or in the border of a warm zone garden

• actually develops small fruit with a few edible seeds

19 - Rise Up Lilac Days® Climbing Rose

Rosa

• USDA zones 4-9

• full sun

• 5-8 ft. tall and 2-4 ft. wide

• a true icy, pale purple color is a novelty for rose gardens

• easy to train habit looks at home on a trellis or as a mounded border plant

• wide open blooms invite pollinators in for food

20 - Sugar Tip® Rose Of Sharon Hibiscus

• USDA zones 5-9

• full sun

• 4-6 ft. tall and wide

• doubled flowers don’t produce seedlings

• grows as a tall mound, softening the back or middle of the border

• elegant variegation blends into any style garden

21 - Temple Of Bloom® Seven-Son Flower

Heptacodium miconioides

• USDA zones 5-9

• full sun

• 15-20 ft. tall and 6-10 ft. wide

• stately in all four seasons

• massive white flowers attract pollinators late in the growing season

• small enough to fit in most garden spaces

22 - Brandywine™ Witherod Viburnum

Viburnum nudum

• USDA zones 5-9

• full to part sun

• 5-6 ft. tall and wide

• very showy and colorful for a North American native

• produces an abundance of berries for wildlife

• rather easy size to use in the garden

23 - Midnight Sun® Weigela

Weigela florida

• USDA zones 4-8

• full sun

• 1-1.5 ft. tall and wide

• colorful like a coleus, but cold hardy and able to give you a color show for years

• no fuss maintenance

• range of colors goes with practically any garden aesthetic

syriacus

Member Spotlight

Rebecca Smith

Blessing Landscapes, Portland, Oregon

APLD is proud to showcase the achievements of our members and their contributions to the profession. This month, we talked with Rebecca Smith from Blessing Landscapes in Portland, Oregon.

Rebecca Smith is a Landscape Designer with Blessing Landscapes, a design-build company located in Portland, Oregon. She has been in the landscape industry since 2012 when she graduated from Portland Community College with her degree in landscape design.

She has worked in various positions throughout the industry, including nurseries, as a landscape maintenance technician and in construction sales. Her previous sales career has helped her hone her ability to listen to what a client wants, to ask the right questions and come up with creative solutions in order to give her clients a beautiful and functional garden that works for their lifestyle and budget.

Rebecca has been an active volunteer for APLD’s Oregon Chapter for quite some time. “I have always been a part of the board in some capacity or another,” she shares. “When I just started out, I was a treasurer before taking on the role of membership, as well as a few other responsibilities. This year, I am the President-Elect and possibly the future President of the Oregon Chapter next year!”

Her love of gardens as places for play, inspiration and rejuvenation is what motivates her to create enchanting spaces for her clients.

Rebecca has been passionate about the landscape design field for as long as she can remember. “I have always had a love for plants and the outdoors,” she says. “I started out as a hobbyist gardener and then went on to study landscape design. I have been working in the field for over a decade now, and I still find it incredibly rewarding.”

What she enjoys most about her work is the ability to create something beautiful out of nothing. “I love the creative aspect of landscape design,” she says. “Being able to take a blank canvas and turn it into something that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing is incredibly fulfilling.”

However, as with any job, there are challenges that come along the way. “One of the biggest challenges in landscape design is dealing with the weather,” she says. “It can be unpredictable and can sometimes throw a wrench in your plans. But, as a designer, you learn to be flexible and adapt to the situation.”

Landscape design in the Portland, Oregon region presents its own challenges. “We have tons of rain until summer and then nada,” she shared. “So, if there isn’t irrigation, our plant palette has to be able to handle the seasonal water changes as well as a typical clay soil which likes to hold water.”

In addition to her work in landscape design, Rebecca shares a fun fact about herself – she can never seem to keep her shoes clean! “I can’t have nice shoes,” she laughs. “Every time I tell myself, ‘These are not to be used for gardening,’ within days, they are caked in mud because I just had to pull a weed or two and couldn’t be bothered to change into something more appropriate.”

Rebecca is a hard worker and an asset to the APLD community. She is excited to take on the role of PresidentElect of the Oregon Chapter and looks forward to what the future holds. “I am thrilled to be taking on this new responsibility,” she says. “I hope to continue to make a positive impact within the organization and in the field of landscape design.”

APLD would like to recognize its affiliate organizations.

What’s the Value in Adopting New Technology?

by Jeff Tippett

We understand now what type of people adopt new technology, and that it takes a certain level of confidence in yourself to do it. Fear and uncertainty may hold you back, but to overcome the discomfort that accompanies new things, you must begin with a mindset shift. It’s not easy, but it pays off in the long run.

But familiarity with these things is only useful if the change itself is useful. You don’t want to adopt some newfangled tech, only to hurt your bottom line. So in this section, we’ll walk through the value of embracing new technology.

This will be broken into three sections: The Culture of Accepting Failure, Attracting a New Audience to Remain Competitive, and Accomplishing More Good for your Team.

A. Culture Of Accepting Failure

As you’ve already seen, the leader sets the pace for the rest of his or her team. You lead by example. So, if you embrace the potential for failure and view it as a part of success, you will be the model for your team.

Educators have taught us that an ‘F’ is for failure, but I disagree. An ‘F’ stands for finally! You have to fail on the path to succeed. Who has ever accomplished something

great on their first try? It’s a process, one where there will inevitably be ups and downs. Understanding that going into it is a key aspect of this mindset shift.

By embracing the potential for failure, instead of discouraging it, your entire organization will change, grow and reach new heights of success.

Josephine Kühl has a wonderful post about innovation leadership on Medium. Three key principles are Purpose, Trust & Empowerment, and Connecting People.

The categories are self-explanatory. A leader should lead with purpose; be clear about what you expect, and the process. A leader should trust and empower his or her team, which means putting people in place that you know are qualified and letting them excel.

Chris Byers, a guest writer on Entrepreneur.com, related his experience at the Fail Fest,“aday-long festival that celebrates the role failure plays in innovation.” It was a day spent exploring the ways people fail, but still find success. That’s exactly what you need to consider in your daily work.

My favorite quote from his piece is: “In business, failure is inevitable. It’s what you do after you fail that makes a difference.”

If you ensure that your team is encouraged to learn from mistakes and failures, instead of covering up and burying them, you all will see a much better work environment and increased success.

B. Attract New People, Remain Competitive

Every successful organization needs people that are willing to adopt emerging tech. Apart from the success they can bring, those folks also attract other early adopters which will create a freshness to your organization. That turnover will drive out the old ways and mentality that holds back your organization. Remember: you won’t get new results with old methods.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that change does not happen at the snap of a finger. It’s going to take time to adopt new technology and ensure everyone gets on board. In the same way you, as a leader, should understand that it all starts with a mindset shift, so too is it true for your team.

Consider this: were you convinced at once that a new idea was worthwhile? Or did you think on it, considering the pros and cons, and really spend time to ease into the idea? I would wager it’s the latter. Your team is going to need time to consider this change as well, so be patient, and solicit feedback every step of the way.

Another consideration is that the pace of change will differ. Some people, like the early adopters mentioned earlier, will be quick to embrace new ways. Others will be laggards, taking time to become comfortable. Knowing your team and their relative strengths and weaknesses will inform the way you introduce new technology. Encourage your team members to break into smaller groups, with varied skill levels in each. It won’t help to have all the laggards or all the early adopters together; by mixing people together, the team as a whole will make progress.

Know this: if your business or team isn’t innovating, or at least considering ways to improve your processes, you will languish at some point. Would you still be competitive today if you still used typewriters? Of course not — at some point, you had to adopt computers, and now smartphones and tablets. Change is inevitable, but if you lean into it and find what works for you and your team, you will have no problem succeeding in today’s competitive business environment.

C. Accomplishing More Good For Your Team

The world is going to advance with or without your participation. There are plenty of advances just recently that are fundamentally changing the way we work.

The internet is, in the grand scheme of things, a new technology. And it completely changed everything about our lives. Now, you don’t need to be in the same room as someone to see their face. I use Zoom all the time to meet with people remotely, and to record my podcast, Victory by Association.

Many companies are embracing the change. Think about it: if you can perform the same tasks remotely as you can at work, at no loss to the company, what difference does it make? Sure, there are benefits to in-person meetings, but for a general update or quick conversation, the power of a good internet connection and a decent webcam is enough to accomplish that.

And it’s not just convenient for all parties, it’s better for your team. What sort of corporate culture are you incubating? Is it one where your team members can stay home to take care of a sick kid, but still participate in the meeting? Or is it one where they are forced to find a sitter, or take a day off, all because your office isn’t embracing new ways of working.

Think of their mental health, too. Does someone on your team have to drive through rush hour traffic, day in and day out, only to arrive at work mentally drained before they open their first email? All with the knowledge that, at 5pm, they’ll be back on the road again, beat by the time they are home and have to take care of the kids and their spouse?

If the technology exists to work remotely, and again, it’s at no detriment to the way your office works, why not embrace it? The ability to work whenever and wherever is changing everything about how businesses work. Being on the cutting edge of the new normal is going to make your business or team an attractive destination for competitive applicants.

Tools like Google Drive and Dropbox are common, but there again is another way you could lead the charge in adopting new technology. We’re all familiar with these tools, but are we using them to their full extent? The ability to collaborate with other workers has never been easier, and you don’t even need to be in the same time zone.

Embracing collaboration will improve your bottom line, make your teams more efficient, and increase the quality of the workplace. All three of these lead to a better business and a better environment for your team and interactions with potential clients and customers.

To conclude, it’s clear that embracing new technology is a net positive on your business, and especially for your employees. It’s going to take some time to get used to change, but the benefits far outweigh the costs in the short term. Seize the day, and make the change.

About the Author:

Jeff Tippett

Jeff Tippett is the international bestselling author of two books, Pixels Are the New Ink and Unleashing Your Superpower: Why Persuasive Communication is the Only Force You Will Ever Need. Speaking to international audiences through keynotes and seminars, Jeff helps attendees increase their

effectiveness, gives them powerful tools to reach their goals, and empowers attendees to positively impact and grow their organizations or businesses.

Social Media Icons

In 2014, Jeff founded Targeted Persuasion, an award-winning public affairs + communications firm. He has worked with renowned brands like Airbnb, The National Restaurant Association, The League of Women Voters, The League of Conservation Voters, plus others. Other industry experts have validated Jeff’s work with numerous awards including the prestigious The American Advertising Award.

Metro Style

Jeff is the host of Victory by Association with Jeff Tippett, a podcast that shares the victories of association executives with the world, highlighting the great work done across this country every day.

New APLD Members

Allied

Carly Baughman, McMinnville, Ore.

John Stout, Everett, Wash.

Doreen Wynja, McMinnville, Ore.

Emerging Professionals

Abby Carroll, Springfield, Ore.

Vanessa Lemaire-Workman, Mill Valley, Calif.

Tina Roberson, Kamas, Utah

Professionals

Jack Gardner, Round Rock, Texas

Carolyn Johnson, Minneapolis, Minn.

Zachary Pekala, Phoenix, Ariz.

Qualified Professional

Derek Reeves, Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Qualified Professionals

Nell Acosta, Glastonbury, Conn.

Peter Katon, Portland, Ore.

Social Media Icons

Social Media Icons

Irena Miziolek, Portland, Ore.

Metro Style

Metro Style

Jefftippett.com

VictoryByAssociation.com

Cindy Robbins, Winchester, Calif.

Design Online Submissions:

Design Online is always seeking articles that would be relevant to APLD members. In particular, we are looking for leads in the following areas:

Members in the News: Have you or one of your designs been in the news lately? Share that information with APLD members.

Member Spotlight: Would you like to be featured as our next Member Spotlight? Just let us know, and we’ll get the ball rolling. Blog of the Month: Do you have a blog about landscape design? Let us know so we can share it with the APLD membership. Gain exposure among your peers and help us form an APLD blogging community.

Please submit your articles to APLDnewsletter@gmail.com The deadline is the 15th of each prior month.

APLD Staff Contact:

Director of Communications: Michelle Keyser communications@apld.org

APLD’s staff wants you to get the most out of your experience with APLD. We are available to serve you, so please do not hesitate to contact staff with any question or concern that you may have. For a full staff listing, please click here.

Contact Us:

2207 Forest Hills Drive Harrisburg, PA 17112

Phone: 717-238-9780

Fax: 717-238-9985

Website: www.apld.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Eastern