Get More For Less
Regardless of how you look at it, a watt is a watt. There is a fixed cost to consume that one watt. It's a static figure that does not vary from appliance to appliance.The manner in which that watt is used determines efficiency. That is the key to Nightscaping'sŪ original, energy efficient, low-voltage lighting concept.
Take for instance a 100 watt traditional line voltage lamp. It is going to cost the same to power that lamp as it would a 100 watt NightscapingŪ PowerCenter(TM) transformer. Now take that same lamp and transformer to an average residential landscape lighting job site. That one 100 watt lamp could be used as a single source to indiscriminately light a portion of the site. This is not going to create a functional, effective or aesthetically pleasing result. On the other hand, with the 100 watt transformer (same operating cost) a designer could precisely position 8 application specific NightscapingŪ fixtures using 12 watt lamps in that same space. These light sources could be spread about the property to create an evenly distributed, aesthetically pleasing and functional lighting system.The cost is the same either way.
So then, how is the low voltage system more efficient? The reasoning is simple. The 100 watt lamp in the aforementioned example is not going to adequately light the site. There are variables specific to the job site on all lighting projects. Attempting to use as few line voltage lamps as possible to contend with these variables is not the most efficient or effective solution. A properly designed NightscapingŪ brand low voltage system can address the variables specific to the job site and can do so using far less energy.
Friends Doing Business With Friends
Bill Locklin
Loran, Inc. NightscapingŪ
1705 East Colton Ave.
Bill Locklin
Loran, Inc. NightscapingŪ
1705 East Colton Ave.
Redlands, CA 92374
Manage Fairly
(Groom Your Employees To Be Great)
Concepts of Chapter 10 in Bill's book, A Hobby Out Of Control
- Managing your employees fairly is one of the most important things you can do to keep your business alive and well.
- An unharmonious workplace will be a drag on any new enterprise, able to sink even the worthiest of new companies.
- It's impossible to put a price tag on the contributions of happy, well-compensated, loyal, and effective employees. As a corollary, it's impossible to accurately asses the dollar amount you'll lose by alienating your employees, which will result in a dramatic increase in the worst workplace practices.
- Managers and owners can either reinforce or undermine the assumptions of an adversarial relationship between themselves and their employees. Being as fair as you know how to be goes a long way toward undermining them.
- "Squeezing" your employees is a penny-wise, pound-foolish enterprise as it poisons relations and destroys the team -- and partnership-oriented mindset it's so important to develop in your company.
- In an age where the power and reach of unions has tended to diminish, it's largely becoming up to the employer to pick up the slack and look out for the concerns of his employees.
- Developing a solid team is a type of investment, involving much time, money, and effort, and you should view it as such.
- Educating your employees is a perpetual process, and you should be yourself all the time learning in order to ensure you have the ability to pass on knowledge.
A HOBBY OUT OF CONTROL
Ten Life-Based Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs
William "Bill" Locklin
Ten Life-Based Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs
William "Bill" Locklin
*Available for purchase: $17.50 soft-back, $26.50 hard-back, shipping included. If you are interested, please call Connie @ 800-544-4840 ext.18, or email us @ info@nightscaping.com
Click to enlarge
Do's and Don'ts printed with original fixtures:
Do experiment with fixture placement at night.
Do hang all tree lights above the bottom limb so the shadows will be cast on the ground.
Do leave approximately 12" slack cable at each ground mounted fixture to allow for relocation of fixtures as plans grow.
Do remember, fuses and lamps are available at your dealer or gasoline service station.
Do hang all tree lights above the bottom limb so the shadows will be cast on the ground.
Do leave approximately 12" slack cable at each ground mounted fixture to allow for relocation of fixtures as plans grow.
Do remember, fuses and lamps are available at your dealer or gasoline service station.
Don't try to get maximum results from only one or two light sources.
Don't over light a particular object to be highlighted. Over lighting is a common fault.
Don't forget that plants will grow. Allow extra cable.
Don't install fixtures and electrical outlets closer than 8' (currently 10') to swimming pools.
Don't over light a particular object to be highlighted. Over lighting is a common fault.
Don't forget that plants will grow. Allow extra cable.
Don't install fixtures and electrical outlets closer than 8' (currently 10') to swimming pools.
Under Promise! Over Deliver!
Business Tips from Bill
- SELL YOURSELF and your organization while you explain your design and construction details. Have your portfolio available to show your client similar installations and how you plan to achieve the different tasks that their system will require.
- Don't worry that you may be a few dollars higher than the "other fellow". Let your client know that while you may not always be the cheapest, you are ALWAYS the BEST! (Believe it or not, the low bidder generally gets only a small percentage of the jobs they bid on. And you should thank him for draining away those clients who will only go with the lowest bid; they often turn out to be far more trouble than they're worth!)
- The best possible way to develop GREAT WORD-OF-MOUTH ADVERTISING is to start on schedule, finish ahead of schedule, throw in some additional work at 'no-charge' and bill for slightly less than your original estimate.
- If you discover you're behind schedule and may not finish on time, let your client know immediately! Keep them FULLY INFORMED!
- NEVER, NEVER exceed your estimate no matter how badly it hurts!
- Do it right the first time! If you don't have time to do right the first time, when will you ever find the time to do it again?
- Above all, let the client know you're providing him with NIGHTSCAPINGŪ. The BEST-POSSIBLE CUSTOM OUTDOOR LIGHTING!
The Miniwash-Liter has a new connection piece between the top of the stem and the yoke. Instead of a thin disk being soldered on, there is a 1/2" copper cap which is much more sturdy. See Detail Drawing.