Certification gets high marks at mile-high company
With more Certified Landscape Technicians (CLTs) on staff than any other landscape company in Colorado, “It’s about company pride and professionalism,” says Tim Emick, CLP, CLT, owner of Timberline Landscaping, Inc., in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Emick practices what he preaches as he recently tested at a PSI/LaserGrade facility and earned his second certification — the Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) designation.
Many of Timberline’s employees have earned double and even triple CLT designations in maintenance, installation, and irrigation. Says Emick, “Education and training are a vital part of the future of our business. The CLT program is the centerpiece of a well-run training program and is another way of raising the bar of expectation at our company. This also separates us from our competition.”
Continue reading about how Timberline gets the most out of certification.
News from the PLANET office - Who ya gonna call?
PLANET’s new certification team is here to enhance your certification experience. Members of the team will answer your questions and ensure smooth operations in handling and processing all things related to certification. They’re your year-round resource.
Your PLANET certification team has some new faces. Welcome to Karen S. Barnett, director of certification as of May 11, and Kristen Nolton as the certification assistant. Barnett recently joined PLANET and brings 20-plus years of association management experience, 15 of which are in the lawn, landscape, and pest management industries. Nolton previously served as the education and events coordinator at PLANET. Zane Castle continues in a new role as certification coordinator. Castle has been with the certification team since 2005.
Contact your PLANET certification team at (800) 395-2522 and at the following e-mail addresses:
You have the team’s e-mail addresses, so please make sure they have yours. It’s very important that we have an updated e-mail address for every certified person. Spread the word! Please contact Zane or Kristen with e-mail information or address changes in general.
Making the most of your certification
 “Social media has become the place to be seen, heard, and watched and has helped many savvy marketers build their reputation,” says Kennette Reed, CLP. She offers two ideas for your consideration.
- One of the fastest growing sites is Twitter. Tweeting is one of the latest things to do. Start tweeting about your business and the certified members of your staff. It's a great way to get your people and your business noticed.
- Take a digital photo of your certified staff and post it on your blog, on Facebook and/or on Twitter.
There are many ways to use social media as a marketing tool. What are you waiting for? Start tweeting.
Continue reading about marketing your certification.
MISSING: Certified individuals
Over the years, PLANET has lost touch with some certified individuals, and these individuals are in danger of losing their certification designations. It is important that we are able to reach them to inform them of how to bring their certification back to active status and to remain a part of the certification community.
Please take a look at the list, which is organized by state, to see if you are in contact with any of these “missing” certified individuals. We also have a group with no state affiliation … review that section as well to see if your colleagues or employees are listed. If you know someone on the list, ask them to contact the PLANET Certification Department (800-395-2522) or e-mail Kristen Nolton with his or her contact information.
Giving to those in need
 Nikos Phelps, CLT, is a recent graduate of Penn State and has been a PLANET member for three years. His company, Utopian Landscapes, is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Read what The Patriot-News has to say about this caring member of the PLANET certification community.
What’s your story?
Send us your newsworthy stories and experiences on how your certification has helped generate business, given you a professional edge, or made a difference in your career.
Let us know how you use your certification to market your company. We would like updates on your professional activities — have you spoken at an event, written articles, or won local or national awards?
Contact Karen Barnett with your certification news today.
IMPORTANT: Renew or lose!
Renewal and points are out. CEUs are in. Did you know that as of January 1, 2009, PLANET’s certification program changed from an annual certification renewal process to a two-year recertification cycle?
Continuing education and industry service are still critical to maintaining the active status of PLANET certification; however, these activities will be measured in Continuing Education Units (CEUs), instead of points. Certified individuals will be required to report and submit 24 CEUs earned during the two-year cycle to maintain the active status of their certification. A form to track CEUs during the recertification cycle is now available on the PLANET Web site, LandcareNetwork.org, in the Recertification Center, along with frequently asked questions, the Recertification Requirements information sheet, and a list of preapproved CEU events.
Continue reading about maintaining your certification
Congratulations to the newly certified
An important part of the mission of PLANET is to promote the professional advancement of its members. One means to achieve that goal is through a certification program that tests individuals against a national standard created by PLANET.
See all of the newly certified individuals.
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