Mike Clough's Japanese Knotweed blog

The Emperors New Knotweed…

July 28th, 2010 by Mike Clough

We all know the story of the Emperors new clothes – when the Emperor was given a cloak that didn’t exist and was told that only highly intelligent people could see it – therefore everyone told him how wonderful it was (even though he was naked)….until a little boy said ‘ but he is naked’.

Well we have a new version of the story involving Japanese Knotweed.

It appears that some contractors try and boost their standing by spotting knotweed that isn’t actually there (thus appearing clever and thorough). The client then tells the next contractor ‘oh I believe there is some over on the Southern boundary’ – and not wishing to appear stupid… the next contractor says ‘oh yes we spotted that too’.

It then takes a lot of bottle to say – NO – there isn’t any on the Southern boundary….

…but that’s what we do at Japanese Knotweed Solutions – if it isn’t there then we aren’t going to charge you for it.

We guarantee any site that we survey - and any Japanese Knotweed that is found within our survey area is covered. It’s in our interest to be accurate and honest – and that’s what we do.

Day in, day out – no b******t, no scare mongering just honest practical advice.

Call the experts call Japanese Knotweed Solutions.

Mike C

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It’s Enormous…

July 21st, 2010 by Mike Clough

Every year I write about Giant Plants that carry poison and can kill you….and every year I get ignored – so here’s this year’s version….

The trouble with a lot of the alien species of plants that have been introduced to the UK is that they are attractive…thus people don’t immediately associate them with being problematic.

Giant Hogweed is a perfect example of a wonderful architectural plant, statuesque, tall, striking, amazing flower head – but the most deadly and dangerous plant growing wild in the UK at present.

At this time of year it’s easy to spot - with its huge flower heads growing two metres tall with the heads being about half a metre across. It is abundant on watercourses and wetlands and is particularly prevalent in town centres and urban areas.

Planted by the Victorians for its architectural features, Giant Hogweed produces thousands of seeds every year and spreads rapidly. Chemical treatment will eventually kill the plant though the area needs to be monitored for several years after treatment to ensure that new growth from seeds is caught before getting established.

The stems and leaves of the plant produce a sticky sap which is poisonous and will cause blistering of the skin in contact. Children are particularly susceptible to the toxins of the plant and every year hundreds of people attend casualty without realising that it is Giant Hogweed that has caused their condition.

For more information please call 0161 723 2000 and ask to speak to Alex Dayes.

Mike C

Posted in Invasive Weeds Info
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Contract Law……..

July 14th, 2010 by Mike Clough

What sort of world do we live in when a main contractor can get away without paying you – but then insist that you have to go back and carry out works or they will get someone else to do the work and contra-charge you.

These are the times we live in folks!

Personally, I’m thinking that maybe us business owners need to have a little more respect for each other. If you have shaken hands and agreed to pay within a reasonable length of time – that’s what you should do….if you can’t – then get on the phone and explain.

Some smart arse will no doubt respond to this blog and say … ‘but you don’t pay everyone on time Mike’ – well no I don’t – BUT- there is a reason. As a small to medium sized business I very much depend on my customers paying me – to enable me to pay others.

This year has been a nightmare from a ‘cash’ point of view. Its one thing having a full order book – it’s another thing entirely to get people to actually part with their cash. All it took this year is three of our customers to delay their payments and we were down by £150K. They all insisted that they had valid reasons for delaying payments – but - all that they were doing was using us as a banking facility.

Another one of our larger clients decided that they were no longer going to pay on 60 days – and were going to pay on 90 days.

All that actually happens then is that we don’t get paid anything for one extra month. With a regular 12 monthly payment profile when terms are extended – you only get that money back when you stop working for them – when the contract rolls over to the next year you have actually only been paid for 11 of the 12 months i.e. they have discounted the project by 1/12^th.

And so it goes on.

I’m not really complaining because I know some companies are far worse off…some companies are no longer around.

I’m just saying that my stress levels would be much lower if all I had to worry about was getting the work done.

As a business owner, one has to worry about getting the work, worry about doing the work, worry about getting paid….

Worry, worry, worry

Mike C

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Mike Goes on Holidays – yet life still goes on…

July 7th, 2010 by Mike Clough

So here it is the big news of the year so far – Mike Clough has had a two week holiday and low and behold the world has not ground to a halt.

Joking aside, I’m proud to say that the team here at Japanese Knotweed Solutions is well trained and very competent – and thus - on a day to day basis I really am no longer needed.

This not only allows me to take time to work ‘on the company’ and not ‘in the company’ but also occasionally allows me to have some time off.

I have returned to see figures showing a record number of orders received and a significant upturn in the cash flow situation – so all is good….at the moment!

The site teams are fully occupied in the on going war against invasive weeds and the survey guys are all over the country advising on the issues relating to invasive non native species.

Whilst we are very busy day to day I’m not so sure about the future. My biggest concern continues to be the economic gloom and doom that keeps the newspapers selling. If the cutbacks that are required to bring the country from billions in debt need a 40% reduction in service from the Public Sector, then we know that Japanese Knotweed removal isn’t going to be a high priority.

I’m seeing a situation where all the inroads that have been made in the maintenance and management of invasive non natives is set back because funding is cut on what should be seen as vital works. We are finally beginning to get Local Authorities to spend money on invasive weed control and it would be a huge pity if this were to be lost in the inevitable cuts.

I know as well that in the scheme of things… maybe invasive weeds aren’t as high a priority as say the National Health Service – but the tiny amount spent on Environment Issues plays a vital role in all of our futures.

If the Invasive Plants are allowed to run riot then there will be no turning back – we won’t have any native vegetation to save!

Mike C

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Green Walls

June 30th, 2010 by Mike Clough

Posted in Miscellaneous
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Mad Honey Disease…

June 23rd, 2010 by Mike Clough

Sorry but I just had to write about this one!

Did you know (and not many people know this) that cases of human poisoning from Rhododendron ponticum are known…

Apparently this is caused by consumption of honey produced from Rhododendron flowers – and is known as ‘Mad Honey Disease’ or ‘Honey Intoxication’ with cases recorded as far back as 400BC.

It results in relatively short lived intestinal and cardiac problems and is rarely fatal. The severity of the symptoms depends upon the amount of honey consumed….a little like alcohol then..!

Weird what you come across when you are doing a bit of research!

Obviously this could be useful for those seeking a new ailment to run past the boss when having a ‘sicky’ for the World Cup finals…. ‘yes I’ve got Mad Honey Disease and won’t be in – look its on Mike Cloughs blog so it must be true’…

Mike C

Posted in Miscellaneous
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Show me yours… and I will show you mine…

June 16th, 2010 by Mike Clough

Every year I have a moan about warranties so let’s get it over with.

We still have companies that on their website state that they have insurance covered by £5 million pounds worth of PI insurance with Lloyds. This statement is supposed to give the customer peace of mind that when problems arise the company will step in with the insurance cover and rectify site based issues.

PI – Professional Indemnity cover gives cover for ‘advice’ only and has no warranty for site works covered within the policy. So let’s be clear – no site works whatsoever are covered under PI insurance.

We have companies stating that they have a ‘separate company’ covering the warranties provided. What is the trading status of this company? Does it have staff or resource to carry out works/ and do you really think that if the parent company went into a CVA or Receivership – the liquidator would allow funds to sit within a holding company.

It’s not going to happen.

My other pet favorite is the company saying that they provide a £5 million pound bond for every project that they do – our word is our bond – quotes the website.

Well your word is bullsh*t and your bond is worth as much.

Check the small print – get a warranty that actually means something.

Mike C

Posted in Warranty
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Ye Haw – Cowboys are a takin’ our work…

June 9th, 2010 by Mike Clough

Every year I have a moan about warranties so let’s get it over with.

We still have companies that on their website state that they have insurance covered by £5 million pounds worth of PI insurance with Lloyds. This statement is supposed to give the customer peace of mind that when problems arise the company will step in with the insurance cover and rectify site based issues.

PI – Professional Indemnity cover gives cover for ‘advice’ only and has no warranty for site works covered within the policy. So let’s be clear – no site works whatsoever are covered under PI insurance.

We have companies stating that they have a ‘separate company’ covering the warranties provided. What is the trading status of this company? Does it have staff or resource to carry out works/ and do you really think that if the parent company went into a CVA or Receivership – the liquidator would allow funds to sit within a holding company.

It’s not going to happen.

My other pet favorite is the company saying that they provide a £5 million pound bond for every project that they do – our word is our bond – quotes the website.

Well your word is bullsh*t and your bond is worth as much.

Check the small print – get a warranty that actually means something.

Mike C

Posted in Warranty
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Health and Safety out the ass…?

June 2nd, 2010 by Mike Clough

We recently started work for a major contractor carrying out Japanese Knotweed removal and tree felling.

Our site staff are fully qualified to use chain saws and climbing gear, they have First Aid and medical training they are site inducted, ISO qualified etc etc

BUT….they didn’t have a chipper certificate.

They didn’t have a chipper certificate because you CANNOT GET a chipper certificate – you CAN get a competence certificate which says – … ‘don’t put your hand in there mate’…DUUUH

So …we all had to come away from site until someone was found who had been on a competence course – then the competent guy watched our guys do all the work..whilst he drank tea..

Surely to f***ing God – using a chainsaw is slightly more dangerous than using a chipper – and anyone qualified to do tree works is going to be able to use a chipper..

I know I know we all want Health and Safety to get rid of all site based injuries…. but if it carries on like this you are going to need a bloody competent to walk certificate and training for peeing card…before being allowed out of the house…

…and it all costs ££££ - who pays ??? Mike bloody Clough does.

Grrrrrrrr

Mike C

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Snooker Diving…

May 26th, 2010 by Mike Clough

Well it’s been twenty two years since I last went ‘abroad’.

My passport had expired years ago and moths had nibbled the edges of the aged cardboard cover. The photograph looked nothing like me, I was slim, had hair and didn’t wear glasses….

The reason I haven’t holidayed as much as I should is that I am a control freak. It’s not something that I am proud of its just the way I am.

There are changes afoot though – I am in therapy – and the team at Japanese Knotweed Solutions want me to go away! That didn’t sound right – they want me to have a holiday – not just ‘go away’.

So please take this blog as advance warning that Mike Clough will be leaving the country at some stage this year. I have been told by the powers that be (that would be my wife) that I need two weeks in the sun with NO CONTACT with the office….(I had Monday ‘off’ and answered 23 Blackberry e-mails which didn’t go down well with Mrs. C).

So – a slightly different blog this week – no ranting – the therapy must be working then.

Readers can look forward to some tree hugging and general love to all the other Japanese Knotweed eradication companies…

….yeah right…when some bunch of shits step in and pick up a half done project for a main contractor that doesn’t pay their bills – what f-ing message does that send – you dummies.

Mike C

Ps those of you wondering about the ‘snooker diving’ – that’s what my wife wants to do when abroad – she may be confused with ‘scuba diving’ or maybe she knows something I don’t.

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