Ladies and gentlemen, the low hanging fruit has gone. Now you have a choice.

Moan and groan, or get a ladder.

I know quite a bit about ladders having spent the first seven years of my working life as a roofing contractor. I remember we used to do regular repairs on a NHS building close to our office. This building was huge - three storeys tall with high rooms. When the contract came up for renewal, my Dad (the boss) confidently pitched and got the work. He wasn't the cheapest by far and yet it was still ours as it had been for the past 10 years.

When I asked him how we got the contract he calmly replied, 'Easy son, we've got the biggest ladder'. Crazy as this seemed it was true. As soon as other cheaper companies were asked how they would get up on to the high roof they realised they'd have to build a scaffold, then they'd err and umm over the additional cost and the contracts manager would cross them off the list.

You're not a roofer but I bet you've seen some of your important business, contacts and customers move to higher branches.

Time to get a ladder.

Here are my suggestions for eight ladders that will help you gather the freshest, finest fruit from the highest branches.

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