The news as usual speaks for itself this week if you have the time to read it, that is. Probably too busy and maybe relying on your trade associations to keep you updated and also to be making the right representations on your behalf to the powers that be.
Apart from poetry in The Silence of the Snails by Rónán Ó Snodaigh today’s news is solely about horticulture politics and what decisions are being made for the horticulture trade on our behalf by the politicians. Horticulture related ‘Dail Questions’ gives you an insight in to who is asking and about what? We will be keeping you updated now and into the future. Behind the questions and politicians you would like to think that there are widely representative groups lobbying for the wider good. Probably not so. He who shouts loudest is usually the order of the day and it can often be the case that smaller interest groups are boxing over their weight.
Join your trade association or create a new one if you are not happy with your horticulture lot. Get active to make sure that the long term interests of your sector are being served and you are getting your ‘piece of the horticulture political pie’ so that decisions being made on behalf of your business are good for your business.
As we promised here is the next installment of the article that will teach you nothing that you don’t know already. Just remind yourself. Dangerous Assumptions to Make for Your Business. Last week we brought you the first two assumptions and today we bring you three and four.
3. Staff are easy to come by these days.
- We speak in equal parts to employers and job-seekers. Employers never cease to be disappointed with the response to job advetisements. They are all looking at the headline figure of over 400,000 unemployed. The very fact that someone is unemployed means that they are probably in reciept of housing support, medical support and possibley are being dealt with by the banks as someone in the unemployed file. The fear for them apart from possibly not being any better or even worse off is that to take a job, they risk losing the important medical and housing supports and that the bank is going to treat them very differently when they are in employment . Yes, the system is wrong so fix it politicians but give some sort of supports that gives workers a guarantee of a roof over their head and medical benefits for a period of time as they move back into employment!
BUSINESS CHANGE 3.
Put yourself in a potential employees shoes. Yes, its not your problem but be realistic about just how difficult it for them. Lobby government to make ‘work’ worthwhile. Let potential employees know that there is a long-term future for the right people.
4. Our staff are contented and are here for the long term.
Good staff are still like gold regardless of a Celtic boom or bust. The cost to your business and it’s ongoing development when you lose a key member cannot be quantified. Taking for granted someone who you know is exceptional and not rewarding them will eventually lead to discontent. Sometimes its the simple things that break an employer/employee relationship. True Example: Busy Sunday period in garden centre and non-smoking staff member takes break to get a ‘keep them going coffee’. Employer says no as “we’re too busy”. Staff member points out that staff who are smokers are going every hour on the hour for nicotine fix. Employer knows this but also knows that smokers will get cranky if they don’t get fix. Tells exceptional employee that they cannot take coffee break. Employee obeys order. Hands in notice next day.
BUSINESS CHANGE 4.
Be fair, be nice and don’t underestimate the drug that is called caffeine!
Today’s Articles:
- Dangerous Assumptions to Make for Your Business
- The Silence of the Snails by Rónán Ó Snodaigh
- Dail Questions – Best Practice for Horticulture Courses Content
- Dail Questions – Bord Bia Contributed €450,000 to €3million Cost of Bloom 2012
- Dail Questions – Entomology Service for Nurseries
- Dail Questions – Deputy Patrick O’Donovan – The Need to Establish a National Strategy for the Development of the Horticulture Industry
- Dail Questions – Horticulture Funding
- Dail Questions – FÁS Horticulture Training Programmes
- Dail Questions – Horticulture Industry Size and Chemical Standards
Top 5 Most Read Articles Last Week:
- This Weeks Premium Jobs in Horticulture Ireland
- Which? Consumer Panel – Top Complaints When Buying Plants by Post or Online
- Dangerous Assumptions to Make for Your Business
- Husqvarna Releases Global Garden Report
- New Garden Developed by ITB Horticultural Students as Part of Course Work
This Weeks News Articles:
- This Weeks NEW Jobs in Horticulture Ireland
- NEW Tenders for Horticulture in Ireland
- New Outdoor Eco-Friendly Furniture Company Launched
- Joint Dobbies and Tesco Store Plans formally Submitted
- Food 4 Thought – Peter Donegan on Bloom Show Gardens
- CSA A Winner
- Wedding Flowers Through the Years
- The SodShow meets BirdWatch Ireland
- Study finds 46% of Company Twitter Account Followers are Bots
- Peter Donegan on Bloom 2012
- Conference Facilities at Arboretum
- New Variety of Kennedy Old Irish Primroses
- Business Profile – Rentes Nurseries
- Teagasc Organic Farm Walks
- Heuchera ‘Circus’: Plant of The Year Finalist
- New Varieties From Bogach
- IHBMA Newsletter
- Dianthus Memories: Plant of the Year Runner-Up
- Celebrating 100 Years at Greenmount
- Dianthus Green Trick: New from Thompson & Morgan
- Digital Information Moves Centre Stage as Online & Offline Retail Merge
- Dublin Garden Squares Day
- Garden Centre Association of Ireland – Interesting Facts
- Is a Cadetship in Greenkeeping for You?
- Dangerous Assumptions to Make for Your Business
- Urban Composter Launched in Ireland
- Joy Larkcoms “Just Vegetating” Worldwide Launch held at Hosfords Blue Geranium Cafe
- Which? Consumer Panel – Top Complaints When Buying Plants by Post or Online
- HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest June 14th
Thank you.
Joseph (Editor at HortiTrends)
