HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest June 28th

Congratulations on Tully’s Win at UK National Plant Awards. They won ‘Best in Show’ from over 100 entries. Its a great win for the family and company. The publicity will assist them greatly with their continued export drive into the UK. It was a Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ that brought them the accolade and those of you who are familiar with the business will know that they have built a great reputation and level of expertise on the back of this family of plants, including thier new ‘Bella Bloom’ branded Hebe collection.

John Lord on Our Native Elder reminds us not to forget the old garden favorites that still have a worthwhile use in the garden, especially with newer varieties now expanding its appeal to a wider audience.

The New Retail Challenge…or is it an Old One? by John Stanley gives some pointers to remind us not to forget the simple and common sense actions that we need to run our businesses.

ISNA Only Section at Mallow Flower Show is another sign that the association is going from strength to strength. We mentioned a while back that any worthwhile garden show needs this group of specialist nurseries as a main attraction as the plant buying public want to talk to the growers and also feel like they are getting a bargain by buying direct. Its a ‘WinWin’ for the growers and the garden centres that they supply because, as I overheard at Bloom 2012 they are quick to point out to potential customers that their plants are also for sale in various named garden centres. It has always been a hot subject for garden centres who have problems buying off growers who also retail directly to the public. If it is managed well and retail nurseries market well, are proactive in driving business to the garden centres, then there is no problem, right?

If you are a regular listener to the Sod Show then you will know that there has been good news on the sponsorship front for the gardening duo of Peter Donegan and Brian Greene . It’s in the bag! GreenSax now Sponsors The Sod Show on Dublin City FM Its an entertaining show and there are many insightful interviews with various members of the trade.

We continue with our ‘Award Winning‘ (self praise is no praise) series on Dangerous Assumptions to Make for Your Business otherwise know as ‘Reminding you of what you Already Know’ with points 5 & 6.

5. We are an important part of the community.

Just because you are located in a geographic area and employ in that area does not give you full bragging rights to being part of the community. Do you walk the walk? Community & social enterprise is one of the many mentioned trends that keeps cropping up at various seminars. Utilising all your links into the community and doing things just because they are the right thing to do, will bring rewards to your business. The main message is don’t think about the return to your business. Do it just because it is the right thing to do for the community. Companies like GE and M&S are proving that it works.

BUSINESS CHANGE 5.

As a business you may well be inundated with many requests for help or sponsorship. Think about what defines your business and its interaction in the community. Make a new link with a group who might well be out of your comfort zone. Work with them and assist them to reach their goals. An example of groups to work with, where there is no apparent link back to the till might be to work with a Youthreach group or in an old folks home. Get out and go to them. Think out of the box for your community partnerships!

6. Our customers will always be loyal.

Yikes. There are many retailers who no longer retail because they thought this too. Its important remind customers at every opportunity that they are appreciated. The ones that are worth gold are the ones that complain. If you have a ‘complainer’ on your hands then STOP EVERYTHING & LISTEN. Most people won’t complain but they won’t come back either.

BUSINESS CHANGE 6.

Rather than doing a store survey, be brave and start a conversation at the till line. Try to get everyone involved as the customers will be more comfortable highlighting an issue to each other, rather than directly to you. Invite them for a coffee and find out more about what you are doing that right or wrong.

Todays Articles:

1. It’s in the bag! GreenSax now Sponsors The Sod Show on Dublin City FM
2. Tully’s Win at UK National Plant Awards
3. John Lord – Our Native Elder
4. CHA & IPM to Promote Export Opportunities for UK Industry at HTA National Plant Show
5. The New Retail Challenge…or is it an Old One? by John Stanley
6. ISNA Only Section at Mallow Flower Show
7. Landscape and Turf Bodies seek to Enshrine Water Efficiency Credentials
8. Farry Launches Innovative Action Plan for Food & Drink Industry

Top 5 Most Read Articles Last Week:

1. Peter Donegan on Bloom 2012
2. Dail Questions – Bord Bia Contributed €450,000 to €3million Cost of Bloom 2012
3. Dail Questions – FÁS Horticulture Training Programmes
4. Dangerous Assumptions to Make for Your Business 1 to 4
5. The Silence of the Snails by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

This Weeks News Articles:

Joseph (Editor at HortiTrends)