Responding Positively when Big Boxes Arrive

Don’t worry about them, but definitely don’t ignore them either. When the big boxes come to your backyard it’’s a battlefield. Treat it as such.

Don’t Miss The Phases of THIS Spring

I can tell that spring is coming quickly upon the readers of this blog. For the next several weeks we will focus on the here and just-ahead with brief postings of timely thoughts.

In my years enduring the spring surge of the horticulture business I’ve noticed the Phases of Spring that occur as we approach, endure, and emerge from this annual crisis. Regional differences put some of you deeper into spring than others, so adjust for your location.

Hoping for a Rising Average?

Like frogs in a pan of water with the temperature rising, our comfort of increasing sales revenue from an increase in average transaction dollars is not feeling so comfortable in recent years. Here’s why:

Why This Business Gets In Our Blood

We have plenty of proof to make our case, however we fail to reflect on that proof and question our relevancy in the world today. We fail to use the evidence as proof in our marketing messages and question why consumers don’t place more value on plants while they spend increasingly more on cars, bathrooms, and gourmet kitchens.

Should you be a Publicity Hound?

I know it is uncomfortable tooting your own horn. Mom said not to brag and we’re all maybe a little too good at not promoting ourselves. However, the art of shameless self-promotion doesn’t have to be shameful. Remember, mom also said to stand up for yourself.

While it may be true that “the meek shall inherit the earth”, I have also heard it said that “the meek may inherit the earth, but they are going to have to work like the devil to get it.” I really believe we can be nice people and not finish last. But we need to think of this differently, know more than we do now about how to do it, and do what we learn.

Major Flaws Uncovered in Study Claiming Wal-Mart Has Not Harmed Small Business

The jounal titled Economic Inquiry reported August 30, 2007 published a paper titled HAS WAL-MART BURIED MOM AND POP?: The impact of Wal-Mart on self-employment and small establishments in the United States by Russell S. Sobel and Anderea M. Dean of West Virginia University..
Stories were printed about the research including a Q&A with Russell S. [...]

Prevailing Wisdom?

Please pardon this rather long posting on the Christmas Economy of 2008 today. I think it is worth the time and space.
The majority of the news reports, ads, and word of mouth about shopping these days is all about the shopping deals and discounts. While this would qualify as “prevailing wisdom” in the greater retail [...]

Losing the Chase – My Point Exactly

Chasing the middle of America these days is like Wiley Coyote chasing the elusive ’69 Roadrunner. You’re about as likely to get a load of coal dumped on you as you are to ever catch them.

Just another day on the way to Christmas

The Day Before Black Friday
You probably had to think a second to figure out when that was. I hope yours was ful-“filling” and not too stuffing. Many thanks to my friend – the Blogging Nurseryman, Trey Pitzenberger for coining this new phrase. We all have a lot to be thankful for in America, but it [...]