This 'n' data

Facts and figures - and other fun stuff - you can turn into a competitive advantage.

Published January 17, 2011

The poll position

Here’s what industry folks have been telling
us in recent online polls. Be sure to check
our home page each week
to cast your vote on various pertinent topics. 
 


What branding aspect is most important to the success of your garden center?

Our plants, the quality of which is second to none 62.5%
Our customer service, which is preached and practiced religiously  37.5%
 

 

 

 

 


YALESMANSHIP 101:
'I do," said the smart man

As I’ve perused the Internet, I’ve discovered that industry/media people occasionally quote snippets from my seminars, stories and columns – suggesting to their readers that I might be an authority on matters of the garden. Here’s a confession: I am, in fact, a thief.

Indeed, I follow my wife around the garden center and around shows that cater to garden center operators, stopping to note what she stops to note. Then I transfer said notes to my talks, musings and reports.
She does the heavy lifting; I get the credit. There, I said it.

I would also like to say this: I don’t care how good a gardener you are; my wife is better. She knows more about flowers and decorative and complementary elements than almost anyone I’ve met – even those in the business. Not only that, my wife is the perennial queen of the perennial garden. She has the plants spaced throughout our front yard – on the curb, along a sidewalk, as an island in the heart of the landscape – and they all look like they came straight out of a “Best of …” magazine.

While you aren’t likely to help your favorite customer better the lovely Mrs. Y in the perennial garden department, you can help her craft something special.
There are a number of great resources that contain great ideas – and scenes depicting how to transfer an idea to the garden. I have especially become a fan of The Helpful Gardener’s website, which devotes a segment to the art of the perennial garden. The virtual page focuses on design considerations and plants for the specific climate and sun/shade situation, and it includes links to other resources that are perennially pertinent.

No, my wife’s e-mail address isn’t listed. But it probably should be. – Yale Youngblood, editor

 

 

 

 

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January 2011
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