Management

Leading in Tough Economic Times

Leading in Tough Economic Times

With all the job losses, depressing forecasts, business closings and gloomy messages that surround us, it might seem as if we're caught up in some sort of economic Twilight Zone. Like many of you, I'm... more »

November 2008

Squeezed at Both Ends

The financial collapse has had a major impact on our consumers — in many different ways. First, there's the higher costs they're experiencing in their necessity purchases such as heating fuel, food, gas in the... more »

November 2008

Go for Gold

What an exciting and inspiring summer we had, watching outstanding athletes compete in the summer Olympics. Who didn't cheer at the top of their lungs as Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal and made... more »

November 2008

Anger Management

Customers from hell, it turns out, can teach you a lot. As a former manager in the trademark research business, Chuck Dennis' best client had the worst mouth, spelling out every mistake and problem in... more »

November 2008

The “Three Rs,” Reimagined

When this column began back in January, sustainability was on the front page, front cover and in the lead stories of newspapers, magazines and evening news broadcasts across the country. Early columns explored whether the... more »

Boots on the Ground

Boots on the Ground

Spring is officially over. So, how'd it go? Did those sustainable, eco-friendly products you stocked up on fly off the shelves? If you are like most retailers, garden or otherwise, around the country, the excitement... more »

The Realities of Mathematics

The Realities of Mathematics

I just got back from the Super Floral Show (SFS) in Orlando, Fla., and the Seeley Conference at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. SFS is a trade show that's primarily focused on the indoor floral... more »

Here Comes Santa Claus

Here Comes Santa Claus

Christmas hasn't always been all sleigh bells and mistletoe. In fact, Puritans canceled Christmas in England in 1645, and Christmas celebrations were outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681: People could be fined five shillings... more »

Streamline Your Operations

Streamline Your Operations

Have you ever stood in the backroom scratching your head, trying to figure out why there is a disparity in your inventory? Ever wished your staff could spend more time on customer relations and less... more »

An Unpredictable Spring

An Unpredictable Spring

As many of you can attest to, this spring season has been anything but predictable. From erratic weather, to a slow economy, new consumer purchasing behaviors and unexpected trends, these last few months defy simple... more »

Preparing for Hibernation

Preparing for Hibernation

When it comes to the off-season, the one thing many retailers dread is storage. In a perfect world, you would sell off all your merchandise by the fall and have no need to store anything.... more »

Weeding Out Shoplifters

Weeding Out Shoplifters

Communication with customers — and employees — is the key to preventing theft in garden centers. A 2007 report from the National Retail Security Survey estimated total retail losses in 2006 at $41.6 billion, an... more »