Management
The Two Faces of Leadership
Back in the first century B.C., Publilius Syrus, a Latin writer and philosopher, said, "Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm." But when the seas have 30-foot waves threatening to capsize the... more »Reach Out and Touch Someone
Ed Bemis' garden center was full of poinsettias with no place to go. After an ice storm in December, he had leftovers to give away but no customers to take them. So he sent out... more »Viva Las Vegas
In today's high-stakes economy, taking even a few days outside your garden center for trade shows or industry bus tours or, God forbid, vacation? might seem like a gamble you can scarcely afford.... more »Point of No Return?
The current economic climate is forcing many garden retailers, from the biggest of big boxes to the smallest mom-and-pop retailers, to find new ways of cutting costs. Marketing efforts, eliminating dead weight and shortening employee... more »The Write Stuff
I am just old enough not to know how to design a web page. To me, code is something in a spy novel. Java is tasty with a little French vanilla. Oh, and if HTML... more »What Does Your Sign Say About You?
When thinking about small business marketing, the standard means of promotion such as newspaper ads and postcard mailings most often come to mind. While these "tried and true" methods can be effective, they are not... more »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 »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 »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 »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 »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
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 »
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News
July 22, 2026
Arett Sales names Tom Medhurst executive VP
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June Total Home & Gift Market draws new buyers to Dallas
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Terra Nova introduces heuchera series at Cultivate’26
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