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Reading the Tea Leaves

by: Danny Summers
Category: Danny's Blog
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Jan
09

Reading the Tea Leaves

by Danny Summers

The ability to read your audience (and market) is probably one of the most important roles in managing any business today. I sometimes call this "reading the tea leaves."

I wonder if anyone truly has all the secrets for doing so. But establishing a culture or practice for you and your team to monitor trends and understand your audience on an ongoing basis is essential. With this in mind, I want to challenge you to develop a regular schedule for discussing this topic as a team. Maybe call it "Trend Watch" or perhaps even... Reading the Tea Leaves. (just kidding)

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Leveraging Group Knowledge & Experience

by: Danny Summers
Category: Danny's Blog
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Nov
10

Leveraging Group Knowledge & Experience

by Danny Summers

The Fall Event 2025 set new records for The Group. Obviously, the easiest one to recognize is overall participation. It was the largest attendance since The Fall Event began in 2001.

But if you were with us, there are several other areas that are easily recognized as gaining momentum... Peer-Sharing and Use of Technologies.

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Beyond the Brick and Mortar—Two Years Later-Part 2

by: Danny Summers
Category: John Kennedy's Blog
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Aug
11

Beyond the Brick and Mortar—Two Years Later (Part 2)

Vendors and Retailers collaborate and partner in the new digital space of e-commerce.
by John Kennedy

In this second installment of a two-part series on the E-Commerce movement, John shares “The What & The How” of the E-Commerce Connect program and invites Group Members to enjoy the benefits of the additional revenue while reducing your inventory and labor costs. There will also be a panel discussion at The Fall Event discussing the E-Commerce Connect Program.

Two years ago, this past May, I was invited to write an article about the growing trend of independent garden centers looking to increase their revenue and relevance within the convenience economy space of e-commerce. The link to the initial article can be found HERE. And the Part 1 of this message is in my Group Blog HERE.


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Beyond the Brick and Mortar—Two Years Later

by: Danny Summers
Category: John Kennedy's Blog
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Aug
04

Beyond the Brick and Mortar—Two Years Later–Part 1

Vendors and Retailers collaborate and partner in the new digital space of e-commerce.
by John Kennedy

In this first installment of a two-part series on the E-Commerce movement, John explains “The Why” regarding IGC’s leveraging technology to reduce the impact of weather from their foot traffic and expand your customer experience into a 24/7 model.

Two years ago, this past May, I was invited to write an article about the growing trend of independent garden centers looking to increase their revenue and relevance within the convenience economy space of e-commerce. The link to the initial article can be found HERE. 


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A World of Workshops

by: Danny Summers
Category: Danny's Blog
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May
26

A World of Workshops

by Danny Summers

One area I am always watching as I receive many of your enews is new ideas or topics for workshops or events. Our Centers are creating some amazing events these days. I wish you would share more across The Group. We should develop a regular sharing in our Marketing eList for each of your unique events... SO PLEASE SHARE!

Here's one topic I bet you don't have on your list (except for Down to Earth)... many of you have Pumpkin Carving events... but how about:

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The SPARK of an Idea

by: Danny Summers
Category: Danny's Blog
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Jan
13

The SPARK of an Idea

by Danny Summers

It is easy to make light of or dismiss a single idea, no matter how small it may seem at the time. What we most likely don't see at the time is the potential impact of that idea.

It could appear just to be a SPARK of an Idea. And, if we are not paying attention, we may miss opportunities.

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Exploring What's Possible

by: Danny Summers
Category: Danny's Blog
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Dec
09

Exploring What's Possible

by Danny Summers

You may remember in the July 8th GROUPtalk; I shared a message titled...

Drilling Down for Higher Performance

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A Vision for 2025

by: Danny Summers
Category: Danny's Blog
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Dec
09

A Vision for 2025

by Danny Summers

In recent weeks, I was asked to share with the Ball Horticulture Team during one of their monthly meetings. My part was virtual with many gathered at the Ball Headquarters in West Chicago, with hundreds more from their locations around the world.

The request was (1) to give a brief overview of what The Group does, (2) to provide highlights of how the 2024 year is shaping up, and (3) any possible glimpse into 2025.

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