Building Relationships

Building Relationships

by Danny Summers

Relationships. It is the lifeblood of a successful career or business. It spans all aspects of your operation... Your customers. Your staff and management team. Your growers and hardline vendors. Other relationships you have are here within The Group. The relationships built with The Group's team of Service Providers and your peer Centers is something that is very unique today.

A year or so ago, a successful Garden Center owner told me the relationships he had built over the 30+ years he had been a retailer has been a big part of his success. He emphasized the relationships he had with fellow retailers across the country. Many of them he had met at national industry events and spent time with them annually at meetings/trade shows that are no longer in existence today. He then explained how his son would be taking over in the coming years and he was very concerned how (or where) he would be able to meet fellow retailers and develop the same long-lasting relationships.  He said he sees The Garden Center Group as the best opportunity to help do just that.

Of course when you look at the many programs, services, and functions of The Group, it goes far beyond building relationships. However, when you consider all of the real sharing (WDR, P&L Study, eLists, etc.) that is so much in the DNA of what we do every day, week, or year, we can understand why the concept of building relationships is so important.

When asked "why The Group" I often describe what I have seen in a garden center's progression. Owner(s) begin and they have lots of ideas. Maybe they struggle for a while, but most get their footing and over the coming years sees success. But, typically a business and its owners are working within the four walls or fences they call their business and they begin to run out of ideas and success flattens. At this point, if they are driven to grow their business, or driven to be better, work smarter not harder, their best option is to network with like-minds across the country that are equally driven and willing to share.

The more relationships you build, the more ideas you will gain and you will have more tools and resources available to you to maximize your potential. Challenge yourself with this question...

Following the past 15 months, isn't there a need to simplify, streamline and find ideas and solutions for real efficiencies? (I can hear Steve Bailey say something right now like "and that will show up on your bottom line.")

As I was looking at some of the photos above taken at The Fall Event 2019 in Nashville, the importance of building relationships came to mind. It could be seen on the faces as they shared real stories, real data, real issues – all at the very best place to build relationships...

The Fall Event.
Have you reserved your seat yet?   RESERVE YOURS NOW
Are you considering bring several of your team?
Have questions or need to discuss who can benefit the most by attending... give me a call at 678-909-7770.

Don't put it off. Your Relationship-Building Awaits!

I don't know about you... but I can't wait!
Mark your calendar... August 30 - September 2 (You will be out of town.)

Sharing is at the heart of The Group and your ideas are very important. Are you and your staff all subscribed to our eLists such as GroupEs, Retail-Grower, Retail-Landscape, Owners-Only, and a number of others? Need help subscribing? Let me know as I can show you how you can sign up.

Thanks for sharing!

Danny Summers
[email protected]
Tel: 678-909-7770
Cell: 678-761-7145

REMEMBER: Your interaction (by phone and email) with Group Service Providers such as Steve Bailey, Tim Quebedeaux, Sid Raisch, Robert Hendrickson, John Kennedy, Jean Seawright, and of course Danny Summers are included in your retainer!

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