The Innovation Continues - Part 2

by Danny Summers

Last week, here in GROUPtalk, we covered three new Group Innovations: The Group Intel Reports, The Group Knowledge Vault (both shared a few weeks earlier), and the news of The Garden Center Group APP, which is in the works and will be ready to download soon. Watch for more details!

This week, we share a glimpse into two more Group Innovations coming...

Weekly Department Review - WDR v3.0

Coming later this year, a totally new "Your Dashboard" view for the WDR experience. This will add a new level to "at-a-glance" comparing your Center to others in The Group.

Here are Tim Quebedeaux's ideas on how this will add to your WDR experience:

"This will begin with a more Personalized Dashboard... to show you how YOUR CENTER is doing!

Then, you can dive into the depths which this report contains… With more Category Comparisons and even updated Weather Data. Category data is being compared to previous weeks and to last year.

Speaking of last year, there will be no need to report your previous year's weekly figures, only the current year. Previous years' data will be pulled from your previous reporting, all the more reason to catch up and report EVERY week THIS year!

And the reporting Excel spreadsheet template will be laid to rest… Entering will be completely via a Web-Based Form! With the new automation, Weather Data will also be pulled from your zip code! We will still be manually “rating” our weather each week, but will have actual weather data to compare to your ratings! We are also exploring how we can include localized weather forecasting to help you with looking ahead, right on your dashboard.

I am personally very excited about this next step, Version 3.0, which brings the latest technologies to compile and analyze our data, all while making it easier for you to report!

It is good to be part of THE GARDEN CENTER GROUP and the WDR!"

Watch for more details on this next leap for the WDR, version 3.0, coming later this year!

Is Your Center Reporting in WDR?

If the answer is NO, contact Tim Quebedeaux. It's included in your Group Retainer!

New Leadership Styles Benchmarking Project

The Garden Center Group has been the leader in financial reporting, comparisons, and benchmarking for more than twenty years.

Here's a vision statement by John Kennedy on this new project:

"I have always wondered if there is a correlation between strong cultures and great leadership with the top performers. With my work over a similar amount of time, I’ve gotten to see firsthand the results that are delivered by maximum team engagement, laser focus on KPIs, strategic planning, effective communication, strong leadership, and compensation that rewards the outcomes. You know who you are...

In short, a focused strategy and engaged culture works! Don’t ask me… ask the members….

Two years ago, Souny and I launched the employee engagement survey to help IGCs determine the areas of opportunity to improve the internal experiences of the team. Those results were reported last year at The Fall Event, highlighting the highest and lowest scores for employee retention and engagement along with insights to improve the scores.

This year, we are applying the same principles and approach to the Owners.

• Is there a certain style that the most successful garden center owners of The Group have in common with the most profitable IGCs? 
• Does a team and garden center need a direct approach for success or a more inviting approach for success? 
• Is there wisdom in strategy or reaction? Is there a benefit to being a great listener or a strong leader? 
• Does being a cheerleader always work, or do we need to be more of a coach?

Introducing the Leadership Styles Benchmarking Project—a simple 10-minute survey that can identify your leadership style that will provide helpful tools and techniques to become more well-rounded as a leader/owner. The scores will reflect your specific style and offer immediate feedback on how to leverage your strengths and develop your blindspots--In real-time!

We will then produce an anonymized aggregated data report to determine patterns of excellence coupled with The Group's top performers. A fascinating use of technology, strategy, data, and benchmarking to create a new metric for The Garden Center Group...

Your Leadership Quotient—LQ

Look for more information on our next GroupTalk Live on September 8th, where this program will be unveiled, and owners will be invited to participate. The results will be revealed at The Fall Event 2026 to answer the ultimate question:

What is the ideal leadership style to become the Best Performing Center?

Or is there one at all?"

We will discover together in Cleveland!

One Group Center you need to see that is not on the Tour is Cahoon Nursery & Garden Center in Westlake, OH. Cahoon's is a "tight-space" nursery and owner, Brian Corrigan, says "every possible space counts!"

When I was in Cleveland this past May, I asked Brian to explain how he groups various plants to maximize space and also provide some inspiring landscape ideas.

This was an early spring morning and Brian had just turned off the sprinklers as we step into one of the front sales display beds.. I asked a few questions, and Brian quickly shared details... just for you GroupEs!

I can't wait for you to see this 3-minute video. Be sure to click on the image above to go to this message in the blog and watch Brian give away one of his secrets!

If you have any extra time on either side of The Fall Event 2026, connect with Brian and arrange a time to stop by and see Cahoon's. It will be worth your time!

Thanks, Brian, for sharing with us. We will see Brian at The Fall Event 2026 so you can bend his ear for more information then!

And finally... have you registered for The Fall Event 2026? Hotel block closes September 5th. Don't wait... do it today!

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 Tim Quebedeaux, John Kennedy, Seawright & Associates, and of course Danny Summers are included in your retainer!