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The author emphasizes that amid the global financial crisis, companies, specially in the landscaping industry which have solid business plans and strategies in place, with effective leadership, will survive the recession. He says that while he is not against progress or change, business owners and executives who tried to change the strategies because of panic is foolish. Businesses should examine their business to see if they can still reduce the overhead expenses to lower the cost.

The article offers insights on a retirement strategy for garden center retailers. An exit strategy must be started at least ten years before a retailer plans to leave. Retailers must ask themselves how many years do they need to operate to accomplish everything they want and how old can they be and still accomplish the next set of goals. One strategy is to sell the company to an employee or a group of employees. However, retailers should be aware that there will always be people who will come out when they want to sell.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of being involved in the greenhouse and garden centre industry.

The article presents the concept of customer service in the garden center industry. The author discusses the fundamentals of good customer service in the retail business such as giving a warm welcome, treating each customer with respect and acknowledging them for patronizing the product. It also suggests that making customers happy is important for success in any business endeavor.

The author discusses the factors that influenced the marketing success of a company. He contends that sales personnel try heir best in providing customers with what they need, not just to make a sale. He mentions an incident with a car sales agent who failed to meet his needs. He offers tips to sales personnel that he learned from selling trees and shrubs.

The author reflects on the responsibility of a boss to make difficult decisions in landscape trade in Canada. He suggests that a boss should leave his position once he starts to live in fear of what others will say about him. He emphasizes that the job of an executive to make decisions according to a valid assessment of what is best for the company's overall operation. He recommends that a boss should listen to his advisors and disregard the critics.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experiences as an owner and operator of a garden center.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of being burn-out in his profession as an owner of a garden center and landscaping firm in Saskatchewan.

The author cites trade shows as a venue for the continuing education and networking initiative of horticulturists and garden center operators. He cites the Toronto Congress in Ontario as a good example of trade shows where members of the horticulture service industry can keep abreast of recent developments. He mentions the story of a landscaper who refused to learn new things and eventually had to close shop. Attending trade shows, absorbing new information and networking with other industry members, he says, is the way toward business success.

The author presents his views and suggestions on what new year should be to people in the green industry. He says the new year is a time to review the past year and to compare books against previous years. He suggests that January should be spent for employee evaluations and training. It is also the time to map out the coming year and the years to come.

The author offers tips for landscape contractors on trusting other companies in the Canadian green industry. He says that one should trust those who have already successfully completed what he or she wished to do. Those who are especially new in the business should trust those who admit their failure as quickly as they acknowledge their success. He also adds that those who help one direct to other sources when they believe their own experience is incomplete should be trusted.

The author reflects on the treatment of employees. He states that the two approaches to treating employees are treating them as an asset or as a commodity. He relates visiting greenhouses with his greenhouse manager to see how their crops looked and to observe the cleanliness of the facilities. He asserts that being a good employer requires treating people with respect and being sensitive with their needs.

The article discusses the author's experience in visiting plant departments at box stores. At their first stop on a national grocery store with his wife, they found out minimal maintenance and dead plants on display. In a national box store that promotes itself as a do-it-yourself center, they observed a display of several plants, but only few of them were alive and saleable. The author suggests some things to be considered before a sale is completed such as quality, service and price.

The author shares his insights and practical ideas for green businesses. He says that the lesson he learned quickly in the business is that time is as important as money. He stresses that those who plan on venturing into this industry should take estimates very seriously. He also says that customer relationship is important because it gets the business running.

The article provides tips to landscape contractors in setting prices. The factors to consider when pricing are depreciation and contingency allowance. It is important for business owners to pay themselves a salary comparable to what they would have to pay someone else to do the same work. The author gives his formula for setting prices.

The author offers tips to succeed in the landscaping, nursery or greenhouse industry. He stresses that the industry is in the customer service business. He asserts that consumers want to see great plants and experience warm service and respect. He adds that cleanliness in the area is also important to succeed.

The author presents suggestions on how to achieve success in the landscaping industry. He mentions that mentors are vital in starting a business for they serve as guides towards the right direction. He stresses that good mentors possess similar front line business experience and are eager to spend time and share experience with their students. He recalls his experiences with two mentors who made an impact on his life. He notes that having a mission statement and a business plan is important.