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2009 Blog Archives |
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Tuesday September 21, 2010 |
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"duplicate
my order" please |
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I hear this phrase often this time of year. And for the record....I get it.
Many of my customers are super busy with fall preparations but at the same
time want to make sure they cover their bases for their Christmas season
too. They wear a lot of different hats and their time is limited and trust
me, as a working mom with two young children, I completely get that.
This phrase is flattering to me too. It means that we
have satisfied our customers and met their needs the previous year. They did
well and want to repeat it again. It's easy. It's simple. It's done. There
is certainly nothing wrong with that motive and on our end, it's quite
simple to process and move on.
But that is where I have to stop and remind myself that
I am not here to just "process that and move on". Routines are easy, and it
a way comforting. You KNOW this works.....there is no guessing and hoping
and yes, risking. Unfortunately, there is no growth either. Not for our
customers and consequently not for us either.
One of the things I love about how we operate our
business is the fact that we don't have any minimums. This allows our
customers to experiment and not have to purchase a whole big box to do it.
One of the biggest thrills I get is when a customer tries just one thing
new. And quite often that one chance...that one simple, little change...will
open up a whole new opportunity.
So to our customers out there that said "please
duplicate my order from last year". Thank you so very much for the order. We
definitely appreciate your business and are thrilled to be working with you
again. Now, let's build on that. Check out our new items for 2010 (HERE).
Maybe just check out items we have had before, but are maybe new to you.
Tell us about YOUR business, YOUR customers and what they are like. This is
the fun and exciting part.....branching out, experimenting, growing,
changing, and learning along the way.
"When you are
finished changing, you are finished."
-Ben Franklin
I love this quote from Ben Franklin and hope you like it too. It's so true
too, and it is something I often need to stop and remind myself.
I'm open to change too. Let me know if you like this blog or if you would
like to see it change. Let me know what things you would like for me to talk
about. I want this to be a fun, inspirational, and educational place where
you can pause for a few minutes and read something enjoyable. Feel free to
send me an email (shannon@wintergreens.com)
and let me know your thoughts on our blog. I'd love to hear from you! |
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Wednesday August 4, 2010 |
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falling
into Christmas |
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I realize that August is not technically fall, but so many in this industry
work a season ahead that most of you probably planned for fall months ago.
Besides, with all the "back to school" marketing that has been going on
since right after the 4th of July, it's no wonder it feels like fall is
already here. Except of course, for the temperatures outside!
Like those "back to school" marketers that get their
message out there at least a month before schools even start, apply those
same concepts this fall at your locations. Use the fall season to promote
Christmas. Maybe stage a small section with Christmas product and lots of
signage about what is to come. How about coupons with their fall purchases
that they can bring back for Christmas? Get creative! Inspire your customers
to decorate for the holidays by creating lots of "eye-candy" with color,
signs, etc.
By doing so, they will "fall" in love with shopping at
your place!
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keeping
the magic alive. |
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I just returned from Walt Disney World in Florida and it was indeed a
magical vacation. One of the things that amazed me, from a business
standpoint, is how the Disney staff or "cast member" as they are referred
to, never "broke character".
No matter what their position or role, no matter if
they were actual characters, or in food service, or in "mouse-keeping", or
in another important job, they ALWAYS reflected the magic if Disney. Even
when the actual temps were 99 degrees with a heat index of 110......they
never became grumpy (unless it was the actual character Grumpy!).
I wish I could say that I apply the Disney magic to my
role in our business but alas, in the flurry of our busy season, I know I
don't always stay "in character". What about you? Isn't it hard to keep the
magic alive for your customers when you have put in weeks and weeks of long
hours?
I am going to try to take what I have learned
from Disney and apply it to each interaction that I have have with our
customers. My goal is to leave them with a feeling that, like Disney, our
company is also the "happiest place on earth".
Here's to having a magical day! :-) |
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Wednesday June 2, 2010 |
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the 12
themes of Wintergreens. |
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I have a special sneak-peek just for my avid blog readers! Our website has
been updated to show the "12 Themes of Wintergreens" that will be featured
in our 2010 showroom, our booth at the OFA Short Course, and throughout our
2010 price list. Email blasts about these themes will be coming soon but for
those reading my blog regularly, you will now know you can see them
immediately by clicking
HERE.
Enjoy! |
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bridging
the generation gap. |
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I was reading the April 2010 issue of Lawn & Garden Retailer when the
Editor's Report titled, "Pay Attention to Me!" by Paige Worthy caught my
eye. You can read this report
HERE.
I felt that this article rang so true. I too, am a
member of Generation X and have felt some of the same feelings that Paige
expresses when I have on my "consumer" hat within the horticulture industry.
However, the advantage of this is an increased
awareness in creating "multi-generational" products for Christmas and also
the ability to help our customers direct their marketing to the various
demographics that exist.
A quick search on Google provided me with a Wikipedia
about the various generations. These are "loosely" defined primarily for the
purpose of identifying common characteristics for proper marketing and
advertising. Here is what I found:
Lost Generation - those that fought in WW I
Interbellum Generation - those born at end of the 19th
Century - 1915
Greatest Generation - born 1916 - mid 1920's
Silent Generation - born 1926-1938
Baby Boomers - born during WW II up to the 1960's
Generation X - born 1961 - 1981
Generation Y - born 1982 - 1995
Generation Z - born 1995 - today
What is my point with all of this? Just to maybe motivate all of you to take
a moment and reflect on your current marketing, especially for the holiday
season. Each of these "generations" has different characteristics, and
spending habits and it is important not to focus too much attention on one
specific generation. It's easy to do what was done last year.....and the
year before.....and the year before. However, change is important and so is
making sure each generation is taken care of within your product line and
services that you provide.
Let me provide a quick example of little, relatively
"easy" things that can be done to help make sure each generation is
fulfilled at your location this coming Christmas:
Lost Generation - Baby Boomers --- Traditional
products. This generation has been decorating for years and they tend to be
more repetitive in their decorations. Those that are older may need to
"downsize" as their ability to do what they did when they were younger
decreases with age.
Generation X - Traditional yet trendy. Pay attention to what is "hot" in
home decor and even clothing. Certain colors may transcend to the holiday
decorations to make a "scheme" flow seamlessly from one season to the next.
Generation X'rs are busy.....things that are speedy will help. Keep it
simple yet fresh and market accordingly and you will have their attention.
Generation Y - Definitely the digital age. While Baby Boomers and Generation
X can also be found on social media sites, this Generation is defined by
technology. They have known it their whole life. Catch their attention with
memories of their childhood during the holidays and get them to shop for
holiday gifts for their "older generation" families (aka Baby Boomers and
Generation X'rs). They have discretionary income, so get them to spend it at
your place!
Generation Z - Hands on "kid" and "youth" activities and events will not
only have this Generation wanting to come back for more, but with them will
come their "older generation" family and friends (aka Baby Boomers and
Generation X'rs). To overlook them will cause you to miss the opportunity
for a captive audience of more than one generation. While Z is enjoying the
activity, X is shopping.
Bottom line.....just don't allow the status quo to cause you to miss out on
additional business. Don't be afraid to try something new. We can help. Just
ask us!
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Tuesday April 6, 2010 |
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spring has
sprung! |
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It's hard to believe in just
about six months, we will be firing up the coolers and awaiting the first
truckload of the season. I know that it is very hard to think Christmas when
the tulips are just poking through the soil in our Midwest area. Everyone is
thinking Spring and lately around here it is certainly feeling like it!
We are well into planning for Christmas 2010 and also
for our booth at the OFA Short Course in July. We would love to see everyone
there. It's a great show and a fun time of sharing ideas and all the joys of
our special industry. Check out
www.ofa.org
for more information about the Short Course trade show.
I know I mentioned this in my March blog post, but I
think it is so important that I want to touch on it again. The next few
months will be a busy time for all of you and spring is obviously your first
priority. Don't forget to market your location as a place to visit all year,
not just in the spring. If you aren't already doing this, obtain your
customers' contact information so you can mail and email them about fall and
Christmas events and promotions. Also, consider Facebook and Twitter as
another way to promote your company year round. As more and more people use
these social networking sites, it's a great way to market your business.
Well, Happy Spring everyone.....and I hope it is a good one! |
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Tuesday March 2, 2010 |
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lion or
lamb? |
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Even though a lot of us are still buried under snow, there is something
about flipping the calendar to March that is exciting. Each day it stays
lighter a little longer and I'm sure most of you are gearing up for Spring
right now. March may come in like a lion and go out like a lamb...only time
will tell. I'm hoping this industry has a lion of a spring with "roaring"
sales. We know we all need it.
Remember that some "Christmas" items can be sold
other times of the year too. Easels are Memorial Day staples, Wreath Hangers
work great for other seasonal decorations, and Porch Pots are definitely
multi-seasonal. The list goes on and on! Have extra carryover? Dust it off
and get it out there! Need something for spring? Give us a call or send us
an email. We can work with you and supply you with some of our excellent
nonperishable inventory items during other seasons too. Even though our
office hours vary, we are still around and are happy to help you.
Here's an innovative reminder.....amidst all the hustle and bustle of the
Spring season, don't forget to throw in a little signage reminding your
customers to visit not only in the spring, but in the summer, fall and
winter too! You have a captive audience, take advantage of that and entice
them to return to you during other seasons, especially Christmas! That will
help keep sales "roaring" along (we don't want the tiny bleating of a
lamb....we want the ROAR!)
As for me, I am working on 2010 pricing and am deep in the process of
developing our new items for 2010! We have some fun new fresh wreaths to
look forward too, as well as many other things! Stay tuned....and remember
to ROAR! |
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Monday February 1, 2010 |
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love is in
the air. |
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Maybe it is the clean white blanket of snow that causes this but by
February I am ready for a bit of color! I'm a visual person so researching
color trends for Christmas 2010 is one of the more enjoyable tasks that I do
this time of year. We just about have our 2010 themes selected but we aren't
quite ready to announce them just yet. I just have to say I am in
LOVE
with the color schemes I am seeing for this year!
So....stay tuned! The colors are fresh and fun and exciting and when the
timing is right, we will happily announce them... probably adding a bit of
fanfare to get you excited too!
I'm really enjoying this new electronic medium
too....the emailing and blogging allows me to stay connected with each of
you a little bit more throughout the year. I
LOVE
it!
It really is true that we work on Christmas all year long.
Most of January was spent finishing out 2009 and starting on 2010 and that
will continue. I will keep blogging and emailing when we have something
really important to share. So stay connected with us......Christmas will be
here again before we know it! In the meantime, we
LOVE
Christmas and
LOVE
planning fun products for our customers. We hope you are finding something
to LOVE
about this wonderful industry that we share too! Happy February! |
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Sunday January 3, 2010 |
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a new
year...a new season. |
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I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I also
hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday selling season in 2009. In our
area, the weather was about as perfect as you could get....a bit on the warm
side but that made it all the more conducive to outdoor decorating! After
the bustling season, I will be honest.....I have allowed myself to take a
much needed break from work a bit lately and now feel refreshed and renewed
and ready to return and finish out 2009 details and also look to 2010 with
exciting new ideas and plans.
There is just something so new and exciting about a new
year....like a clean slate waiting to be embraced and written upon with
fabulous, out-of-the-box ideas. Stay tuned. I have a feeling 2010 is going
to be a GREAT NEW YEAR! |
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