Comment

Comment from Horticulture Week writers, columnists and industry experts.

Seabrook On ... Prepare yourself for fierce competition

17 February 2012

While the UK garden trade remains remarkably buoyant and optimistic, it is of concern that too many potential members of staff remain complacent and unaware of the fierce international competition that is building in every area.

Reader Panel - What do you think of the Green Places Fund?

17 February 2012

Green-space leaders met last week to discuss the possibility of launching a green places fund, a single pot to support green spaces. A co-ordinated approach, it is hoped, would share effort and resources around a single focus point, which would make ...

Securing contract best value

17 February 2012

At last September's IoG Saltex exhibition a Horticulture Week panel debate on coping with today's tough maintenance budgets highlighted worrying examples of procurement practice, from frequent inclusion of long-obsolete machinery in tender documentat...

Kossoff On ... Beware of spin and excess information

10 February 2012

We are living in a literal and metaphorical world of TMI (too much information).

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Ornamentals' research lifeline

03 February 2012

A pledge by environment secretary Caroline Spelman to the delegation from the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening & Horticulture Group to look again at the seemingly discarded issue within Defra of applied research for the ornamentals sector is welcome...

Differentiate to get ahead

13 January 2012

Six or seven years ago, no garden retail conference would be complete without the presentation of the latest market-share trends data with the threat to the independent garden centre sector from the sheds highlighted prominently.

Kossoff On ... Beware of spin and excess information

10 February 2012

We are living in a literal and metaphorical world of TMI (too much information).

Kossoff On ... Using Lean tools to build on your terms

04 November 2011

There's a dangerous misconception about what Lean is and does. In fact, it's so dangerous - and so common - that most organisations either misuse the system, miss the opportunities, or both.

Domoney's design ideas - turn your garden centre into a "destination"

22 July 2011

Spending a little to create eye-catching displays can boost sales and turn your garden centre into a "destination", maintains David Domoney.

Stein On ... Take responsibility by staying in control

25 November 2011

Over the years there have been some fantastic speakers at HTA conferences.

Seabrook On ... RHS must invest in sustainable growth

03 February 2012

Money is funny stuff, quite difficult to earn, even more difficult to hang on to and very easy to fritter away.

Seabrook On ... Meet face-to-face and work together

13 January 2012

Our world has become a tiny place when it comes to sending messages.

Hewson On ... Subsidies offer help to sign young talent

09 December 2011

News that youth unemployment has rocketed beyond one million is as shocking as it is disturbing and unwelcome.

Council sets park strategy

10 February 2012

Oxford City Council has published a draft green space strategy for 2012-26 that aims to ensure people do not have to walk further than 1,900m to their nearest large park, 750m to a medium-sized park and 400m to a small park. This standard will be app...