connect-2-consumer's podcast

More consumers are craving a personal connection with nature. This week, Bridget’s guest is Leslie Halleck of Halleck Horticultural. Bridget and Leslie discuss Leslie’s new book “Plant Parenting” and some drivers of this emotional desire to nurture plants that the industry is well-prepared to facilitate. The book is about propagation but from a unique and timely perspective.

This week, Bridget looks forward to participating in the 2019 International Garden Center Congress in Windsor, England. This annual tour is hosted by a different country each year. Bridget is excited to revisit Wisley and Kew Gardens as well as tour London and visit some of the best garden retailers in England.

Bridget is back with Dr. Sue Barton to continue their discussion of Plants for a Livable Delaware. Not just for Delaware residents, the program helps to develop more thoughtful residential landscaping. Turf plays a major role in American yards and planning for this space can be helpful to the resident. Creating other layers and areas is also important. Join Bridget and Sue as they conclude their discussion of her influential program.

Bridget is back with Trey Malone to discuss a talk he recently presented at Creighton University. When you realize you don't know as much as you think you know, you might decide to reflect before acting. What doesn't a sophomore know? Listen and learn how to steer your elephant better as Trey reflects on his academic development.

Bridget and Dr. Sue Barton (University of Delaware) talk about Sue's program 'Plants for a Livable Delaware' and how it is helping to promote removal of invasive species and promote substitutes that are more environmentally friendly. Not just for residents of Delaware, but lessons from this program can help (re)shape the landscape in many areas across the U.S.

So many horticultural businesses are doing a great job at reducing their inputs, especially water, energy, and conventional pest management inputs. Why aren't we better at telling our sustainability story? This week, Bridget discusses the importance of sharing your sustainability story with your input suppliers and customers.

Consumers can really relate to local and organic products. This week, Bridget and Dr. Alicia Rihn (University of Florida, Apopka) discuss consumer perceptions of local versus organic for food producing plants (pineapple, blueberry, and kiwi). Which of three local benefits do consumers relate to better: economic, quality, or environment? Listen and find out.

This week, Bridget talks about 5 tips to getting more from your trade show visits. With the busy education and trade show season just gearing up, Bridget wants you to be prepared and get as much from your trade show floor time as possible. So, dust off your business cards, plan your booth visits, brush up your elevator speech, get some good questions written down in your notes, and plan to follow-up with some emails after your trade show adventures.

This week, Bridget and her guest Dr. Susan Barton (University of Delaware) discuss the economic benefits of landscaping. If you provide landscaping services and need some research-based evidence that it is a good investment, this episode is for you! One of the more interesting findings relates to the shape of the landscape bed line shape. Can you increase the perceived value of a home simply by altering the shape of the bed line? Listen and learn.

What gives businesses longevity? Longevity might be partly explained by being able to see "down the road" which is not myopic. When Ted Levitt first wrote his timeless article "Marketing Myopia" he put forth some key marketing concepts still valuable for the business in it for the long run. This week, Bridget dusts off this classic article and draws a few key points for reflection after the busy spring season.