Did you watch any of the Super Bowl commercials? Bridget and Trey did. This week, they discuss the Michelob Ultra commercial about using some funds from 6-pack sales to convert farmland to organic production. Water use is a big deal in beer and plant production and can be part of sustainable production practices. Listen this week as Bridget, Trey, and Trey's doctoral student (Aaron Staples) discuss beer, water, organic farming, and that Super Bowl commercial.

Considering raising prices this spring? Bridget talks about some key considerations to make before you raise prices. The break-even point is the number of units that need to be sold before profits are generated. Another consideration is pricing by container. But what happens to products (of the same genus or species but a new cultivar) that are able to be differentiated? Growers and retailers lose their ability to profit from the "newness" when everything is priced by the same container size. Communicate more about benefits compared to features. Think about key price points, too. Always put sale prices high and to the left of the sign or communication piece. Consider putting the regular price of high-margin products in a lower font size and place it low and to the right of the display or communication piece.

Trey Malone is back across the microphone from Bridget this week to discuss new product testing. Why aren't more new products tested? Maybe it's selection bias (If I like it, everyone else will). Watch Shark Tank and you can tell quickly which products were vetted by the developers and which were not. It's actually not that hard to do market testing today. One easy way to assess consumer reaction is online, especially on Facebook. Not every product is going to work, but failing early in the launch is better than failing later in the launch. Still, asking people what they think can be a reflection of what they are already comfortable with. People don't always know what they want. It still pays to do your homework on new products.

Color is still a key driver for spring plant purchases. It influences shopping in many ways. Pantone is the key influencer of the colors we see each spring and fall. Why not take advantage of that free exposure and incorporate those seasonal colors into your displays, communication materials, even give employees a new shirt color to wear. You'll look more fashionable when you use these colors consumers are already 'primed' to see.

Bridget continues her podcast from last week about spring preparations, but focuses on retailers this week. Pricing by container is easy for staff but communicates to our customers that it doesn't matter what is above the soil line. Putting benefits on signs will help sell plants. Reducing hazards will make shopping easier for everyone. Plan your displays in a calendar, especially for key endcaps and high traffic areas. Don't forget to plan your social media (now that you've figured out your featured plants.

Spring is coming (but not soon enough to Michigan)! Many businesses throughout the country are getting geared up for the busy spring season. This week, Bridget discusses 5 things every business (wholesale, grower, retailer) should do to get ready for spring.

Many businesses are starting to hire (back) employees for the busy spring sales season. This week, Bridget discusses four key things every employee should know. What are the company's vision and mission? Why the business is in business is key to understanding the company. What is the average sale per customer? Important to know for growing sales. Who is my non-technical mentor? Important to getting comfortable in the businesses' culture. Lastly, every employee should know how much of the company's money they can "spend" to correct a mistake or rectify a customer's problem.

With 2020 being an election year, Bridget and Charlie discuss the economic influence on politics. While not being pegged as a 'red' or 'blue' economist, Dr. Charlie Hall (sometimes referred to as Professor Silver Lining) continues his conversation with Bridget on the influences of economic conditions in this election year. How do elections effect the economy? Not that much (to Bridget's surprise).

New month, new year, new decade! And, we start the year off with our 100th Episode at the start of Season 3. Bridget's guest is the same as her first guest when she started the podcast: Dr. Charlie Hall of Texas A&M University. Charlie and Bridget talk about the economic outlook (which is generally positive) and some of the tipping points for an economic downturn: (1) some exogenous event, (2) bursting bubbles (e.g. housing), and (3) business investments (which is normally greater in times of less uncertainty). Charlie predicts we will likely see approximately 2% growth this year.

It's New Year's Eve and we turn the page on another year and decade. What are the things you want to accomplish next year? While resolutions are relatively easy to break, don't let intentions break you. What do you intend to do more (or less) of in 2020?