Stuck in a rut?

Karen E. Varga
Editor

Let’s face it. It happens to all of us. Sometimes we get the urge to break out of the routine and shake things up. Whether it’s improving a business process, incorporating healthier habits into our day-to-day, or perhaps trying out some new varieties in the greenhouse, we all strive to keep things moving in a positive direction.

However, sometimes life interferes. We’re too busy to innovate, we think. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” rattles around in our heads. “I don’t have time to do anything besides what I’ve always done.” In some cases, going with a proven method can be the best route. But other times, we need to change our routine to progress. But how?

Shaking things up doesn’t have to mean upending your entire business model and completely overhauling your greenhouses, which even during slower times can seem daunting. Small actions can yield great dividends in the end. Want to know what’s selling well at retail? Take a half hour and stop by a local garden center to see what customers are hauling to their cars. Want to make adjustments to your production schedule or variety offering? Set a calendar reminder with some time blocked off after the busy season, when you’ll have a moment to catch your breath. Don’t underestimate the power of these actions to add up to greater change in the future.

If you’re heading to Cultivate’15, keep an eye out for the Greenhouse Management and Produce Grower teams. We hope to see you there.

Happy summer!