CONFERENCE REPORT


WE ARE ALL CONNECTED


One of the headline speakers at the conference, Lesley Rochat, encouraged delegates to observe and learn from nature. The campaigner and shark and marine conservationist, who is widely known by the name Shark Warrior, said: “When you tug at a single thing in nature, you will find it connects to the rest of the world. Animals understand they are part of the bigger picture – they are in it together. They don’t do things to the detriment of each other or the environment. Nature would be fine if it were left to get on with what it does best but it’s been thrown a curve ball and has been hit by the sixth mass extinction – it’s already underway.


If we continue business as usual and do nothing about things like climate change, will we survive the extinction? Who knows. We need to implement five survival techniques and we will thrive:


1 2 3


4 5


Diversity – we are all different and unique. We should celebrate that. We need to incorporate these things into our business.


Adaptability – we need to change our destructive ways and the harm we are doing to our planet. It’s not a weakness to do that.


Senses – we need to turn up the volume of our sensitivity. We, as a society, have become de-sensitised, so we need to increase sensitivity so we can pick up early warning signals for potential threats. Then we need methods to decode these threats and protect our businesses.


Passion and purpose – we need bundles of enthusiasm and obsession. When your business is no longer determined by outside influences but by your own drive, you will outpace your competitors and get that market traction. The reason you do what you do won’t make you millions necessarily but, without purpose, you can’t build anything powerful.


Big picture – understanding our place in the ecosystem. Businesses need to think of themselves as co-dependent rather than isolated, independent competitors. We are all connected to the wider economy.


Re-think your place in nature and the way you run your business and live your life and the impact all of that has on the environment.”


Of the garden industry as a whole she added: “I think it is going to continue to grow and flourish. It is such a wonderful industry to be part of and from attending the GCA conference this year I was inspired by how supportive the industry is of each other which is a brilliant thing to see. “Having programmes, such as Rising Stars, gives individuals the opportunity to learn new skills that, not only benefit themselves, but also their fellow colleagues, allowing the business as a whole to constantly learn new skills and go in new directions. Anyone interested in applying for the 2019 programme should contact


www.diyweek.net


the GCA on 01244 952 170 or visit www.gca.org.uk. GCA


members were also


recognised in a number of other categories, including the Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Garden Centres, which was won by Webbs of West Hagley and for excellence in catering, retailing of garden products and outdoor living, as well as a Christmas competition. A full list of winners can be found at www.diyweek.net More coverage of the GCA


conference will appear in the next issue, including details of the winners of the Christmas competition and top tips on effective merchandising of Christmas ranges.


9 FEBRUARY 2018 DIY WEEK 11


The GCA inspectors gave some insight into the garden centres they had visited, which included the award winners, and pulled out some key observations that other businesses could benefit from.


Gordon Emslie offered some of his thoughts: “All garden centres strive to strike the balance between a creative display and a shoppble area. In Notcutts, the team had put together a display garden complete with all the ingredients to recreate it. “At Fron Goch, every batch of plants had a POS card in front of it. This is like a silent salesman that helps customers buy with confidence. Other garden centres had little blackboards or noticeboards that add a little bit of character around a shop.


“Garden


centres strive to strike


the balance between a creative display and shoppable area”


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