Greetings from the ALNLA office in Auburn,
So far this summer, June 10th & 11th have been the highlight of our ALNLA summer. Thank you, Harvey Cotten and the Huntsville Botanical Garden for hosting our semi-annual Membership Meeting and Summer Program. If you have not visited the Huntsville Botanical Garden, you must make plans to spend time there any season of the year. Under Harvey’s leadership, the HBG is one of Alabama’s tourist gems and an example of what customer and community relations can achieve in promoting and educating the public of the Green Industry.
From all reports I am receiving around the state, spring sales in the midst of a soft economy have been optimistic. Our customer relationships cannot be underestimated especially in our current financial environment. I have just finished reading an article that included a quote of Christie Nordhielm* from the University of Michigan: “Retained customers are always far more profitable than newly acquired customers. They have a better understanding of the brand’s benefit and value, and they are easier to find and communicate with.” The summer months are a great time to strengthen customer relationships. One example would be to write an old-fashion thank-you note to express your appreciation for their business. Many of you can implement your own creative idea.
If you are in Auburn for a football game this fall, come by the ALNLA office for a tailgating party beginning three hours prior to the kick-off. Several of the games do not have sponsors yet. If you would like to sponsor one of these games please contact the office.
Thanks for your support of ALNLA,
James
*Christie L. Nordhielm, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She is the author of Marketing Management: The Big Picture.
