Newsletter

Reflections of a 58-year-old nurseryman and owner of a nursery and related manufacturing and distribution business, who has enjoyed and survived 38 years in the horticultural industry. In this economy tough cuts need to be done to achieve the desired and needed goals.  These cuts most likely should have been made sooner than the average business realized.

 As the years pass by and the more I achieve, it seems to me that the world is becoming more complicated and I need to embrace new ideas with a greater appreciation than I instinctively want to.  I think more businesses have come to the realization that innovative machines and devices create better productivity than just adding more people to the payroll in this labor intensive business.  By putting good business practices in use a profit can still be achieved with good and informed decisions in machinery acquisitions and good employees to run them.  Many other industries have done this to cut labor, insurance and associated costs to increase the bottom line.

 Another decision that has seemed to jump out from the numbers is ‘Quality’.  Buying quality products may cost a little more at the onset, but the yearly cost is significantly lower than just buying because something is lower in cost.  I’ve found that the costs for a landscape job are significantly increased if the nursery stock is not quality and is rejected or dies or the machinery used on the job is not effective and productive.   The terms ‘Golden Pine’ and ‘Deadbud’ are not humorous or increase your profit. I look back at how many times a ‘Great Deal’ turned into a ‘Deal that I was burned on’. Companies that give customer support and service after the sale will win out time and again.

 My New Year’s Resolution is the following:  I want to take more time to embrace all the new technology available to me to help me save time and money.  "I hope my patience can endure the frustration that is surely to come from this".  I also want to remember all through the upcoming year to take calculated and informed risks to help my business’s succeed.  I need to remember to get more involved in the political process, especially by expressing my views to my representatives.  I know that in this time of many unknowns that God is in control of everything.  I will relax and enjoy the security of this FACT and keep Christ in this Christmas and all those to come.

 Have a very successful new year in 2010 and I would like to ask you personally for your business.  We will always try our best to give you quality in the products you receive and helpful service.  By keeping God in your plans, success in one way or another is a surety.

 Lee Vieselmeyer
A very content 58 year old businessman