Monday, June 1, 2009

#46 TRAILBLAZES * (revised 6/4) "procedures, protocol, and order




We, at green garden gates, while having the appearance of a free wheeling marketplace for plants and plant care products, subscribe to a firm foundation of standardized procedures, protocol and order.

It is important that our customers move from one of our stores to another in any area of the region and the country and feel comfortable that they are able to shop and transact for their gardening needs in a similar manner, with little confusion and much familiarity.


Our employee training includes standard protocols for attending to customers, our procedures for purchases, returns and credits are the same, our promotions are similar, exchanges can be honored in the network at any green garden gates location, our advertising is recognizable throughout the store system, and the handling of the products is a standard system for all the stores.


It is also important that the stores have order both in procedure, and physical appearance. Signing is the same, the equipment for operation is the same, shopping baskets and checkout are the same, and forms and guarantees are the same. The appearance of the buildings and the look of the employees are the same, the colors of the presentations and the “feel” and atmosphere is interchangeable from one store to another.


We further understand that standardizing these operations can lead to a “wooden” or lifeless atmosphere in our stores. Every attempt is made to foster innovation, thoughtful decision making outside the box in each store and innovation that encourages customer sales and service, breaking the absolute rigidity that order and standardization often brings to a retail facility.


In other words, we want our customers to believe that we, at green garden gates, are a little bit crazy and freewheeling. In fact, we are well ordered and know exactly what we are doing at all times

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