Cha-ching! (11-2)

Tim Lamprey, owner of Harbor Garden Center in Salisbury, Mass., is an affable person. He's one of those "go to guys" editors in our industry love, because he always has a good grasp on how the market works -- and he isn't shy about sharing his thoughts or ideas.

Luckily for his customers, he shares many of both in a weekly column on the company website. In today's missive, for instance, he writes about tried-and-true ways to keep plants safe during the harsh winter months (and, in Massachusetts, he knows a thing or two dozen about those). The tips he shares each week edify his reader customers, for sure. More importantly, they help create a bond with them because Tim's column is evidence of a business owner who wants to take care of those who shop at his garden center.

Businesses that offer superb customer service aren't novel, but they generally are successful. Businesses that bond with their customers take it a step farther than that. When people think, or even say, "that's my garden center," that's not just a compliment; it's the blueprint for "Cha-ching!"

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