From Editor Matt McClellan: Be the best choice

A few years ago, my kids went through a pretty big Pokémon phase. I’m not sure how they got their first cards, but it quickly became an obsession. They started learning the evolutions, watching the anime TV show and putting the latest Nintendo game on their Christmas lists. They’d haul their binders of cards with them everywhere, so they’d be ready to wheel and deal with any other kids who were willing to trade. On the bus, in the lunchroom, the playground — a potential Pokémon swap could happen anywhere.

I should explain a bit here, for those who aren’t hopelessly lost yet. Pokémon, originally “pocket monsters,” cards each feature a different creature, and can be played against others in an official card game, with rules and everything. My kids never really cared for that part of the phenomenon. They were mostly concerned with acquiring the ones they thought looked the coolest.

In the TV show, when the main character sends one of his Pokémon into battle against another, mimicking the way the card game works, he yells “Bulbasaur, (or Charizard, or Pikachu, you get the idea), I choose you!”

This month’s cover story is T&L Nursery. The Washington grower earned the distinction of being named one of the Best Places to Work in Horticulture. The program is conducted by Best Companies Group in partnership with GIE Media. Only three operations were picked for this award, so yes, it’s a pretty significant accomplishment. You can read more about the nursery and how it earned this title in this month's issue, but the short version is that its employees took an in-depth survey about how they feel about their workplace.

When I talked to the four fine folks on the cover about T&L, it was obvious that they put a lot of thought and effort into making the nursery a place people would want to work. They understand that every day, employees make a choice to work for you. They choose to continue doing the job they’re paid to do for you and not go out seeking other employment opportunities.

When T&L’s executive committee meets to talk strategy, they ask a lot of the right questions. But there’s one big one that I believe contributed to them heading home with the hardware. What are you doing to make sure your employees choose you?

How do you answer that question at your nursery? What’s your favorite starter Pokémon? Let me know in an email or come tell me in person at MANTS.

The Nursery Management team will be at MANTS in Baltimore, January 7-9. The editorial staff will be catching up with old friends and making new ones. If you’re there too, come see us at booth 804.