Nursery Notes Nov-Dec 2011 - The Paginator

BUSINESS TRACK
8:00 am – 8:55 am
2012 U.S. and N.C. Economic
Outlook
Michael Walden, NC State University
Walden’s presentation will focus on the current
condition of the national and North
Carolina economies, plus an evaluation of
national economic policies and forecasts for
the future. Particular focus will be on the
role of the residential housing market in the
current economy and the policy debate
between monetary stimulus and fiscal frugality.
Regional variations in the economic
situation will also be presented for North
Carolina.
9:00 am – 9:55 am
Reading Your Customers
Charles D. Safley, NC State University
In a sales situation, it is typical for people to
conceal what they are really thinking.
Accurately interpreting your customers’ body
language takes time and practice. In addition,
knowledge of a customer’s Social
Behavioral Style can broaden the understanding
of his/her behavioral patterns, motivators
and aptitudes. By paying close attention
to nonverbal cues and being able to
identify various styles of behavior in
prospects, salespeople can better understand
their customers’ and adjust their own
behavioral styles and sales strategies
accordingly. Successful managers and salespeople
recognize the importance of nonverbal
communication in the selling process
and have learned to “listen with their eyes”.
10:00 am – 11:55 am
Business Collections
Don Leaman, Credit Manager, Air System
Components/ Trion
Robert Clark – Senior Account
Representative, NCS
In this session you will learn what information
you need to collect about your customer,
where to get it and how best to use
it in order to make informed credit decisions.
This will lead to a credit policy and
procedures needed to collect the, all important,
receivables. Collection of receivable
will be discussed. When do you involve outside
collection agencies, when do you
secure your receivables through lien rights
and payment bonds, all in an effort to minimize
credit risk and improve profitability.
12:00 pm – LUNCH
1:00 pm – 2:55 pm
Understanding People: Differences
in Style for Work, Family, and
Pleasure
Arnie Oltmans, NC State University
Managing a business requires not only production
and financial skills, it also requires
skill in managing your relationships with
people. This skill requires an awareness of
differences in “style”—-how people see the
world, interpret information, form expectations,
solve problems, learn, express
needs, etc. differently. What is your “style”
and how does your style affect your relationship
with other people who are important to
your business success but who may have a
style different than yours Sometimes the
most difficult person to manage in your
business, when it comes to “style” is yourself!!!
3:00 pm – 3:55 pm
Labor Compliance and
Immigration Issues
Andrew Branan, NC State University
Mr. Branan will discuss state and federal
employment regulations concerning hiring
practices, wages and hours, workers’ compensation
insurance and child labor provisions.
He will also overview key seasonal
and migrant labor regulations concerning
migrant housing, use of farm labor contractors
and the Migrant and Seasonal
Agricultural Worker Protection Act, as well
as updates on agricultural safety regulations
and practices covering the safe use of pesticides
and herbicides, farm machinery and
equipment. Mr. Branan will include a discussion
on the implications of the proposed "Everify"
program, as well as recent immigration
control in nearby states.
4:00 pm – 4:55 pm
North Carolina’s Changing
Demographics
Steve Lilley, NC State University
The focus is on NC’s rapidly growing population,
domestic and iternational migration to
the state, disparities between rural and
urban areas, aging of our population and
increased ehtnic and cultural diversity.
LANDSCAPE TRACK
8:00 am – 8:55 am
Establishing Inexpensive,
Sustainable Landscapes Using
Compost
Ron Alexander, McGill Environmental
Systems, Inc.
With project budgets shrinking, but greater
emphasis being placed on the use of more
environmentally sensitive landscaping techniques
(LEED, Sustainable Sites Initiative,
organic lawn care), the presentation will discuss
creative techniques which can be utilized
in North Carolina. Several creative
techniques, using compost, have been
developed to manufacture landscape grade
soil, renovate sports turf, manage erosion
and storm water, and reduce the reliance on
irrigation. These techniques will be discussed,
illustrating the process steps, cost
savings and examples. Methods for ‘selling’
these ‘green techniques’ to the landscape
customers will also be discussed.
9:00 am – 9:55 am
The Prettiest Coneflower, Tickseed,
and Salvia in the Bunch …
Barbara Fair, NC State University
Dr. Fair will discuss the preliminary results of
her herbaceous perennial field trials, providing
guidance on the best choices for the
landscape.
November-December, 2011 • 27