The BEST Blog from Best Human Capital and Advisory Group

The Top HR Trends Reshaping Floriculture in 2026

January 19, 2026

As originally published on greenhousegrower.com. Click here for the original article. Just as the horticulture industry continues to evolve with new plant varieties, equipment, technology, substrates, and inputs, so does its most important asset: its people. In 2026, HR is being reshaped by shifting employee expectations, new workplace realities, and rapid advances in AI and digital tools. For growers and horticulture businesses, staying competitive now depends as much on how you hire, develop, and support your teams as

Ask HR: Would a previous customer be a good employee?

November 6, 2025

As originally published on gardencentermag.com. BEST is excited to partner with our friends at Garden Center magazine on their “Ask HR” column. Click here for the original article. QUESTION: I recently had a customer suggest they’d love to work at my Garden Center. I don’t know if they were serious, but it got me thinking. Would a previous customer be a good employee? And is there anything I’d need to do differently with them than

How to Identify Top Candidates through Behavior-Based Questions

October 15, 2025

Recently, I came across an article in my newsfeed that claimed to share the best job interview questions from executives. When articles like this show up in my news feed, it feels like “clickbait.” I can’t help but read it and see what “experts” are saying. I often think to myself, “What are they doing differently, and what might I learn from them?” or “Is there anything of value that might help me do better

Rooted in Wellness: How to Cultivate a Thriving Horticulture Team

September 16, 2025

Has the pace or demands of work ever pushed you to mental exhaustion or caused physical illness? Do you see your team’s productivity and engagement declining and turnover rising due to the challenges your business faces? Are you starting to wonder if it’s worth the stress? You’re not alone in our horticulture industry. In 2025, employee health and wellness will no longer be just a perk but a strategic necessity. With a surge of challenging

Ask HR: How to Motivate Teenage Summer Employees?

July 1, 2025

As originally published on gardencentermag.com. BEST is excited to partner with our friends at Garden Center magazine on their “Ask HR” column. Click here for the original article. THE QUESTION: I hire teenagers for summer work in my garden center. Some are great, and some are distracted by being a teenager. I want to communicate better with them and maybe even build future employees. Do you have any tips? THE ADVICE: First Thought— You are helping

Ask HR: We got a bad review after an employee having a bad day snapped at a customer. What do I do?

May 19, 2025

As originally published on gardencentermag.com. BEST is excited to partner with our friends at Garden Center magazine on their “Ask HR” column. Click here for the original article. QUESTION: Customer service is key in my business. Recently, an employee was having a bad day and snapped at a customer, who gave us a bad review on Google. I feel empathetic about what she was going through, but her behavior was unacceptable. I think firing her

Navigating Two Roads - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Searching for a New Position in Uncertain Times

April 15, 2025

Tariffs, inflation, uncertainty— each word evokes fear and stress, especially when looking to make a career move and search for new possibilities. While we preach patience and loyalty as a general approach to life, career, and business at BEST Human Capital, we know some employment situations are not tenable. We also realize that some circumstances are limiting as they don’t allow for desired growth, and you may also feel boxed in with the current business

Planning for Life After Business: Achieving Your Freedom Point

March 14, 2025

Spring marks the peak selling season— and a time to dream about the future. For many horticulture business owners, 80–90% of their net worth is tied up in their business. Yet, according to the 2024 State of Succession and Exit Planning in the Horticulture Industry survey, 54% of owners lack a formal business valuation. To turn your retirement dreams into reality, you need to determine your Freedom Point— the moment when selling your business provides

Compensation & Benefits in the Horticulture Industry

The Never-Ending Puzzle of Compensation & Benefits in Horticulture

January 20, 2025

For all the wonderful attributes our Green Industry brings to our world and the careers of its employees, we continue to be highly challenged in attracting and retaining qualified talent. There are many Human Resource solutions to improving and retaining talent flow. Unfortunately, no one magic answer will fit all companies or their employees. Additionally, one topic in the equation is often uncomfortable or sensitive to discuss: compensation. In developing an attractive compensation and benefits