To be in the nursery business these days you need not only to have green fingers, you also need to keep your finger on the pulse and have your fingers in as many pies as possible.

It is no use working your fingers to the bone if you do not have a good record system (preferably digital). Profits will slip through your fingers, employees will develop sticky fingers; while you may be able to point the finger at a certain employee, you will be the one to have burnt your fingers.

Employees who do not raise a finger, sit at desks with finger up bum and mind in neutral must not be allowed to twist you around their little finger. They have to be told firmly to get their fingers out and get on with the job.

Stock control is another area that you will need to have at your finger tips. It is no use crossing your fingers and hoping for the best; the fickle finger of fate will not be on your side unless you really have your finger on the button.

When handling merchandise, being all fingers and thumbs, and especially having a bad case of butter fingers, can lead to the final thumbs down on your business.

Thanks to Peter Bailey