Playing outside

I am proud to say that I am a daughter of a grower. From home I learned what it means to run your own business and to be involved in it 24/7. When I graduated from the HEAO (a long time ago), I absolutely did not want to work in horticulture, but fortunately you cannot escape what is in your roots.

Because of my work I come into contact with many companies that are connected to horticulture. They ask me to think along and work within their communication team. And although every company is different, I often notice one thing: communication specialists are mainly sitting behind their screens. Of course to get a lot of work done and meet deadlines. But because of this, too little time is spent in the field. Getting outside, getting your boots in the soil, as I often say to colleagues. I regularly meet colleagues who have never been inside a greenhouse, who do not know how a tomato grows or how flowers are cultivated. A missed opportunity. And that does not only apply if you are a communication specialist in horticulture, but in every sector or industry. By joining colleagues, seeing what they do and hearing the stories of customers, you can much better understand how to translate complex matters into clear and meaningful communication.

Good communication connects departments, colleagues and also customers. Fortunately, companies increasingly see the added value of a communication department. But my colleagues should more often step away from their desks and go outside to experience the practice.