Save The Florists!

Over the past few months I am hearing from more and more retail florists that they are sick and tired of losing business to "order gatherers" and "flowers in a box" companies. Many are also finally realizing that their wire service is also a competitor. Social Media is lighting up with facebook groups and tweets on Twitter where florists are sharing their stories and strategies to take back the business that has been lost. Many are severing their relationship with a wire service and putting more marketing into their own websites and networking to drive business to their shops. They have come to understand that they will not be able to survive when they have to deliver full value and only get back a small percentage of the sale. Many accepted this so that they could take advantage of other services provided like POS systems and credit card processing but being held hostage is not a good place to be and fortunately there are other options for these services that are more competitively priced.

I believe that the consumer is also beginning to understand the difference between a LOCAL retail florist and a "flowers in a box" company and why the LOCAL florist is their best source for freshness and value. We (individually and as an industry) need to continue to educate consumers on this. There is power in groups and so be sure to use tools like social media, small business groups and industry associations to network and exert your flower power!

Heading to Washington DC to attend SAF Congressional Action Days!

I leave tomorrow morning for Washington DC. I will spend time in Government Relations committee meetings over the weekend and on Monday and Tuesday I am going to participate in SAF Congressional Action Days (CAD). I have been going to CAD for many years and the experience has been so good for me and my company. I have become educated on some of the most important business issues of the day and I get the chance to talk face to face with my legislators about them. That's how democracy works. You have the right and responsibility to talk to your representatives and help them understand how issues effect you and your business. Believe me, your legislators need to and want to hear directly from you. Your real life, first had experience is important for them to hear. It's the only way you can have any influence over the outcome you will have to live with.

I look forward to meeting up with many friends there...some retailers, wholesalers, growers and SAF staff. Another benefit of CAD!

I hope that wherever you are, you are finally starting to thaw out from a long cold snowy winter. I hear it is going to be in the 50's in DC. For me it will be like a heat wave! Have not felt the 50's for months.

If you are reading this and are coming to CAD, safe travels and see you soon. If not, I hope you will consider it for next year.

Lots of Flowers For Valentines Day!

Recently there have been a few news stories about a freeze in Colombia that may have damaged some of the roses growing there. That is true. What the stories did not tell you is that the freeze only effected a small area and that many farms were untouched. In addition, Roses are produced world-wide now. Ecuador, Kenya, Canada, California and more have very large, quality rose production companies. So there will not be a "shortage" of Roses or any other Flower for Valentines. Rest assured, Flowers are still your best bet when it comes to showing your sweetheart that you love her or him! To get the best quality and service, be sure to visit or call your Local Professional Retail Florist. Remember...FLOWERS DO IT!

"Be Inspired, Inspirable and Inspiring"

I recently attended a two day business seminar that had several excellent keynote speakers as well as many break-out workshops ranging from how to get with this thing called "Social Media" to "Collecting your Accounts Receivable". After listening to the kickoff breakfast speaker (John DiJulius) I decided to attend his workshop on "World Class Customer Service". I could not be happier that I made that decision. John knows his stuff and he presents it in an easily understandable way. I am going to list some of the "must do's" that I took away from the workshop and that I want to implement at our company

"Stop Making Excuses": Customers and employees want results that benefit them, not excuses.

"Lose the Losers": Pretty self explanatory but in a nut, you are who you hang with whether at work or play. Make sure you are hanging with people who inspire you and have what you want.

"Lead an Extraordinary Life, so others will as well": The more you improve yourself and your surroundings, the more you raise up those around you.

"Never point"...Always show": When a customer asks you if you have something or where to find it, take them there, don't point!

"Never say NO"...Always say what you can do.

"Never say NO PROBLEM"...Always say "MY PLEASURE or "ABSOLUTELY".

"Never Gossip"

"Never carry on a personal conversation in front of a customer": They really don't want to know nor do they have the time to wait for you to finish the conversation.

ALWAYS "Beat the Greet": Be the first to say hello to everyone.

"Your SMILE is part of your uniform". It is not optional. It is as important as your clothing.

"It is not our fault"...but it is our problem": It may not be your fault at all but if it effects your customer, it is your problem. Maybe you shipped exactly what the customer wanted on time and per their instructions but the delivery company messed up and lost it. Don't tell them that now it is the delivery companies problem...fix it!

I am sure all of you can relate to times when you were treated well like the advice above or perhaps not so well. We are going to work hard to make sure you get "World Class Service" every time you deal with CPF. If you experience anything different than that, I beg you to call me directly at 216-898-3510 x 1125 and tell me. I would not mind hearing the good stuff too!

Signs of Recovery?

September sales are in the book and without allowing myself to get too optimistic, we see some "bottoming out" of sales declines and we achieved sales increases in a few branches. What welcome news! While attending the recent SAF convention I had to opportunity to compare notes with many people from all across the country from all floral industry segments. Many told me that they too were seeing an uptick in business. Granted not a big uptick but an uptick none the less. I am glad we can say we are seeing the same. I hope you are too.

Today I heard on the radio that unemployment is still pushing 10%. Is it wrong to think that also means 90% of people are employed? I am tired of feeling beaten down by the recession and I have gotten to the point where I think it is time to take action in my life and my company. So...me and CPF are going to take a new approach. I think we got away from setting goals and working a strategy to achieve them and we just rode the downturn and excused our year of less than stellar performance because of "the economy". Done with that. Our goal for the last 3 months of 2009 is to return to sales growth. We are again setting goals and working strategies to get there! Yea!

I hope that you too are deciding to take this situation by the horns and change what you are doing if it needs changing. I wish you much luck and good energy for your efforts.

Optimal Delivery Time

We struggle with what is the "best" time for our delivery trucks to depart for their deliveries...Of course part of the decision is based on the length of the route (longer routes must leave earlier) but what do you think? Is it better to get your delivery earlier in the day or is it better to be able to call in to the wholesale house a little later in the morning and still get what you need on the truck that day knowing that the delivery will get to you later than if it left early? Would really love to get some feedback. Thanks!

NEVER FORGET!

May we all never forget the tragic events of September 11, 2001. May God bless the United States of America and all those who lost their lives and lost loved ones.