Stay on top of industry trends, so you always know what is blooming.
If you cannot imagine spending a single day without a vase of roses, daisies or daffodils nearby, you may be the ideal candidate to run a flower shop. While your name may not be on the lease, you are required to worry about all aspects of the store's health---from handling money, to keeping employees motivated. Take responsibility. Show initiative. Do the job right and you may earn the trust and faith of an owner who is confident that he left his investment in capable hands.
Instructions
1. Control all aspects of the flower store you are responsible for running, and do it well. You must understand each employees' job and responsibilities, the store's financial system and the relationships that exist between suppliers and the store. Ask the owners of the business for a copy of the store's policies, so you do not run into any surprises as you go about your job of managing the place.
2. Understand the buying behaviors of flower enthusiasts, so you can effectively running the store's marketing efforts. Search for unusual facts and figures to drive flower sales, like the 2000 American Floral Endowment Tracking Study that proved that 67 percent of all flowers are bought for personal enjoyment rather than gifts.
3. Maintain a healthy inventory of supplies at all times, which contributes to the time management practices of the flower shop. Replenish inventory: plastic and cardboard floral boxes, vases, planters, ribbon, wrapping paper, floral tape, sponges, Styrofoam, pins, baskets and embellishments so you are ready to create any type of order on the fly. Stock gift cards for every imaginable occasion.
4. Stay in touch with nursery suppliers and floral purveyors to make certain you are always getting the best deal on flowers and plants. Get an occasional bid from other floral wholesalers, as a matter of good business practice, so you are not dependent upon one source for your stock. Maintain refrigerator cases and equipment, so everything's in good running order.
5. Research little-known, clever and offbeat holidays to promote flower sales to folks looking for any excuse to buy a bouquet. Launch a "frequent flower" program. Keep a database of customer e-mail addresses and communicate with your audience frequently to announce special pricing and discounts. Introduce yourself to funeral directors, wedding planners, party shop managers, caterers, country club directors and other resources to expand your marketing reach.
6. Give customer service top priority when running your flower shop. Replace arrangements that arrive in less-than-perfect shape, immediately. Drop a greeting card with another apology to soothe the ruffled feathers of a good customer, if a delivery goes awry. Make good on your flower store's commitment to sell only the healthiest flowers at reasonable prices.
7. Keep tabs on international flower-growing trends, environmental factors impacting growing centers and new hybrids, by subscribing to floral industry trade publications. Take business classes to learn how to run your shop more efficiently. It will not hurt to join a professional organization to learn more about your industry and its practices.
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