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You Asked!
 
Forming your Fantastic Floral Team..
- The jobs to be done in a flower shop include:
  • Floral Design
  • Management
  • Sales/Consultation
  • Packaging
  • Delivery
  • Bookkeeping
  • Maintenance
  • Cleaning
  • Merchandising
  • Advertising
Each member of your staff should have a clear understanding of their primary role in the shop. They should also be cross-trained so that they can fill in where needed during busy times. Florists need to be flexible problem solvers. Don't limit your resources by allowing specialists in a single field to exist on your team!
Do not underestimate the cost of your own labor in your shop. Always remember that your time valuable. Many shop owners find themselves working long hours. Sweat equity is one thing, working 60 hours a week to break even, month after month, year after year is another. When you consider investing in time-saving products or services think about the time will you save yourself that you could use in a more productive manor.

For example... Let's say you could spend two hours on van maintenance that would cost you $50 at the garage down the road. Could you spend those two hours selling a wedding or sending out your bills? Wouldn't you generate more than $50 in sales and profits?

Further, don't forget that the cost of labor is more than just the hourly rate that you pay your employees...you have workman's comp insurance, payroll taxes and benefits to pay on top of the hourly wage.
 
Finding Future Florists..
- If it helps, you're not alone, finding and keeping valuable employees is high on the list of challenges that all business people face. The first step is to define the jobs and tasks that need to be done (see above). Then, define any firm requirements that simply must be met. For instance, a delivery driver absolutely must hold a valid driver's license. A retail sales clerk must be available for work during your store hours, etc. Then, with an open mind for creative solutions, begin your search for people whose talents and skills match the jobs to be done.

Use the traditional classified ad outlets for advertising and back them up with non-traditional methods. Word of mouth is invaluable. Post jobs at your local senior center, YMCA, church bulletin boards, in your store window, community service organization newsletters, etc.

Screen potential employees on the telephone with some set questions that get to the root of your requirements for attitude and ability. Ten minutes on the phone can save you an hour or more on a face-to-face interview that you can tell in the first moments is going nowhere.