Design table... or "Ask the Designer"...

[BOSS]

I'm thinking of moving my design table (now that I'm back to lead designer) out into the showroom 1/2 day a week, with chairs set up for customers to sit a spell, and watch, ask questions, learn to do it themselves... etc...

Probably 1 afternoon a week, after the hectic morning blitz is over, published on our sidewalk signs and FB...perhaps with coffee and cookies...

I generally have to do 20 a day just to fill the cooler for walk-ins and I thought doing it in public might be fun...

Anyone else doing this? Thoughts?

 

[anytimeflowers]

I don't know how fun it would be for the designer, but most definitely fun for the public! When I moved, I deliberately left my work area exposed so that people could see what I was doing. They are fascinated, so you are on to something here, Boss.

And just think, if you get people thinking they can do it themselves, you'll either start selling more cuts and materials like foam,.....or.....they will realize it's harder than it looks.

Head designer again, huh? Congratulations, I guess your semi-retirement is over for now.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I'm thinking of moving my design table (now that I'm back to lead designer) out into the showroom 1/2 day a week, with chairs set up for customers to sit a spell, and watch, ask questions, learn to do it themselves... etc...

Probably 1 afternoon a week, after the hectic morning blitz is over, published on our sidewalk signs and FB...perhaps with coffee and cookies...

I generally have to do 20 a day just to fill the cooler for walk-ins and I thought doing it in public might be fun...

Anyone else doing this? Thoughts?

Why only for a 1/2 day?
Why not permantly?
I have been advocating design tables out in the public view forever. My thought was reinforced by Hitomi. Our design tables at FBML are out on the sales floor for all to see. I do think you need to be a dam* confident designer to do this all the time though. And I NEVER tire of people telling me how amazing my skills are. people absolutely LOVE it!

 

[Carol Bice]

Yes, the public does love this way of designing. I did try it for a while, but, the cutomers asked so many questions that I couldn't produce very much. Maybe an employee would have an easier time....but, everyone that came in wanted to talk to the owner and they all wanted me personally to take their orders. They didn't seem to realize that I actually had to run the business, too.

 

[Kristine]

Our store is set up so that the design benches are at one end and open for public viewing (and for us to watch them browse the sales floor and still work). We always have people watching and really like it when they choose their flowers from the cooler and then you do the doo in front of them. Some comment how easy we make it look (others I'm sure are thinking boy she gets $$ for that easy job...)

It would be a great addition to your shop, you have such a great place to hang and browse - more like a destination. And with the baked goods and coffee...... $$

 

[RWK]

with you as the shop OWNER, I don't recommend it......for several reasons......mostly as Carol outlined. Your production will be cut dramtically ( what you make off your table ), You will have to make sure you have an ample supply of florals, foliages, supplies and the like around you ( so you don't have to run back and forth to the coolers), You will almost need to plan your arrangements......how many flowers, how big, what container, etc?

Added to that the stuff you do AS AN OWNER......ordering, directing, getting drivers out, morning bookwork/paperwork, and all that other stuff.

The idea is viable, a great tool, a great marketing scheme, and the public LOVES it, however, if you are going to do this, you should assign the bulk of production to another employee/designer.

 

[lori042499]

My design bench is in the backroom, but I never use it..I actually hate being out there..

I use my front sales counter for designing and people love it...I just had a lady in yesterday watch me make a whole arrangement and asked all kinds of questions, she is the church's flower guild leader. I hope she took away some good pointers...I also get props because people realize there is a whole lot more that goes into a design when they see the steps that it takes..especially where this was a flemish style design with a lot of depth, she was amazed at seeing the process and wondered how these flowers were going to fill the space when I started very deep with hydrangea and ended up with lots of product jutting out and around...

 

[concord]

I moved some design tables into our window during January and we got a lot of positive feed back including some free press in Floral Management as well as local papers. If I move my shop I will definately have the design area more visable, but for now it doesn't work for everyday because there is no water out front for one. For one afternoon a week I think the owner can be the designer, too, and work the crowd much better than an employee.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Well I can tell you, we are not a super busy shop, but at valenties day and Mother's day we are very busy. I have staff trained to take the orders while I'm designing away.

Yes, I did have some customers who wanted to talk to me and me take the order but the staff was trained to tell them That I was knee high in design and they could take the order. We had not ONE complaint at either Holiday. I even had people coming in and calling to give me kudos.
I have also had people watch me and then come back and tell me "I watched you and tried to do what you do but it just looked horrible. So I will leave up to the professional." Freaking awesome if you as me!

I 100% think you should have your best, confident, non grumpy, customer oriented designer out front for the whole world to see. Your Best designer may not fit all of those atributes...so find the one who does and make the shop that much more exciting!

 

[BOSS]

Thanks all.... much to ponder...

Like Carol, most customers want to talk to me too... they get to talk... they order from a staff member....

Rick, those concerns are no longer mine... I am the owner, but these days I am THE designer.... with others assisting... I have nothing to do with paperwork, drivers or anything outside of perishables.... it's awesome...

And I do love to put on a "show" for those of you that think I'm a bit introverted, I'm not so much.... LOL

Yes Linda, the semi-retirement got set aside when we lost our other lead designer to a staff infection July 2nd... looks like it'll be another 6 weeks before her return...

 

[Lizi]

My design table is out in the open, customers love it, they do tend to ask a lot of questions, however I find it a good way to educate them while they watch. You have to take a little more care to keep everything neat and tidy, floors swept and so on, but I love it. I will never go back to the back room.

 

[lil_goldie]

You will have to train your staff to intercept customers before they can get to you. You'll also need a "line" when a customer does get to you and wants you to take their order. something like "sure, we can do that. I'll have Katie take your order for you"
Our silk design area is on the floor our along the same wall as our cooler. Many times, before the sales staff can get to the customer they've bee-lined it to the designer to ask a few questions.
It makes for a very unproductive work space at times because we have so much walk in traffic.
It's a great concept though.
At my Aunt's shop, she's the only one there so her design bench is out on the floor. She Definitely has to do more sweeping through out the day.

 

[BOSS]

You have to take a little more care to keep everything neat and tidy, floors swept and so on,

Well that shoots my idea... I am SLOPPY....the more mess the more fun~!

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I keep my mess confined to my space....for the most part.

Also, When I got to FBML she had a straight shot from the front door to the first design station.. Well I changed that.

I moved 2 design tables to the back next to the big cooler and the water source. Then I put "obstacles" in the way...A plant display, shiny display of wire work bracelets, Candle display, Bath and body display...etc. They browse around before they ever get to me.

And really you HAVE to work and talk...who can't do that?

And Boss I too love to put on "the magic show" My favorite thing to do!

 

[sandytf]

4 of our 5 locations have the designers working right out with the customers. Everyday, holidays, whatever...that's where they do it. I would change the other store if I could.

 

[pratima]

I have my design table right in the front and create wonderful arrangements right in front of the customers. They love it.

Pratima

 

[OB1]

I love the concept of having a designer front and center in the flower shop, but in my case it did not work so well. I think it has to do with the overall culture of the company. For example, in my shop, I prefer not to have "salespeople", vs. "designers". I prefer that the person who talks with the customer makes the order, so there is less chance of mis-communication in translation. Productivity can also becom an issue. My workspaces are separated, but still visible from the front of the shop, so we have many customers who are comfortable coming straight to the bench to talk with their preffered staffer. It can be a HUGE time waster, because then we must get caught up on family news, the latest developments etc, before, and during the sale. And regardless of what others may think, I think it is rude to continue working away, while a customer is telling me about their brother who died, or their latest trip to visit their mom.
When we have a ton of work to do, 2 or 3 people are assigned the task of taking care of walk ins, allowing those assigned to the benches to fire through the work at hand.
On slow days, I love to include all my customers in the process, but sometimes it just doesn't work well, and if the bench were permanantly on display out front, there would definitely be a reduction in production, and I cannot always allow that to happen.
JP

 

[Sarah Botchick]

From a marketing perspective, its brilliant. Action attracts people. Depending on the shop location and the weather... can you move onto the sidewalk? Town square?

Just accept the fact that what you are doing IS marketing, not necesarilly producing, and your productivity may be cut back a little. But I bet it will be WELL worth it. Also accept the fact that people may get attached to you and think you are the only one capable of taking their orders, etc. But hey, if they get attached to you... that means they are BUYING from you!

Once word gets around town, it may be the place to be on Thursday afternoons (or whenever.)

And food always helps. "Feed them and they will come."

 

[Snapdragon Studio]

I think this is such a good idea. In my former career I planned in-store demonstrations and make-it & take-it projects for a chain of retail craft and home decorating stores. A couple tips for you:
1. Don't plan to get as much done as you would in the back room. )
2. Be STRATEGIC... what would you like to sell? Maybe it's the gerberas that you got on special and can offer to customers for a great deal. Maybe it's a seasonal design, or a class... or something as simple as clippers or a knife. Customers will make impulse purchases if you are strategic! Have it right there for the customer to grab and buy.
3. Have literature available. A sale sheet, flower care info, your class schedule, or tips for designing at home. Customers love to take stuff with them, and it's one more way to keep your store's name in front of your best customers.
4. Make sure you're prepared to SELL. Yes, you need to get the design work done... but you can really increase your sales if you're ready to sell what you're demonstrating.

Have fun!

 

[BOSS]

BOSS's Quote of the day!

And food always helps. "Feed them and they will come."

I'll second....and third that~!

I was not thinking of "moving" a design station as much as creating another one that would be seldom used except for that one afternoon a week, and the designs I was thinking of doing there would be "cooler filler" rather than pre-orders and more of a fun-funky-not always sell-able style... you know...the fun things we like to do as designers that most consumers look at and just scratch their heads... and then the "they can do it themselves" styles too...

I was planning on keeping my "hiding spot" in the design room too

Thanks for all the pro's and con's.... keep 'em coming.