New product question

[Kristine]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback! We explore things we may not be drawn to ourselves because of exactly what was outlined by many of you - we often wouldn't buy our own bestsellers! It's interesting that none of you have seemed to like the purple version, because in a prior e-mail survey to a random group of member shops, the purple one tested very highly (like over 50% approval). *shrug*

Personally, I try not to stick my fingers in the product development arena as I'm not a designer or decorator in any sense. The best I can do is make a pretty powerpoint on occasion.

I have participated in the surveys from product development and find your surveys very skewed. Early in the survey you have the choice of choosing or NOT choosing whether you like certain containers. But as you continue into the survey you find yourself having to choose between certain containers. There is no " I don't like any of them" - it's like choosing the prettiest of all the ugly.

I don't know what part of the survey your team looks at - if it's just the end choices (where you HAVE TO choose one) they are not getting the whole picture.

 

[lori042499]

I must agree with Kristine on the surveys...

The way the survey is outlined, it gives a false sense that we may like any of them...Basicalkly it is asking us which we like better or two arrangements and not giving a choice of not liking any....sometimes it is just the flower arrangements which is difficult at best because they are a complete fabricated photoshopped mess most of the time, a total scifi survey or made up proportions....add in a choice of none and then see where you stand with surveys....maybe you will get truer response..

 

[strippinrose]

So we've got a question for you guys. We have two versions of this new pot and we're wondering what you think.

You've probably already seen the purple for Easter and so we're looking to do the same container in a different finish/color (terra cotta) for Grandparents' Day, which can then also roll out to Everyday.

I hope you'll give it a look and share your thoughts. Is this a container you'd be able to move for Grandparents Day and Everyday? Would you buy it?

Thanks!!

be so much better if u would quit selling us containers all together and concentrate on how we can make a profit and stay in business as your partner

 

[NicoleAtTF]

I must say I'm intrigued by the several suggestions that Teleflora change our business model completely by discontinuing the practice of container creation and sales. I do appreciate the feedback and the thought you've put into responding, but wonder what would happen if we suggested that anyone else change their central business plan...

Since the 1970's, as I understand it, flowers in a gift/collectible/vase has been the unique selling point for Teleflora. I really don't see us moving away from that approach, as it's a large part of what defines our company (flowers ALWAYS hand-made and hand-delivered in a vase, not a box...)

 

[Flowerchatter03]

I must say I'm intrigued by the several suggestions that Teleflora change our business model completely by discontinuing the practice of container creation and sales. I do appreciate the feedback and the thought you've put into responding, but wonder what would happen if we suggested that anyone else change their central business plan...

Since the 1970's, as I understand it, flowers in a gift/collectible/vase has been the unique selling point for Teleflora. I really don't see us moving away from that approach, as it's a large part of what defines our company (flowers ALWAYS hand-made and hand-delivered in a vase, not a box...)

Nicole, while it might have been a unique selling point for Teleflora in the 1970's, TF needs to move into the 21st century along with the florists of yesteryear wondering where their poinsettias went to.

If your company would review your sales on your site, you might find that your cube arrangements and more modern arrangements are outselling the "keepsakes".

It is my responsibility to listen to my customers. If my customers constantly ask me for "this" but I only want to sell them "that", pretty soon, I'd be out of business. Same is true for TF, you need to listen to your customers (in this case it's the florists because we are buying or NOT buying TF containers).

In the florist business, our central business plan is everchanging. Perhaps the higher ups might want to possible take just a moment and potential consider the issues at hand.

 

[herndonflorist]

There is a problem with the business model you have at Teleflora. As partners with us it would be important for you, I think, to consider what we are saying. I have a problem with the deceptive way Telfelora keepsakes are sold to the public, and the cost of the product to the retail florist. Just for an example lets take the "pitcher" you featured last spring. There is no way on earth that size of a container would be considered a pitcher. The customer is sold one thing and then handed another upon delivery. The photos show all the flowers in the recipe facing one side so that it appears much fuller than the recipe and pricing call for. This is deceptive advertising and you all, and we all, very well know it! This happens holiday after holiday so that we no longer buy product from you.
As for buying, some shops do not have the market for 24 or 48 conatiners some have the market for much more. Why do you tell us the item is not available in a 12 pack when the item that arrives in my shop is in a box of 12? Charging more to a member shop who is trying to get the quantity that is right for them does not seem like a partner friendly move. I think Teleflora in trying to "save the florists" should look at home first and fix some of these things, as well as the nickel and dime charges for your services that eat our profits alive! If you really want to help us, then do it! I firmly feel that you would end up with the lions share of membership if we all felt that you had not just your own bottom line at heart but ours as well!

 

[lori042499]

I must say I'm intrigued by the several suggestions that Teleflora change our business model completely by discontinuing the practice of container creation and sales. I do appreciate the feedback and the thought you've put into responding, but wonder what would happen if we suggested that anyone else change their central business plan...

Since the 1970's, as I understand it, flowers in a gift/collectible/vase has been the unique selling point for Teleflora. I really don't see us moving away from that approach, as it's a large part of what defines our company (flowers ALWAYS hand-made and hand-delivered in a vase, not a box...)

You asked about the containers and you got the answer about the containers....simple as that, for many florists the gifty containers do not sell, even though you sell many, so many more are crowding florists out of their basements and shops because so many think they have to have them, and then never use them after that holiday passes....for fear that they may have gotten that last year...

Fact of the matter is that you do ask us to do things that go against our business model, you ask us to fill orders on the national average price not our own and include delivery fee on the same basis, take it or leave it....not really a choice but a demand....just like your containers, we can buy them or not, but for those of us that they don't really sell for we see the money that goes into the marketing and developement of these products as a waste of our money and a perk that we would better benefit by a reduction in our membership....

 

[inferno63]

I must say I'm intrigued by the several suggestions that Teleflora change our business model completely by discontinuing the practice of container creation and sales. I do appreciate the feedback and the thought you've put into responding, but wonder what would happen if we suggested that anyone else change their central business plan...

Since the 1970's, as I understand it, flowers in a gift/collectible/vase has been the unique selling point for Teleflora. I really don't see us moving away from that approach, as it's a large part of what defines our company (flowers ALWAYS hand-made and hand-delivered in a vase, not a box...)

But don't you do just that when you decide how much a florist's delivery charge should be, when you put up websites with their names (as a thread on here suggested), when you set prices for product, when you offer coupons or free delivery and expect the florist to eat what you advertise and market, and partnering with Pro-Flowers?

I do not belong to TF and never have so my thoughts on this are pulled from previous threads from florists who are members. I do agree with others though that in order for TF to survive they need to change with the times. Appeasing members with surveys and then doing what you were going to do anyway seems counterproductive.

 

[vasestuffer]

change your business model?

if i posted two pictures of a product on a board with thousands of florist
members, and, after 5 pages of posts and not even one mention of pricing NONE of the respondents liked it, or showed interest
in purchasing it, NONE, and was shown that the only 'positive' feedback was from a flawed, biased survey, i would DEFINATELY, COMPLETELY, and IMMEDIATELY change my business model.
yes, teleflora, that is exactly what you are being asked to do: change your business model.

 

[Kristine]

I must say I'm intrigued by the several suggestions that Teleflora change our business model completely by discontinuing the practice of container creation and sales. I do appreciate the feedback and the thought you've put into responding, but wonder what would happen if we suggested that anyone else change their central business plan...

Since the 1970's, as I understand it, flowers in a gift/collectible/vase has been the unique selling point for Teleflora. I really don't see us moving away from that approach, as it's a large part of what defines our company (flowers ALWAYS hand-made and hand-delivered in a vase, not a box...)

We are witnessing what happens when a company doesn't change it's business model:

I give you

GM and Chrysler.

Are not some of the most profitable companies those that change and evolve with the times?

I give you:

McDonalds

 

[NicoleAtTF]

Interesting discussion! I think I might have a different view of what a business model is, perhaps... I think about it as the approach/services/type of products (but not specific design of products) that make up a business, while the pricing, design of products, fees, etc. are the way the business is run, not it's core model.

I think that the auto industry is a business model that still hasn't changed, it's just that some companies have been better about releasing differently designed products or products at a different price point, giving them an advantage. I think that's what's at the heart of what I'm hearing here, too, is that the design of the products (not the fact that we offer containers at all, but specific to the design/pricing of the containers we have recently offered) and the pricing model is the issue.

I do appreciate the open discussion.

 

[Tuberose]

We have carried many of the Teleflora containers, some do well and others don't, maybe you need more feedback as already suggested that involves "We don't like any of these, come up with something different" before the product is already mass produced and it's too late. Succesful items such as the Thomas Kincade pieces are one example, another recent one is the Artful Autumn vase, we've almost sold out and we don't even have to work at selling them, they are such pretty vases, they sell themselves.

My manager has already agreed the new ceramic watering pots are not something we want to carry, maybe if this had been shown to more folks early on, it wouldn't have happened at all. Possibly more test marketing is called for before product hits the streets? If TF is going to market pieces as keepsake, they need to be cute enough to be keepsakes, the ceramic watering pots don't even make it as an everyday line for us.

Many of our customers just want an inexpensive vase, not pieces of expensive, unattractive chachka to add to the shelves in the garage. You have a ready made sounding board here with many florists willing to give an honest opinion and would gladly see TF come up with successful pieces we can market to our customers and be happy to do so. I'm seeing new pieces that very much resemble things we sold 10 years ago, putsy round, tacky Valentine and Christmas containers, surely they can come up with something cooler than that and still be inexpensive?

One of the things I do appreciate from Telefora are the design seminars and teaching staff they send out. I'm not able to make it to many since we live so far from a major hub where these take place(fours hours drive one way), but when I do go I always take away ideas and incentive. Not sure how they manage to pay for all of that, surely it comes out of our memberships and sales from product, etc.? Design shows not sponsored generally run pretty steep(too steep for me after you add travel and hotel) and most TF events are $30 or under. I hope they don't go the way of FTD and drop the seminars, that would be very sad. Not sure if any of the product sales go towards this, just a thought.

 

[Tulip0505]

I have to agree with Nicole when she says that the basis of Teleflora's business for many years has been the "flowers with keepsake" model. If it was not a successful idea, they would have stoped it long ago.

We are a large shop so the minimums don't really cause us any heart ache, but there are times when we buy things and we just cannot get rid of them. We then have to make a real effort to think about how to move those products. We send birthday arrangements in Easter containers, or anniversary designs in Valentine's vases. It just takes a little creative thinking to not grab a glass vase for everything.

Of course Kincade houses aren't going any where after the holidays so we make sure that those are the first things we suggest to customers, there is no hope for a two year old Kincade. By the way, I hate the Kincade homes. I've seen them every year for the last 6 or 10 or how ever long it's been. I can't understand why anyone wants something that stupid taking up room on their shelves, but Saturday a woman came in looking for this year's and telling stories about meeting him and how wonderful everything he does is, and how she collects these so she wanted to get one before we sold out. So what I like isn't the most important thing.

As florists, we cannot rely on Teleflora to sell the product for us. If you buy it, you cannot blame TF for it not moving. TF does tons of advertising on our behalf, but if you aren't pushing it there isn't anything they can do.

I just think that it's nice that TF is even bothering to ask us if we like it, because it doesn't matter what I like if the consumer buys it. However, Nicole has lots of info now about the things that could make the member florists happier, and I have to giver her credit for handling us all so graciously. I don't think I could have done it as well.