Teleflora Top 50 Mexico Trip

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RC in Dayton and Cincinnati said:
David,
The wire services know they can't keep their members happy without feeding them orders, lots of orders.
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I always wondered how they could pay more in rebates than they make in the 7%.

Lacking the ability to zoom out and see the big picture, I once asked someone who knew the wire business how this can be possible and was told "every 100 orders you send keeps 4 shops bill paid".

It's the way it is. Of course they want big senders - their membership is counting on it.
 
bASSackwards

Many moons ago, Bad Bobby and I had a few conversations about the "Parties'...

My theory was, and he agreed that there should be a TOP RECEIVERS party to thank those who FILL because without them the senders have nobody to send to...

I still think this would be a good way to go.
 
Words of Wisdom

mark smith said:
Many moons ago, Bad Bobby and I had a few conversations about the "Parties'...

My theory was, and he agreed that there should be a TOP RECEIVERS party to thank those who FILL because without them the senders have nobody to send to...

I still think this would be a good way to go.
Click to expand...




Words of Wisdom last forever Mark !
Really a shame that only a handful of people listen.


Kevin
 
How much to the "big" guys give back?

Kevin,
My own shop today is the result of me working for a "big" guy when I was a teenager.....learning the business from a great person & his family.

Here in Western Pennsylvania the large shops (& what would be your large senders) were always involved in the FTD W. Pa. 3-E board of directors. Some were also involved in the TF W. Pa. unit. All could be counted upon any time we were putting on a event to either furnish: workers, designers, chairman, product, or whatever. They all took a great deal of pride in helping each other -- big or small -- out.

There was always great participation in our many unit programs...design shows, educational seminars. It almost became a contest, at times, to see who could turn out the best crowd, and/or chair the best event! And there were many FTD programs each year! (I was a part of this Board for several years.) (And yes, they were and are very competitive people!!)

When we all sold our FTD shares and FTD became a publicly traded company, the feelings for FTD changed, and the "big" guys as well as the medium sized guys stopped participating. I do not know why exactly.

The individual spirit of caring and participation still is alive. Helpfulness is still there. You do now have to ask. The introduction process is a little harder today....and there is not as much opportunity for direct mentoring like there was before.

Working in the florist business is much harder today than it once was. Today, more than ever, we each much spend every waking moment focusing on our individual businesses' bottom line. There just doesn't seem to be very much time left to do much else.

The florists who make it to the FTD Top 100, or TF Top 50 are, as RC (I believe), said, for the most part Real Florists -- good guys.....Guys who, when you need them for something, will step to the plate and do what they can to help you. That's part of what makes this a very neat business!!

They are also the guys who make it by hard work!! working their business model every day... always thinking, always trying to find a new angle to attract business.

Being a Top 100 FTD or a Top 50 Tf in the past meant that you were a Big and Busy shop. It was someting all of us aspired to be part of. It has always stood as being part of the BEST the industry has to offer.

Yes, order gathering has changed the mix. I do not agree with people being able to have order gatering (no filling) operations.

However, the Real florists in the Top100 or Top 50 groups do both....fill and send. For me, they are still the best! They are people that I admire and very much respect.

In the age of the internet, they are the folks that have figured out how to reach the Generation X or Y or Z people, and get them, thru the use of the computer, to part with their COLD, HARD CASH. Isn't this what at least part of our business is all about??


Regards,
Cheryl
 
Nice post Cheryl. I agree wholeheartedly. The people at these meetings are, for the most part, very hard working and successful florists. Despite what a lot of people would like to believe, there aren't that many sending only shops there.

I view the trip as a form of rebate, to offset the cost of being a member. A lot of posters here don't seem to realize that the top "real florists" pay a ton of money in membership fees, expenses, or whatever to maintain that membership. It's good to get something back and I don't feel guilty about it at all.
 
Unity

CHERYL BAKIN said:
Kevin,
My own shop today is the result of me working for a "big" guy when I was a teenager.....learning the business from a great person & his family.

Here in Western Pennsylvania the large shops (& what would be your large senders) were always involved in the FTD W. Pa. 3-E board of directors. Some were also involved in the TF W. Pa. unit. All could be counted upon any time we were putting on a event to either furnish: workers, designers, chairman, product, or whatever. They all took a great deal of pride in helping each other -- big or small -- out.

There was always great participation in our many unit programs...design shows, educational seminars. It almost became a contest, at times, to see who could turn out the best crowd, and/or chair the best event! And there were many FTD programs each year! (I was a part of this Board for several years.) (And yes, they were and are very competitive people!!)

When we all sold our FTD shares and FTD became a publicly traded company, the feelings for FTD changed, and the "big" guys as well as the medium sized guys stopped participating. I do not know why exactly.

The individual spirit of caring and participation still is alive. Helpfulness is still there. You do now have to ask. The introduction process is a little harder today....and there is not as much opportunity for direct mentoring like there was before.

Working in the florist business is much harder today than it once was. Today, more than ever, we each much spend every waking moment focusing on our individual businesses' bottom line. There just doesn't seem to be very much time left to do much else.

The florists who make it to the FTD Top 100, or TF Top 50 are, as RC (I believe), said, for the most part Real Florists -- good guys.....Guys who, when you need them for something, will step to the plate and do what they can to help you. That's part of what makes this a very neat business!!

They are also the guys who make it by hard work!! working their business model every day... always thinking, always trying to find a new angle to attract business.

Being a Top 100 FTD or a Top 50 Tf in the past meant that you were a Big and Busy shop. It was someting all of us aspired to be part of. It has always stood as being part of the BEST the industry has to offer.

Yes, order gathering has changed the mix. I do not agree with people being able to have order gatering (no filling) operations.

However, the Real florists in the Top100 or Top 50 groups do both....fill and send. For me, they are still the best! They are people that I admire and very much respect.

In the age of the internet, they are the folks that have figured out how to reach the Generation X or Y or Z people, and get them, thru the use of the computer, to part with their COLD, HARD CASH. Isn't this what at least part of our business is all about??


Regards,
Cheryl
Click to expand...


Top shops work hard. There is no doubt about that fact. This is not an easy business and those doing it right have every right to be proud and be recognized for their achievements. All around shops are first on my Christmas card list for sure. Sending only to me doesn't constitute a Real Florist, or for that matter, a florist at all. If you're not getting your hands dirty, working double shifts or more, toothpicking your eyes open and doing every job in the shop, while inventing more things to do daily I guess you're not a Real Florist ! Or maybe I am nuts !!!!!!!!!!!
( I am but don't tell anyone )

Top senders need top fillers and vice a versa.
Maybe this is a new rebirth of a system that once worked flawlessly.
I would welcome the opportunity to work with, listen to and learn from anyone in this business that has accomplished. Maybe some of those top shops that read this thread may have some suggestions on how to take us to the next level.
I'll bet heavily that their involvement would be received very well.


Thanks again Carol

Kevin
 
Ted,
Thanks for the reminder...I forgot about all the fees, etc that the 'big" guys pay. Yes, I agree. The trip can be viewed as a reward. that was what it was always meant to be, I think.

In other parts of the business world, we recognize things like "small business person of the year; Female business person of the year, and so on.

In the Corporate world, trips like these went to the Top Sales People, or The top business unit....or the Top whatever Person. Our industry is & was no different.

Let's applaud the "Real Florists" who get to go, because they are working hard every day, and deserve credit for being successful.

(and please, everyone, don't take this as cheerleading for the wire services because I am not! I am cheering for the "Real Florists" who have been successful in a very tought business environment today!)

Regards,
Cheryl
 
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Ted & Cheryl

CHERYL BAKIN said:
Ted,
Thanks for the reminder...I forgot about all the fees, etc that the 'big" guys pay. Yes, I agree. The trip can be viewed as a reward. that was what it was always meant to be, I think.

In other parts of the business world, we recognize things like "small business person of the year; Female business person of the year, and so on.

In the Corporate world, trips like these went to the Top Sales People, or The top business unit....or the Top whatever Person. Our industry is & was no different.

Let's applaud the "Real Florists" who get to go, because they are working hard every day, and deserve credit for being successful.

(and please, everyone, don't take this as cheerleading for the wire services because I am not! I am cheering for the "Real Florists" who have been successful in a very tought business environment today!)

Regards,
Cheryl
Click to expand...


Telling the truth based upon facts is never cheerleading !
Cheerleading for successful Real Florists works just fine.

Can't imagine what Ted looks like in a cheerleader outfit though ! LOL


Cheryl............guess I'm starting to feel a bit better !



Kevin
 
Top 100 Trips

Cheryl, that was an outstanding post. You took the words right out of my mouth. I love to see people who work hard achieve success. Thanks for all the good suggestions. Kevin should be able to gain a lot from your thoughts.
Carol Bice
 
Bigted said:
I view the trip as a form of rebate, to offset the cost of being a member. A lot of posters here don't seem to realize that the top "real florists" pay a ton of money in membership fees, expenses, or whatever to maintain that membership. It's good to get something back and I don't feel guilty about it at all.
Click to expand...

Ted,

What ton of money in membership fees, expenses or whatever to maintain that membership do top 50 members pay that the rest of the 18,000 members don't?
 
CHERYL BAKIN said:
Ted,
In other parts of the business world, we recognize things like "small business person of the year; Female business person of the year, and so on.

In the Corporate world, trips like these went to the Top Sales People, or The top business unit....or the Top whatever Person. Our industry is & was no different.

Let's applaud the "Real Florists" who get to go, because they are working hard every day, and deserve credit for being successful.

Regards,
Cheryl
Click to expand...

Thank you for putting that so consisely.
 
bloomz said:
I'm calling baloney on this thread.

There isn't a person on this board who wouldn't love to go on one of those trips - how could you?

...
Click to expand...

I'm calling B*LLSH*T on this post. You could not pay ME enough to join this group of unethical criminals (and that's what people are called when they break laws, as almost all of these people do when it come to YP and in-the-books laws about misrepresentation of being local business owners), all with the wink-wink-nod-nod of the back-stabbing WS enablers at their sides.

Just because YOUR personal wet dream, bloomz, it to be part of this criminal cabal, don't project your slime on the rest of us, or more importantly, ME.

But, otherwise, do have a GREAT day!
 
RC in Dayton and Cincinnati said:
Ted,

What ton of money in membership fees, expenses or whatever to maintain that membership do top 50 members pay that the rest of the 18,000 members don't?
Click to expand...

It's all a matter of scale. The top members don't have different fees, they just pay a lot more of the "normal" fees.
 
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12BucksFor2Dozon said:
I'm calling B*LLSH*T on this post. You could not pay ME enough to join this group of unethical criminals (and that's what people are called when they break laws, as almost all of these people do when it come to YP and in-the-books laws about misrepresentation of being local business owners), all with the wink-wink-nod-nod of the back-stabbing WS enablers at their sides.

Just because YOUR personal wet dream, bloomz, it to be part of this criminal cabal, don't project your slime on the rest of us, or more importantly, ME.

But, otherwise, do have a GREAT day!
Click to expand...

So gone from scum to slime now, and a criminal. Since I haven't had coffee yet I just don't know what to say about that.

hmmmmmm.
 
Working Hard......together !

Carol Bice said:
Cheryl, that was an outstanding post. You took the words right out of my mouth. I love to see people who work hard achieve success. Thanks for all the good suggestions. Kevin should be able to gain a lot from your thoughts.
Carol Bice
Click to expand...


Morning Carol,

Yes, in fact I have gained a lot.
You, Cheryl, Boss, CHR, Joe, 12, Ted, Bloomz, Ryan etc, etc, etc.
The list of dedicated contributors goes on and on.

I get a lot of messages and phone calls from florists that tell me that they think I'm trying to re-invent the wheel. Well, in a way I am, because back in the day, the wheel turned !
Florists large and small communicated openly and easily. People got together, brainstormed, networked in pretty impressive numbers at times.
It all changed.
WS changed, OG's are in, communication levels are way low, except for here of course.
So why not re-invent the system that worked, with some very necessary modifications to reflect the current industry.

Top shops, big shops, small shops and tiny shops, all together on the same page once again.
Big senders need qualified fillers. Qualified fillers need senders.
Real Florists need Real Florists !
Successful shops can help re-invent a system that works. Big shops can get bigger by supporting Mom & Pop !

How many of you have stopped going to WS meetings/dinners/educational events ?
Judging by the attendance at the last 20 or so we've gone to it appears that few want to be bothered any longer.
Now why is that ?

The last one we went to started out with conversation about Fire Departments selling Roses and Plants. Great subject, big problem right?
Absolutely !
But,,,,,,,,,,what wasn't discussed were the parallel issues of others taking away our business. Hmmm!

How's about we all get together at these meetings, without the WS, whether we're with them or not, and hammer out solutions to our problems, without the bell's and whistles !
How's about we have some meetings dedicated to surviving in the business?
No shows, no entertainment, " no nothing ", but business !

Can it be done ? Of course it can !



:ned

ManorMan
 
12BucksFor2Dozon said:
I'm calling B*LLSH*T on this post. You could not pay ME enough to join this group of unethical criminals (and that's what people are called when they break laws, as almost all of these people do when it come to YP and in-the-books laws about misrepresentation of being local business owners), all with the wink-wink-nod-nod of the back-stabbing WS enablers at their sides.

Just because YOUR personal wet dream, bloomz, it to be part of this criminal cabal, don't project your slime on the rest of us, or more importantly, ME.

But, otherwise, do have a GREAT day!
Click to expand...

Wow! That's a lot of venom dude. I can see why you had to leave the flower industry.
 
Thankfully, FC has a very easy way to to shield everyone from my "venom"...simple click on this link, enter "12bucksfor2dozon" into your "ignore" list, and, viola! No longer will have to be the bain of your FC-existance, and you can happily live your WS-centric lives without nary of a peep from my keyboard.

Now what could be easier than that?
 
12BucksFor2Dozon said:
Thankfully, FC has a very easy way to to shield everyone from my "venom"...simple click on this link, enter "12bucksfor2dozon" into your "ignore" list, and, viola! No longer will have to be the bain of your FC-existance, and you can happily live your WS-centric lives without nary of a peep from my keyboard.

Now what could be easier than that?
Click to expand...

Mark, I have learned a lot from you... not today, but generally I find useful information in your experiences.

Seems to me, the ignore button would work in your favour too...

V
 
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