Throw Back Thursday….a 60th Birthday event for a fantastic client…Peace Love and Tie Dye

A really fun birthday party for a great guy….all the guests had glow bracelets, and peace symbols…great food and drinks…..

Roses from Africa

https://www.facebook.com/ChrysalFlowerFood/posts/10152163100929916

Roses from Africa... A new floral Grower

12 customer Service Questions to ask for 2014

12 CUSTOMER-SERVICE QUESTIONS TO ASK FOR 2014
By Shep Hyken, CSP, CPAE

As you prepare for the year ahead, ask yourself — and others in your shop — the following questions about your company’s customer service.

1. What three things do you do best that differentiates you from your competition? 
Look at how you are really, honestly different.
What can you say about your company that your competitors can’t say about theirs?

2. You can’t be the best at everything, so what is it you are not good at doing? 
Don’t try to change it; instead, focus on what you are good at, and improve on that.

3. What does your competition do that you can learn from? 
Don’t copy them. Learn from them, and improve on what they do.

4. What do you do to make your employees and/or co-workers want to be around you at work? 
Do they enjoy working around you? If so, why?

5. What, if anything, do you do to come up with creative and innovative ideas? 
Does your company foster employee suggestions?

6. How does your company train employees in customer-service and relationship-building skills? 
Many times, companies spend a lot of money and time on training technical skills. The best companies also train soft skills — like customer service.

7. What policies or processes do you have that stand in the way of you delivering amazing customer service, and can they be removed? 
In other words, how easy is it to do business with you?
Remember the old customer-service adage, “The answer is ‘Yes’; now, what’s the question?”

8. What does your company do to actively seek out complaints and problems? 
A complaint gives you a great opportunity to resolve an issue professionally and show how good you are.

9. How do you or your company “debrief” negative experiences, turning them into teaching opportunities? 
Dissect a negative experience or bad review, using it as a learning opportunity to get better.

10. How do you celebrate success with your employees? 
When you are successful, let them know they are appreciated.

11. What do you give back to your community? 
Community can be defined as local or global causes you are involved in, etc.

12. Does everyone in your company understand that customer service is a philosophy? 
It’s also a mind-set and an attitude!

---

Shep Hyken, CSP, CPAE, is chief amazement officer at Shepard Presentations, a customer service expert, a professional speaker and a best-selling business author.

He works with organizations to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees, and his books include Amaze Every Customer Every Time, The Amazement Revolution, The Cult of the Customer, Moments of Magic and The Loyal Customer.

He is also the creator of “The Customer Focus,” a training program that helps organizations develop a customer-service culture and loyalty mind-set.

For more information, visit www.hyken.com or www.thecustomerfocus.com, call (314) 692

Hearts and more Hearts….

 We have the day of Hearts just around the corner….Valentines Day

Plan a design in the shape of a heart for someone special...

How Men Really Shop…just in time for Valentines Day

HOW MEN REALLY SHOP

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a survey offers surprising insights into the shopping habits of your prime customers for that big day — men.

Retailers who still believe in the stereotype that “real men don’t shop” had better think again, reports the study’s author, WSL Strategic Retail, a retail-shopping consultancy based in New York City. Not only do men shop, they take pride in being smart shoppers.

In fact, 63 percent of men surveyed say they actively look for sales in store, and 53 percent admit toregularly using coupons, WSL reports in its “How America Shops: Men & Shopping” report.

 “There are a number of assumptions associated with the way men shop, and many of them are not true,” expresses Wendy Liebmann, CEO of WSL. “Men are consistently more optimistic about their finances than women, which makes them more inclined to spend than their female counterparts, even in a shaky economy.

“What’s different about today’s man is that he is more engaged and shopping smarter than retailers may be giving him credit for,” Wendy continues.

Candace Corlett, WSL president, remarks, “Younger men are driving this evolution in shopping behavior. The Gen X and millennial men grew up with significantly more places to shop and tools to choose from, and they are part of a culture that shares shopping responsibilities with their working wives.

“With these groups now representing more than half of the male population, brands and retailers need to make sure they know how these men shop.”

For example, the study notes that millennial men are the most tech-savvy shoppers, with 67 percent using their mobile phones to shop versus 52 percent of Gen Xers and 29 percent of baby boomers.

The study also found that:

1. Men look for sales. 
Younger shoppers are most savvy in searching for online discounts (50 percent of millennials and 40 percent of Gen X’ers versus only 25 percent of baby boomers) while at least half of men in all age groups regularly use coupons to help reduce costs (57 percent of millennials, 54 percent of Gen X’ers and 50 percent of boomers).

2. Men ask for help. More men than women will look for help from a sales associate in just about every category, including:
• home products – 25 percent (versus 18 percent women)
• baby products – 25 percent (versus 12 percent women)
• beauty products – 14 percent (versus 9 percent women).

3. Men want the benefits of membership.
Despite the belief that men won’t bother with rewards programs, 79 percent belong to a frequent-shopper program, almost as many as women (89 percent), and 73 percent of the men surveyed say they receive email alerts for shopping (versus 82 percent of women).

4. Men rely on product reviews.The study found that 68 percent of men feel they are better informed after reading online product reviews, with 58 percent saying they are ready to make a purchase after reading reviews, which is almost as high as women.

The “How America Shops Men & Shopping 2013” study was conducted as a nationwide online survey of 740 men and 780 women shoppers.

2014 Pantone Color of the year..Radiant Orchid…floral product Showcase from Mayesh

Product Showcase - In the first edition of the Mayesh Product Showcase 2014, Charity highlights Pantone's color of the year, Radiant Orchid. Taking it from the pink and mauve tones to the blue and purple tones, this spread of flowers is the perfect color pallet to bring to weddings, corporate events and interior design. Featured product: Maxima cymbidium orchids, hydrangea, freesia, double anemone, anemone hybrid, frilly edge tulip, succulents, sweet peas, lilac, hyacinth, mokara orchid, phalaenopsis orchid, stock and lisianthus

Tip of the Week from Flower Classroom and Florists Review

January 6, 2014

Enhance your customers' resolve

While health and weight-loss remain top-ranked New Year’s resolutions, many of us are committed to reducing stress as we move into the new year.

Flower shops are uniquely positioned to help consumers in this area – our products are guaranteed to reduce stress, increase happiness, and give customers (whether givers or recipients) a positive sense of well-being.

Inhaling certain floral fragrances – such as rose or lavender – helps to calm our sympathetic nervous system, which controls our “fight or flight” response.

Offer customers a “happiness and relaxation resolution” arrangement package, through which your shop will deliver a new arrangement to home or office on a regular basis (weekly or monthly) to keep spirits bright and senses calm throughout 2014.

Flower Classroom

~ Have a  weekly drawing for a fresh floral design to be delivered to their office or home.  This design should include a selection of very fragrant flowers and herbs.   You could also attach a voucher for an instore purchase.

~ Offer an evening workshop/design program on the "how to design a consumer bunch"of flowers.

~ We all need more FLOWERS and less STRESS in our lives!
Christina

Working in Dallas at Supreme Silk Showroom

Explore Floral Design Class begins January 20, 2014 join the class ~~ spaces available

Explore Floral Design 2014		Maximum 6 students Mondays 9-5pm  1 hour lunch January 20,27, February 3,10,17,24, March3,10,17,24th 2014

Overview This 10 day Exploration Floral Design class will teach the basic principals of floral design, and so much more.  Each day will have a morning lecture and afternoon of hands on designing.  Students will participate in the processing and handling of fresh flowers each day for the lab session.   The students will be trained to execute all basic forms of design to apply for a floral designer position.  This is a required class for job placement.  The class offers business information on pricing for profit, we recommend additional business classes for retail Flower Shop operations.  The students will have a final exam on materials covered during lectures.  And every class day will be more fun than you can imagine and the amount of flowers to work with and industry information is fantastic! FLOWERS are beautiful creations, the curiosity and enthusiasm for information on FLOWERS is contagious.  Take yourself somewhere new….to the Flower Classroom.    Learn to be a FLOWER expert. This class enables you to become a FLOWER expert! Objectives ·       Introduction to design ·       American Floral Trends Forecast ·       Color terms and theory ·        Processing and handling of fresh flowers ·       Flower & Foliage identification ·       Blooming and Green Plants for interiors ·       Hands on design of basic forms of design ·       Techniques in design ·       Wedding Bouquets ·       Flowers to wear ·       Sympathy Tributes ·       Every day designs ·       Plan a Party ·       Pricing of floral products ·       Salesmanship with FLOWERS ·       Handling Customer complaints Activities Each student will have materials provided to execute all designs.  The classroom also has additional books, supplies and flowers for purchase.  This allows students to practice additional designs at home. We will cover the Principles, Elements & Techniques of Design ·       Balance, Emphasis, Harmony, Proportion, Rhythm & Unity ·       Color, Form, Line, Space & Texture ·       Bailing, Banding, Binding, Bunching, Clustering, Detailing, Facing, Framing, Grouping, Hand Tying, Kubari, Lacing, Layering, Mirroring, Pave, Pillowing, Sequencing, Sheltering, Stacking, Terracing, Tufting, Veiling, Wrapping & Zoning. Floral Design Tools The Flower Classroom provides a Notebook of Floral information, Color Wheel and a California Flower Selection guide.  Students should bring something for note taking and a hand held calculator.  The classroom has assorted tools available to use, new floral tools are available in the classroom to purchase.  Any other tools necessary for the class will be available. Evaluation A certificate of completion of this class will be available with a passing grade on the final exam. Students that have enrolled and passed the Explore Floral Design and wish to enroll in the Advanced Floral design class that follows will be given a ½ off discount on that class price when combining these 2 classes. Christina Burton-Fox   AIFD   instructor FLOWERS are beautiful creations.  The curiosity and enthusiasm for information about flowers is contagious.  Enroll in the Flower Classroom for the most up to date information….when the ordinary won’t do…take yourself somewhere new!

Materials Fresh flowers and foliage’s and the containers will be provided for all the designs.  These designs are yours to take with you at the end of each class day.  You will not take apart your designs to execute the next floral design. Flower selection will be seasonal.  The classroom will have a wide selection of flowers to choose from for design execution.  You will have permanent materials and all wire, tape, glue, etc. will be provided. Additional materials, fresh flowers & foliage’s can be purchased for continued practice outside of the classroom. Styles of Design ·      Botanical ·      Circular Mass ·      Formal Linear ·      Line-Mass ·      Triangular ·      Vegetative Class Registration 70 hours classroom time Registration & Class Materials for a       10-day class.                    $1,564.50 This amount is due in full to reserve your design table.  Payment can be made with any major credit card or with Pay Pal. PayPal link for payment of Class https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6GVU2NZZXKQH6 Cancelation of your space in the class is allowed up to 14 days before class for a full refund.  After that a credit will be applied for classes in the future. Hotels & Restaurants are located in the Kansas City downtown area.  A short commute to the Classroom.  Call for more information.  913-708-2988

Floral Design Schedule update

I am updating the Flower Classroom Class Schedule area on the blog….If you have been looking…it's missing…..Thanks for your patience!!!


Thank You,

Christina Burton-Fox   AIFD
instructor-owner

Pantone Color of the year 2014 Radiant Orchid

Advanced Floral Class January 21st & 23rd 2014

Advanced Floral class		Maximum 6 students January 21st   10 to 5pm January 23rd   1pm-8:30 pm

Overview This class is for a professional floral designer.  We will explore the advanced techniques and styles of design.  These techniques will enable you to take your floral knowledge to the next level.  Each day we will explore advanced design in each area.  This is a great way to let your creativity blossom with your professional skills. Objectives You will design with fresh flowers and execute new design techniques.  Just add your creative touch. ·        Wedding Flowers ·        Large Scale event designs Activities Each student will have materials provided to execute the design.  Designs will be available for the student to take with them after class daily. Floral Design Tools All tools are provided or: Tools are available in the classroom to purchase.   Evaluation A certificate of completion of this class will be available upon request.

Materials Flower selection will be seasonal and all wire, tape, glue, etc. will be provided. Floral designs will NOT be taken apart to execute the next design.  All designs are yours to take with you at the end of class.  A great selection of Flowers to work with. Class Registration To register for this class: Registration & Class Materials                     $425.00 days Register for 1 day ~$300.00  call to reserve and pay for this one day.913-708-2988 This amount is due in full to reserve your design table.  Payment can be made with any major credit card or with Pay Pal. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3H625G8KCFHQJ If you have completed the Explore Floral design or a Scholarship and enrolling for this class please call       913-708-2988 Cancelation of your space in the class is allowed up to 14 days before class for a full refund.  After that a credit will be applied for classes in the future.

New classes added to the schedule

New Classes before the end of the year and a few to begin the new year of 2014


December 23, 2013    10-1pm      $75.00

Holiday table floral design….. come into the classroom and create a beautiful holiday table design.  We will explore floral design for the holiday table.
your floral and evergreen design will be the perfect finish for your table….and you made it!!!               (6 student class)
the link below is for your payment:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FRPGXGWUVPQ9G

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January 8, 2014      10-1     $75.00

Wedding flowers to wear   explore new products, design ideas and create unique flowers to wear.  This class will give you great ideas, explain proper pricing of these designs, or just have fun creating flower rings, bracelets, and body designs.

the link for your payment:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZPBMGRLN38ATQ

A unique holiday door design

I wanted to share this photo that I came across….The perfect door design for a horse lover, or a client that wants something unique for the holiday season.

Enjoy

Promote Poinsettia Day Thursday December 12th

December 4, 2013        Florists Review Magazine

Promote Poinsettia Day            

A great time to pump up poinsettias as gifts and holiday home décor is during the days leading up to Poinsettia Day, which is Thursday, Dec. 12.

Share a bit about the plant and its history in shop signage or on your website or blog to excite customers about this gorgeous holiday plant.

Remind customers that the poinsettias in your shop have been carefully chosen for quality, longevity and variety exceeding anything to be found elsewhere. Your shop also stands out for its quality trimmings, containers and expertise to upgrade these festive plants for décor or gifts.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and are named in honor of Joel Robert Poinsett (1775-1851), a gardener and botanist who was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. He brought the plants to his home in Charleston, S.C., in 1828 and began propagating them. Around 1909, the Ecke family of southern California began modern-day production of the plants.

Customers may also enjoy this popular holiday folk story:

The story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present to the Christ Child at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin, Pedro, told her “even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes.” Pepita gathered a handful of weeds from the side of the road and fashioned them into a small bouquet. As she approached the chapel’s altar, the weeds burst into brilliant red blooms, and the congregation was sure they had seen a Christmas miracle. The flowers came to be known as Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night. – via Ecke Ranch, www.ecke.com

Florists Review & Flower Classroom tip of the week…….

Florists Review &  Flower Classroom tips of the week


November 19, 2013

Save on supplies

For very tall containers and opaque vases, rather than filling the entire height with floral foam, fill the bottom with chicken wire, packing peanuts or other filler. Place a small plastic liner atop the filler and use this to hold your floral foam. You’ll get the same wow-worthy impact with your floral arrangement, but you won’t be wasting excess floral foam.


Flower Classroom

~ Adding a small zip lock bag of sand will give additional weight to the tall vessel and floral design atop.

~ Flowers love water…so don't rule out just filling your vessel with water and then a chicken wire structure to design thru for stabilized stem placement.

~ If this is a delivery to a client add care intstructions specific to the design structure…your customer will be greatful for the proper care and handling of the FLOWERS.

~It's not just about saving on supplies….but creating a beautiful design with all the right mechanics!!!

Floral Design inspiration….

 This design I created for the Hobbs & Flower Classroom Open House in October.  Today this design still sits atop the table in it's dried form and remains quite beautiful.

The outside vessel from Accent Decor, holds within a pinecone wreath form then another glass vessel which I took aspidistra leaves and wound them inside this vessel.  As I reached a center point I added the rose hips tucked within this area, then added a shallow water source.

As the water evaporated the rose hips began to dry,  the aspidistra & lily grass is still dark green and looking quite beautiful.

The brown vine material is artificial.  I love to include all types of materials together in design, especially materials that will also dry naturally…extending the design shelf life.

Christina

Flower Classroom & Florists Review tip of the week…."Shop Small" Small Business Saturday November 26, 2013

November 11, 2013

Encourage customers to “Shop Small”

As we mark Veterans Day today, we look ahead to the busy time in two weeks that includes both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. But there’s another “holiday” that week that is worth promoting.

Small Business Saturday – local retailers’ answer to Black Friday – is in its fourth year of encouraging holiday shoppers to keep their dollars in their communities.

There’s still time to promote your own Small Business Saturday plans for Nov. 30. Use your website, blog, Facebook and Twitter to get the word out quickly. Piggyback on your holiday deliveries with a verbal reminder or a quickly printed flier to accompany arrangements.

To encourage lots of foot traffic, offer a special perk for that day only, such as an exclusive arrangement or a deep discount on a single item or category.