Use Tech to Streamline Your Floral Business (And Save Money!)
What if I told you that there was a way to simplify business operations and save money at the same time? And all the while, enriching your client’s experience? You might look at me in disbelief. Is it really that simple?
Yes, it is. All it takes are some effective tech solutions to make a difference.
When you do, you’ll find more time in your schedule to focus on arranging beautiful blooms for happy clients—instead of getting caught up in paperwork and administrative tasks.
You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to see how your profit margins are positively impacted when you (and your team) spend less time bogged down in the weeds and more time earning new business.
If you’re looking to level-up your floral business with the help of technology, you’re already on the right track. Here’s how you can get started.
Begin with a digital audit.
You can’t improve operations if you don’t know where to start. Before signing up for any trials or requesting demos, you have first to determine the areas in which you could use a tech boost.
A simple yet comprehensive digital audit will reveal your workflow areas that need further optimization, which will provide you with a starting point for your tech game plan.
Set aside some time to sit down and write out all of the standard operating procedures in your floral business: inventory management, client management, sales and marketing, event production, and so on.
For each, note the steps from start to finish. For example, your client management workflow may start with a kick-off call and include everything from invoicing to status meetings to your post-event wrap-up. Include every touchpoint along the way to ensure you have the full picture of your workflow.
When it’s all down on paper, you’ll start to connect the dots and see the areas that could use some digital support. Maybe you realize that automated invoices would make life easier for you and your clients. Or perhaps you come to find that you could streamline your marketing funnel further to save you from recreating the wheel each time you send out a sales email. These insights will form the foundation of your roadmap to a more efficient and profitable future.
Try, try, try—until you find the right fit.
Once you have a good idea of where you want to start, it’s time to research new tech solutions to meet your business needs.
There are countless options on the market for every aspect of running a business, so be sure to review your top choices’ features to determine which may be the best fit for you and your team.
For example, if you want to streamline your invoicing process, look for programs that send automated reminders and accept online payments. Or, if social media automation is your focus, consider the more robust programs that offer additional features like hashtag generation, visual feed planners, or a powerful analytics dashboard.
If you already use specific software in your company, see if there are any integrations with your desired programs. For example, if you use a certain time-tracking app, you might find that it links seamlessly with your CRM or project management software. Combining your apps when possible can take optimization one step further with minimal effort.
Bring in your creative partners.
Life is more fulfilling when you can share your wins with others, and it’s no different in the world of business. Getting your creative partners on board with new tech solutions can be a win-win situation for everyone involved. Not only does it help your colleagues discover the same benefits you’ve enjoyed, but it also enhances the client experience when everyone is on the same page.
While the benefits may be clear to you, it may not be quite so easy to introduce new collaborative tools to creative partners—especially those in the old-fashioned, pen-and-paper camp.
However, the truth is that many of these industry pros aren’t averse to technology; they simply think it’s more work to learn than necessary.
If you want to lead the charge by introducing more tech to your local market, you need to be prepared to hold a few hands along the way. There will no doubt be some who aren’t ready to leave their comfort zone. Encourage them to start small and provide guidance to help them catch up to speed.
Technology continues to advance, and clients are increasingly expectant of a tech-reliant planning experience, so it’s really in everyone’s best interest to go digital.
Technology is the future, especially in the event industry. Get ahead of the curve by implementing virtual solutions now, effectively streamlining your business, enhancing the client experience, and saving money in the process.
