I hope they bring foreign girls, too!!.

it seems some of you think that peter moran and maybe a couple of guys from the trilateral commision are running s.a.f. alone. unless things have changd, the board makes the desisions. this happens after the various committes  meet and report their various interest. if you don't like the way s.a.f. is going then get on a committe and then the board believe me if you really want to ,any retailer. wholesaler or grower can do this.

It turns out that I am going to this show. Been a while since I have been in Quito so away I go due to the fact that I am the Supreme Editor of Flowers and cents. I have to cover this show so I can bring back photos of all those foreign Girls. Gracias! 

I suspect that more and more people might want to know where the flowers come from just from a "Green" perspective. But in the end you are probably correct that they don't really care as long as they last long enough to perceive value.

And despite Rio's best efforts consumers are not likely to know their name. When I worked for an importer I tried my best to invent ways to overcome this by inventing a way to imprint our logo onto one leaf of each rose. It did not work as planned and after talking to some retailers I discovered that even if I were able to do it effectively they would likely strip off that leaf anyway. damn another great idea defeated by practicality!

My experience is rather different. There are always a lot of visitors from many countries in the world including but not limited to Russia, Czechoslavalia, Serbia, Ukraine, georgia, Holland, Finland, France, Germany, England, Japan. A few from the USA too.

By the time the end consumer receives our product the only company they would know would be where the flowers came from. Be it Walmart, Publix, 1-800, or any retailer in their area, that is the last brand they recognize.

Consumers want to know what a certain variety is not who grows it or where it is grown.

Gatekeep, one should never discuss a woman's weight or age!

Where is the marketing in all this?

It's interesting that throughout the years I have always heard "they" are a standing order importer and "their" business is based on standing orders. Now "they" complain that the nits are driving them nuts to buy flowers. Wierd eh? If you don't have an inventory in Miami, then don't expect to sell much...ya gotta have flowers to sell flowers. From what I've heard they set themselves up to be cherry picked due to the lack of inventory. There is not a lot of price changing at holidays and who wouldn't want to find the flowers they need at everyday prices? The whole point of standing orders (as I learned it) was to secure the product at a great year round price.  Why have a sales team if you don't want them to sell?

Who doesn't want to make a demand that your customers buy this or that and damn well better buy it on standing order week after week? I don't think there is a grower any where in the world that wouldn't want that option. Hell it's hard to sell flowers these days...and has been for quite a while... some of us just keep trying and don't make unreasonable demands.

We are expanding our team and are looking for 2 more account managers to join our team!

Stems and Bunches Account Manager
The function of this position is to establish, via telephone and email correspondence, a relationship with accounts with the aim to be their single point of contact for both selling fresh cut flowers as well as to take care of any service issues.  Account managers will also provide inbound and outbound general customer service functions to stems&bunches’ customers.
 
Job Responsibilities:
Become an expert in:
the product line that stems&bunches offers, including flower varieties, care and handling
our grower partners’ crops, locations and shipping schedules
the stems&bunches website
increasing sales by building relationships with accounts
Establish a high level of rapport and trust with the accounts, including an intimate understanding of their flower needs and buying experience, with the aim to grow each account
Through own initiative or when instructed, constructively contribute to the re-balancing of customer portfolios to ensure maximum sales and customer satisfaction
Work with the management team to achieve the ultimate goal of converting the sales process on-line while maintaining a telephone relationship for service and other issues
Use every customer contact to reinforce the Teleflora commitment to customer service
Meet the daily, weekly and monthly quotas that are established for contacts and sales
Utilize appropriate order entry; call tracking and contact management software
Participate in sales, product and process training as required
 
Job Requirements :
 
Education:
High school diploma, college business course or an undergraduate degree a positive.
Work experience in a floral operation or outbound business to business telemarketing/telephone sales experience a plus.
Comfortable with technology and its potential to unlock value.
 
Knowledge/Skills:
Excellent telephone skills and sales skills required as well as excellent customer service skills (friendly, courteous and helpful).
Must display a strong desire to achieve and maintain high levels of both internal and external customer satisfaction.
 Ability to keep in mind the overall objective of the business while balancing the needs of various constituents (flower shops, growers, internal IT, stems&bunches policies).
Demonstrate strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
Possess strong written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills and strong attention to detail.
Must work extended hours as business needs dictate.
Honesty and integrity are a must.   


Send resume to: fj@stemsandbunches.com

Colleen is smart and very marketing focused. Let's not piss her off as you would not want 200 plus lbs sitting on your head !