Tips & Tricks: October 2007 Archives

As we continue the process of getting all FloristWare users switched over to Version 2.5 we are going to begin the process of explaining how to take advantage of some of the new features.

One of the most popular involves navigation. You can now activate onscreen buttons from the keyboard - you no longer have to use the mouse and/or touchscreen.

It is very easy to use. The next time you see a screen with several buttons on it start hitting the tab key. You will notice that one by one the buttons are highlighted. If you shift-tab the buttons are highlighted in reverse order.

Once you are on the button you want to activate you simply click the Enter key (Windows) or Return key (Mac) and it's the same as if you clicked the button with your mouse. This allows you to activate the buttons without taking your hands off of the keyboard.

This is the best of both worlds - the speed of a keyed interface without having to remember any codes, commands or keystroke combinations. This, combined with a newly streamlined order process, makes FloristWare faster and easier to use than ever. It can take a little while to get used to, but most users quickly report that they can't imagine doing it any other way.

More information on how to get the full benefit of FloristWare 2.5 will soon follow.

As you have probably noticed the receipts & invoices that FloristWare generates when dealing with an order contain a lot of information.

There are several reasons for this. The first is that customers who want receipts tend to find this information very useful. The second is that invoices containing detailed information tend to get paid faster and with less headaches. When the customer opens a FloristWare invoice they can see exactly what the invoice is for, remember making the purchase(s) and get you paid. Invoices that are vague tend to get put to the side until the customer has time to call you and ask you for the kind of information that already appears on the FloristWare invoice.

There is one other really important benefit to our detailed receipts and invoices - they can help you reduce errors.

Every time you take an order you should encourage the customer to review it carefully. If the customer is shopping in person you can hand a hard copy right to them. If they are on the phone you can send it by e-mail. You want to stress that they go through it immediately and let you know if there are any mistakes.

This can really help! Many users have had customers catch an incorrect delivery date, mispelled name, etc. By enlisting the customers help they were able to catch these mistakes.

These means better service and happier customers!

Some very astute users have noticed a change to the order process in FloristWare v2.5 and have asked why that change was made.

The change involves the enclosure card information. We used to collect it after completing the product selection. In v2.5 we are trying to get the card type and message before we begin product selection.

Why? In preparing this update spent a lot of time and money working with a consultant who does nothing but train retail florists to sell better - better service AND higher average order values. He gets more than $1,000 a day and has columns in Florists Review and another magazine in the UK.

He felt really strongly about getting the card message first because it allows you to get a sense of the occasion and tailor your sale to the situation. If for example you find out right away it is sympathy work you might be a little more formal and/or reserved in the way you handle the customer. If it is something really big (like a 25th wedding anniversary) then you know that you should really try and push the order value.

We like to think the old way was already very good but this suggestion made a lot sense. We really want the software to help you increase average order value and improve service and this seemed like a good way to do it.

One of our favorite users recently completed her new website. It is a great example of what a florist can accomplish when they choose to go their own way and create their own unique site instead of just plugging their name in to a website template.

The European Flower Company is a real florist in Massachusetts offering fresh flower delivery to the following towns on a daily basis: Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Hanover, Holbrook, Quincy, Rockland, Norwell, Weymouth, East Weymouth, South Weymouth, North Weymouth. It is a great shop and they now have a great website!