3 Keys to Building a Floral Team
As I sit here and write this, I am filled with such gratitude for each of these amazing ladies. Building a team is the foundation of a successful business. I LITERALLY could do NONE of this without them. So, how do you support, train, and retain a wonderful team?
Three Keys to a successful team
PAY THEM WELL
This flowering business is not for the faint of heart. It’s long days, heavy buckets, and lots of sweat and sometimes tears. I don’t always have consistent work for my girls, but I build it into my proposal to pay them a wage that is higher than most when I do have work. I also take them to dinner! No one works well hangry!!
EDUCATE AND EQUIP THEM
You can not expect your team to want to work for you if you have not instructed them and taught them the things you’d like them to know. Even if they have floral design experience, everyone does things differently and you have to communicate that to them. You can’t be everywhere so you must educate them in different situations so when things arise on-sight, you have equipped them with the knowledge and confidence they need to make good decisions that represent the company well. When you have trained your team well, it allows them the freedom to grow, and you the opportunity to not feel the need to micromanage.
BE ORGANIZED & DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY
Weddings and events can be unpredictable, but you, as the leader, don’t want to be the unpredictable component. Have systems, schedules, rules, dress codes, etc. Let your team know what is expected up front so everyone is on the same page. Also, just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean others may not have a better idea. That’s what makes teams great. Take the ideas and thoughts of those working for you seriously and use them. Let me tell you, my 17 year old daughter has had some great rear-end saving ideas over the years!
My greatest advice for you though is to love your team well. See them, encourage them, laugh with them, and tell them THANK YOU!! You cannot do this job alone and finding new help all the time is a time and money pit. I am so grateful for the ladies who work with me each season. They are the absolute best!!
