Just thought I'd check to see if everyone has been banned from posting to this forum. Or is it that we are all waiting for someone else to say something? Well, a big hello from the UK! Nice to hear that you're gettting your share of the rain in Oz. Anyone live in Byron Bay? my neice woke up to find her car under 4 foot of water! On another note, I'm feeling quite proud of myself as just last week I was asked to make up a posy bouquet for a little girl to present to Her majesty the Queen when she paid a visit to a local Cathedral. Nice work, but of course you have to say "no charge madam". Or would you still charge for it?
Have we got any florists in Perth reading the forum. I'd really like to get some info on the state of trade at the moment.

Hello to all our in florist land, it is Sam from HQ here. I hope that everyone had a good and busy easter, and just a comforting thought International Mothers Day is only 3 weeks away!!!!!!.

My purpose for posting is to pose a question to you all from one of our Australian Members she is teaching a TAFE course and would like to know what is the most important thing you look for in a new trainee? she would also like to know what is the least appealing trait a new trainee could have or what would put you off most when potentially employing someone.

Any responses would be great and helpful to a new generation of florists.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Sam

I suppose the one thing that tends to get me going is the 'waiting for a job syndrome'. I can appreciate that it's difficult when you start a new job in a strange environment. You are keen to impress (i hope) and you don't want to be seen doing something wrong. To some people, the easiest way to avoid doing the wrong thing is to do nothing at all. If you are in a busy shop, which is the best environment for learning; unless you have been given a task that will take you all day (boring, boring), there will be times when you have nothing to do and everyone else is just too busy to think about finding you a job. This is the time to use your initiative and find something to do. It doesn't really matter what it is. Even something as mundane as sweeping the floor. My instant reaction would be 'this person is good..not because they know how to sweep a floor...any fool can do that..but because we didn't have to ask! In any workplace, there will always be hundreds of little jobs that need doing but never get done. Not because no one is worried about them, but because there are always more important things to do. This is not to say that because you are a trainee you should spend all your time cleaning and polishing. If you find yourself in that situation, get out fast. You need to learn and it goes without saying that most people will be more than happy to teach you if you are doing your bit to make their lives a little easier in return.

Re what I would look for in a trainee, as flyhi said, initiative, is probably the one good trait, I would look for. Also, in an interview, I would look for someone, who is into art, crafts, music. These ones tend to pick up things quicker, as well. I would look for someone who has the passion for it also, I would ask what web sites they recommend? who are their favorite demonstrators.? Or are they interested in going to demo's etc. And the one thing that drives me nuts, is when these kids are shown how to do a Posy bowl at college, and tested the same day, and they pass and go to the next module, without really "knowing" these "basics" And they finish school a substandard florist with an attitude.

I'd like a trainee that didn't think she was too good to do the dirty work the minute she was able to make a bunch. Once they get their hands on flowers it is very hard to motivate them to clean buckets, change water, sweep floors etc. Any motivational ideas? At present I tell them they can do flowers after the basic jobs are completed, meaning the quicker the basics are done the quicker they get to 'play'

Edited by author 04-24-2006 12:14 AM
Hi Again Everyone, or & to Anyone wanting to say hello. Nice to see the cooler months arriving even tho I do like the summer too. I think the flowers like the Autum best. I do a local pub every week here in my little corner of the world & I'm finding the blooms are lasting a bit longer.

It's still very quite here. Didn't get many the week of easter. I think Mr Buggs had them all busy looking under the trees & rocks for those Yummy chocolates. Never mind Mothers Day is only weeks away & maybe we can make up for the loss of revenue for a better use of the word (NO Profits that week.

Well I'm going to make busy sweeping the floors, so until next time I look in, Kind Regards.

Hello everyone! I'm New to petals. I found the chat site and was reading about how everyone is slow right now and I'm not the only one in the floral that is slow right now! I hope that mothers day well be better.
Helen as you were saying about sweeping the floors i have been doing alot of that the past week, I'm in Michigan USA it is slow over here too...

I thought that just maybe there is a full moon tonight. We put a sign on our window advertising the fact that a part time florist is required and only apply if experienced. Well, low and behold in comes a nicely presented young woman, and very animated, tells me she has seen the sign and although not qualified she is experienced, and so wants to work in here. Story goes, her friend had a shop and she talked her into letting her work with her for two weeks for no pay, so that she would be experienced. Her friend said that she was such a quick leaner, that she rooly wanted her.....no rooly!!!. but, she couldn't pay her rent and lost her lease. When I tried to tell her she "wasn't experienced, she stopped me, and explained, she could do Baskets,boxes and bunches, and she still wanted to learn more, can you believe that???????????????????????????????But she had experience, she knew for certain...........two weeks.........sob !!!, changing the sign tomorrow...........I'll think of the correct wording.

This is a message for our New Zealand florsits. This is an email I received earlier this month and I thought someone out there in florist land might be looking for/know of someone looking for an apprentice/trainee. If anyone is interested please contact Joanna directly

Hi, my name is Joanna Green.

On the 15th of June my family and I will be moving to New Zealand, around Wellington area. We arrive in New Zealand on the 15th June. We plan to stay in Auckland for a couple of days and then travel to Wellington. We plan on living within a 40 minute drive of Wellington but have not yet sorted out exactly where we will be staying, therefore, the easiest way to contact me will be on my mobile. My number is: 07749979459. My e-mail address is: walking_in_humility@hotmail.com

This might seem like a long shot but I was wondering if any of the florists offer apprenticeships to young people.

I am 18, I completed three months of a florist course in the UK, which I enjoyed very much, but sadly had to leave when we decided to move to New Zealand.

I still study floristry from books and the internet etc and I recently did all the flower arranging for my own wedding.

I will be coming to New Zealand with the hope of getting a working, or possibly a study, visa. I would very much appreciate any help or advise you could give me.

I can forward you my CV and a portfolio of my recent work on request.

Edited by author 05-18-2006 01:21 AM
Hi Brandie, Well Mothers Day went well I think. Could of had more international orders which would of been good but I experienced a lot more of the local natives at my door which was good. Slowly more more people are hearing of me which is terrific. Things have slowed down considerably again though as I guessed they're all shopped out, broke & back to reality. I think the rise in interest rates & petrol prices people are genually hurting out there & so is business. But on a brighter note, hang in there. Its a bit of an indurance race but I'm sure we'll win out in the end if we keep persevering.

Well its nearly that time again when its the end of another day & we begin to change roles from Florist to house wife & mother. Cheers to every one & hope to hear from you again in the near future. Looks like where in for some rain over this side of the globe. Hope so anyway.

Regards Helen at Floral-Jazz South West Queensland Australia

Hi, to all, I am new and from a small town, having had my computer get corrupted this week has been the pits. Does anyone by some slim chance have an old eagle 1.5 disc around to sell, beg, borrow or steal, whatever it takes. Please call 18004721270; I wish I could be only sweeping the floor about know. Thanks

Hello, this is my first time so be gentle with me. We are looking for a good ceramic pot supply, we used to use pottery pavilion but they closed down. We are in the Northern suburbs of Perth. Does any florist import floristry supplies directly from overseas? And finally, is it really worth having your own website. If anyone could give me feedback on whether it has been of benefit to them or not.
Regards
Susan

Firstly, HI Jean, hope your computer woes have been sorted by now. And Susan, welcome, Hows that for gentle??
I'm in Vic, and I cant help you with ceramic pots, so if you find a good supplier, you are going to have to share the info on here, O.K?
And in my opinion a web site is a must, you have to be able to service those people that shop that way. I've just had great interaction with a guy from scotland, who sent flowers to his aunty, and was emailing us back and forth discussing add ons like scotch whiskey. A quick phone call to us with his credit card after we had all his info, and another happy customer. We will never be able to compete with those that have a web site who pretend they are in a shop front store, when in fact they mass produce their flowers. But REAL florists have to have the ability to keep up with technology as well as trends.
cheers.

Thanks Winnierose. I'll keep looking for pots. Its good to hear that your website is working for you. My shop is unusually quiet this month so I guess there is no excuse not to organize a site now. I have time. I'm glad customers are happy to call with their credit card details once they have chosen what they want. Having the facility of e commerce on the website seems expensive.

Hi susan. Quiet over there as well?? We haven't been this quiet in yonks. It is school holidays, but still.........maybe we can blame the soccer??
Good time to do all those things we whinge about not having time to do heh???

Hi Susan,
Yes!!! definitely get a site up and running. Don't worry too much about it being cutting edge, anything will be better than nothing. I spent ages on my own site, just lots of content, images, info etc. Haven't got round to ecommerce or even having prices on everything, but still get lots of phone calls like " just had a look at your website and like the arrangement, basket, bouquet ref xxx, how much is that?", Usually results in an order. It overcomes the usual questions of "what will it look like, what is in it ", etc. even just a few picks of your shop gives people confidence and lets them know you are a real florist.