Monty Pereira sent one of his more introverted flower shop employees to the Society of American Florists’ Next Gen LIVE! conference in February with a mission: Meet 10 new people.
That employee exceeded Pereira’s expectations in fulfilling that mission. Not only did he meet 10 new people at the event, but he also established valuable connections that have endured.
“Getting out of his comfort zone and being able to network was a skill he developed being there,” says Pereira of the Honolulu-based Watanabe Floral. “He’s developed some relationships so he can bounce ideas off people on the mainland.”
Networking is one of the many benefits bosses point to as a result of sending employees to the event, created by and for young floral professionals. Next year’s event is slated for Feb. 23-27 in Dallas.
Another benefit Pereira listed: retention. Thanks to the robust programming at the event, another employee gained a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the industry and was able to see how she fits into it long term.
That employee has a master’s in psychology, which opens the door for many career opportunities. But after going to Next Gen LIVE!, she understood that she can use her education at Watanabe Floral and have a career there, Pereira says.
“From that perspective, this was huge for us in terms of her long-term retention,” he says.
Another Level of Training
Lisa Hays Holmes of Tiger Lily Florist in Charleston began sending her employees to Next Gen LIVE! because she thought it would be a good way to enhance their training, inform them about the supply chain and make strong connections with peers.
“I sent them because I felt like they needed a broader scope of just working day-to-day inside the shop,” says Hays Holmes. “It gave them a bigger perspective of the floral industry, which blew them away.”
The knowledge and excitement those employees brought back spread through others at the shop. Hays Holmes scheduled an hour-and-a-half long staff meeting for the attendees to share what they learned.
“When they get back, they’re so excited,” she says. “It’s cute and it’s catching.”
Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders
Nick Fronduto of Jacobson Floral in Boston says he appreciates that the event offers education outside of the education sessions. His employees returned with new best practices from the education and new insights from peers.
“Some of the best information and best practices sometimes come at the bar or having lunch — what they’re able to discuss with their peers in terms of common issues and challenges they deal with on a day-to-day basis,” he says.
That day-to-day understanding also helps employees see their long-term future at the business. Fronduto sees Next Gen LIVE! as a tool to help cultivate that future because providing education and networking opportunities shows employees that he wants to invest in their careers.
“I don’t think it ever hurts to have our associates feel like the company values them and we will invest in sending them to an event like that,” he says. “It is absolutely a very good retention tool.”
Similarly, Toomie Farris, AAF, AIFD, of McNamara Florist in Indianapolis says that sending his employees to Next Gen LIVE! is a great way to reward the young stars of the company, so when they come back, they’re able to shine even brighter.
“I’ve got a rock star of an employee that’s been very involved in Next Gen since the launch,” says Farris. “And she always comes home excited and motivated, so it just gives her a little chance to recharge her batteries, to gather ideas, and to broaden her horizons.”
Click here to see the full schedule of events and register for Next Gen LIVE! in Dallas on Feb. 23–25.
Kenya McCullum is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
