With Mother’s Day fast approaching, florists are fine-tuning their strategies to handle the holiday rush — and smart incentive programs can boost both sales and employee motivation.
At Rothe Florists in Philadelphia, Herb Rothe uses a straightforward approach: rewarding sales staff with a flat bonus for every add-on they sell, from balloons to chocolates. “I give them a reward each time they sell something,” he said in the March/April issue of Floral Management. “It can really help move your add-ons.” The result? A win-win — staff earn more, and the shop sees a rise in revenue.
Florists who have successfully implemented incentive programs say the key is simplicity. Overcomplicated plans often fail, while clear goals with easy tracking keep employees engaged. Whether it’s rewarding designers per piece, offering bonuses for upselling, or even pooling customer tips, structured incentives keep staff focused and drive higher sales.
Chris Drummond, AAF, PFCI, of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia, has been using an incentive-based pay model for 15 years. His secret? Clear policies and transparent tracking. “You can’t implement an incentive program unless you have good measurements,” he says.
Read more about crafting a plan that works to increase profits and improve morale in “Incentives to Inspire” in the March/April issue of Floral Management.
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
