Customer Service: How to Exceed the Expectations of Every Single Customer

Can you remember the last time a business went out of their way to make you feel appreciated – or conversely – left you disappointed because they failed to meet your expectations? Most people can probably recall being in both of those situations because we only remember two kinds of service – exceptional and terrible.

You definitely don’t want to be terrible, but if you’re not striving for exceptional then you’re settling for mediocre. Is that what you want to be known for? If not, then it is up to you to change the perception of your business and it begins with customer service.

Today’s consumers expect more than ever before. They’re smarter, have more choices, and demand better experiences than they may have tolerated in the past. With so many options available at the touch of a button, consumers don’t hesitate to seek something new if their satisfaction isn’t met.

This isn’t necessarily bad news for retailers, but it does require some work and a renewed focus on customer service. Relying on reputation alone is not enough anymore, and low prices are great for getting customers in the door, but it won’t bring them back if the service and experience fail to meet expectations.

One thing we can control is customer service

The goal of exceptional customer service is to answer every question with a positive option. The word “NO” must be removed from the conversation and instead replaced with options. Let the consumer decide where to draw the line by choosing how far they are willing to go to get their need fulfilled instead of being told it is impossible under any circumstances.

For example, my flower shop – Beneva Flowers in Sarasota, Florida, delivered 24 hours a day. Obviously we didn’t have our drivers out driving around town all night making deliveries in the dark, but if someone wanted flowers delivered at midnight for whatever reason and were willing to pay the additional fee of $100 on top of the regular delivery fee to get the job done – I was certainly going to make sure his flowers were delivered at midnight – even if I had to get in the truck and deliver them myself.

That never happened though. I always offered to let the drivers keep half of that delivery fee and they would jump at the chance to make a quick $50 for 15 minutes or so of extra work. But that wasn’t the best part. The best part was that the customer who was so desperate to get the flowers delivered was always ecstatic because they were able to find a flower shop that honor such a request to deliver that late. Mediocre businesses would simply say “no” to such a request because it goes against some kind of policy they have. Instead of looking for excuses not to do something, look for a new opportunity!

Take the time to listen with the mindset of making it right with a “YES WE CAN” attitude. If the customer takes the time to voice an opinion, we should take the time to listen and do everything we can to exceed their expectations. That’s what great customer service is all about! If you need help with your customer service, please give me a call. I can help you! (941) 809-5000.

Congratulations Stewart Resnick: A Well Deserved Honor For a Man Who Revolutionized Our Industry

My friend and mentor Stewart Resnick was recently honored with the invitation to join the Horiatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Membership in this prestigious group is limited to a select group of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, achievement, dedication to their communities, and who have overcome significant adversity to achieve success.

Stewart Resnick

It’s a rigorous selection process, and members are typically accomplished entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other prominent figures who serve as role models for young people. For those who are recognized by the association, membership is a significant honor that recognizes their hard work, perseverance, and success in the face of adversity.

Those words are such a perfect way to describe Stewart Resnick. If you aren’t familiar with him, he has a very nice wikipedia page that describes him as a self-made billionaire and the “richest farmer in the United States.” He’s all of that and more. He’s a genuine down-to-earth person who gives to countless millions to charities and thrives on helping others succeed.

His wiki also describes him as the founder and owner of The Wonderful Company, a privately-held conglomerate that includes brands such as Pom Wonderful, Fiji Water, and Wonderful Pistachios. Perhaps you recognize him now?

One big thing they barely mention is profile is his significant contributions to the floral industry. But what he did revolutionized the entire industry on a worldwide scale.

In 1979, Resnick and his wife, Lynda, acquired Teleflora from The Telegraph Group, a UK-based media conglomerate, and helped grow it to one of the world’s largest floral delivery networks.

Stewart Resnick, center, with wife Lynda, left, and Art Conforti.

Under Resnick's leadership, Teleflora underwent significant changes and growth. The company expanded its product offerings, introduced new technologies, and developed a strong focus on marketing and branding. Resnick also helped to grow Teleflora's membership, bringing on board new florists and expanding the company's reach across the United States and Canada.

What started as a gift for his wife Lynda (Because she loves flowers and gifts) became a support model for florists across the entire continent. Today, Teleflora operates in more than 165 countries and has a network of over 15,000 florists worldwide.

Teleflora: Like Nothing Else in Our Industry

I talk about Teleflora a lot - but I’m not out recruiting florists on their behalf. There is nothing in it for me except for giving back to a company that has given me so much as an entrepreneur over the years. They offer every tool you need to not only become a successful florist, but a successful entrepreneur.

I always say, you can literally put your key in the door, join Teleflora, and have everything you need - along with expert support every step of the way. I don’t know of any other company around today with that goal in mind.

Teleflora is a cooperative organization that exists to support and empower independent florists. By becoming a member of Teleflora's network, florists gain access to a unique range of resources and benefits that can help them to grow and thrive in a competitive industry.

One of the primary ways that Teleflora supports its member florists is by providing a platform for online and phone-based orders. Teleflora's website and toll-free phone number allow customers to easily order flowers from member florists, even if they are located in a different city or state. This can help member florists to expand their reach and attract new customers from outside their local area.

In addition to order processing, Teleflora provides its member florists with marketing and advertising support. The company offers a range of promotional materials, including customized print and digital marketing campaigns, to help member florists promote their businesses and attract new customers. Teleflora also offers training and educational resources, including webinars and conferences, to help member florists stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the industry.

Finally, Teleflora provides its member florists with access to a network of like-minded business owners. Through regional and national meetings, member florists can connect with one another, share ideas and experiences, and collaborate on projects and initiatives. This sense of community and support can be invaluable for independent florists, who may otherwise feel isolated or overwhelmed by the demands of running their businesses.

Teleflora provides a platform for independent florists to grow and thrive, offering resources such as online and phone-based orders, marketing and advertising support, training and educational resources, and a community of like-minded business owners.

Teleflora always wants their member shops to prosper. I watched this firsthand and personally saw the excitement of listening to Lynda present to use retail florists her ideas for affordable disposable vases to keep the costs down. They are always looking for a better way and always make sure their fellow member florists are involved.

From president Jeff Bennett to Jack Howard and many 20+ year employees, this is a family that anyone doing business with them is fortunate to be a part of the family. First and foremost, they listen. It's clear they don't have to do this - they love doing it and helping retail. Where else do you this spirit? Thank you Stewart and Lynda, the retail floral industry is a better place because of you!

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Why Your Business Should Consider a .AI Domain Extension

In today's increasingly digital world, businesses must keep up with the latest technological advancements to remain competitive. One such advancement is the use of .AI domain extensions, which can bring many benefits for businesses seeking to establish a strong online presence.

With a .AI domain, businesses can project a modern and innovative image, enhance their branding efforts, improve their website's search engine visibility, and provide 24/7 customer service through chatbots. As a result, businesses can attract and retain more customers, boost their revenue, and stay ahead of the curve.

What is a .AI domain extension?

.Ai domain extensions are top-level domains that are recognized as the country code top-level domain for Anguilla. However, in recent years, the domain extension has gained popularity as a way for businesses to brand themselves as innovative and tech-savvy. By using a .AI domain extension, businesses can show their customers that they are forward-thinking and up-to-date with the latest technology.

Branding with .AI domain extensions

Small local businesses, such as restaurants, can benefit greatly from using a .AI domain extension. For example, a restaurant called "Sally's Seafood" could register sallysseafood.ai. This not only looks more professional and modern, but it also makes it easier for customers to remember the website address. In addition, using a .AI domain extension can help businesses stand out from their competitors and create a unique brand identity.

SEO benefits of .AI domain extensions

Using a .AI domain extension can also provide SEO benefits for businesses. Search engines like Google consider domain extensions when ranking websites. By using a .AI domain extension, businesses can signal to search engines that they are a tech-savvy and forward-thinking company. This can improve their search engine rankings and help them reach more potential customers.

Let Bloomerang Solutions handle the process

While registering a .AI domain extension may seem simple, it can be time-consuming and confusing if you are not familiar with the process. That's why it's recommended to let Bloomerang Solutions handle it for you. Bloomerang Solutions has the expertise and experience to ensure that the process is smooth and seamless. By letting Bloomerang Solutions handle the registration process, you can focus on what you do best - running your business.

Bloomerang Solutions owner, Art Conforti, has over 35 years of experience as a retail florist and a digital marketing expert. He understands the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and providing businesses with the tools they need to succeed. Art and his team can be reached at (941) 806-1911.

In addition to providing .AI domain registration services, Bloomerang Solutions also stays up-to-date on the latest technological advancements, including the use of chatbots. Chatbots are becoming an increasingly important part of website engagement. These automated tools provide instant access to information and assistance, improving the user experience and increasing customer satisfaction.

By analyzing the conversations between the chatbot and visitors, businesses can identify areas where they need to improve their offerings or where visitors may have questions or showing interest in a product. Bloomerang Solutions stays up-to-date on the latest technological advancements, including the use of chatbots, to ensure that their clients are ahead of the curve and provide the best possible user experience.

In conclusion, using a .AI domain extension can help businesses create a unique brand identity, improve their search engine rankings, and signal to their customers that they are a tech-savvy and forward-thinking company. However, the registration process can be time-consuming and confusing. That's why it's recommended to let Bloomerang Solutions handle it for you.

With their expertise and experience, they can ensure that the process is smooth and seamless. Additionally, Bloomerang Solutions stays up-to-date on the latest technological advancements, including the use of chatbots, to provide their clients with the best possible user experience.

If you're considering registering a .AI domain extension, let Bloomerang Solutions help. Our team of experts can guide you through the process and ensure that your website is up and running smoothly. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you establish a strong online presence for your business.

How Local Florists Can Prepare for an Economic Downturn

Implementing Unique Gift Card Programs for Loyal Customers Will Help Increase Sales and Strengthen Your Business During Economic Uncertainty

In a year that could be full of economic challenges, florists must be prepared and plan ahead for the upcoming changes! Florists cannot simply sit back and assume that orders will show up. This is not the safety net that any business should want! Any downturn in the economy will affect the gatherers first. Job losses will affect the holiday flower buyers, as flowers are never really needed, they’re non-essential. What we need are MORE CUSTOMERS!

The best plan to secure these customers starts today! At Bloomerang, we’re focused on securing customers and the orders will follow. Our founder, Arthur Conforti, says that this is the biggest realization florists should have. Getting customers and improving service is the key to success.

Casey Ryan from Irene Pate Flowers in Birmingham, Alabama, says that “Art and his team at Bloomerang showed me how to execute his unique gift card program I now use to secure corporate business. They come to my store to check the value and I set them up an account.” Florists must realize that customers are available everywhere. It’s no longer unique to sell flowers, so we must focus on our service! Make it so easy to order that customers will never want to go anywhere else. Address customers by name and not account numbers, and at the end of the order, ask them if there’s anything else they need.

If you’re dealing with out of town requests, take the orders and never allow them to leave or direct them elsewhere. This is especially important today with the improved technology available. You have the edge because you’re part of a community, so get involved with reward points, account cards, surprise gift cards, and charity programs with local schools and churches. We can help you set everything up. Smart retailers will be increasing their marketing efforts, so don’t rely on anyone else to do it for you. If you need help, you can email us and we’ll help you for free!

At Bloomerang, we’re here to help you succeed. We can show you how to execute unique gift card programs to secure corporate business. You’ll be able to keep customers coming back to your store and they’ll check the value of the gift cards. Don’t let the potential of a recession affect your business. Take the steps today to ensure that you’re prepared and have the right plan in place! With our help, you’ll be able to secure more customers and increase sales!

Click here to join our Facebook group where we discuss the industry with florists from across the country and around the world.

Google’s Birthday Is September 27: But We Know When They Really Started

Art Conforti was one of Google’s first partners. He has been working with Google since (the real) Day 1: September 8, 1998.

Google is celebrating its 24th birthday on September 27. But that isn’t really their birthday. How do we know? Because we partnered with Google on their very first day - September 8 1998.

September 27, 1998 is the date that Google now recognizes as its birthday, but that isn’t the actual day they first appeared online. In fact, they seem to have changed their own birthday several times over the years.

One of the best examples of this was Google’s fifth birthday, which was celebrated on September 8, 2003, instead of September 27 as it was the year before. But, on Google’s sixth birthday in 2004 they chose to celebrate on September 7.

One year later in 2005 they celebrated their 7th birthday on September 26. By the next year they were back to September 27 where it has remained ever since.

Why does Google celebrate on Sept. 27?

Despite first appearing online September 8, 1998, Google now recognizes September 27, 1998, as their official birthday and has done so since at least 2005. So how did the date get changed to the 27th?

Good question! If you want to get technical, Google was officially incorporated on September 4, 1998, so they could have selected that date. Alternatively, they also could have chosen September 15, 1997 - the day that the Google.com domain name was registered for the first time. But instead Google selected September 27 as their birthday in order to celebrate the number of pages that were being indexed on the search engine - it was a marketing strategy!

We’ve been there since the beginning

While Google may not be able to narrow things down to one specific day, we sure can! Why do we vividly remember that day more than 20 years ago? Because that’s the day business marketing changed forever.

Back in the day Google was not the biggest nor the only search engine out there. You had Yahoo, Lycos, Infoseek, and a handful of others with Overture making it possible to advertise and manage them all.

Do you remember those names? It's okay if you don’t, but online experience reaching that far back is what you get with Bloomerang Solutions. That’s how Art Conforti was able to grow Beneva Flowers from a small retail flower shop ranked somewhere in the 20,000's into one of the top 20 florists in the nation.

We’ve been there since the beginning and have never wavered in our focus to remain at the forefront of online marketing. We know from over 30 years of experience what works in our industry, and we customize our marketing strategies to enhance the profiles of each and every shop. Unlike others in the industry, we work exclusively with YOU and never with your competition.

Click here to join our Facebook group where we discuss the industry with florists from across the country and around the world.

Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash