Newsletter Update
Next Hub Meeting and RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year Heat
Thursday 8th October - Van Vliet Cash & Carry, Unit 5 Wednesbury One, Black Country New Road, WS10 7NZ
Start time 6.30pm, demonstration by Sarah Cunningham. Please register your intent to attend by emailing info@britishfloristassociation.org with your shop name and number of attendees. Hub meetings are free to BFA members (2 attendees per shop) and £10 per head thereafter, and non members may also attend at £10 per head.
To enter the competition you will need to submit a piece of floristry, following the relevant competition schedule, into one of the regional qualifying heats to be held at the BFA Hub Meetings. The highest scoring entries from each category will qualify for a place at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. See the BFA website for full details and further dates. Two categories available: Under 25, and 25 and over.
Competition schedule: Create and Design a funeral tribute for a keen gardener.Fresh flowers/ foliage must predominate. The judges will be looking for a high standard of composition and technique.
Minimum Wage Increase
A gentle reminder regarding changes in law on October 1st 2009
THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE WILL INCREASE TO:
£5.80 - workers aged 22 and older
£4.83 - workers aged 18 to 21
£3.57 - workers aged 16 to 17
ALSO REDUNDANCY PAY WILL INCREASE FROM £350 TO £380 PER WEEK.
FleurEx Free Giveaways!
Our Conference Flower Sponsors, Dutch Creations have announced free surprise giveaways, for the first 100 attendees at FleurEx on Saturday, and first 100 on Sunday! Trade Exhibitors UTV Internet will also be offering a free 1GB USB memory stick to all attendees who visit their stand.
If you are a BFA member and have not yet registered for your FREE FleurEx ticket, don't leave it too much longer as you may miss out! Tickets will also be available on the day at £10 per person, cash only. Full information on FleurEx, including demonstrations, trade fair, business seminars and hands on workshops, can be seen on our website: http://www.britishfloristassociation.org/home.htm?id=18
Retail Workshop Update
it too Over 100 delegates have now attended the Florist Management Workshops “Managing through the downturn in the UK Florist Industry”. The response continues to be outstanding - 75% of delegates said the workshop “exceeded” their expectations!
Please find what florists had to say at the most recent workshops ...
“A good day, lots of new ideas to take away – thank you” – The Rose Bower Sutton in Ashfield
“The information was very relevant and will be helpful for future planning, the workshop exceeded my personal objectives” – Young Blooms Trowbridge
“I was very excited to come today; Paul met all my expectations and showed great knowledge” The Stem and Petal Co. London
“Very insightful, made me think outside my comfort zone – thank you” Ena’s Florist Bournemouth
“In all honesty, all the of the workshop was very helpful – I’m a new start-up florist business” Flowers of Perfection Bath
Delegates have stated the following areas are of particular help to their business:
• Web Development
• Margin improvement
• Improving your pricing position
• Building the company business plan - issues and opportunities
• Creating competitive advantage – competing online
• Future market and customer trends
• Sustainability and Fair Trade
• Business efficiencies – particularly improving cash flow
• Winning new and profitable customers
• Increasing customer transaction spend – 29 gifting occasions
• In-store design, product ranging, point of sale and staff training
Future Training and Skills
UK Independent Florists face significant challenges to remain competitive, particularly at this time of economic uncertainty. One of our most valuable assets is the skills of our staff – young and old.
Investment in staff skills improves: Business Profitability, Competitiveness, Productivity, Staff Morale and Motivation, Customer Service
At the Management Workshop we identify the future skills and development needs for owners, directors and staff. Also, we put in place the right Company Training Plan, which is precisely aligned to improve your Company’s future financial and competitive performance.
Autumn Workshops - Delegate places remain available at the following 2009 Management Workshops:
• Darlington – 14 October
• Newcastle - 15 October
• Exeter – 20 October
• Crawley – 22 October
• Chelmsford – 4 November
• Cambridge – 5 November
• Norwich – 11 November
• Ipswich - 12 November
• High Wycombe – 17 November
• Oxford – 18 November
• Luton – 19 November
Remember if you employ 5 staff or more inc. owners, partners, directors and part-time staff you are eligible to recover the full cost of the workshop through the Train to Gain Leadership and Management Scheme. Workshop registration is easy – just visit and download the Registration Form from the BFA website http://www.britishfloristassociation.org/home.htm?id=47