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Scenario

One Industry - One Voice - One Story at a Time

A few years ago there was a study to determine how a national marketing campaign might positively impact the whole industry and help everyone sell more flowers. It was agreed that the program must be fair and broadly based and that the only way such a campaign could succeed would be through a mandatory system via the USDA.

Considerations were to be made about who would pay assessments, at what level, and how assessments would be collected. Projections stated that a minimum $50,000,000 annually would be needed for the campaign to be effective and that the program would in the end be paid by the consumer by raising the cost for all fresh cut flowers. Finally, it was determined that the entire flower industry must support the initiative in order for it to begin.

The effort never went any further. We didn't create a marketing campaign for ourselves. So we are struggling along in this recession without a cohesive plan for better days to come.

What if "They" were WRONG?

• What if there was another way to promote the industry?
• What if there was an all inclusive cooperative system, not just National but International - one that recognizes, supports, and speaks highly of every component of the industry?
• What if this marketing program was based on voluntary participation offering different degrees of commitment so every company or individual could join in at their own comfort level?
• What if we found a medium that allowed us to interact with our target audience (flower lovers and the general public) twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year - for a few dollars a day?
• What if instead of charging flower lovers more for their floral purchases we had a self-sufficient system that would offer them rewards for helping us promote flowers?
• What if those of us who want to see the floral industry evolve into the full glory of what we know it can be could implement a program immediately - instead of waiting for everyone to agree on a project or a plan?
• What if such an entity was not only a possibility, but already existed as a reality - now ... today ... was already produced, implemented, functioning, and paid for - would you be interested to know more about it?

One Voice

Flowerhandlers is one voice - not the only voice - but at least one voice that speaks for the whole industry. We accept all components of the floral industry (Retailers, Suppliers, and Supporters) as vitally important to the overall well being of the whole industry. And we believe that the best way to promote "One" is to promote the common interest. The only way to preserve "One" is to preserve the good of the whole". We are all in this together - we all need to sell more flowers, to more people, for more reasons, more often.

So, Flowerhandlers promotes the enjoyment of flowers and floristry as livelihood online: with helpful information about flowers and positive stories about different components of the global floral industry and in person: via workshops, presentations, private consultations, and project management.

Every component of the industry does good work - we just need a medium to let our story be told. Innovation, technology, and the internet allow us to reach consumers and floral professionals: teaching, informing, entertaining, and enticing them to understand the journey and the value of fresh cut flowers in a most cost effective and efficient way.

Every time a consumer learns something new from a Flowerhandlers book, CD, arranging tip, Tip-Sheet, or storyline they become a better customer for our retailers - educated consumers make wonderful, repeat, year-round customers. And they'll pass the information on to their friends and family members - turning those folks into flower lovers too.

The promotion of flowers doesn't have to be mandated. And we don't all have to agree on where it is going. Those who care can simply take a little step toward creating a better future for their own company and enjoy the journey as it unfolds. A small focused group can have great influence - the greater the influence the greater the impetus. If a group would move forward with a positive plan the influence created would suffice for thousands. So, the whole industry would be elevated to a greater place by the few.

We see all components of the floral industry growing and expanding simultaneously and in synergy with one another. However, individual businesses within the industry are at very different places from one another. Everyone is invited to join the Flowerhandlers Community - FREE of Charge. Then each member can decide to what degree they want to participate. That way, no one gets left out but no one is forced to contribute more than they can handle. Those who can support our work more generously will receive more benefit. As we all advance the industry those who can't now, will be able to participate more fully later - carrying more weight and reaping more benefits.

You can be a part of such a group immediately. The Flowerhandlers body of work has been designed to promote the entire floral industry.

• Membership is free. Participation on various levels is voluntary.
• Several websites (offering different information) are up and running 24X7X365.
• The system is self-sufficient with proceeds from the sales of information products and directories supporting new flower promotional projects.
• Members can become affiliates who earn commissions through referral sales.

Floral professionals are invited to support this work immediately by:

• Joining the Community and exploring our work.
• Getting listed in MyFlowerhandlers (Retailers) or Flowerhandlers Network (Suppliers / Supporters) directories.
• Becoming affiliates and spreading the word

Together we can be one voice that brings this one industry into its full glory with "One Wonderful Story at a Time."

Warm regards,
Dottie Harrigan

PS - For those of you who are not familiar with Flowerhandlers work:
Scenarios were "make believe" stories written to offer a point of view or new perspective that might inspire the reader. However, with this re-launch of the FCB we thought it more important to describe a mechanism that really does exist and can benefit immediately anyone in the industry who aligns with it.

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