- Keep connected – Arm your delivery drivers with a cell phone and a Bluetooth device to enable them to make safe, hands-free calls while on the road if need be. Make it clear that the cell phone is to be used only for work calls, to keep distractions to a minimum.
- Log it in – Keep a logbook in each delivery vehicle so your staff can keep track of vehicle and gas expenses, delivery confirmations, and write down customer notes or any directions and observations that they’d like to remember for future deliveries.
- Help map it out – A GPS will guide your drivers in the right direction, and many models make it easy to track the speed, route and time it took to complete the job. Advise your drivers to keep the GPS safe by locking the vehicle at all times and taking it out of the van when the shift is over. Don’t forget to stash a current map in the glove box in case technology fails you.
- Pack carefully – Figure out which packing methods work best for your shop when it comes to loading up the vehicle. Experiment with different sized boxes, foam, crates, containers or padding to make sure your designs arrive safe and sound.
- Take your designers on a test run – Encourage your shop staff to hit the road with the delivery driver to see how the designs fare during the ride. Examine the arrangements once you’ve finished to see what changes you could make on the design bench to make the flowers a little more sturdy.
- Arm vehicles with an emergency design kit – Invite your drivers inside the shop to undergo basic design training. Show them how to fix common problems like broken stems or bruised petals, and how they can save an arrangement if need be. Always pack tools like snips, pins, tape, glue, floral foam, extra wire and even an extra vase on board for times of emergency.
- Be clear about quality – Accidents happen and your driver won’t be able to fix every flaw. If a design is beyond repair, let your driver know you’d rather have it brought back to your shop than delivered to what is sure to be an unhappy recipient.
- Prepare for car troubles too – Keep your drivers safe with all the car maintenance accessories – jumper cables, a spare tire, first aid kit, flashlight, etc.
- Promote on the road – Market your shop on wheels by decorating your vehicle with the shop logo. Send your delivery drivers out with business cards and marketing materials that they can hand out upon request.
- Say thanks – In many instances, your driver is the face of your business and the only person the floral recipient interacts with. Let your drivers know they are important to your business, and don’t forget to thank them for their hard work.
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