IT in the House

Posted by Renato Cruz Sogueco | Jan 17, 2015 | Articles, Floral Management Plugged In, Leadership & Management, Small Staff Solutions | 0 |

Several years ago, having an full-time information technology (IT) person to help out with your computer network was both a luxury and great luck if you could find this person with the right skill set willing to work in the flower business.

Nowadays, with technology infused with every part of the business, it’s become a necessity, especially if you run a larger shop. So how do you go about finding this person and what qualifications should they present? This month’s article focuses on a couple of well-known certifications for which you need to understand, the A+ and Network+, to enable you to either find the right person or train someone from your current staff. We also discuss many of the intangibles you’d want from your IT person.

Click here to download the January 2015 Floral Management Plugged In column.

About The Author

Renato Cruz Sogueco

husband, father, writer, technologist, organic farmer, golfer, artist, skier, scout leader, fisherman, patron of the arts, foodie, traveler, great friend, pianist, aquaponics grower, beekeeper, lumberjack, sailor, gadget hound, ballroom dancer, handyman

Introduction

Hello! I’m Renato and serve as Vice President of Digital Strategy and Education at BloomNet, a premier florist services company. My primary role is to serve BloomNet’s member florists by developing customized services and solutions focusing on search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media, content marketing and mobile strategy to help them build web sales and engage customers. I also serve as lead educator for new technology, digital marketing strategy and business, consumer and demographic trends at the Floriology Institute in Jacksonville, FL.

Prior, I served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Society of American Florists (SAF), the floral industry’s trade organization providing marketing, technology and government relations for flower growers, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.

I regularly evangelize technology and marketing benefits and best practices through a weekly blog at floriologyinstitute.com, a monthly column in Floriology magazine, articles in state and regional floral association publications, presentations at floral industry events, monthly webinars, on social media and chat (yes, on the phone) with BloomNet members to help solve their challenges.

I served as an active volunteer for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) where I chaired the ASAE Technology Council, was a founding member of the Young Professionals Committee and continue to be active as a Diversity Executive Leadership Scholar (DELP).