Smartphones, Smart Shoppers, Smart Florist?

Posted by Renato Cruz Sogueco | Jun 28, 2010 | Articles, Floral Management Feature, Gadgets and Gear, Leadership & Management, Mobile, Strategy, Trends | 0 |

FMJune10Feature_Page_1 Florists often ask me: what’s the next big technology “thing.” I simply dig into my pocket and pull out my iPhone and search for “florist” in the Google app. No need to put a city or state, simply “florist.” In a few seconds, my smartphone — which knows exactly where I am thanks to GPS, delivers a result for 4-5 local shops. “Whoa,” is the usual reaction.

Although my particular device du jour was an iPhone, same thing happens on the millions of iPads, Androids and Blackberries on the market today. And these devices will only grow in number. Is your business ready? We share a few strategies to get you up to speed with the massive smartphone trend.

Click here to download the Floral Management June 2010 Technology Feature

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).