app, and she can assign tasks including training videos or updated policies that are mandatory to read and sign. It has geotracking for where someone logs in and an employee directory. “I love having the time clock and


schedules in one spot,” she says. “Also, it’s much easier processing time-off requests.” As a communication tool, O’Connor


uses it both to discuss HR needs and daily operations. “I can tell who has or hasn’t read a policy update,” she explains. “Some are really important, and I tell them they need to review this policy or watch this video.” The internal chat feature allows her


to message between the two locations and handle various customer service needs efficiently. Plus, she can assign tasks as needed.


Take note: The free version has limited functionality, and many useful features (like timesheets, advanced scheduling, or geolocation tracking) are only avail- able in paid tiers, which can be costly for small teams.


Cost: Free (up to 10 users); $29/month (up to 30 users). Additional costs for more users.


Also noteworthy: Gusto Payroll, benefits, and HR tools for small businesses. Offers time tracking, onboarding. Annual cost: $72–$1,000


Homebase All-in-one team management tool. Includes scheduling, time clocks, pay- roll, and messaging. Offers a robust free plan for small teams. Annual cost: $0–$779.40


BambooHR Designed for growing businesses. Offers features for hiring, onboarding, compensation, and culture. Known for user-friendly interface and customizable workflows. Annual cost: $0–$1,000


Rippling Unified workforce management system. Handles payroll, benefits, device man- agement, and apps. Scalable for growing companies. Annual cost: $96–$10,000


SMART SUPPORT ChatGPT comes in handy for a wide range of tasks — including floral-specific uses like identifying hex color codes and helping navigate HR issues.


Personal Assistant


ChatGPT What it does: Wedding proposals. Employee handbooks. Email responses. Marketing copy. Financial analysis. ChatGPT, the hugely popular language model developed by OpenAI, does it all when given specific prompts.


Integrations: ChatGPT integrates through its API and third-party auto- mation tools like Zapier, extending its capabilities beyond the chat interface and allowing it to interact with thou- sands of other applications.


Why florists love it: “I’m really getting into a relationship with my chat,” says O’Connor. “It’s very useful for searching for hex codes and providing suggestions for accent colors. It only takes a few sec- onds to produce a response.” She’s been using it for design pro-


posals and even for advice on how to handle HR issues. “It gave shockingly good advice that I used to make bullet points for having a difficult conversation with an employee,” she says. It can be wrong, she warns. “I


uploaded a picture of tangerine orange and asked for the hex code; it gave me hot pink!” O’Connor says. That said, she corrected it and then it provided the right answer.


Take note: ChatGPT can generate great ideas and write content quickly, but it may not always reflect the nuances of the floral industry unless you provide detailed context or guide it closely.


Cost: Free; up to $200/month for pre- mium features


Also noteworthy: Gemini Built for fast, smart assistance across Google’s ecosystem. Offers real-time help with writing, analysis, and coding tasks. Seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Docs, and other Workspace tools. Annual cost: $0–$360


Test Before You Invest O’Connor is intentional about making sure any new apps she tries give her a return on investment. She loves to test different apps but cautions that they have to make sense for the business — and be widely adopted. “I’m guilty of not canceling, that’s


why I always recommend not going on auto renewal,” she says with a laugh. Still, she sometimes surprises herself with how much she enjoys exploring a new app.


Sarah Sampson is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.


The magazine of the Society of American Florists (SAF) 27


SHUTTERSTOCK/PIXIEME


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