As a business that depends on the outdoors, sometimes it's incredibly difficult to run smoothly when the weather decides to be dicey. Customers tend to lag, employees tend to sag and the days begin to drag, all of which add up to a very bad scenario for you and your store. It's not inevitable, however! If you're able to plan an attack and combat the issue before the first raindrop falls, chances are you'll get just as much if not more done on a rainy day than you would a sunny day.
There are several things that rainy days will provide you with, besides water from the sky. Rainfall will eliminate the need to water plants outdoors, which will give you an extra divot of time during the day in which you can accomplish other tasks. Looking at these extra hours, you can easily use it to do a project that you've been thinking of doing for a while. Look around inside and make a "Rainy Day Punch List." It should include larger scale projects such as arranging indoor decor. This could be done any day, but of course, on a rainy day there isn't anything better to do.
Rainy days should also include a little bit of phone time on your half. Take a chunk of your rainy day to touch base with some of your growers, vendors, and best clients. Let them know that they're thought of and make sure there isn't anything you should know about or should be doing for them. If you just take the opportunity to reach out and talk with a grower, you'll find out things that perhaps aren't on weekly availabilities such as overstocks and new introductions. Calling clients just to let them know you care is a great business practice, and the beauty of this is that it's free. Calling somebody and letting them know that you want them to be 100 percent satisfied with what you've provided them with is a great way to not only pass time, but possibly drum up some more business.
From an employee standpoint, make sure you have a task list for those who you absolutely cannot send home. Employees such as cashiers, loaders and delivery people can be sent home. Anything they do you should be willing to do right along with them or for them. This will save you money and it will give your employee some unexpected time off. Those who cannot be sent home should be given tasks such as clearing cobwebs and going on "dust duty."
Also, don't allow any employee to come to work without proper rain gear. Just like the shoes on their feet and the sandwich in their lunchbox, all employees should report to work ready to work, no matter the conditions. Raincoats aren't expensive, and they can last for years to come if they're taken care of properly. If an employee arrives without a raincoat, offer them a loaner poncho. These can be picked up for next to nothing at your local drug store. If you really want to drive the point across, write with a Sharpie something clever on the back of the Poncho such as "Rain, rain go away, and take some weeds with you."
Don't ever look at rain as a time to let your business drag! Capitalize on the extra time you'll have and get to work. When all else fails, splashing in puddles is always fun too!
Nikki Weed is a horticulturist and professional adventurer who uses her experiences and knowledge to manage a successful garden center in Greenville, S.C. She can be reached at pepitaweed@gmail.com.