Just Drop In
I happened to visit one of my bank’s branch offices last week and I was shocked and saddened.  Their live plants looked like, well, like garbage.  Yellow leaves, brown tips, leaning, overgrown, or sparse foliage.  The only plant that looked halfway decent was the Sam’s Club artificial ficus tree in the corner.

Spotting the branch manager I asked her, “What happened?”  She agreed the plants looked terrible but corporate had mandated 2 years ago, that all 100-branch offices terminate their plant service contracts.  From then ‘til now, Suzy the part time teller who “just loves plants” has been watering them.  This particular manager also agreed that something needed to be done so when I offered to get her a company to quote live with service as well as artificial, she quickly agreed confiding that she was leaning toward the artificial route.

 I made a few notes, went back to my office and worked up a proposal for $950.00 worth of artificials.  I fully expect the Bank Manger to approve it.   One down – ninety-nine more branches to go.  Now, what if you made it your business to pursue local branch banks that have discontinued service and quote both live and silk?  If you sold one of those every couple of weeks you’d be sure to add to your revenue.  Use a double plus mark-up plus installation fee as a rule of thumb to make it worth your while and don’t forget to suggest a twice yearly "Cleaning and Reshaping" Maintenance Program.

And, by the way, a lot of bank branch offices have a partition or two separating bank officers from waiting areas or teller lines.  A TOPsider filled with vining live or silk enhances privacy, demarcates an area, acts as visual signage, and keeps valuable floor space open.  It’s the right planter in the right place.  And when you order from TOPsiders, you can order just one if that’s all you need.  No required minimum!

Go Get "Em
So the next time you are driving by that former client’s office, stick your head in the door and see what’s up.  Bet you get a few of those oldies but goodies back.