How do I introduce my corporate flower accounts to a new owner?
List every corporate account with its contact, what it orders and how it pays. Decide the order of introductions, then tell the most important clients yourself, ideally with the buyer in the room. Do it after a deal is firm and with the buyer’s agreement on timing.
Corporate customers buy from people they trust, so the introduction matters more than the paperwork. Begin with a simple account sheet: who orders, how often, what they usually buy, who approves the invoice and how long they take to pay. That sheet also helps the buyer judge which accounts need the most care.
Decide when to tell clients. Many sellers wait until the agreement is signed, because word of a sale can unsettle customers before the deal is certain. Agree with the buyer on timing and on what you will say. Keep it short: you are staying involved for a while, and the florist is in good hands.
Take the largest accounts first. A visit or call with the buyer beside you works better than an email. Let the buyer see how you handle the order, the delivery and any special requests. Finally, be clear about your own role afterwards. Say how long you will stay available, who the client calls with a problem, and whether any standing orders carry over unchanged.
Key takeaways
- Build an account sheet covering orders, contacts and payment habits.
- Tell key clients in person, with the buyer present, once the deal is firm.
- Say plainly how long you will stay reachable after the handover.
- Confirm which standing orders carry over to the buyer unchanged.
Related reading
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Due diligence
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAdvice for succession planning - Articles and tools
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAccounts receivable
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat is succession planning?
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