What's with Secretary's Day?

It started in 1952.

It was a way to acknowledge the hard work done by secretaries worldwide, and was called National Secretaries Week.

Apparently that title wasn't good enough, so in 1981 it was changed to Professional Secretaries Week.

By 2000, this name was deemed politically incorrect, so the name was changed once again to Administrative Professionals Day, celebrated on the last Wednesday in April.

In my mind, this new name means absolutely nothing to most people.

I can see the results when customers are searching for flowers on the internet. There are far more people looking for Secretary's Day flowers then these other contrived phrases.

And what are we really celebrating any way?

As employers/bosses/managers, all we are trying to say thanks.

A simple "thank you" to everyone that works for us.

So why not simply call it Employee Appreciation Day?

At least most people would understand the name!

The Miracle of Same Day Flower Delivery in Canada

It seems easy enough, but it's actually a miracle.

FedEx can't do it. UPS can't do it. Not even Canada Post can do it.

Same day delivery across the country.

Let's say you are in Montreal, and you want to send a gift across the country.


You Google "flowers in Vancouver", hoping for same day flower delivery in Canada as you've ordered before noon Vancouver time.

Up pops a number of websites to choose from so you click on Simon Says Roses with a whole range of flower images.

You select a flower arrangement with red roses and stargazer lilies, knowing she will love the colour and scent of the display.

And that's where the miracle begins!

The arrangements are not simply sitting on a shelf.

Somebody has to take the order.

Somebody has to construct the arrangement.

Somebody has to deliver the flowers.

All within about a four hour window.

Here's what has to happen:

1. The staff member takes your order, including product order code, greeting card message, recipient's information, your information, and the payment method.
2. The order is printed, and an Order Confirmation Invoice is sent to you by email with full details (except credit card information) for your order.
3. A copy of this Invoice is given to the flower designer.
4. The recipient is called, to ensure someone will be at the residence to accept your gift. 
5. The designer then chooses the flowers, the vase, and then must construct the arrangement, coming as close as possible to the picture. As no two flowers are identical, no two arrangements are identical, but a close replication of your choice will be made.
6. Most delivery services have a morning and afternoon pick-up, usually at 10:00 and 2:00. Orders placed the previous day or before hit the morning run while orders received that day make the afternoon run. Each driver usually loads from 10 to15 orders on each run.
7. The delivery driver must plot his delivery run to ensure the most efficient route is taken in terms of time and mileage.
8. Voila! The delivery is made. When the drivers return, they provide their delivery logs. Your order is marked delivered, and you are emailed a Delivery Confirmation.

A custom manufactured product, ordered and delivered across the country on the same day.

Now that's a miracle!