Lessons from Business and Life Everybody knows Jim McCann. He's the "flower guy," the CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS, who appears in all those terrific television ads. McCann is actually a unique corporate leader who in less than a decade took his company from the verge of bankruptcy to a $300 million business that ranks as the world's largest florist. Now in this upbeat, engaging book, McCann tells the amazing story of how he bootstrapped his way to phenomenal business success--and how you can do it too. Forget the hard sell, the killer instinct, the power suit, and the iron handshake. If you want to make a business take off these days, you need to base it on relationships--warm, real, human contact with the people you work with and sell to. McCann says it best: "Like all human relationships, business involves a need to make contact. Satisfy that need and the money will follow." In Stop and Sell the Roses , McCann shares the secrets he learned along his unique road to success, a journey that began in one of New York's toughest neighborhoods and resulted in a multimillion-dollar business. Learn from McCann how to: Build invaluable loyalty through emotional bonds Pick the technology that frees up your creative time Harness the awesome power of the brand Prepare for crunch times and stay tough when business is slow Make money on the Internet by reaching beyond the computer screen Hire passionate people Leap-frog from job to job with an eye to your long-term success And much more! Funny, insightful, brimming with McCann's irresistible wit and street-smart wisdom, this is a business book like no other you've ever read--a book that will make you laugh as it gives you the tools you need to build your own winning business today. In less than a decade, former social worker Jim McCann turned a nearly bankrupt florist into a $300 million enterprise that dominates the field. Stop and Sell the Roses: Lessons from Business and Life is his brightly written story of 1-800-FLOWERS, the failing company he turned around through business savvy and personal insight. Weaving the tale of his firm's odyssey with observations on his own management style, McCann offers a prescription for success centered upon individualized customer interaction that encompasses everything up to and including the Net (where 1-800-FLOWERS now does 10 percent of its business). --Howard Rothman What an excellent experience it was to first meet and later work with Jim McCann on his first book. In person, Jim has a cool sense of humor, strong family values, and a 90s business savvy - - all of which have contributed to his international fame as "that 1-800 FLOWERS guy." When Jim's book was delivered I was thrilled to see that he and his co-writer were able to so accurately convey his personality along with his wonderful business lessons in STOP AND SELL THE ROSES. Don't make the mistake of thinking this book is strictly "a business book." Yes, STOP AND SELL THE ROSES offers significant business and investing strategies for everyone, but the book also shares heartwarming stories about growing up in a large Irish-Catholic family, powerful examples of giving back to your community (and what Jim got in return changed his life!), and so much more. Jim McCann is a self-styled, self-made millionaire from whom we can all take a lesson or two. Cathy Repetti Associate Publisher Business and Life Everybody knows Jim McCann. He's the "flower guy," the CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS, who appears in all those terrific television ads. McCann is actually a unique corporate leader who in less than a decade took his company from the verge of bankruptcy to a $300 million business that ranks as the world's largest florist. Now in this upbeat, engaging book, McCann tells the amazing story of how he bootstrapped his way to phenomenal business success--and how you can do it too. Forget the hard sell, the killer instinct, the power suit, and the iron handshake. If you want to make a business take off these days, you need to base it on relationships--warm, real, human contact with the people you work with and sell to. McCann says it best: "Like all human relationships, business involves a need to make contact. Satisfy that need and the money will follow." In Stop and Sell the Roses , McCann shares the secrets he learned along hi "This is not your typical business book. Stop and Sell the Roses is fun to read--a real page-turner--and is filled with insight, humor, and great stories." --Tracy Mullin, President, National Retail Federation "In Stop and Sell the Roses, Jim McCann provides a blueprint for getting the most out of business and life." --Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Fox Television "I have always been impressed with Jim's understanding of how to build an agressive business around warm, solid customer relationships. He has a lot to teach us all." --Ted Waitt, Chairman and CEO, Gateway 2000 "Stop and Sell the Roses is a must read for individuals looking to accomplish gre