Educating Staff

I love your passion Suzanne.... I so do wish more employers and employees had that passion.

But I've seen more flower shop employees and even flower shop owners, just flat not care or they weren't interested.

I remembered not too many years ago when I won a scholarship to TF headquarters. I was a Manager and Lead Designer...trying very hard to get my crew as excited about floral design as I was. Nope, never happened. I was even told that I was "over the top" with how much I cared about it all. When I was told that, it blew my mind...and I have never forgotten it.

I will say I have mellowed out a bit, and I don't have the fire in me to be AIFD like I once did. But I still always want to learn and grow. I have no doubt I could be AIFD if I wanted to, No doubt at all. For me personally the reward isn't worth the time or the money. Maybe one day I'll change my mind. Maybe not. Either way I still will continue to learn and grow.
 
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I dont pay for staff to attend shows, to be honest i couldnt afford it. I have two girls who would love to go to stuff and one who is a great florist but is not interested in getting on further really. But, she is advanced trained and shows me tips all the time so i am happy with that.

I call it "the bug", you either get the flower bug or not. I have it till it itches.. So do two of my girls.

When i go to a show they are welcome to come with me and i will pay for lunch and i will offer to drive and use my petrol but they must buy their own ticket.

I have always thought that learning is a personal thing. Oh and i usually insist that my staff are qualified anyway which i think shows a committment to the trade.

Just another slant ;)
 
So many great ways to learn this stuff, and some of it is free.

On the rare occasion that there is a design show in Ottawa, I always offer to assist the designer with anything, heck, I sweep floors with the best of them. That way you're in the back with them for a good number of hours, learning their tecniques first hand.
I've offered them a place to sleep, and a home cooked meal, that turns into a visit of my shop, which always results in some great learning time.
I made a friend with some one who turned out to be a top designer in the netherlands, now when she's near Ottawa, she hecks in for a visit.
Now it's not all self taught, Chantelle, the money I have invested in various courses, seminars, symposium etc, could have just as easily been spent on getting an BA and an MBA and maybe more, but different strokes right?

What I meant by self taught really was self motivated to somehow find and attend every possible situation I can learn from. Until the money runs out, then I have to be a grown up and earn some more.
Hey you know how else to get really good free education?
Offer to go work for someone else for a weekend ...I do that for an event planner friend.She 's sort of retired now, but the weddings she did!!!!!!! Unbelievable. And she PAID me to work for her?!? Easiest gig going when it's not your worry.
Loved IT.
 
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OB1 said:
Hey you know how else to get really good free education?
Offer to go work for someone else for a weekend.
Click to expand...

I love that you said this! I was sweeping up today thinking to myself "If I went to Joanne's shop for a week think of how much I would learn!!"
I'll see you monday
 
After hearing all the negative comments, I had to chime in. TF is having a Sympathy Design event at Pittsburgh Cut Flower tonight and two of my staff are going. I pay for them and feel the cost is minimal. Was really thrilled when my main sales person wanted to go. She doesn't design, but thought it would benefit her when assisting our customers on the phone or in person! Now, that's a good attitute!

They are both giving up an evening. I don't pay them an hourly wage, but pick up their registration, which typically includes dinner in our format. They also enjoy shopping at the wholesale house where they can put things on my house charge and reimburse me the wholesale price later.
 
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