Wire services Education Teams

[RWK]

With all the discussion of leaving and doing away with the wire services in our various shops......It does raise a question.

With all the FTD Education team designers and instructors and the Teleflora Education Specialists team......What does a mass migration out of the wire services do to them and how does it affect them?

 

[lori042499]

With all the discussion of leaving and doing away with the wire services in our various shops......It does raise a question.

With all the FTD Education team designers and instructors and the Teleflora Education Specialists team......What does a mass migration out of the wire services do to them and how does it affect them?

Does FTD do education seminars anymore??

That is a very good question, if there are no more wireservices, than I guess there will be no more education programs and that is a real shame...Unless the wholesale companies start doing them on there own..Our wholesaler, Jacobson's, regularly has all day discounts and design seminars with Frank Brice AIFD. He is a wonderfully talented designer, i have seen his finished work but never got to see him do his stuff..He is amazing with silks...Most of the education and design teams are so sought after that I am sure they would fill their life with designing jh books, Florist magazines, florist associations, etc., etc. But it would affect them in a way..especially the ones who teach, if they really enjoy that..

 

[BOSS]

With all the FTD Education team designers and instructors and the Teleflora Education Specialists team......What does a mass migration out of the wire services do to them and how does it affect them?

Simple answer... get a real job

Freelance!!

 

[theflowersmith]

I'm secretary for our TF W Pa unit. The designers I've worked with so far have their own shops.

 

[Joe Mioux]

Rick:

Do you remember the old FTD Master Designer and Master Manager Programs? FTD cancelled these programs a long time ago.

The FTD sponsored designers will go away as well.

OR..... they will be morphed into showing real flower shops how to arrange FTD.com bouquets!

When was the last time you attended a FTD district meeting? Mine was year 2000 when I was vice-chair of our district.

They don't exist anymore. Conversely, TF still has its districts and its district meetings and functions.

This is why I keep saying that Teleflora is more flower shop services oriented. Teleflora's (old AFS division) education programs continue and this is a good service TF provides its member florists.

Joe

 

[CHR]

Joe -

A couple national groups are looking at offering national certification along the lines of the old FTD levels. Several states have very good certification programs, too.

In the end, what do those certificates mean to consumers and what benefits will they bring the holders? If the answer isn't 'more money' then the programs just become vehicles to justify the test-holders' jobs.

Rick -

As florists have grown less amorous with WSs, attendance has suffered. Both TF and FTD have teams on the road, but as they are seen as competitors to many local wholesalers through their 'flowers direct' programs, those venues have dried up.

TFs team is comprised mainly of free-lancers, with only 4 of the 21 being shop owners. I know of a few long-time team members choosing not to renew their contracts next year.

Manufacturers like Smithers-Oasis, Design Master and Syndicate Sales also sponsor designers, as does the California Cut Flower Commission so there are still opportunities for designers who want to do the show circuit.

As much as I love design, I think our industry's education should focus more on the business aspects. Not as entertaining but more vital for our future.

Lori -

FTD does have a team. They're pictured here: http://www.ftdi.com/education/educationteam.asp I believe 4 of the 8 are shop owners.

 

[Joe Mioux]

Joe -

A couple national groups are looking at offering national certification along the lines of the old FTD levels. Several states have very good certification programs, too.

In the end, what do those certificates mean to consumers and what benefits will they bring the holders? If the answer isn't 'more money' then the programs just become vehicles to justify the test-holders' jobs.

My little black mico-chipped heart is going pitter-pat!

I normally have more "balls up in the air" than I should and you know what, ????

It all comes down to salesmanship, service and a good product.

Great comment, Cathy!

Joe

 

[Rhonda]

just as an "aside" to that FTD team, Ann Jordan is one of the most energetic people I know. She has more enthusiasm toward education, building your business, and loving your work than any presenter I've seen (that's 33 years of attending education programs here). She is a great addition to their team (even though I'm no longer FTD after 33 years)........
Our State Association is strong in Education, we offer both a PCF (Professional Certified Florist) program and an mmfd (Maine Master Floral Designer) program and will have our final class on our new program CWC (Certified Wedding Consultant) on the next Monday.
Our Association is strong, probably because our main goal is Education and we seek "what shops want", hopefully.
Rick, it can be done, you just need to put in place and the right people to move it along. I appreciated all the programs I attended through the years, be they FTD or Teleflora sponsored. There will never be an end of the need for further education and for some, just the basics. MSF&GA would love to see that need addressed in Massachusetts, we have members from that state but it seems the politics have gotten in the way in the past.
There are great "individuals" who could or would take over when/if/if ever the "big two" decided not to do education programs but it will and should be state associations who should lead to keep education up to date and timely.
And to relate to Cathy's comments, Ann J. is also one of the most savvy regarding business practices. Her marketing of both her former shop and "herself" speak very well of her accumen in that regard. She can perform as Incentive, Business, and Design.
(although she has a real hard time with spelling from time to time) <---- from personal experience :rofl:

 

[Connie]

Rick, very good question, and I've wondered the same thing, especially since being on the state board. We would have a difficult time for the convention without the WS designers, eventhough Smithers-Oasis, Knud-Neilson, and others sponsored designers also. This may be a topic that we need to address at our next meeting.

We were almost not able to find a sponsor for fresh flowers one year because of FTD's fresh flower programs. Wonder why FTD does not want to show off their own flowers?

I ramble..........

 

[bloomz]

Joe -

Rick -

As florists have grown less amorous with WSs, attendance has suffered. Both TF and FTD have teams on the road, but as they are seen as competitors to many local wholesalers through their 'flowers direct' programs, those venues have dried up.

TFs team is comprised mainly of free-lancers, with only 4 of the 21 being shop owners. I know of a few long-time team members choosing not to renew their contracts next year.

As much as I love design, I think our industry's education should focus more on the business aspects. Not as entertaining but more vital for our future.

Never thought of that wholesaler thing. And the shop owners thing is vital if you ask me - if someone can't do what they teach, what biz do they have teaching?

Right on post - would give you a green dot but I just gave you one on the other post and it's making me spread them around

 

[Rhonda]

We were almost not able to find a sponsor for fresh flowers one year because of FTD's fresh flower programs. Wonder why FTD does not want to show off their own flowers?

I ramble..........

Connie, I'm not sure I understand this sentence. You couldn't get a wholesaler to supply for a WS designer? Or you couldn't use a WS designer without them plugging the fresh flower program of the WS?
We have utilized the WS teams for commentators and also designers. We would expect them to use the names of the wholesalers who donate the items for their segment and that is understood with the chairs & the designer. Now unless the WS wished to not only sponsor but also supply ALL the fresh materials....
I know that neither Tel or FTD have even "offered" to send product other than their containers for any of our Design Seminars/Shows. And even those now, I don't believe they donate. Procurement takes care of that part of our shows (I'm just the registration, treasurer, and some times co-chair).