Florists share skills

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 532, 19 April 1994, Page 6

Florists share skills

Teleflora florists from the central North Island converged on Ohakune at the weekend for an intensive two day learning module. Among them was local Teleflora florist, Dot Barnes. The course was limited to just eight participants and tutored by T eleflora president Malcolm Angus. Mr Angus said that the Teleflora network is currently moving away from large-scale training seminars, with the trend instead for localised workintensive sessions involving fewer participants. This way he said, those taking part receive one-on-one instruction and individual attention. The new training scheme was piloted in the Waimarino, with a second planned for the Canterbury region in the near future. The group spent Saturday morning learning how to make the most of their respective businesses, with advice from Teleflora chief executive, Gavin Watson. Mr Watson, an accountant in Wellington, advised participants on current trends, busi-

ness viability and ways of meeting market demands, amongst other topics. The remainder of the day was devoted to practical work, with the group fashioning posy bowls, formal presentation flowers and arrangements. Practical work continued on Sunday, with modern and overseas trends explored, wreath work and bowl arrangements. In all, a total of six different pieces were produced by each participant over the two day course. Mr Angus and his wife Linda were on hand to offer advice and encouragement to individuals throughout the sessions. Both tutors and Teleflora participants enthused about the hospitality given them by staff and manager Keith Pittman, of the Kings Court Ski Lodge, which hosted the event. Mr Angus is optimistic that after the success of the weekend' s training seminar, many more such sessions may be held here in the future.