Is the Management Institute Worth Your Time?

Alvaro Crespo, Lihmil, Inc.

I love to talk about the Management Institute! It’s like second nature for me. Several years ago I attended the “WF&FSA Sales Camp” and it was a complete eye opener. Regardless of what kind of education or how many degrees you may have; nothing compares to going to a place to learn with colleagues in the same industry.  You can go back to college, sign up for countless online seminars and/or webinars and read books – but nothing will ever be as relevant as an entire room filled with flower people! Nothing can TRUMP this.

Thanks to a friend, a few years ago I joined the WF&FSA Education Committee. I witnessed firsthand the evolution of the program and the “behind the scenes” that goes into planning events for the Institute. The committee has invested much time, effort and countless hours of work and brain storming to form a very well developed program.

Here are just a few examples of the things I have learned and experienced personally while attending workshops held by the Management Institute:

Human Resources - For most small businesses HR is a big challenge.  Not everyone has the skills or the expertise in this area.  I personally attended a class given by Nancye Combs and I left with complete confidence to hire better as well as to fire people that do not share our views or fit our company well. As Barry Gottlieb said in one of the WF&FSA seminars, “fire fast and hire slow.”

Marketing - Some of us do not have a marketing department. It is up to us to create material for our sales team and customers.  Last year, Kim Kashman did a small presentation that really caught my attention.  She simply said to communicate with pictures (in her words “visual marketing”).  Now I use pictures for everything (no emojis), just pictures! First I need to sell the product to my sales crew before we can sell it as a company.  This concept works great for me.

Also, listening to the WF&FSA’s Florist of the year (Lisa Pritchett of Lilium Floral Design out of Dallas, Texas) opened my mind and re-enforced that the industry has a bright future.  Even though I have some of the best flower shops in the country as my customers, it is important to see shops from other areas. This new program allowed me, the Wholesaler, to see a florist from a different area.  It gave me a unique opportunity to understand why this shop is so successful.

Day-to-Day Business – Previous year’s Steve McClatchy and Don Buttrey were two of the best professional coaches that helped me to be more successful in our daily work and company. This year on the agenda, Dr. Albert Bates (The Real Profit Drivers) and Paul Reilly (Inside sales 101), this will give an opportunity to learn with colleagues and share in a professional way our challenges and issues during the season.  It’s a small investment with a huge return of knowledge to take back to our companies.  

Networking just flows. The “Wine and Design” event is an ice breaker. A few minutes after the program starts, you connect with everyone. After a few glasses of wine, you start building friendships that will last a life time.

As my father once told me, do what one preaches. I am constantly preaching to continually educate and train ourselves to stay ahead of the game. Last year I took a course on WordPress to learn website designs; I will take local classes to update my college degree; and of course I am looking forward to learning more at WF&FSA Management Institute every year. I will see you there August 3 – 5, 2016!