Arkansas Florists Association - ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST & NAFA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

THE ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST AND NAFA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The Education Committee has instituted some significant changes to the Professional Florist Certification Program. These changes reflect our continuing efforts to update our program and enable as many of our members to participate as possible. All of the nine lecture classes and tests will now be conducted on-line. The three hands-on classes and final testing will still be given on site at Southern Wholesale in Little Rock. With the on-line classes our students will now be able to complete these courses at their leisure and in the comfort of their homes or in their shops. This will eliminate the need to travel to Little Rock for weekends to those classes and will save money on transportation, food and lodging. Your textbooks will be on-line and can be downloaded for easier reference. Tests will also be given on-line when you feel you are ready and, when completed, you will receive instant results. Ralph Null AIFD will be our instructor for the hands-on classes which will be held at Southern Wholesale in Little Rock. In addition , when students successfully complete the entire course of study and pass the final testing they will receive both state and national certification through the Arkansas Florists Association and the National Alliance of Floraists Associations. Each student will have as long as two years from sign-up date, to complete the entire course. Just keep in mind the hands-on classes are only offered once each year so be sure to arrange your schedule accordingly.

THE ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST AND NAFA PROFESSIONAL FLORIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

COURSE OUTLINE AND CLASS SCHEDULE

CUSTOMER RELATIONS(On-Line)

Consumers today are knowledgeable, searching for good value and appreciate good service. This lecture course will give you a greater understanding of customer expectations, their buying styles, their opinions and how you can strengthen your customer base. Additionally the course will explore different selling styles and the techniques of good salesmanship.

DELIVERY MADE SIMPLE (On-Line)

Florists are among the last retailers who offer delivery services. This service attracts customers but it can be costly and can adversely affect our bottom line if not handled properly. This lecture course will take an in depth look at delivery practices and expenses and explain at length the practices and procedures which will insure customer satisfaction and guarantee profits.

THE ART OF EFFECTIVE VISUAL MERCHANDISING (On-LIne)

This lecture course enables you to properly evaluate your merchandising practices. It is very important to make your store inviting, interesting and encourage customers to return time after time. In this course you will learn how proper merchandising can do that for you when you know how to evaluate your merchandising areas and how to best utilize them. You will learn how to select inventory for your customer base, pricing and how to achieve creative displays.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS (On-Line)

Finding and retaining good employees is essential in any business and particularly in flower shops today. This lecture course will delve into how best to recruit new employees, how to conduct an interview and once an employee is selected, how to make them productive and valuable. Nearly everyone has the potential to be a good and valued employee but that potential usually requires development. You will learn the proven strategies that motivate employees to attain the goals you set for them and how to keep them happy, productive and on the payroll.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS (ON-LINE)

Creative marketing, advertising and promotions can spell success or failure for a business. This lecture course will give you a greater insight into creating successful advertising programs and exciting new ideas to promote your business and products. When implemented these ideas could significantly increase profits.

DAILY BUSINESS PROCEDURES (ON-LINE)

This lecture class will teach students to understand the many business procedures required to operate a profitable flower shop including how to read and understand financial statements, how to establish staffing levels, determine a break even point, budgeting, and developing cash flow forecasts are some of the topics covered.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN (ON-LINE)

Floral design is an art form and as in all art forms a clear understanding of the principles and elements of design is the road map to success. This course defines and explains in depth composition, harmony, focal point, balance, proportion, line, rhythm, texture and color.

CARE AND HANDLING OF CUT FLOWERS /FOLIAGES (ON-LINE)

This is a lecture course that explains in depth the factors that affect the quality of the flowers and foliages we purchase. It will further explain procedures required to properly receive and process flowers when they arrive in the flower shop. Methods of conditioning and hardening as well as preservative use will be covered.

CARE AND HANDLING OF FOLIAGE AND FLOWERING PLANTS ON- LINE)

This is a lecture class and explains in depth plant anatomy and aspects of healthy plant development. Terms such as photosyntheses, transpiration, respiration, etc. and how they each affect plant life will be thorougly explained.

HANDS-ON CLASSES

Students will be required to bring their own tools and perhaps a towel or two to wipe your hands on.

CURRENT DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES

This is a hands-on class in which students will work on arrangements using today's design styles and techniques. The instructor will construct designs while giving a full explanation regarding construction, workmanship and how the principles and elements of design relate to that particular composition.

WEDDING DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES

This is a hands-on course devoted strictly to the latest design trends and techniques in wedding flowers. Proper construction of corsages, hairpieces, hand- tied bouquets, bridal bouquets and attendants bouquets wil be demonstrated and explained.

SYMPATHY DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES

Sympathy work is a very vital and important part of our business. This is a hands- on course in which students are taught the concepts of proper construction of wreaths, sprays, sympathy arrangements and casket pieces. Developing good working relationships with funeral directors will also be covered. Understanding proper use of foliages and other accessory materials such as ribbon, mosses and dried materials wil be fully explained.

Hands-On Class Schedule for 2010

March 20 & 21 Current Design Styles & Techniques

April 17 & 18 Wedding Design Styles & Techniques

May 22 & 23 Funeral Design Styles & Techniques

All classes will be held at Southern Wholesale Florist in North Little Rock

Students should bring their own tools and towels to wipe hands


ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST & NAFA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
HOME PAGE Blog AFA APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP SITE MAP 2010 CONVENTION INFORMATION >COMPETITION RULES VENDOR SECTION FORMS SECTION WIN A VAN HOSPITALITY BAGS CONTACT US CLASSIFIEDS ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST & NAFA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Class and Final Testing Dates and Location CALENDAR OF EVENTS MEMBER BENEFITS ARKANSAS FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW 2009 AFA MEMBERSHIP LIST BILL PLUMMER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD 2009 SCHOLARSHIP & DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS VENDORS ARCHIVE NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE PHOTO GALLERY CONNECTION 2009 DOOR PRIZE WINNERS Search: This site was last modified on 03/11/2010 at 20:53.	THE ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST AND NAFA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM The Education Committee has instituted some significant changes to the Professional Florist Certification Program. These changes reflect our continuing efforts to update our program and enable as many of our members to participate as possible. All of the nine lecture classes and tests will now be conducted on-line. The three hands-on classes and final testing will still be given on site at Southern Wholesale in Little Rock. With the on-line classes our students will now be able to complete these courses at their leisure and in the comfort of their homes or in their shops. This will eliminate the need to travel to Little Rock for weekends to those classes and will save money on transportation, food and lodging. Your textbooks will be on-line and can be downloaded for easier reference. Tests will also be given on-line when you feel you are ready and, when completed, you will receive instant results. Ralph Null AIFD will be our instructor for the hands-on classes which will be held at Southern Wholesale in Little Rock. In addition , when students successfully complete the entire course of study and pass the final testing they will receive both state and national certification through the Arkansas Florists Association and the National Alliance of Floraists Associations. Each student will have as long as two years from sign-up date, to complete the entire course. Just keep in mind the hands-on classes are only offered once each year so be sure to arrange your schedule accordingly. THE ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST AND NAFA PROFESSIONAL FLORIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM COURSE OUTLINE AND CLASS SCHEDULE CUSTOMER RELATIONS(On-Line) Consumers today are knowledgeable, searching for good value and appreciate good service. This lecture course will give you a greater understanding of customer expectations, their buying styles, their opinions and how you can strengthen your customer base. Additionally the course will explore different selling styles and the techniques of good salesmanship. DELIVERY MADE SIMPLE (On-Line) Florists are among the last retailers who offer delivery services. This service attracts customers but it can be costly and can adversely affect our bottom line if not handled properly. This lecture course will take an in depth look at delivery practices and expenses and explain at length the practices and procedures which will insure customer satisfaction and guarantee profits. THE ART OF EFFECTIVE VISUAL MERCHANDISING (On-LIne) This lecture course enables you to properly evaluate your merchandising practices. It is very important to make your store inviting, interesting and encourage customers to return time after time. In this course you will learn how proper merchandising can do that for you when you know how to evaluate your merchandising areas and how to best utilize them. You will learn how to select inventory for your customer base, pricing and how to achieve creative displays. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS (On-Line) Finding and retaining good employees is essential in any business and particularly in flower shops today. This lecture course will delve into how best to recruit new employees, how to conduct an interview and once an employee is selected, how to make them productive and valuable. Nearly everyone has the potential to be a good and valued employee but that potential usually requires development. You will learn the proven strategies that motivate employees to attain the goals you set for them and how to keep them happy, productive and on the payroll. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS (ON-LINE) Creative marketing, advertising and promotions can spell success or failure for a business. This lecture course will give you a greater insight into creating successful advertising programs and exciting new ideas to promote your business and products. When implemented these ideas could significantly increase profits. DAILY BUSINESS PROCEDURES (ON-LINE) This lecture class will teach students to understand the many business procedures required to operate a profitable flower shop including how to read and understand financial statements, how to establish staffing levels, determine a break even point, budgeting, and developing cash flow forecasts are some of the topics covered. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN (ON-LINE) Floral design is an art form and as in all art forms a clear understanding of the principles and elements of design is the road map to success. This course defines and explains in depth composition, harmony, focal point, balance, proportion, line, rhythm, texture and color. CARE AND HANDLING OF CUT FLOWERS /FOLIAGES (ON-LINE) This is a lecture course that explains in depth the factors that affect the quality of the flowers and foliages we purchase. It will further explain procedures required to properly receive and process flowers when they arrive in the flower shop. Methods of conditioning and hardening as well as preservative use will be covered. CARE AND HANDLING OF FOLIAGE AND FLOWERING PLANTS ON- LINE) This is a lecture class and explains in depth plant anatomy and aspects of healthy plant development. Terms such as photosyntheses, transpiration, respiration, etc. and how they each affect plant life will be thorougly explained. HANDS-ON CLASSES Students will be required to bring their own tools and perhaps a towel or two to wipe your hands on. CURRENT DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES This is a hands-on class in which students will work on arrangements using today's design styles and techniques. The instructor will construct designs while giving a full explanation regarding construction, workmanship and how the principles and elements of design relate to that particular composition. WEDDING DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES This is a hands-on course devoted strictly to the latest design trends and techniques in wedding flowers. Proper construction of corsages, hairpieces, hand- tied bouquets, bridal bouquets and attendants bouquets wil be demonstrated and explained. SYMPATHY DESIGN STYLES AND TECHNIQUES Sympathy work is a very vital and important part of our business. This is a hands- on course in which students are taught the concepts of proper construction of wreaths, sprays, sympathy arrangements and casket pieces. Developing good working relationships with funeral directors will also be covered. Understanding proper use of foliages and other accessory materials such as ribbon, mosses and dried materials wil be fully explained. Hands-On Class Schedule for 2010 March 20 & 21 Current Design Styles & Techniques April 17 & 18 Wedding Design Styles & Techniques May 22 & 23 Funeral Design Styles & Techniques All classes will be held at Southern Wholesale Florist in North Little Rock Students should bring their own tools and towels to wipe hands
emdwebservices