This is a great course for those people already in the nursery industry who want to take the next step and learn the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and supervise staff. Students will gain valuable knowledge about how to manage and run a successful business, as well as develop marketing and sales skills.
COURSE STRUCTURE
This course is comprised of:
*Core studies - Four units (400 hours) of compulsory subjects for all students.
*Elective studies – Three stream units for the development of knowledge in a chosen industry sector.
*Project – a workplace project of 200 hours relevant to your field of study. The project specifically aims to provide the student with the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge developed through various areas of formal study. Contact the school for more information.
CORE UNITS Click on each module for more details
Office Practices
Develops basic office skills covering use of equipment, communication systems (telephone, fax, etc.) and office procedures such as filing, security, workplace organisations, etc.
Business Operations
Develops knowledge of basic business operations and procedures (eg. types of businesses, financial management, business analysis, staffing, productivity, etc.) and the skills to develop a 12 month business plan.
Management
Develops knowledge of management structures, terminology, supervision, recruitment and workplace health and safety.
Marketing Foundations.
Develops a broad understanding of marketing and specific skills in writing advertisements, undertaking market research, developing an appropriate marketing plan and selling.
STREAM STUDIES
1. Horticulture 1
The ideal course for the beginner, this is a basic, yet thoroughly practical course which gives you a sound broad technical grounding in horticultural principles and practices. A section of each lesson involves plant identification. YOU WILL LEARN:
To identify, propagate and care for 80 different types of plants.
The systematic way plants are classified.
Structure and parts of a flower.
To identify different leaf shapes.
Different ways to control weeds.
Simple soil tests.
Making propagating and potting mixes.
Identifying pest and disease problems.
How and why to prune different plants.
Drawing a simple garden sketch plan.
To plant or repair a lawn; and lots more.
2. Garden Centre Management
Designed originally in conjunction with a garden department manager of a major retail chain store; this course has been very successful in training both staff and managers of retail nurseries and garden centres across the world. It continues to be updated at least annually, and continues to be used by small nurseries through to major chain stores across the country.
The course is divided into 12 lessons as follows:
1. Introduction: Plant classification, plant cultural requirements, soil and nutrition, watering requirements, drainage, temperature, light, humidity.
2. Plant Health: How to diagnose a problem, pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, frost, sunburn, chemical damage, insufficient light, overwatering.
3. Stock Maintenance: Quality standards, buying new stock, inspecting stock, extending stock life, disposing of below-standard stock, watering techniques, fertilising, pest and disease control.
4. Display and Display Techniques: Display units, product location, sales area layout.
5. Garden Product Knowledge I: Plant containers, tags, soil mixes, equipment, tools.
6. Garden Product Knowledge II: Chemicals, fertilisers, baskets, terrariums, cut flowers.
7. Indoor Plants: Major groups, common problems, plants for specific situations, customer attitudes.
8. Container Stock: Trees and Shrubs.
9. Seedlings, Bulbs, Herbs and Perennials.
10. A: Deciduous Trees, Fruit, Nuts, Berries.
B. Seed.
11. Marketing: Pricing strategy, advertising, promotions.
12. Management: Staff control, staff productivity, work scheduling.
3. Sales Skills
There are twelve lessons in this course; as outlined below:
1. Presentation and selling
Personality. "Never judge a book by its cover." A wise old saying! but people who buy do make judgements especially about sales people. Dress and grooming are top priority in selling.As well you must learn how to develop a selling personality.
2. Communication and Conversational selling.
Learn the art of written and verbal communication in easy to understand terms.
3. Marketing (Buyer analysis and motivation)
Presentation of products to consumers and motivating them to buy.
4. Management (hierarchy)
Dealing with upper management; learn how to get your point across. How to be assertive and positive when dealing with your superiors.
5. Helping the Product Sell Itself
6. Know your product and pre planning.
Through observation, reading and listening get to know your products (pre planning is essential in today's complex society).
7. Selling made as simple as A B C.
The procedure of selling.
8. "The Opening" (getting the attention of the buyer)
Creating the right atmosphere for a sale to take place.
9. "Closing a Sale" (overcoming objections).
Buyers will tend to look else where unless a salesman can close a sale in an appropriate amount of time (learn the secrets).
10. "Stress Management"
Learn the art of relaxation through stress management techniques.
11. The Law and Selling
12. Report Assessment Writing
Understand the components of Retail Nursery Management - study marketing and operational practices, whilst developing knowledge of horticulture and the management of garden centres.
If you have any questions about the course, contact a specialist Horticulture Tutor today.
OR
Give us a call on +44 (0) 1384 442752 (outside UK) 01384 442752 (UK)
