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E new challenge!
When I look back to 2002 I must say it was in many ways an
exiting year. Not only in business, but in general it was a
dynamic year. Unfortunately it seems in the world to become
less friendly. More danger, trethning and tension took part
of our daily life. It is nearly unpossible to escape on it.
Flying, I do this quite often, is, with all security rules and
delays often not really nice any more. It becomes more and more
an exercise in paitions!
Also in the professional field there was much to experience,
as wel negative as positive. Negative I see developments that
more people want to have a diploma in flower art with less time
and effort. They want a diploma, but not the input in effort
to reach a optimal learning process. Unfortunately professional
organizations fulfills those customer wishes. They downgrade
the level of the study program and examination level too easy.
I am surprised about this because in a more and more complex
world we should go for more and better specific knowledge and
quality. To do less and less is a strange philosophy I think!
Further I see that good product information, knowledge of care
and handling of flowers spread out slowly. Still many treat
flowers badly. They hammer flower stems, boil them, breack them,
cool them too cold and other bad treatments. It is amazing because
so much knowledge is availble those days!
In a market which becomes harder, the successful survivor,
I think is the one who have more knowledge in the professional
field, is more creative, has a better view on the market and
developments, on society and trends. And above all it is the
one who have an inspiring message for the customer and know
how to reach them. It is the renuwer, the entrepreneur with
the environmentally friendly message, they are just a little
bit different, better and more eye catching. It has to do with
the extra value, the feeling, the funny and the different. Of
course also the personal feeling and inspiration plays a role
in this.
Darwin knews this long ago, we must adapt, stay updated and
the best is stay ahead and advanced. It is the best way to have
success and survive!
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As some of the positive things of 2002 I will think on the
fantastic Floriade exhibition in the Netherlands. A good promotion
of the knowledge of gardening, growers and flower art in Holland.
(in 2012 we will have the next one). And of course the many
other inspiring flower exhibitions, flower parades, competitions
and demonstrations we have had in my country. Renewers such
as Ad Berends who does a lot for plant design, deserve an award.
I myself was invited many times to travel around and could do
nice demonstrations, lectures and workshops world wide. It is
my personal inspiration and satisfaction to be able to share
knowledge and to inspire people in flower art. Many friends
around the world makes the world smaller and better. To share
is the best we can do!
In the field of book publications we have seen in Holland a
few interesting new flower art books. Authors such as. Pim van
de Akker, Tini Brugge (she works with desinger Hanneke Maassen)
and myself wrote valuable books for all who arrange flowers
professionally or as hobby. Now I only hope you will read them!
It is good to see some floral designers put a lot of time and
cost in writing a book. We need those idealists who often for
only cost covering or even less, put in time and effort in writing
a book. Books are the roots of our culture and sources of knowledge
and inspiration. They also are a guide and road to the future!
So if you are serious doing you hobby or profession, reed more!!!
A tremendous challenge lies ahead to see and find the many
creative and business possibilities in 2003. We need fior this
a lot of inspiration, knowledge and creativity. Take the challenge
for a more and better protection of nature, environmentally
friendly working and flower arranging. Let us go for quality
and depth, to get the best out of our self and to use our positive
doings for a better future of our self and everyone. I see it
as an very much challenging and responsible task. I my self
will this year expand my effort in the message for environmentally
friendly flower floristry and flower arranging (reed more).
I will travel around for teaching and demonstrations to care
Dutch knowledge of flowers and flower art world wide. I hope
my work on this website (and later thisyear a second one for
e-learning) will continue. And hopefully at the end of 2003
a new book?
I wish you find a tremendous amount of positive feelings and
inspirations and that you will use it and develop it with all
energy what is in you. Let us share our knowledge and work for
a better healthier and more creative flower world. And let us
feel inspired and relexed in our dayly life.
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