ANNAPOLIS, MD Diane Lagerstedt, Sales Manager of Washington Floral Services,
Inc., Tacoma, WA was the winner of the 2010 Laura Kantakis Scholarship. The
scholarship pays for attendance at the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier
Association (WF&FSA) Management Institute which was held February 25, 2010 in
Dallas, TX.
The scholarship honors Laura Kantakis, a past chairman of the Young Executives
Committee. She was named Young Executive of the Year for 1989 and 1990. Laura
had an unending passion for the floral industry. The scholarship was created by
a group of friends who remember Lauras inspiration, both professional and
personal. Laura Kantakis passed away in 2008.
I was honored to be the recipient of the Laura Kantakis Scholarship, said
Lagerstedt. Especially after meeting the other attendees. The WF&FSA Management
Institute really presents an opportunity not only to learn from the speaker but
from other wholesalers facing the same challenges we face. I was impressed at
the free flow of information during the roundtable discussions. It has been
great to be able to give specific examples of what was working and for whom. We
can learn so much from each other when we are encouraged to share.
The timing and content of the presentation could not have been better. I’ve
been to many sales seminars but this is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone so
dynamically present sales STRATEGY in such an organized way. We’ve already had
our management team use the speakers tools to map out growth opportunities in
the coming year.
As we all know, changes are coming in our industry. WF&FSAs Management
Institute has prepared us not only to face those changes but to direct the
course of our growth through strategic sales planning practices.
I hope to attend again and would encourage those who have never attended to
apply for a scholarship next year. I gained insight and acquired tools that have
truly changed my job as sales manager.
2010 Laura Kantakis Scholarship Recipient, Diane Lagerstedt, Sales Manager of
Washington Floral Service, Inc., Tacoma, WA and WF&FSA President Gary Doran,
President, Kennicott Brothers Company., Chicago,IL.
Diane Lagerstedt has been a member of the Washington Floral Service team for
about 5 years, and she has actively participated in the floral industry and its
organizations for over 30 years.
Lagerstedt was awarded the scholarship because she is a person who never stops.
Shes on for both customers and co-workers 24 hours per day, every day. You
could ask her how much time she puts in, but I doubt she could answer it would
never occur to her to draw a distinction between work and play. Her passion for
the industry is such that its all the same thing. Diane is also the worlds
greatest cheerleader; her enthusiasm and willingness to work in support of each
salesperson truly makes her a leader, not just a manager.
Management Institute is an annual WF&FSA program designed for owners, managers
and future managers of WF&FSA member firms who want to learn more about
leadership in the floral industry and to network with peers.
WF&FSA is a dynamic business organization dedicated to providing members with
the information, services and support they need to remain competitive in todays
constantly changing market. The Association offers a wide variety of programs
and activities to support its mission of enhancing networking and business
opportunities for member wholesale floral distributors and suppliers.