Linnaea Newman Background and Credentials
Getting Started - The Practical Way Linnaea began Interior Plantscaping professionally in 1977, and in the summer of 1978 she noticed that plants kept getting replaced due to inconsistent watering, and lack of insect control and pruning. Thinking that someone should address this problem with education and training, Linnaea headed for Gerry Leider with her idea. When Linnaea mentioned a training program, he replied, "Do it! Write something up, and bring it to me."
Training and Presenting Linnaea was now in charge of Special Services, and the manager of Research and Development for the largerst plantscaping company in the world. Her job was to keep the plants in the field looking better for a longer period of time. This was the birth of Tropical Plant Rental’s training program. Not only did she write the training program, she was then put in charge of presenting it, and was now facing her greatest fear, public speaking.
Success In Training and Traveling Linnaea’s first formal presentation to the Professional Interior Plantscape Association in Cincinnati, in conjunction with ALCA was in 1981. In 1983 Linnaea developed the original ALCA Technician Training Program. So began her world traveling and training as she spoke at every interior plantscaping association in this country, then on to Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Supporting The Industry Linnaea also donated countless hours to give back to the industry that developed her talents. Linnaea served on the Interior Plantscape Short Course Planning Committee for the Ohio Florist’s Association (OFA), for 12 years earning an award for recruiting the most new members in a year, and also serving as a Director of the Board of OFA for three years.
Setting Standards Of Excellence Linnaea passed the first Certification Exam given by the National Counsel for Interior Horticultural Certification (NCIHC) in 1983, then became a Governor of the Board and helped rewrite the next two exams to make them more applicable to our industry. She served on the NCIHC Board, filling the Vice-Chairperson and finally the Chairperson position. Linnaea served on ALCA’s education committee, and continues to assist ALCA (PLANET) in their most recent rewrite of the certification exam, as well as developing and teaching a one-day review course for technician certification.
Being Recognized and Branching Out 1985 brought recognition as Linnaea was elected as a member of the Outstanding Young Women of America and by 1989 was listed in Who’s Who in the World. 1989 brought big changes. After 10 years with Tropical Plant Rentals Linnaea went out on her own to become the best-known professional trainer and consultant to the interiorscape industry.
Better Training is About Connecting With People In Multiple Ways Linnaea traveled to South Africa for a six city training series in 1991. Training non-English speaking workers unlocked the door of results-oriented training for Linnaea. When there is no common language, people naturally revert to show-and-tell, head movements and hand gestures. Linnaea added non-verbal training to her accomplishmetns, and began asking the question, "What’s in it for them?" Answering this question provides the basis for all of Linnaea’s current training, as she continues to show technicians how make their jobs fun, easy and profitable.
Technique Innovations Recognized at the Industry Level Linnaea taught our entire industry correct pruning techniques for indoor trees, and in 1995 received an ALCA Environmental Improvement Award at JC Penney Headquarters for using pruning techniques to save 200 ficus trees from being cut down. In 1997 she also received an ALCA Environmental Improvement Award for the Brookfield Square mall renovation. By 2001, Linnaea was inducted into the Interiorscape Hall of Fame, and in 2005 received her industry’s Leadership Award for Education.
Getting "Well Read" Linnaea ‘the writer’ is also well known for her training articles in Interiorscape Magazine, this being a great way to get her training information to a large number of industry people.
Taking Plantscapers To New Levels As a consultant to mall owners she is the liaison between the owner and plantscaper. This facet led Linnaea to help in the design of a soil mix that eliminates the problems of soil compacting, fungus gnats and soil mushrooms.
Awards
- ALCA Environmental Improvement Supplier Recognition Award for J.C. Penney’s Corporate Headquarters, 1995
- ALCA Environmental Improvement Award of Merit for Brookfield Square Renovation, 1997
- Inducted into Interiorscape Hall of Fame, 2001
- Industry Leadership Award for Education, 2005
Linnaea borealis, or "Twinflower" Rosa carolina, or "Wild Rose"
