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Your Chamber of Commerce ... Gearing Up To Be a Stand Out! T he Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce will be submitting our application to become an Accredited Chamber within the next year. What does this mean? Accreditation ensures: · Strategic focus on core Chamber activities · Uniform practices, policies across the network · Dependable governance procedures · Distinctive brand identity · A competitive edge against other business organizations · A stronger "voice of business" in our community · An increased role in national and international policy advocacy. Few things are more important than your identity as a business and as a business owner. It is what sets you apart from the crowd. You have worked hard to build it, maintain it and protect it. Your Chamber of Commerce wants the same thing--to have a strong identity of increased presence, surpass our competition, clarify the role of our Chamber, maintain professional standards, fulfill expectations of Wendy performance and even Hue governance practices, President and an increased sense of purpose. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is working to help us do just that. Thus, the opportunity for accreditation has been brought forward to all chambers who wish to apply. We are proud and pleased to report that we have most of the elements leading toward accreditation already in place. One of the most important steps we need to take at the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce is the development of a new Strategic Plan that will lead us into the future. When this is completed, we will know where we want to build on our strengths, address some of our challenges, seek opportunities and be prepared for any threats that future trends may present. The Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce is growing and we are now very close to 500 member companies. The Town of Halton Hills is growing rapidly and with the development of the Gateway project more companies will join our Chamber. We want to be ready with a strategic plan that addresses the growth of our community at large. Our motto is "connecting business and community." We want our strategic plan to reflect this. A great part of connecting with the business community is gathering your input. We would like our strategic plan to reflect some of your ideas that the Chamber might include as expressed by you and the community we serve. Would you like to have the opportunity to give your input into the new strategic plan? We welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Please email them to Sue Walker, General Manager, at info@haltonhillschamber.on.ca. Positively and successfully, Wendy Hue, PCC, CSP President Y ou will be compelled to hesitate before entering the head office of Sheridan Nurseries as you admire the ornately carved front doors signaling the warmth that lies inside. Pushing through the doors will reveal a naturally bright reception area bursting with plant life, bright sunshine beaming through the skylights, and dark woodwork along the walls. The welcoming setting extends to the personnel and speaking with Karl Stensson, Senior Vice President, sheds light on the environment. "We don't call them customers; they're our guests," he says. "We greet them and welcome them as though they are coming into our home." This hints to one factor contributing to the success enjoyed by the company in their 93-year history. Sheridan Nurseries was established in 1913 when Karl's grandfather, Sven Herman Stensson, and his family came to Canada from England. His five children worked in the business until retirement. While many family-run businesses are particularly vulnerable during third-generation management, Karl suggests that his focus on the retail operations and his cousin Bill's focus on the nursery operation bring enough diversity to promote growth. With both playing to their strengths, occasional healthy opposing viewpoints fuel the fields for success. In an attempt to be unique and different from the big box stores, Sheridan has focused on details. They are not a discount store. They carry mid- to high-end products and offer 800 varieties of plant material. The Georgetown location is one of ten throughout the area, nine located in the GTA and the tenth in Kitchener. "Retail is detail" according to Mr. Stensson; therefore, you'll see great diversity in the products and services that Sheridan offers. Their guests can expect to find not only topquality plant products, but accessories, furniture and gifts. There is even a design division for those guests who wish to get either on-the-spot design advice at a Sheridan retail location, or at-home advice from a consultant. The designers will also recommend contractors authorized by Sheridan which Karl Stensson and writer Marnie Hughes of Communication extends that level of Artistry chatting on the driveway at Sheridan Nurseries head trust through the office. next phase of the they the largest independent nursery project. retailer in Canada, but they are also the It is often said that a business is only as country's largest wholesale nursery, successful as its people, and that certainly supplying product to as far as applies at Sheridan Nurseries. It is one of Newfoundland, Denver, and Tennessee. the area's largest employers with almost The management at Sheridan Nurseries 150 full-time employees which blossoms embraces the philosophy of community to nearly 500 during the peak spring and involvement and feels strongly about summer season. The entire company peaks giving back. With their locations throughat over 1,100 during the spring months. out the GTA, Sheridan has spread out their There are many long-term employees community projects to reflect the areas including some who have been there for that they serve. Locally, they donate shrubs decades. Sheridan is also a participant for the annual Glen Williams Town Hall in a provincial "farm workers program" for upgrades and on-going operational which enables off-shore workers to come needs. Sheridan has also contributed to the from Jamaica and Mexico and work on the Gellert Center as well as gardens at the farms here during those busy months. This Toronto Botanical Gardens and the brings in the much-needed workforce Mississauga Garden Council Project at while contributing to the local economy, Riverwood. One of their more unique and workers are paid a fair wage many contributions is the annual Artists' Gardens times that which they would make in their at Harbourfront. native country. Where will Sheridan Nurseries grow A key business challenge is the fact that next? Well, with a 100th anniversary on two-thirds of Sheridan's annual business the horizon they hope to continue to occurs during ten weeks of the year. They challenge themselves by targeting the 100 seem to have overcome this challenge, million dollar sales mark in that centennial however, through careful planning of year. That should be a fireworks display personnel and maintenance. Not only are you won't want to miss!