by Dale Cowan
The most significant operative word for today's world is "Change", and there is little doubt that this single word will
continue to drive how both agri business and our farm-based customers operate and manage our respective businesses. But the
simple process of change is not just the issue at hand - it is also the associated speed and magnitude of change that we must
adapt to. It is both a reality and necessity of doing business in 2010! General Eric Shinseki, Chief of Staff (Retired) for
the U.S. Army said it best…."If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less."It is during these challenging and changing times that many businesses will ask What are we doing wrong?, but don't let negativity prevail! It is equally important to look at What are we doing right? Here is a list of some of the things that Ontario's agri business sector is doing right:
~ Serves Ontario's 57,000 farm customers with essential products and services and take great pride in providing value and making our customers successful.
~ Plays a key role in supporting agricultural production, the local economy and rural community.
~ Places a priority on protecting of the environment for future generations.
~ Takes food safety and quality very seriously - we deliver our best every day.
~ Places a priority on the health and safety of over 8,000 employees in Ontario's crop inputs, grain and feed industry.
As Ontario's agri business sector must focus on "doing more of the right things" in order to be successful in the future, OABA is well positioned to provide leadership to the membership in a number of key areas. A cornerstone activity of OABA is to develop and deliver products, programs and services to the membership that are targeted at "adding value" to agri business members operating in the crop inputs, grain and feed sectors. In this area, OABA has played a key role in the establishment of the Ontario Food Industry Environmental Coalition (OFIEC) that will serve to liaise with the Ontario Ministry of Environment and collectively address the numerous environmental issues facing the primary input supply and food processing sectors. During the past year, the Association has also stepped up efforts related to consumer communications and awareness with the production of a "Thanksgiving Infomercial" that was aired on television in October, 2009. We are now working on our next phase of this communications outreach activity with a series of consumer focused infomercials that showcase the value of agriculture and agri business and encourage support of Ontario's agri-food sector by asking for Ontario grown food products at the grocery store.
The area of government relations continues to take a high profile within the Association, and it is increasingly evident that an effective government relations program is really never finished. While OABA has been very successful in Queen's Park, it is essential that individual members step up and play a key role in the delivery of government relations and advocacy in the local riding. I encourage you to become 'politically' active and take the necessary steps to ensure that your business and its issues are effectively communicated to your municipal, provincial and federal politicians.
Earlier this year, OABA conducted a "Member Survey" to benchmark levels of satisfaction and obtain input into the strategic direction of the association. Member participation levels were excellent, and survey results strongly indicate that OABA is doing a lot of things right! Here are some of the survey highlights:
~ 81.1% of the members surveyed are "satisfied" to "very satisfied" with their membership in OABA.
~ 78.9% of the members surveyed are "satisfied" to "very satisfied" with the products, programs and services currently offered to the membership.
~ 84.8% of the members surveyed are "satisfied" to "very satisfied" with the level of member accessibility to and member service provided by OABA staff.
Through the effective combination of volunteer expertise on the Board of Directors, and Crop Inputs, Feed, and Grain Section Committees, and a dedicated and professional staff consisting of Joanne, Tracey, Norm, Ron and Dave, OABA is very well positioned to represent and advance the interests of our membership to industry stakeholders including government, producer groups and consumers. Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of the Association!
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to serve OABA as President for 2010, and to say a sincere word of thanks to the membership for their continued support through these changing times.
Respectfully yours, Dale Cowan, President
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