Develop a highly motivated, fully engaged business

Did you know that behind the scenes, there are a small handful of dedicated hardworking people working to help bring new customers into your store? These people coordinate travel schedules, book hotels and airfare, book lecture halls, send out press releases to local media, coordinate with sales reps and spokespeople and book radio, print and TV interviews. Though they receive little personal recognition, they are responsible for bringing our health message to millions of Canadians across Canada each year. Beth Potter, Shelley Armstrong, Toby Aysslinger, and Renee Neilly are a few who have worked the past decade helping build many of the leading product and health experts like Udo, Sam, Dr. Cass, Lorna, Brad, Dr. Lyons, etc.

We all know the impact when we have an expert speak in our community. I feel these talented media relations people deserve to be recognized for the contribution they provide our industry.

What impact will the end of innovation have on our industry?

One thing that concerns me is whether the new regulations will stifle the development of new innovative formulas. The health food store has been the original source for the introduction of any new innovative product. Generally once a product becomes successful selling through health stores, they expand into other retail markets. Products like EPO, flax oil, garlic, echinacea, glucosamine, herbal combinations, amino acids, homeopathy, greens, and a long list of many more all had their beginning selling at the community health food store.

I remember in the late '80s while working at Flora being told by Health Canada to take any reference to omega-3 off our flax oil labels. They they felt it would only confuse consumers who were unaware of what omega-3 meant. It sounds quaint now but reflects how far behind Health Canada is in the understanding of the benefits of natural health products. They seem to be intent on pushing through a pharmaceutical drug model as the only means to support our claims. The products most in question are those containing a combination of herbs or herbs combined with other substances like vitamins and minerals. In Canada, we have many top internationally recognized herbal experts, two leading herbal colleges plus accredited naturopathic colleges, traditional Chinese medicine colleges and in-depth nutritional courses. Why would Health Canada not be working with our herbal experts and colleges to develop appropriate support of evidence? Why do they insist on using recent graduates from universities that do not even have basic herbal knowledge to access our claims? Why do they insist on just a science degree for the regulators instead of herbal degrees to actually have knowledge of the substances they are assessing?

If we allow Health Canada to continue down the path as the gatekeeper for what new formulas will be allowed for sale in Canada, we may just see the end of innovation and over time, a lot of similar products sold under different brands. •

5 Key Points...

In their book The Carrot Principle, authors Gostick and Elton lay the foundation for their "Orange Revolution." Their research is taken from surveys of over 350,000 employees. I strongly recommend this book if you are looking to build a stronger business team. Here are five keys for you to focus on:

1) Goals

People need clear goals in their job. What am I supposed to do? Where is the company going? How will we get there? Who is responsible for what actions? What are the specific timelines?

2) Communication

The number one complaint in most companies is not enough communication. It is very important to focus on improving communication in all levels of your business.

3) Trust

We all have heard that once the trust is gone in a relationship, the relationship is over, even if you attempt to believe otherwise. The key to trust is to be consistent.

4) Accountability

Everyone in the company needs to be accountable for their specific contribution. Everyone needs to take personal responsibility for the success of the business.

5) Recognition

Praise and recognition are the fuel that energizes us through our daily work. The emotional connection employees in a company have is a direct reflection of the emotional connection the company will have with their customers. The Carrot Principle will help give you practical ideas to improve your relationships with each other and thus your customers.