The Standardbred Canada management team has been working on executing the tactics of the 2018 strategic plan and this month I thought we would go over some of the projects that we will be delivering on.
Like all organizations, Standardbred Canada needs to be nimble and flexible to address any challenges or changes that the market will bear on the industry, and adapt accordingly. Having said that; we also need to be accountable to action and execute on the deliverables that we have identified to the board.
Here is a high level look at some of the projects that we are working on in 2018:
CUSTOMER MEMBER VALUE
In 2017, we did a full review of the services and fees that Standardbred Canada offers our members. This included analysis of each program, cross referencing these with the services that our colleagues south of the border are offering, and reaching out to members to get their input into suggested changes and recommendations.
This resulted in a list of opportunities we are planning to roll out. These include enhancements to TrackIT, loyalty reward offers, and better and more effective communication of new and existing programs to our members.
TECHNOLOGY
One of the most challenging projects that Standardbred Canada has been involved in is the transition from the current IT system to a new data system called Gaitway. As an association that manages and serves our members with data we have been extraordinarily careful and sensitive with this transition. It has been one of the longest and largest projects that we have coordinated and we should recognize IT Manager Janet Cookson and her team, who are not only steering this project to success, but who are also taking the lumps and the bumps that come along with it.
We are moving forward, and Janet and team are working as hard as they can to complete this project. While we appreciate everyone's understanding and patience in converting over to the new system, it has delayed other much needed projects that have been identified (there is, and never will be any shortage of work for Ms. Cookson and team). In the meantime in 2018, we have asked Standardbred Canada to detail plans and timelines on our next IT technology priorities which will be focussed on more online self service capabilities, a refresh of the website, and more opportunities for our members to interact with Standardbred Canada on a digital platform.
PEOPLE
With the changing industry, Standardbred Canada needs to be in change agent mode. I know I don't have to tell you about managing change, you are doing this every day, and so too must our organization. We need to truly serve our members in the most efficient and effective manner. With that comes changes which will continue to position our association in a leading, go forward direction that will be more focussed and deliberate to ensure that we are doing the work that you want us to do.
INDUSTRY GROWTH AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS
We continue leading discussions and working with the National Rules Committee and the Media Task Force, and our quarterly teleconference calls with our horse racing associations across the country are scheduled throughout the year. This is about working and solving problems together and also moving the horse and racing files to the front burner with our respective governments.
FINANCIAL
We will also be spending time with our stakeholders to develop unique partnerships to further promote the industry by exploring and developing opportunities to invest in things like; online self service, mobile compatibility, website redesign and future planning for the association and industry.
This year we are entering Year 3 of the 5-Year Strategic Plan cycle, and I have received the commitment from the board that we'll begin to revise and review the 5-year plan to ensure that it is reflective and effective for the next upcoming five years.
The discussions have already begun by asking for input from our directors, management, employees, stakeholders (associations, race-tracks, regulators, media) and our members from across the country. All these inputs will provide the platform for further and deeper discussions with the board over the next few months.
We are in very exciting times right now and nothing is more exciting than identifying challenges and formulating a plan to address these challenges as a team and industry. But it is truly a team effort and I hope that we can count on your support in helping raise the bar for the sport and each other.
Dan Gall
President & CEO, Standardbred Canada
[email protected]