Partnerships For Plants: Proceedings of CBCN's 1996 Workshop
Latest update: 7 December, 1998
11b: Developing partnerships with commercial enterprise
Workshop Leader: Dianne Woods, Ben Veldhuis Greenhouses, Dundas
Workshop Outline:
Partnerships seem to be one of the most difficult relationships for human beings to maintain, whether it be in a marriage partnership, business, etc.
Partnerships are not to be entered into without diligent research and soul searching, a fact that most of us have learned through painful experience.
My experiences include starting a partnership with a non-profit institution (McMaster University).
Problems we faced:
Communications - Learning each
others' language
Time Barriers - We work in a
different time line
Goals - Negotiating conflicting goals
We will talk about how they were overcome, or are being overcome, and look for tools or information for non-profit enterprises that will assist partnering with a commercial enterprise.
Focus Questions:
What points of mutual interest exist between botanical gardens and the commercial plant trades, and how can these be explored to the benefit of both?
Can not-for-profit organizations do a better job in talking to the commercial world, and vice-versa? Are we even speaking the same language?
Should botanical gardens and commercial enterprise, especially the nursery trades, dialogue to reach a mutually-supportive position on the provision of plants for habitat restoration?
When does a garden become "botanical", anyway? Can we develop appropriate educational programs for use by commercial growers, and perhaps emphasize the positive aspects of the commercial community through the not-for-profit community?
Results of Focus Groups:
1. Benefit - mutual interests
2. Language of Commercial World
3. Should there be a dialogue between Botanical Gardens and commercial?
4. Education programs for commercial growers
Problems: Define roles and expectations! Honest dialogue is necessary. Understand decision-makers and know hierarchy. Be realistic about time involvement. Prioritize and conduct feasibility study. Risks, responsibility and commitment to project need to be recognized. Define legalities, time-frames, deadlines and ultimatums.
Commercial enterprise has a different vision of the world: as do we all. This sometimes gets personal - egos get involved. Partnerships require inclusion; either give up or get to it!
Points of mutual interest: generate consensus for agreement and goals. They must be compatible among partners.
Doing a better job: watch the bottom line; leasing, interfacing, insurance, etc.
Be aware of attitudes and details of collaborative agreements.
Keep perspective of independent business in mind. Keep an eye on legalities of agreements. Beware that using public money to compete with industry is a "hot potato" - avoid conflict, and don't play favourites.
Be open to philosophical changes. Beware exclusiveness, and foster communications and dialogue: be really honest. Be sure that there are mechanisms to evaluate progress and track success.
Note that there may be development of a certificate for anyone who wishes to
grow native plants for restoration (CWF) - also, ethical guidelines are helpful.
UBC has been carrying out introductions through flower auction: an interface
between botanical gardens and commercial enterprise.
