Does anyone else feel like 2023 blew past at an absolutely shocking rate of speed? As we stand ready to drop into another new year, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on our shared journey and look ahead to what lies on and beyond the horizon.
Heading into 2024, it would be dishonest not to acknowledge that there is economic uncertainty in the air. My personal take on that is that if we were able to survive the unprecedented dynamic economic climate of the past three years, this community is sure to make the best of whatever 2024 has to offer. Of course, that’s not to say we should all simply keep doing what we’ve been doing.
By all accounts, it’s quite clear that the Canadian economy is underperforming right now but, as recently as this morning, I am reading that most economists expect the economy to continue “sputtering along” versus a full-on recession. While that doesn’t qualify as especially great news, it’s encouraging to think of all the business opportunity that exists in the space between an underperforming and high-performing economy. Approaching 2024 with a mindset of aggressive growth while focusing on optimizing processes/practices is crucial in the face of economic uncertainty.
Hopefully, dear reader, you are rested up from some time off and ready to roll out hot into 2024.
As your CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, I’m hoping it’s helpful for our members if I take a few minutes to provide insights into the future direction of our storied and energetic little organization.
Strategic Planning Unveiled
Months of dedicated collaboration with our members, committee members, staff, and board of directors have at last brought us to the final stages of our strategic planning process. The Chamber’s strategic roadmap for the next three years will be revealed at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in April. Our current strategic plan expired as of the end of 2023 and the new plan is meant to guide our work for 2024 – 2027, inclusive. While our commitment to advocacy, connection, and information-sharing remains unwavering, anticipate the introduction of a few new strategic pillars that will shape our efforts for at least the next few years.
In the event that any of our members have concerns with or commentary on the way the plan is currently shaping up, please remember that there will be opportunity to discuss and vote on it in real time at the AGM in April.
Innovation: A Commitment to Value and Growth
In a rapidly changing landscape, innovation is not just a (tiresome) buzzword; it’s a strategic imperative. COVID quarantine measures brought this into focus for many of us for the very first time, but it has long been true of both the human condition and the business world. When it comes to innovation in how we operate the Chamber, we continue to aim to deliver increased value to our membership while minimizing costs, most often adding leverage through relevant new technologies.
In our ongoing effort to make the Chamber more valuable to the business community, anticipate the launch of new initiatives aimed at empowering/enabling businesses, fostering collaboration, and cultivating a community environment conducive to business innovation, doing our part to help steer Oshawa and the surrounding region towards economic prosperity.
Building Community Prosperity: A Shared Responsibility
Emphasizing the intersection of business and community well-being, the current draft of our strategic plan places a significant spotlight on liveability. This entails a holistic approach to enhancing the quality of life for everyone in our community, with business as a lever.
To dig a little deeper on why a chamber of commerce would concern itself with the liveability of its community, it’s useful to know how liveability ended up in our draft plan in the first place. One of the top concerns we heard from businesses during the strategic planning process is how we’re collectively going to attract and retain the top talent required for all the growth and innovation taking place in our city. During the ensuing discussion, all roads lead back to the generally accepted elements of community liveability. Simply put; what’s good for people is good for business!
Further, throughout the project we have been asking all participants to help us define community prosperity. Community prosperity has long been embedded in the organization’s vision, as follows, but has apparently not been defined anywhere in the existing documentation:
“Trusted by leaders, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is a community of forward-thinking business advocates who connect, encourage and share ideas that generate enterprise success and community prosperity.”
Measured against the below criteria (housing shortage notwithstanding), Oshawa scores incredibly high as a tremendously liveable community. With a little bit of continuous focused effort and some improved story-telling, we know our community can continue to attract some of the best and brightest workers from around Canada and around the world, building community prosperity.
As we delve into this critical aspect of the draft plan, let’s have a quick look at the key pillars of community prosperity that will help inform our initiatives in the coming years:
Celebrating Oshawa’s Liveability
Oshawa is more than just a collection of businesses—it’s a vibrant tapestry of culture, sports, and leisure experiences just waiting to be enjoyed, including the Region’s only true urban downtown district. There is much for us to lean into here! Through our Oshawa Tourism practice, we’ll continue to showcase the vast array of leisure, creative, sport, and adventure opportunities that define our community, creating loads of new business opportunities and building community prosperity along the way.
Thriving Downtown Oshawa: A Centrepiece of Community Vitality
Recognizing the pivotal role a downtown area plays in community life and with the extra consideration of creating a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience for our many visiting students, we are committed to ongoing and intensified efforts to revitalize downtown Oshawa. Collaborating with all levels of government, businesses, and community members, we seek to transform our downtown into a vibrant and safe hub that reflects the heartbeat of our community.
A Trusted Community Leader: A Daily Commitment
Since 1928, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce has worked towards building community prosperity. Our reputation as a trusted community leader is a commitment we know we must re-earn daily. As we move forward into 2024, this commitment remains unwavering.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
Actively participate in our community’s growth. Join us at the AGM in April, ask questions, and cast your vote on the new strategic plan. If you’re not already a member, I extend a warm invitation to join the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce today. Together, we can build a thriving and prosperous community that stands resilient in the face of challenges.
Join the Chamber today RIGHT HERE.
Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and community building.
