02-21-2007 CSMCREEKSIDE SOILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
Febwary 21, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER — 9:00 a.m.
Members Present: Doug Johnson, Bill Arndt, Steve Cook, Gary Plotz, Jeremy Carter,
Becky Kobow, Cam Rucks, Duane Hoversten, Melissa Starke, Jeff Meehan, Steve Gillate
1. The group reviewed the Mission Statement. Gary Plotz commented on how the
Mission Statement was drafted. The group feels the Mission Statement more than
meets what Creekside stands for.
"Mission Statement attached"
Duane Hoversten (DH) facilitated the session.
Discussion:
2. Competition (identified as:)
Country Stone - new plant in Twin Cities
Product: mainly rock/stone, but also soil products. Aggressive prices, but
poor quality.
Discussion was held re: Creekside expanding their product line.
Waupaca Material- Wisconsin
Low prices, poorer quality, size of market mass merchant provider.
Scotts Hypanex- Germantown, WI
Mainly h -Mary product, higher quality than Country Stone and Waupaca.
Leisner Soils- low quality
Markman Peat- low quality
3. Discussion Branding independent trade (not in chains)
Creekside - medium
Wonder Blend - high end
Splender Gro- economy
4. Strategies Brainstorming
• Broader offering of products /services
• Enter Big Box market
• Maintain and improve customer loyalty- Branding- Marketing- Ediucations-
Expectations
• Explore customer expectations
• Lowering costs
• Standards of product
• Out Mission Statement, out locally and in branded products
• Product sourcing (raw)
• Marketing succession
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• End customer feedback
5. Strategies
1. ERP
Lowering costs /capturing costs
Product sourcing (raw)
Marketing succession
2. Becoming more customer- focused
Improve customer loyalty - branding, marketing, education,
experiences
Explore customer expectations
End customer feedback
Get Mission Statement out
Broader our offering of products /services
3. Explore Big Boxes
4. Standards of product
6. Strategies Goals
1. Standards of Product
a.) Find out external standards by 6 -01 -07 (Doug, Jeff)
b.) Find /create internal standards (Doug)
c.) Gather findings and set plan for standards by July (Doug)
2. Enterprise Resource Plan (ERP)
a.) ERP- create outline by 5 -01 -07 (Cam, Jeremy)
b.) Educate and assign by 6 -01 -07 (Cam, Jeremy)
c.) Create final plan by 9 -30 -07 (Doug)
Becoming More Customer Focused
a.) Find out end - customer expectations by February '08 (Doug)
b.) Explore current data on the industry (Jeff, Jeremy)
c.) Find reseller expectations by 4 -01 -07 (Doug, Jeff, Jeremy)
d.) Explore branding opportunities by 9 -01 -07 (Doug, Jeff)
e.) Create local Public Relations Plan, July 2007 (Advisory
Board)
Meet again June 13, 2007 at 8:30 a.m.