August 2024 - 29

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Chalet
Wilmette, Illinois
chaletnursery.com
Year founded:
Chalet was founded in 1917.
What is your garden center known for?
Chalet is known for being a staple on the North Shore
with more than 100 years in business and as a fourthgeneration
family-owned company. Chalet has high-quality
plants, exceptional customer service and expert gardening
advice. We offer a wide range of plants, garden supplies
and home décor, making it a one-stop shop for everything
to make your home beautiful inside and out.
How do you set your store apart from the
big boxes?
Chalet sets itself apart from big-box stores by providing
personalized customer service, expert gardening
advice, and a curated selection of high-quality plants
and products. Our knowledgeable staff offers tailored
recommendations and guidance, ensuring customers find
the right plants and supplies for their specific needs.
How do you ensure teamwork among
employees?
For teamwork, Chalet's organizational structure is fairly
unique in the garden center world. Instead of having
self-contained teams that manage all aspects of their
product line (from buying to merchandising to selling),
each of our teams - built around job functions - are
fully reliant on each other for success. This model inspires
creativity through diverse viewpoints, accelerates the
pace of innovation with our highly talented and focused
staff, regularly tackling problems in dynamic flow states,
and streamlines processes by reducing friction between
intersections. Additionally, regular team meetings,
open communication and collaborative projects further
strengthen the sense of community and cooperation
among staff. Team-building activities and training sessions
also help in fostering teamwork.
What are your best practices for managing staff?
Our best practices for managing staff begin with our
carefully structured onboarding program. This program
is consistent in introducing our team values while being
customized for each individual role. During this protected
time, our management team articulates their leadership
promises to new hires and asks to be held accountable to
those promises. Additionally, we provide ongoing training
and development opportunities, recognize and reward
hard work, and maintain a supportive and inclusive
workplace culture. By fostering a positive environment,
we ensure that employees feel valued and motivated to
perform their best.
How is your store involved in your
local community?
Chalet is actively involved in the local community
through various initiatives such as hosting private events,
gardening workshops, our kids' nature-focused " Sprouts "
program, participating in community events, and
supporting local charities and organizations.
" By fostering a positive
environment, we ensure that
employees feel valued and motivated
to perform their best. "
LGRMAG.COM | 29
http://www.chaletnursery.com http://www.LGRMAG.COM
August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2024
