Column chairman FPC tulip: "Growers, let your voices be heard!"

Arjan Smit has been chairman of the FPC tulip for the past three months. He likes to alternate the hustle and bustle of his company Smit Flowers with relaxation. The other day, for instance, he was at the musical 'The Bodyguard', at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht.

Let me get straight to the point: being involved as a grower is extremely important. Ever since I just joined our family business, I have been doing so. We are a cooperative. That means we have to do everything together. And so for me, that means an active role in the FPC of our wonderful product.

My main task as chairman is: to work with the members of the FPC to represent the interests of tulip growers. Making sure decisions are in line with what our supporters need. Or organising for someone to come and talk about what is happening at the auction, or just to listen to what we have to say. And that works very well, I must tell you.

Better and easier for everyone
Decisions in the FPC, Members' Council or auction are not always the most optimal choice for my business. But they don't have to be. Change is necessary. I am convinced of that. And we need to make it better and easier for as many people as possible. Not just for me. Yet sometimes it is also good to speak out against it. We tulip growers notice the impact of a decision on the ground. Take Floriday. There are quite a few changes there. In the spring, that was the new process for approving delivery notes. That's a big adjustment for us. And then also in the middle of the season. It's already busy, you have to add that on top of it. That emotion, and practical experience: it is our job to give this back to the auction. And so we do. In this particular case, not much was possible. There is always a time when such a change is not convenient for someone. In spring that is for us, and later in the year it is not convenient for growers of outdoor plants. But knowing that makes it easier to deal with it.

The role of the chairman
I'll be honest. It was not necessarily my dream to become FPC tulip chairman. Until I was asked for it several times. Then I thought: let me give it a try. I am solution-oriented and practical. I don't mind voicing my opinion, and I always try to listen carefully to others as well. Moreover, I now have a nice network around me, which allows me to reach the right people quickly.

The job of chairman is quite busy. It does not only involve chairing the meetings. I have regular contact with growers in our constituency. Talking to the right people is also part of it. That way I know what's going on. I also chair the meetings. Sometimes a Member Council member or an employee of the auction drops by to listen to us, or to explain something. I then check: do we have the right speakers in for this topic? Or do we need another one? I do that together with Monique van der Knaap (FPC support worker from RFH). That works enormously well. We get good explanations and we are listened to by the right people. By discussing changes with us, we can make it better and easier for everyone.

The tulip grower is heard
I have only been chairman for three months. So reflecting on what we have achieved is too early. If I get to write another column in a year's time, hopefully I will write that we have had a quiet time. Because that's a good sign. Then everything is running as it should. And together, as FPC, we are doing exactly what we are on earth for: making sure the tulip grower can do his job as well and easily as possible.