There are many metrics, statistics, and trends that can be used to determine if a business is successful, but the one of the most intuitive and common is growth. A business that is growing is, in most cases, a business that is successful enough to invest in that growth and need the broader operation to meet demand. This idea extends to the broader business landscape and market as a whole; like a healthy garden, consistent growth not only demonstrates short term success, but plants the seeds for future development as well.
For Shilo Sazwan, Strategic Operations Partner of exploration and development company Sage Potash, the garden is more than a mere metaphor. Through his company’s sole investment in Sage Plain Property, and its dedication to the development of the US domestic potash supply—a collection of potassium-rich mineral and chemical substances used in fertilizer—Sazwan’s entire business model is focused on facilitating and nurturing impressive growth. With 30 years of industry experience under his belt, he’s developed a number of key strategies and insights into how to best manage the foundations of his business and professional presence.
Through consistent innovation, an unwavering commitment to quality, authentic leadership, and a deep love for his community, Shilo Sazwan consistently demonstrates a philosophy of growth and development. He’s built a reputation for consistency, quality, and trust by sticking to his core values and leadership philosophy, and working closely with his community to solve problems and meet people’s needs.
A History Of Development and Care
Shilo Sazwan was all but born into the fertilizer business; he grew up working in every corner of the fertilizer, calcium, and transportation businesses. His family ran Tiger Industries, the company known for developing the sulfur fertilizer industry in North America, and made their name spearheading innovative technologies at low costs. His deeds speak for themselves; as their Chief Operating Officer, Sazwan oversaw 500 employees and led the development of multiple fertilizer and calcium plants using custom in-house technology solutions. He also led the development of a logistics division including over a hundred railcars and trucking fleets, and achieved 200% plant growth, which increased the market value enough that the company sold for nine times EBITDA.
Beyond his achievements for Tiger Industries as a business, Shilo Sazwan has consistently taken steps to make a positive impact in his community. Under his leadership, Tiger Industries became the top contributor to the region’s local food bank. Even after leaving Tiger Industries, Sazwan continually works to the good of his neighbors and community. He’s been awarded a medal of honor for his leadership and initiative in responding to devastating wildfires in the Slave Lake, Alberta area, and was a volunteer trained firefighter with the Nisku Fire Department.
Even as his personal goals and ambitions change, his love for his community remains constant. The Sazwan Foundation is an organization committed to addressing the short and long term recovery needs of communities affected by wildfires in Western Canada. By raising funds and supporting other existing charities, the Sazwan foundation helps provide critical resources to those in need.
“I aim to support organizations that assist communities in wildfire recovery, as well as support the brave first responders on the front lines, risking their lives to fight the fires,” Shilo Sazwan says.
Leadership and Innovation
Shilo Sazwan’s professional leadership style can be defined by two traits: innovation and authenticity. In his own words, his key strength is “operational vision and optimization.” From his time at Tiger Industries to his current role at Sage Potash, innovation and optimization have been core drivers of his business decisions and new projects. Finding new solutions and new applications of existing ones was what allowed him to achieve the numbers and growth at Tiger Industries that no other company could match.
“I believe in obsessing over process optimization—analyzing every aspect of operations to improve efficiencies,” Sazwan says. “Innovation isn't just about technology; it's about fostering a culture where we're constantly looking for better ways to do things. This ability to see potential improvements and implement them effectively has been crucial to my success.”
When it comes to leadership, Sazwan believes in leading by example, whether that’s working 120 hours straight during a crisis like the Slave Lake fires, or spending weeks digging deep into operational improvements for his company facilities. Part of his effective leadership is his policy of open communication and his data driven goal-setting strategy.
“I balance openness and privacy by being transparent about operations and achievements while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. I believe in engaging in meaningful conversations about business strategy but also getting to know people personally through shared interests,” he says. “In operations, I focus on specific metrics like production efficiencies and throughput. But beyond numbers, I set goals around innovation and team development.”
A Reputation For Transparency And Consistency
Just as erratic and unreliable weather can kill an otherwise promising garden, a poor reputation and volatile professional presence can be the downfall of any professional, regardless of field or industry. Shilo Sazwan demonstrates the opposite, having built his career and his professional brand around his unwavering commitment to consistent, quality results, and establishing himself as a reliable force in his industry. By maintaining high ethical standards, delivering consistent results, and ensuring top-end regulatory compliance through industry association memberships, Sazwan and Sage Potash have set an example that many businesses could benefit from following.
Trust is an important part of the relationships that all business is predicated upon, and trust is built on a foundation of authenticity, communication, and accountability. Shilo Sazwan has long understood that all of those things come from one simple choice: being willing to listen to others. From maintaining open communication with customers to educate them about processes and capabilities, to bringing in subject matter experts to consult on new projects, to taking in criticism and feedback with patience and openness, nothing builds trust better than earnestly listening to others.
“I often find people just want to be heard, so I focus first on listening and understanding their perspective,” Sazwan explains. “Having grown up in the family business, I learned the importance of taking feedback seriously whether it's from employees, customers, or community members. Every complaint is an opportunity to improve.”
