Snow Talk with SIMA

We wrap up 2024 with a great episode featuring Outdoor Pride Landscaping & Snow Management's Billy Butts and Garden Grove Commercial Grounds and Snow Management's David Lammers, who talk about the power of networking. Hint ... it's not about what's in it for you!

Skyline's Mark Arthofer joins SIMA's Evan Newman to talk about building partnerships and relationships between private snow contractors and public works entities like municipalities, airports, military bases and more.

Industry consultant Angela Cenzalli and The Integra Group’s Jenny Girard explore personal experiences with mental health challenges, the detrimental industry norms that contribute to burnout, and the importance of creating a culture of wellness and support.

Bill Akehurst, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Akehurst Landscape joins Snow Talk to discuss worst-case scenarios that snow & ice management companies could face. Host Cheryl Higley, Director of Education & Content for SIMA, is joined by Amanda Pruss, SIMA's senior membership manager to go over scenarios like cyber attacks, fire, accidents, and more.

Tory Chlanda from Betterview Landscapes in Amherst, MA joins Snow Talk to share the importance of intentionality in business planning and how it leads to greater sales and revenues. Listen for these tips and more:  Selling safety can set a company apart from the competition.Educating clients on the importance of safety and communicating it through various channels is key to success. Hiring the right people and involving them in the strategy-building process is crucial for success.

It's summer but it's never to early to start reviewing your winter preventive maintenance plans! Stork's Plows' Jeen Stork joins Snow Talk to talk about the perils of ignoring preventive maintenance and how even the littlest missed details can cause big trouble. Listen for these tips and more:  Preventive maintenance is crucial for snow equipment to prevent wear and costly breakdowns.The role of a dealer is significant in providing support, education, and quick access to parts for snow contractors.The snow equipment industry is evolving with the integration of electronics and computer-operated systems, presenting new challenges and opportunities.

We're in the middle of renewal and sales season for winter services. Ramblin Jackson's Jack Jostes joins Snow Talk to discuss how to make it a successful one. Listen for these tips and more:Renewals present challenges such as changes in point of contact and changes in snowfall, requiring proactive communication and customer feedback throughout the year.Identifying 'hell yes' customers involves understanding demand, profitability, and passion, and tailoring marketing and sales strategies to attract and retain these ideal clients.The RFP process benefits from clear definitions and exacting language, fostering trust and understanding between contractors and clients.Maintaining relationships with clients throughout the year, not just during the renewal process, is crucial for successful sales and renewals.

East Coast Facilities' Joshua Brecht joins Snow Talk to discuss video content development and marketing in the snow and ice industry. Listen for these tips and more:How video content development and marketing can help elevate the snow and ice industry by showcasing the work, people, and company.It doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor. Start with basic equipment like smartphones and encourage team members to capture and share photos and videos.Build a culture where everyone is involved in creating and sharing content, which can lead to increased team engagement and motivation.

The Grow Group's Vince Torchia and McFarlin Stanford's Jennifer Murray join Snow Talk to share how they counsel landscaping and snow companies to be financially healthy. Listen for this tips and more:Look beyond revenue to include understanding margins and profits.Have enough liquidity to manage through rough patches.Building a "sell"-worthy company.

Colorado Green Pros' David LaFore joins SIMA’s Senior Manager of Membership Evan Newman on the latest episode of Snow Talk to chat about how snow and ice professionals can use technology as a customer service tool. Listen in for these tips and more:Improve customer satisfaction by providing transparency and accountability.Communicate with teams and subcontractors.Enhance customer experiences and streamline business processes.

Earth Development President and CEO Eddy Zakes, CSP and SIMA’s Senior Manager of Membership Evan Newman packed a lot of great points into this episode of Snow Talk. Listen in to hear Zakes’ approach to:Company cultureEducation and personal developmentRecognition and rewardsA deep bench of emerging leadersLeadership authenticity and transparency

Jim Monk of MPS Property Services and Gerald Boot of Boot’s Landscaping in Ontario discuss their advocacy work in establishing a recognized standard for the snow and ice industry, their approach to insurance and more.

Zech Strauser, founder of Strauser Nature's Helpers in Allentown, PA, joins SIMA CEO Martin Tirado to talk about the importance of camaraderie in the snow & ice industry, the challenges of sustainability and innovation, and his work in promoting landscape and snow as a "green collar" career opportunity.

There is a growing focus on legislation designed to limit liability for companies that participate in salt applicator certification programs. Ted Diers of the NH Department of Environmental Services and Allison Madison of WI SaltWise join SIMA CEO Martin Tirado to discuss their work in this area.

Host Evan Newman is back with Piscataqua Landscaping President & CEO Justin Gamester, CSP, and Darci Knowles, founder and creative director of DARCI Creative. Evan follows up on some additional topics and tangible action items.

Snow pros Bill Butts of Outdoor Pride Landscaping, Bob Marks of EMI Landscape and Eric Klopfer of Environmental Management Inc. talk about the changing climatology happening in their markets and the impact on their snow businesses.

Host Evan Newman welcomes Piscataqua Landscaping President & CEO Justin Gamester, CSP, and Darci Knowles, founder and creative director of DARCI Creative. Listen in to hear Justin's journey to realizing he needed marketing help to grow revenue and how Darci has helped.

Host Martin Tirado and guests JP Sanieski, CSP, ASM of East End Group in Long Island and Tom Marsan, CSP of The Beverly Companies in Chicago wrap up their 3-part conversation on snow operations planning. The snow may be done but that doesn’t mean winter planning stops. Listen in on what you should be doing to tie up loose ends and look toward this coming winter.

The newest episode of SIMA’s Snow Talk podcast features WeatherWorks’ Frank Lombardo and Douglas Dynamics’ Andy McArdle recap the winter season and identify changes snow pros should be considering; the impact the low winters have on smaller contractors; the importance of sharing weather data with your clients; and equipment buying trends. Plus Frank puts in a request to Andy to engineer a plow that can weigh snow by the pound to those messy mixed precipitation events.

This episode of SIMA’s Snow Talk podcast features SIMA’s new Membership Manager Evan Newman talking with two snow professionals that have excelled in embedding a culture of safety in their companies. Listen for insights from East Coast Facilities’ Edwin Torres and Designscapes Colorado’s Michael Wagner, CSP, ASM