Most everyone in North America has had this experience: we bought some produce only to have it go wimpy the very next day. The solution to this financial and food waste?

Indoor vertical farming.

Recently on Business Optimization, we had a chance to chat with Zale Tabakman, President at Local Grown Salads, about the problem, solution, and technology that inspired his business.

Zale discussed:

- Air quality technology in grow rooms

- Challenges and technological solutions to controlling air quality

- The logistical challenges behind North American produce

- The science behind growing plant muscle through indoor vertical farming

This post is based on a Business Optimization podcast with Zale Tabakman. The views, information, or opinions expressed during the podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort and its team members.

To hear this episode and many more like it, you can subscribe to Business Optimization here. If you don’t use Apple, you can find us here.

No one likes to admit it, but builders often get a bad reputation: they get in and out fast, get paid, and don’t care about the communities they leave behind.

But that just isn’t true. Builders put hard work, sweat, and tears into what they do. So, how can builders build better reputations in the communities they serve?

Pamela Ventresca, COO at PACE Developments, is all too aware of the problem following builders.

She joined us on the latest Business Optimization podcast to outline some ways builders can hone their messaging to counter these unfair stereotypes.

Pamela covers:

- The value of information sessions with home buyers

- How amenities help foster a sense of community

- How to effectively communicate with home buyers

This post is based on a Business Optimization podcast with Pamela Ventresca. The views, information, or opinions expressed during the podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort and its team members.

To hear this episode, and many more like it, you can subscribe to Business Optimization here. If you don’t use Apple, you can find us here.

Politics divides people. But for 4,000 builders in 27 local associations across Ontario, one common goal unites them politically — the dream of homeownership.

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association brings together builders, developers, renovators, suppliers, and trade professionals. Collectively, these building pros solve the problems that stand in the way of Canadian homeownership.

Led by Joe Vaccaro, the association spans the four major political parties. Joe was our guest on this episode of Business Optimization, and we talked about:

- How Joe moved from politics to homebuilding (it was his wife's doing)

- Where the idea of home believers came from

- The importance of good communication during COVID

- Making decisions quickly in an association setting

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

In this age, there is a lot of talk about building codes. What does it take to get a home built according to the appropriate codes, particularly as codes are changing what seems like every day. 

If you’re a homebuyer, and especially if you’re a home builder, it helps to be aware of the latest trends, codes, costs, and methods available to you. The internet is a confusing place, simply because it’s so crowded and there is so much information. 

For homebuyers especially. But, unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of places for the homebuilders to go to get the information that they need. 

This is where John Godden and his team at Clearsphere come into play. John was our guest on this episode of Business Optimization, and we talked all about: 

- The Smart Builder program

- Renewable strategies and why so many people are trying to “go green”

- Saving money when securing permits

- How to make “Smart” Thermostats Smart

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

Landlords: Do you struggle with your tenants?

Maybe rules are broken, conflicts bubble or no one is really sure who is responsible for the yard…

If so, you need to work on your communication.

And on our latest episode, we brought in the experts to help. 

From LandlordBC, we have Kimberly Coates, Director of Member Engagement, and Hunter Boucher, Director of Operations.

What we talked about:

- Why communication is important from the first day

- What to communicate upfront

- How to communicate in times of conflict

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

Luckily, the very things the sector has in droves. 

Tony discusses:

- Setting realistic expectations for recovery from COVID-19

- How adaptability and technology are shaping the road ahead

- The 3 things that make working in the hospitality industry so great

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- https://dinesafe.ca/

- [email protected]

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

Even months in, we’re all still adjusting to the crisis.

But the world can’t simply stop. There’s work to be done.

And when it comes to homebuilding, the ones doing that work are probably members of the NHBA. 

That’s why we spoke with Chuck McShane, Executive Officer for the Niagara Home Builders Association, and learned how home builders are carrying on in these trying times.

He covered:

- The mission of Niagara Home Builders Association

- The Canadian government’s role in home building

- How the pandemic is changing home building

If you’d like to learn more about Reliance, or have topic or guest suggestions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

And check out our services at:

- reliancecommercialsolutions.com

- reliancebuilderprogram.com

- reliancepropertymanagement.ca

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

The pandemic has started a lot of new trends. 

And it’s more than stylish new masks… 

Businesses everywhere have had to adapt. 

When it comes to building, there are some key trends to keep your eye on.

In our latest episode, Peter Watson, Owner of Tranquility Home Comfort, goes over the biggest building trends you need to know through COVID-19 and beyond. 

Peter goes over:

- How the pandemic is affecting business

- Trends to look out for under COVID-19

- Trends on the horizon

If you’d like to learn more about Reliance, or have topic or guest suggestions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

And check out our services at:

reliancecommercialsolutions.com

reliancebuilderprogram.com

reliancepropertymanagement.ca

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

Most of us are worried about the environment. We recycle, buy more efficient cars and lightbulbs. 

But how many of us boast a net-zero energy usage? 

Well, anyone in a building built by Pat Daniels, Construction Manager at Urbandale Construction, can. 

Pat is one of the pioneers of the Net Zero construction movement, which is radically transforming how the industry thinks about building. 

He came on the show today to explain his energy-conscious building practices and offer some tips for anyone looking to dabble in green building.

What we talked about:

- Why Net Zero construction is the future of the industry

- Why it’s not about the savings, it’s about the lifestyle

- The challenge of getting buy-in for green building

If you’d like to learn more about Reliance, or have topic or guest suggestions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

And check out our services at:

- reliancecommercialsolutions.com

- reliancebuilderprogram.com

- reliancepropertymanagement.ca

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.

Affordable housing becomes more of an issue every year.

In Canada, $40 Billion has been allocated to the community housing sector.

But how is that money being spent?

In our inaugural episode, we sit down with Jeff Morrison, Executive Director at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, to find out. 

Jeff covers:

- How the affordable housing sector is changing

- What the National Housing Strategy means for you

- How COVID-19 is changing the housing market

If you’d like to learn more about Reliance, or have topic or guest suggestions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

And check out our services at:

- reliancecommercialsolutions.com

- reliancebuilderprogram.com

- reliancepropertymanagement.ca

This podcast is sponsored by Reliance Home Comfort and may feature references to the products and services Reliance offers. The views and opinions expressed during these episodes are solely those of the guests involved and do not necessarily represent those of Reliance Home Comfort.