By Grant Harrison
An in-depth look into Canada’s landscape and snow removal industry. Hosted by Grant Harrison, a 30-year veteran who has taken his vast knowledge and experience and built a successful coaching busin
... more
The podcast currently has 71 episodes available.
There have been some recent changes at Nextra! In this episode, Grant and Marla share about those changes, and the circumstances that set the changes in motion. Then Grant speaks with Jake DeJong from PowerGroup Resources about their part in the changes and what the future holds for both PowerGroup and Nextra.
Episode Links:
Connect with Jake
519-865-2487
PowerGroup Resources
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On today's episode, our HR Director, Charolette Cascioli talks with Dave Hockley from Hockley’s Landscaping in Simcoe. Hockley’s brought in two temporary foreign workers this year and Dave shares what that experience has been like for him and for his company as well as the staffing struggles that led up to using the TFW program and what the benefits have been since. If you are at all curious of how the TFW program could help you're business and what to hear directly from another contractor, you have come to the right place.
Episode Notes:
Connect with Dave
519-909-0117
Hockley's Landscaping
Episode Sponsor – Bidwell Financial
Bidwell Financial website
James Fullerton phone: 416.906.3398
James Fullerton email
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On today's episode, we welcome back Wendy Ladd from Jim Pattison Lease. Wendy talks about the services JPL provides as well as gives us an update on the current vehicle market. She provides information on timelines and availability of new vehicles and outfitting, and then touches on what’s happening with electric vehicles as well as discounts available to contractors. We have Wendy on each year to give us all updates from the vehicle side of things and we love having her every time, enjoy!
** Apologies for the slight audio dips throughout this episode, sometimes when we record virtually, zoom does not like to cooperate but we feel it did not take away from the content of Wendy & Grants great conversation**
Episode links:
Connect with Wendy
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Jim Pattison Lease
Website
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On today's episode, Grant speaks with Paul Vanderzon, a lifetime landscape/snow industry professional and mentor to many. Paul has spent his life working in and advocating for the snow removal industry and its associations. Grant and Paul discuss his experience, the changes he’s seen in the industry and the ones he feels still need to happen as well as the benefits of snow contractors being part of associations like SIMA. This interview was a treat to record as Paul is full of experience, industry knowledge, and passion and we know you'll love listening to it.
Episode Links
Metal Pless
SIMA
En pleine têmpete TV show (season 1, episode 1)
Project Snow Fighter episodes
Connect with Paul
Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease
Wendy Ladd
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On today's episode, Grant talks with Ryan Quigley and Mitch Bursey from Storm Solutions made a transition to liquid brine in 2019 and they share how they made that transition, what was involved, and how they trained their staff. Storm Solutions Plus is their sales, service and parts business. They are the Canadian dealer for VSI by Boss and for MetalPless snow blades and they were excited to share their story!
Episode Links:
Connect with Ryan
Connect with Mitch
Storm Solutions Plus
Website
YouTube
705-775-7587
Other Links
VSI by Boss
MetalPless
Innovative Surface Solutions
Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease
Wendy Ladd
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On Today's episode, Grant is joined by Brian Cotter. Brian is the president of Lloyd’s Grounds Management Professionals and Durham Artificial Grass. Brian and Grant talk about about his history in the landscape industry, his dual businesses, the growth of the artificial turf industry and about the company culture he and his leadership team have created. They also give some sage wisdom on investing in your company and your people by hiring consultants and being part of peer groups.
Unfortunately, there were some spots where Brian cuts out a bit due to connection, but it does not take away from the message being presented. Brian & Grant cover a lot of ground in this episode and we know you’ll appreciate all he has to share.
Episode Links:
Connect with Brian
905-263-2225
Lloyd’s Grounds Management Professionals
Website
YouTube
Durham Artificial Grass
Website
YouTube
Other Links
Jeffrey Scott
Jacki Hart
Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease
Wendy Ladd
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
Today we’re sharing a podcast from Landscape Ontario where Grant was the guest. Grant discusses what he will be teaching at the Waterloo Chapter events this fall, as well as touching on some current issues facing the industry like sales and staffing. Grant doesn't often get to be on the other side of the microphone so we are excited to share this with you!
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
Landscape Ontario
Unlock Your Business Potential Education Series
Certified Landscape Horticulture Manager (CLHM) Program
Grant’s Bookshelf
Leaving a Legacy: Navigating Family Businesses Succession by David C. Bentall
With company culture as our theme this month, we thought we would bring back an interview Grant did a couple of years ago with Jim & Jenna Monk of Markham Property Services. Grant met Jim and Jenna a number of years ago and was impressed with their willingness to share their journey, their victories as well as their failures, and their wisdom in order to see the landscape industry become full of destination companies focusing on company culture. We loved this conversation then, and we love it even more now.
Episode Links
Markham Property Services
Website
647.493.2909
Connect with Jim
Connect with Jenna
Jim & Jenna’s Bookshelf
The Who Book by Geoff Smart and Randy Street
The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
The Five-Minute Journal
Other Links
ISO 9001 Snow Certification
SIMA
Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease
Wendy Ladd
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On today's episode, we decided to stay close to home and invite Charolette Cascioli, Nextra's HR Director and Martin Horsman, one of our resident Business Coaches to talk to Grant about a "crucial" topic. No one likes difficult conversations. But they are necessary and they're important for the health of businesses, relationships and mental wellbeing. The book Crucial Conversations is designed to give you the tools to handle these conversations with confidence, care, and clarity, making it safe to talk about almost anything and be persuasive, not abrasive. Today, Grant talks to Charolette and Martin about the book, these tools, and the education Nextra has developed to teach these lessons in a practical way.
Episode links:
Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler and Emily Gregory
Crucial Conversations VERY SHORT SURVEY
Connect with Charolette Cascioli
Connect with Martin Horsman
Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease
Wendy Ladd
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
On today's episode, Grant talks with Paul McCallum from Toro. Paul talks about his history in the landscape industry, how Toro's survived the pandemic (and grown!), and how they are positioning themselves and their products to address the needs of landscapers and homeowners in the future. He also shares the most recent additions to the Toro line up and some new products Toro is offering, including the improvements to today’s electric equipment.
Episode Links:
Toro
Website
YouTube
Connect with Paul
Phone: (905) 870-5045
Paul’s Bookshelf
Audible
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease
Wendy Ladd
416.417.5233
[email protected]
Connect with Grant
519.868.6398
Nextra Consulting
Website
The podcast currently has 71 episodes available.