In this episode of Snow Talk, Evan Newman from SIMA sits down with Kevin Stonitsch, CSP, owner of Adirondack Customs, to explore the vital topics of culture and accountability in the snow industry. We delve into the importance of building an engaged team and the tough decisions leaders must face, including letting go of team members who do not align with company values. Kevin shares his experiences with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and how it has helped his team thrive during challenging winter months. We discuss the significance of transparency, trust, and maintaining a strong culture even during difficult times. Join us for insights that can empower you to enhance your leadership approach and cultivate a more cohesive and effective team in the snow and ice management industry.

Russ Marsan of Carpenter & Costin in Vermont joins Snow Talk to discuss his efforts in elevating the importance of the trades through his work with Bring Back the Trades.

Blizzards in the deep south...say what?! Levi Jett, CSP, ASM, joins Snow Talk to share stories of how he and a team of snow fighters traveled to New Orleans to assist municipalities that were out of their element when a blizzard bore down on a large swath of the south.

JC Grounds Management's Jon Crandall, CSP, discusses the importance of educating property managers on snow removal. He also shares his new book, which he wrote to help the industry with that outreach.

Snow Mikhail Ter-Grigoryan, president of Just for Snow Property Services, covers his insights on the snow removal industry, including preparation, best practices, employee engagement, innovation, competition, attracting and identifying talent, workplace culture, momentum, risk-taking, and perspective.

On this month's episode of Snow Talk, we sit down with President of G. McNeill & Son Contracting, Shane McNeill. He shares what lessons and hardships have looked like navigating a third generation family owned business. We also discuss what he does to develop his people and what tools have proven to be useful in their growth goals. We'll also discuss what Shane and company are keeping a pulse on in regard to future opportunities.
Thanks to our sponsors Western Snow Plows, Fisher Engineering, and SnowEx

This month on Snow Talk, we're remembering Alan Steiman, a SIMA leader who left a lasting impact. Deb Mattson and Debora Babin Katz join us to share stories of Alan and discuss the scholarship created in his name. We'll also talk about the value of attending the SIMA Symposium and how it's evolving for contractors. Don't miss it!

Thanks to our sponsors Western, Fisher, and SnowEx

Building trust through transparency 

Nick Alborella, Vice President of Advanced Snow Management, talked with SIMA about the importance of trust and transparency in building client relationships, the foundational strategies for launching a snow management business, and the role of technology in enhancing communication and efficiency. 

He highlights the necessity of being comfortable with discomfort to foster growth, the challenges of maintaining a good reputation in a scrutinized industry, and the significance of transparent pricing. The discussion also touched on the value of learning from others' experiences to enhance business practices and sustainability.

Key takeaways:

• Effective communication is key to understanding client needs.
• Systemizing operations ensures consistency and reliability.
• Technology aids in transparency but should not replace personal interaction.
• Client education helps in setting realistic expectations.
• Providing an experience, not just a service, enhances client satisfaction.

Thanks to our sponsors Western, Fisher, and SnowEx