Snow Talk with Mr. Freeze

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 Alberalla 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.

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 leaders Leadership 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

Season 5 of SIMA's Snow Talk podcast kicks off with a conversation between 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. They'll talk about in-season adjustments to consider and share how they're keeping teams busy in a (so far) low snow season.

Host Martin Tirado welcomes Thane Isaacs and industry legend Dale Keep to swap stories about some of the crazy and scary scenarios they've seen during their careers. Like true crime podcasts? You won't want to miss Dale's story about a murderer on the loose!

Levi Jett of Jett Facility Consultants developed a communications plan and mock storm scenario planning method using his experience in the military. He and host Martin Tirado talk about those methods and where he sees companies failing in the latest episode of Snow Talk.

Kasel Rocks Landscape Company's Scott Lesak takes listeners on his personal journey of self-discovery. He shares how overcoming addiction and learning he had to put himself first to right the ship and to be in a place where he could help others and grow his business.

JSP Landscaping and Construction's Jacob Shivo shares how a random encounter with a SIMA member at a gas station transformed his career in snow and ice. He and his wife, Caiyan, also detail what they've learned and how they hope to give back to an industry that has welcomed them.

SIMA CEO Martin Tirado brings together Tom Marsan of the Beverly Companies and JP Sanieski of the East End Group to review the areas that snow companies should be focusing on leading up to the season.

Spiritus Business Advisors principal and longtime SIMA member David Gallagher and Transblue's David Wescott, CSP, weigh in on key mistakes snow providers make that can undermine their success in the industry and offer suggestions on how to avoid them.

SIMA CEO Martin Tirado welcomes JC Grounds Management's Jon Crandall, CSP, Innovations Tomorrow's Thane Isaacs and WeatherWorks President Frank Lombardo to talk about the challenges snow contractors are facing as weather patterns change the “typical” snow landscape. Plus how contractors are managing increased fuel costs.

SIMA CEO Martin Tirado and Director of Events Heather Carew and Douglas Dynamics' Mark Adamson preview the 25th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium taking place June 21-24. Listen in and learn about great networking opportunities and the 140+ exhibitors that will be on the trade show floor.

In this episode, we are going to be talking about products that revolutionized the snow industry. We have some exciting products and the people and companies that are behind them, joining us for this conversation.Featuring Thane Isaacs, of Innovations Tomorrow. He'll be joining to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to our conversations.

Spring may have sprung but WIT Advisers' Phill Sexton, CSP, ASM and Elbers Landscape Service's Jim Hornung Jr., CSP, say you should already be thinking ahead to winter 2022-23. With supply chain and labor still an issue, making the most of offseason opportunities will better prepare you for the upcoming season.

Starting over with a new outlook on life and business featuring HLM Property Management'sRick Huffman, CSP

Introspection, coaching leads to exponential growth featuring Bozeman Site Services' Doug Duschene 

Catch up with Bob Iverson of Douglas Dynamics to talk spreader tech and the future of ice control.

Matt Steele, a 2021 Snow Operations Manager of the Year award recipient, along with his General Manager George Armstrong, discuss industry personnel development, and logistics and training. In their respective roles, they have helped Monster Plowing Company in Toronto, Ontario grow its snow business. Monster Plowing Company services over 450 seasonal clients and has been awarded many times for its innovative approach to snow and ice management.

Doug Clark is Product Manager, Snow Control, for Douglas Dynamics. He oversees product development and innovation for all truck-related snow control products for various brands, including Western Plows and Fisher Plows. Doug has an extensive background in product management for various industries, including the polymer industry. He served 4 years active duty in the Army and 8 years reserve military service.

Tom Crawford is Snow & Ice Services Manager for Mariani Landscape, which provides service to high-end residential and commercial clients in suburban Chicago. He has 20+ years of experience in operations and management for the green and white industries.

Diana Clonch has over 35 years of experience in public works with a diverse background in operations, management, snow and ice control and innovative technologies at the county, city and state levels. She is a founding and longtime member of the National APWA Winter Maintenance Subcommittee, and a member of the TRB Maintenance & Operations Personnel Committee and Winter Maintenance Committee. Diana received the 2019 National APWA Top Ten Leaders of the Year award.

Talk with Western Plows Product Manager, Tyler Jones about what drives his passion for UTVs and ATVs, and how they are gaining popularity in the snow removal industry.

Bob Young is a retired police officer and Army veteran and is President/CEO of K.E.Y. Property Services, Inc. in Palmer, MA. He has been an engaged and passionate member of SIMA since 2010.

Paul has 35+ years of experience in the snow industry, leading his company with his brothers in residential and commercial accounts. He is an active member of SIMA, past member of the board of directors, and currently serves as Vice Chair for the SIMA Foundation board.

Bob Marks is an experienced snow professional, who recently served as COO of emi landscape in Macungie, PA, overseeing a multi-million dollar operation, hiring personnel, developing training, and serving as the primary contact for clients. Bob recently took ownership of emi and is stepping into the CEO role.

Mary Abbott, PhD, RN, MSF, is the managing partner of Mow Beta! Mowing & Snowplowing, a family-owned business specializing in tough mowing jobs as well as snow and ice management in central Arkansas. Mary shares the stressors and successes of being a snow contractor in a fringe market where snow droughts can last years.

We sat down with Seth Bergerud, Product Manager - Parts & Accessories for Douglas Dynamics, and caught up on the latest innovations and best practices related to snowplows and accessories.

Dale Keep, owner of Ice & Snow Technologies, in Walla Walla, WA, is a long-time industry leader and SIMA supporter. He’s an industry expert in operations engineering, training, deicer science, and liquids benefits and implementation. SIMA caught up with Dale to talk about the industry, how its matured, what makes it challenging, and a whole lot more.