The People & Process Behind Every Great Snow Company | Part 2 with Phil Harwood & Marty Grunder

Treat your snow operation like a year-round business by starting recruitment, planning, and process improvements in the off-season, not just before winter.

Invest in compelling job postings and diverse recruiting strategies, including word-of-mouth, partnering with seasonal businesses, and leveraging community networks, to secure talent early.

Prioritize comprehensive training for all staff, including clear job expectations, safety protocols, and education on different snow event types and precipitation, and document everything for liability protection.

Integrate subcontractors as 'service partners' by treating them well, communicating clearly, and acting as a consultant to ensure their readiness and reliability, without fear of misclassification.

Leverage technology like weather monitoring, GPS, and mapping software to enhance preparedness, improve operational efficiency, and provide real-time guidance and post-event analysis to your crews.

Conduct 'tabletop exercises' or 'war games' in the off-season to simulate storm scenarios and practice decision-making under limited information, improving team readiness and coordination.

Implement a structured post-storm debrief process (once crews are rested) to analyze performance, identify areas for improvement, and recognize outstanding contributions, fostering continuous learning and team morale.