I was in a seminar not too long ago – listening to someone who portrayed himself as a consummate professional in the snow industry.  During part of the presentation he made reference to the fact that he paid his subcontractors $XX.xx per hour.  A short time later he commented that he charged his hourly rate customers the same $XX.xx per hour.

Hello.  What ????  Say that again ???

Now – most of those in the audience were not new to the business, and one person raised his hand asking “If you’re paying your subs the same amount you’re charging your customers – how do make a profit?”

Hmmmmmm…….go figure.

As I listened for the answer – I heard the presenter say “uh…uhh…. You have to understand our market….”  And then stumbled and fumbled for a minute….before quickly changing the subject.

In my world we have several names for this type of “business philosophy”.  They range from Stupid to Dishonest.

This joker was actually asked to speak again the following year.

I lost a lot of respect for that organization after that. 

Again…… Go figure.

For owners of snowplow contracting firms, I suspect you’re dedicated to your business, almost to a fault.  “Obsessive” can describe a lot of small business owners.  Working all hours, day and night.  Working around the clock during winter, especially during snowstorms.  Christmas’ lost.  New Years Eve plans waylaid.  Valentines Day flowers forgotten because of snow issues.  Happens to all of us at some point.

However…..I’d venture to say not a one of you could have achieved what you have without the support of your spouse (and sometimes, parents, in-laws, sons, daughters and even friends).  Spouses take the brunt of feeling ignored during winter.  Yet, they allow us to pursue our dreams of independence and self-sufficiency – enduring long periods where we/you do not pay much attention to them for fear of snapping at them when overtired and still plugging along trying to keep customers happy and content.

Think about that for a moment.   Then – go to your wife/husband right now.  Right this second – and hug them.  Tell them “thank you for being you”….. for allowing me to do this crazy thing….for loving me in spite of my obsessiveness.

You’ll feel better about yourself.  Trust me on this one.

Recently I was approached by a contractor asking my opinion about the use of a Cover Letter with his proposal presentation.  Seems he was in a seminar recently where the presenter stated (to his audience) they should “tell the customer what makes him better than his competition”.  I probed further, only to find that this same presenter advised the audience to make statements about the competition that would put the contractors’ proposal in a better light.

I made it clear to the contractor on the phone with me, I believed this “advice” was moronic and totally unprofessional.  This presenter obviously thinks customers are stupid.  Badmouthing the competition to make yourself look better only makes you look foolish and boorish…..not to mention incredibly unprofessional.  I’d been at the snow contracting game for 35 years – and never, EVER had to badmouth a competitor to gain business. 

If you want to be like that – so be it.  However, in your chosen market, you’ll be the loser – as I suspect this particular presenter is/was in his home marketplace.

Today, back in 2001 – we were notified by phone that the letter officially awarding us the snow removal contract for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah was on its way.  The official letter was to arrive the next day via fax, with a hard copy to follow.  The next day the offices of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) closed for the day for fear of a nationwide, coordinated attack from an unknown (at the time) and unseen enemy of our country.  The hard copy of the letter did arrive on September 12, 2001.

It was a subdued celebration that occurred in our offices, as we were all occupied with the events of the previous day on east coast, thousands of miles from Salt Lake City.  While there was speculation in the media about whether or not the Games would go on, we were told within days that the Games would indeed take place because to cancel them would be admitting defeat in the face of adversity.

I have been involved (albeit on the fringes) with folks in British Columbia who are involved with the 2010 Games in Vancouver.  It has made me think back go my own experiences with regards to Salt Lake City.  The intense security surrounding the Salt Lake Games made for some interesting challenges as we moved towards successful completion of our assigned duties, managing the snow and ice on all the competition and non-competition venues.  At the time we were scared to death.  Myself and my General Manager (who made the trip from Erie along with 4 other Erie based individuals) lived in Salt Lake from October 1^st through the middle of March.  We worked 18+ hours a day, 7 days a week alongside

some truly dedicated individuals from SLOC and from our own subcontractors.  And, when it was over – it felt like the time had literally flown by.  All without any of the worrisome incidents we all worked hard to ensure did not happen.  The overall experience was challenging, rewarding and immensely successful.

However, as I think back to those early days of the project – I cannot help but say a prayer for all those who were sacrificed as the world became a little more afraid, a bit more cautious, and less forgiving of those who created havoc on our country.

And, I also pray nothing like that fateful day ever occurs to America again.