Nextra Presents...!

On this episode, Grant talks with Martin Tirado, the CEO of SIMA (Snow and Ice Management Association). They dive in and talk all about the snow industry - how Martin got involved, what SIMA is all about, the services and training they offer, as well as the future of the industry. Episode Links: SIMA Website CSP and ASM Training Programs SIMA Symposium Connect with Martin LinkedIn Facebook Martin’s Links Freakonomics Radio podcast Freakonomics book Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Episode Sponsor – Bidwell Financial Bidwell Financial website James Fullerton phone: 416.906.3398 James Fullerton email

Over the last couple of years, most landscapers haven’t had to work at sales. In fact, most have had trouble keeping up with the demand for work. The result is that we’ve been more like order-takers rather than salespeople. But as the economy starts to slow down a bit, it is important that we revert to being salespeople to ensure the continued growth of our business. Andrew Wall has been in sales for his entire professional life in sales, and he shares how to be effective salespeople. Episode Links: Connect with Andrew 905-691-4553 Email Website LinkedIn Sandler Sales Training LinkedIn Website Andrew’s Bookshelf The Road to Excellence by David Mattson Selling to the Modern Buyer by David Mattson Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy Think Again by Adam Grant Podcasts Re: Thinking with Adam Grant Work Life with Adam Grant Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

On today's episode, Jordan sits down with James Fullerton of Bidwell Financial. James talks about how he got involved in the financing side of the industry and what types of vehicles and equipment his clients reach out to him for. James and Jordan dive into the short and long term effects of the pandemic on commercial vehicle & equipment purchasing, the current state of the used market and if the future might hold a light at the end of the financing tunnel for contractors. Looking for an inside perspective on vehicle shortages and buying in 2023? James has you covered! Episode Links: Bidwell Financial Website 1-855-624-3935 Connect with James Email Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

On today's episode, Jordan speaks with Raqib Omer from Viaesys Inc. Raqib shares the unlikely story of how he got involved with the snow and ice industry, how he started Viaesys and what's next for the innovative technology company. Raqib also discusses some of the biggest issues facing snow and ice removal contractors, the importance of training your staff, and some thoughts on the current and future states of salting/liquid de-icing. If you have anything to do with the snowy side of the landscaping industry, you will want to hear what Raqib has to say! Episode Links: Viaesys Website 1-844-VIAESYS Connect with Raqib Email Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

On today's episode, Jordan speaks with Joanna Philipps from ESOP Builders. Joanna shares her knowledge about ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan), its goals and options, and the risks and benefits to both owners and employees. You will gain a strong understanding of an ESOP and if and how it would work for your company. Episode Links: ESOP Builders Website 1-416-645-0512 or 1-877-995-3767 Email Connect with Joanna Email 647.881.8532 Joanna’s Bookshelf The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto Connect with Jordan Email 647-297-9354 Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Nextra Presents…! welcomes Lianna Desmarais from Plantscape Windsor. Liana talks about her introduction to the landscape industry, the resources she found so valuable in navigating her first few years, and how she’s grown the company. She also talks about gender bias and what it’s like to be a female landscape business owner in an industry that is male dominated. Episode Links: Plantscape Windsor (519) 972-5440 Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Liana Email Liana’s Bookshelf Peer to Peer Network Good to Great by Jim Collins Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

On this episode, Grant speaks with Chris Penny of Lucrative Landscape about his humble beginnings in the landscape world and how he realized his talent for marketing and growth focused on small businesses. Chris talks about the Lucrative Landscape model, how it can benefit small business owners and the ideal contractor that he can really help. Episode Links: Lucrative Landscaping Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Connect with Chris Email Chris’s Bookshelf Lucrative Landscaping by Chris Penny How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

On this episode Jordan talks with Rob Murray of Intrigue Media about being more competitive by using your website and social media more effectively to position yourself for success. Rob is full of great information, and he delivers it in a way that is understandable for those of us who aren’t part of that world. Episode Links: Intrigue Media 226-210-4276 Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Rob Email Linked In Twitter YouTube Rob’s Bookshelf Scaling Up by Verne Harnish Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross From Impossible to Inevitable by Aaron Ross The Third Industrial Revolution by Jeremy Rifkin Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio Connect with Jordan Email 647-297-9354 Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

On our first episode of the year we wanted to talk about a part of the industry we have not touched on before... enter landscape lighting. Today Jordan talks with Scott Sim from Moon Glow Lightscapes about how he became involved in the lighting industry, the challenges he faces and the logistics and rhythm of the industry. He says, “irrigation is science, landscape lighting is art”. In the episode, you’ll hear how much he loves his art! Episode Links: Moonglow Lights Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Scott Email 519-532-0660 Scott’s Bookshelf Nextra Presents…! podcast Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller The Pumpkin Plan by Michael Michalowicz Traction by Gino Wickman Connect with Jordan Email 647-297-9354 Connect with Grant Email 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Lighting Peer Group

In this episode, Grant speaks with Lindsay Drake Nightingale. Lindsay owns Yorkshire Garden Services, who specializes in high end residential landscape maintenance and installations in Toronto and York Region. Today, Lindsay shares her experience and knowledge about business ownership, business growth, staffing, culture and networking. Episode links: Yorkshire Garden Services Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Lindsay Email Phone: 416-804-2212 Lindsay’s Bookshelf The E-Myth by Michael Gerber The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Irrigation Peer Group

Trevor Lively is the second-generation business owner of Blue Jay Irrigation, whose head office is in London. In this episode, he talks to Grant about the transition in leadership from his father to him, the things he’s learned, as well as the way he’s expanded the business. Episode Links: Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com Blue Jay Irrigation Website LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Trevor Email LinkedIn Trevor’s Bookshelf Traction by Gino Wickman Visioneering by Andy Stanley Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Irrigation Peer Group

On this episode, Grant talks with Jordan Smith from VSI about his history in the industry, the origin and development of VSI liquid brine sprayers, its recent purchase by Boss Snowplows, and the future of liquid de-icing in the snow industry. Episode Links: Smith Lawn and Landscape Website Instagram VSI Website Instagram Connect with Jordan LinkedIn Email Jordan’s Bookshelf Traction by Gino Wickman Boss Snowplow Website Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

In this episode, Grant talks to Ed Hansen from Hansen Lawn and Garden about a wide range of topics, from how Ed got into landscaping, to growing his business, to his chairing the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging committee at Landscape Ontario. This episode just feels like a couple of friends chatting about life and work. And I know you’ll want to pull up a chair. Episode Links: Connect with Ed Email Hansen Lawn & Garden Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Links Landscape Ontario Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee Imperfectly Kindby Julie Adam Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg The Obstacle is the Way Ryan Holiday Jackie Robinson: A biographyby Arnold Rampersad Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

It’s a great time to own a landscape business! Purchasing of landscape companies is on the rise as many larger companies and private equity firms recognize the value in well-run landscape operations. In this episode, Grant provides some information about how to make your company more appealing to potential buyers. Episode Links: Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

Grant talks to Sam Bauman from Earthscape about the ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) program they’ve implemented and how it works. They also talk about the Traction program, which is also in place at Earthscape . It’s clear that Sam, like Grant, is a big fan of Traction! Earthscape (519) 669-2972 Website Instagram Facebook Connect with Sam sam@earthscape.ca LinkedIn Sam’s Bookshelf Traction by Gino Wickman A Stake in the Outcome by Jack Stack Good to Great by Jim Collins Other Links ESOP Builders website Peer Groups Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter grant@nextraconsulting.ca

Alex Cadieux from Techo-Bloc talks about the current state of the hardscape industry as well as the opportunities he sees in the next couple of years. He shares some excellent (and free!) resources that Techo-Bloc has recently developed. Episode Links: Techo-Bloc Links Techo-Bloc website Hardscaper.com Hardscape Growth podcast Contractor Showcase Connect with Alex Email LinkedIn Twitter Nextra Consulting Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email

Today Grant talks with Jesse Savage, owner of Savage Gardens and freelance landscape designer. They discuss landscape design and how Jesse’s services can assist landscapers who do not have a designer on staff. They also discuss Nextra’s new peer group for landscape designers that will be led by Jesse. If landscape design is part of your business – or you wish it were – you’ll appreciate this episode. Episode links: Savage Gardens Website Instagram Facebook Houzz Connect with Jesse (905) 380-9587 Email LinkedIn Nextra Consulting Designers Peer Group Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 LinkedIn Twitter Email Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

Today our own HR director, Charolette Casioli, is taking over the role of host as she interviews Sally Harvey, Landscape Ontario’s Director of Education and Labour Development. They discuss the biggest challenge facing contractors this year – the labour shortage. They talk about attracting, recruiting and retaining great staff. Sally shares resources available to contractors both through the government and through Landscape Ontario. NOTE: this podcast was recorded in March of 2022. The information shares is current and accurate at that time. Government and LO programs and incentives are subject to change. Sally Harvey – Episode Links: Program Links Employment Ontario Service Provider Network Immigration Solutions/Foreign Worker Program Landscape Ontario website GROW Program Apprenticeship Program Landscape.Jobs website Discover Green Careers website GreenCareersCanada.ca LO Professional Development program Connect with Sally Email Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Charolette Email Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Email Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

Today’s guest is George Urvari from Oriole Landscaping. George has a unique way of looking at equipment purchasing and the investment that equipment can be. And considering the current labor shortage, equipment might be a great alternative to staffing – if you get the right equipment. Episode Links: Connect with George 416.696.5110 x 231 george@oriolelandscaping.com www.oriolelandscaping.com Connect with Grant 519.868.6398 Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Email Episode Sponsor: Jim Pattison Lease Wendy Ladd 416.417.5233 Wendy.ladd@jplease.com

Season 3 is here! This year, we’ll again be bringing you interviews with industry experts, innovators, suppliers, and business leaders. The singular goal of this podcast is to provide you with information and resources that will help you improve your business and encourage you along the way. We’re starting the year off by interviewing Grant to have him provide you with an update on the industry in general and Nextra in particular. Episode Links: Connect with Grant Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Email