Stephanie Leveling, Brand Ambassador for Boss by Integra with over 30 years in the landscape and snow industries, joins Phil to share her journey. From discussing why snow contractors are professionals making massive investments before the first snowflake flies, to the importance of job costing data and supporting women in the trades, Stephanie reveals why proper software implementation is a marriage not a fling, and why turning into the storm instead of running from it has defined her career.

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Episode Chapters

00:34 - Stephanie’s Background and Career Journey

03:02 - Personal Interests & Industry Involvement

03:58 - Challenges and Defining Moments

06:06 - Transition to the Integra Group

11:53 - Boss Software and Industry Solutions

13:09 - Importance of Professionalism in the Industry

22:10 - Unique Features of Boss Software

25:42 - The Realities of Software Implementation

26:56 - Ensure Successful Onboarding

28:39 - Commitment to Software Adoption

30:24 - Industry Involvement and New Developments

33:48 - Empowering Women in the Industry

37:49 - Promoting Trades and Workforce Development

42:55 - The Impact of AI on the Industry

45:25 - Personal Reflections and Career Advice

Key Learnings

Women Don't Work in the Industry - Prove Them Wrong – In 1993, when Stephanie told her female horticulture professor she had a job offer in the industry, the professor responded: "Women don't work in the industry. They do research." Stephanie held onto that for her entire career to be as successful as possible, always trying to be at top of her game. Now at 50, it's time to give back and help others so they don't go through the same things.

Snow Contractors Are Professionals, Not Helpers – Property managers have no idea what goes into snow removal. There could be an outlay of $250,000 to half a million dollars just in salt in July before anything happens. Mechanics start going through equipment in August, purchasing trucks and equipment - massive investment before serving clients. Stephanie: "We as the industry need to educate them. We need to remind the industry that you are professionals. You can walk away at any time."

Job Costing Is Everything – After a snow event you have a mountain of data - you need to know if you performed, if adjustments are needed, if someone put down too much salt. Boss's job costing is heads and tails above other products because you can get so granular without needing third party help. You can slice and dice it however you want to look at it - critical when the next event comes right on the heels of the first one.

Tech Stack Is a Trap – People tout how big their tech stack is, but the problem is none of them talk to each other. You still have a giant room of admin entering all that data which creates human error and delays getting actual data. Having everything in one place means if you go on a two-week cruise during winter (which nobody does), everybody has the information - not on somebody's desktop or piece of paper in a notebook.

Software Implementation Is a Marriage Not a Fling – It takes three years to fully implement any software platform. People bounce from one software to the next and undermine implementations because the team thinks "in six months this won't even be here, so why bother?" No buy-in from the team means it won't work. It has to start from the top - owner or whoever's running point has to be the champion and stay committed so everybody else buys in.

Discovery...

Listen in as Phil Harwood interviews Jeen Stork from Stork's Plows about Snow Alliance, April 25-26, hosted by Stork's Plows at their Leesport, PA facility. If you're in the snow business, you will not want to miss 2025 Snow Alliance.

Listen in as Phil Harwood interviews Nataly Mualem, an attorney specializing in employment immigration. She is the founder of the Mualem Firm (mualemfirm.com). Her firm provides employment solutions for businesses throughout the United States, including snow contractors. If you're in need of a new source of workers, you will not want to miss this episode.

Listen in as Phil Harwood interviews Ted Lucia, President of Lucia Landscaping about his company's approach to snow & ice management, the snow industry, organizational culture, and more.

Listen in as Phil Harwood interviews Levi Jett about Mock Storm Training, a methodology based on military principles and applied to our industry. Levi is the founder of Jett Facility Consultants and will be presenting in person at OPS Management, September 11-12, 2024 at Storks Plows.

Listen in as Phil Harwood interviews Mike Cossins, President of The Integra Group and developer of Boss Software, and Tyler Johnson, Business Coordinator with Curbside Landscape & Irrigation, about using Boss Software for snow. By making significant investments in its capabilities and by engaging with Boss users involved in snow, Boss has developed a robust solution for snow contractors. This episode is insightful and fast-moving. Enjoy.

Join Phil Harwood as he interviews Jason Case, CEO of Case Facility Management Solutions. Listen in as Jason shares his inspiring story and perspective on a wide range of topics.

Join Phil Harwood as he invites Tom Canete back for a follow up conversation about business strategy and more. Tom is the owner of Canete Snow Management and several other businesses. Based in New Jersey, Canete Snow Management is the provider of choice for MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and the New York Jets.