SIMA Annual Report

'In the annual report, you can view SIMA's total assets, total income, total expenses, and even see what our largest program-related expenses were.'

By Kaitlyn Herbst

Last year, SIMA generated its first State of SIMA Annual Report. This report is published and sent to members in order to provide transparency of our current financial position and the progress of goals set the previous year (view some of the goals SIMA accomplished in the graphic below). We know you're busy working in or on your business, so it can be difficult to follow every financial, strategic and operational aspect of the association. With that in mind, SIMA produces this report as a summary of the previous year and a look ahead to our goals for 2014-15.

In the annual report, you can view SIMA's total assets, total income, total expenses, and even see what our largest program-related expenses were. Providing this information holds SIMA and the Board of Directors accountable in sharing the same vision, direction and goals of its members.

As members, you are making a huge difference with your passion for the industry and hunger for continued improvement. We could not do what we do without you. For that reason, we want your trust and to be your organization's continued partner in growing and earning respect in this ever-changing industry.

Download a copy of the annual report here.

Training: The gift that keeps on giving

'Whether you're looking for training in business, operations or leadership, SIMA's robust resources can be applied to any organization for years to come.'

By Heather Carew

Each year around this time your mailboxes become crowded with catalogs filled with images and descriptions of products that are JUST PERFECT for the upcoming holiday season. You might just throw these away or never actually see them because your kids snap them up so quickly, but that's OK, because the best is yet to come!

The must-see catalog of the season is SIMA's new Online Training Catalog (download a digital copy here). Because quality training is essential to success, this handy piece gives snow & ice professionals a rundown of the training they have at their fingertips through SIMA's Resource 24/7 Online Training Center (www.sima.org/resources). Whether you're looking for training in business, operations or leadership, SIMA's robust resources can be applied to any organization for years to come.

Hot gift idea for your team members

The new Advanced Snow Management certificate program is the "must have" course for 2014. This self-guided, interactive program consists of four modules: Core Principles, Plowing Operations, Sidewalk Operations, and Ice Management. As the only operator-based training of its kind, show your trusted crew members you value them by investing in their industry education as a specialist or a designated Advanced Snow Manager. It will become the gift that keeps on giving, since this knowledge will enable you to market verifiable expertise to clients and insurance companies.

Gifts for all

Don't stop the giving this season! Consider training opportunities for your entire organization using SIMA's team training options. If you're interested in building team strength through education, SIMA will work with you to understand your needs and learn how to achieve them. Following a 15-minute call/demonstration of Resource 24/7, we will create a plan based on who needs to be trained in what area and submit a proposal to you. After the proposal is signed and returned, a training account will be set up and each individual will receive his/her own username and password to access the training.

Happy holidays from SIMA

With all these gifts you've been giving, wouldn't it be nice to get one for yourself too? As a thank you, SIMA would like to offer five free training vouchers to companies who start a team training account. These vouchers can be applied to any Resource 24/7 offering - ASM certificate courses, the Build a Bid estimating package, streaming training videos and more.

Contact Heather@sima.org for more information on team training.