ASM University to train up workforce

'SIMA’s ASM University makes it easy to sign up any number of employees to become Advanced Snow Managers in 30 days or less!'

By Phill Sexton

When I began working with SIMA, my No. 1 mission was to build a quality operations-specific training program for the industry. Having worked in the industry for nearly 30 years I appreciate the reality of trying to develop and deliver in-house training. It’s much easier said than done.

SIMA’s goal was to launch the program online, making it easily available to anyone in the industry 24/7. We achieved our original goal and launched the Advanced Snow Management training program in 2014. We’ve educated hundreds of individuals with the program and are on track to top 200 full Advanced Snow Managers this year. I’m very proud of our industry, particularly those who have taken the leap to advanced their education and career path.

This winter, we are launching ASM University to make it even easier and more cost effective to register as many folks as you want for the ASM program. Through ASM University, SIMA will provide the support individuals are seeking to earn their Advanced Snow Manager designation.

SIMA’s ASM University makes it easy to sign up any number of employees to become Advanced Snow Managers in 30 days or less! For each person you register, you save money, build loyalty and develop a skilled workforce.

Enroll your best, and SIMA will do the rest! Register now at www.sima.org/ASMU.

ASM program features

• Developed with snow professionals from across the U.S. and Canada, in alignment with professional training best practices.
• Impactful courses use video, images, diagrams and quizzes.
• Accessible 24/7, with materials available for you years after course completion.
• Each Advanced Snow Manager receives an official marketing kit.
• SIMA is an ANSI-Accredited Certificate Issuer – Accreditation #1170 – for the Advanced Snow Management program.
• SIMA issues certificates for these Advanced Snow Management courses: Core Principles, Plowing Operations, Sidewalk Operations and Ice Management.

Phill Sexton is Director of Outreach and Chief Knowledge Officer for SIMA. Contact him at Phill@sima.org. 

A new era dawns for Snow Business

'Plan on a steady hand, with an eye on the future.'

By Cheryl Higley
On behalf of the Snow Business magazine team, we hope 2017 is off to a great start for you! The past several months have been very busy at Snow Business as we began our transition to the SIMA staff. 

In case you missed the news, SIMA’s Board of Directors ended its practice of partnering with a third-party publishing company to produce the magazine. The decision to self-publish was seen as an opportunity to make a significant, long-term investment in the development of one of SIMA’s greatest membership benefits as well as to grow and advance the association and the marketplace. 

What does this mean for our readers and advertisers? Plan on a steady hand, with an eye on the future. The entire small - but mighty - Snow Business team joined SIMA, ensuring continuity for the magazine. But the new publishing structure has renewed our excitement for its future. 

Editorially focused 
From an editorial standpoint, our goal remains - to deliver the best solutions, resources and insights that can help our readers build better snow businesses. 

As you’ll see throughout the February issue, Art Director Lisa Lehman completed a brand refresh to modernize the magazine, including a new logo that puts snow front and center. You’ll also see new contributors as well as some of our long-time writers, all of whom either work in or consult to the industry. The Editorial Advisory Committee, comprised of SIMA members, continues to assist me in directing the magazine’s vision. 

The shift to SIMA will allow the magazine and the editorial committee to more closely work with SIMA’s Membership and Education committees to ensure the magazine and its new digital initiatives can help promote or complement their work. 

We will constantly evaluate not only what content is most valuable to our readers but also the best way to deliver it (in print or online), and in what format (video, podcasts, webinar, etc.). You can volunteer to share your insights by joining the Snow Business Readership Panel. I use this panel to gauge feedback, get story ideas and sources, and engage readers who may be interested in sharing their expertise with their peers. Join here: www.sima.org/readership.

Advertiser opportunities
Our sales team of Publisher Leslie Boomer, Sales & Account Development Manager Allison Blasko, and Member and Sponsor Development Manager Heather Carew are better able to serve our advertising partners by more closely aligning programs to span the platforms, including the Snow & Ice Symposium, e-newsletters, special sections, custom projects and value-added training and learning materials.

On behalf of the entire Snow Business team, we are so excited to fully integrate into the SIMA family and to continue to work on your behalf to deliver peer-driven, relevant and insightful information that delivers outstanding membership value and helps to move the industry forward. 

New e-newsletter program
When Snow Business joined the SIMA team, one of our first tasks was to identify overlaps in digital offerings. The most obvious was in the Snow Business Insights e-newsletter and SIMA’s Training Spotlight and Action Alert. 

We took the best of both and created a new e-newsletter program that launched in January. Each month, subscribers will receive e-newsletters with a targeted focus:





SIMA Solutions features quick tips, videos and stories in key areas like business, risk, operations and ice management. (Replaces SIMA’s Training Spotlight.)










SIMA Action calls readers to action on a topic or industry initiative. Hear from SIMA board members or staffers, gather information on SIMA resources and connect with the SIMA Library. (Replaces SIMA’s Action Alert.) 









SIMA Tools is an exciting new e-newsletter that will showcase products and industry suppliers, how-to information, and SIMA Savings specials that allow members to get the best bang for their buck.

 Subscribe now at http://tinyurl.com/SB-NL2017.

Contact Cheryl at cheryl@sima.org or call her direct line at 262-236-9972.