Breaking New Ground: Turning Passion into Publication - Jon Crandall - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 046

01/23/25 • 41 min

Jon Crandall, the Founder and Chief Visionary of JC Grounds Management, recently authored the book Snow Removal Solutions for Property Managers. He shares his extensive 20+ years of experience in the landscape and snow removal industry, emphasizing the importance of letting his team work autonomously for better results.

The discussion covers the inspiration behind his book, the challenges he faced with imposter syndrome and practical advice for facility managers on selecting snow removal contractors. Jon also touches on his personal journey, including overcoming family hardships and his passion for outdoor activities. Key points include using customer feedback to improve services, ensuring contractors have proper insurance and backup plans, and the significant role passion plays in business success.

Takeaways:

Passion for Work and Team: Show genuine enthusiasm for your work and colleagues, contributing to success and job satisfaction (e.g., Jon Crandall’s love for snow removal and his team).
Personal Health Investment: Take proactive steps for physical well-being, such as losing weight through diet and exercise, especially when transitioning to desk jobs (e.g., Jon Crandall’s health journey).
Importance of Insurance: Ensure contractors have appropriate property insurance, especially in high-risk services like snow removal.
Value Customer Feedback: Regularly collect and act on customer feedback to improve service quality. Tools like Net Promoter Scores (NPS) can help measure client satisfaction.
Early Planning: Use simple tools like Word documents to outline and organize projects, such as writing a book, for better structure and clarity.
Liability Awareness: Understand liability limitations in contracts and ensure adequate insurance coverage for risk management, protecting both vendor and client.
Operational Independence: Build a business that can operate independently of its owner by setting up efficient systems, processes, and empowering team leadership.

Quote of the Show:

“Good things come to people who see good in all things.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-crandall/
Website: https://www.jcgrounds.com/
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Removal-Solutions-Property-Managers/

Shoutouts:

Mike Michalowicz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/
Dan Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansullivansc/
- Strategic Coach: https://www.strategiccoach.com/
Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA)

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/PcUgoc5HUio
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Takeaways:

Passion for Work and Team: Show genuine enthusiasm for your work and colleagues, contributing to success and job satisfaction (e.g., Jon Crandall’s love for snow removal and his team).
Personal Health Investment: Take proactive steps for physical well-being, such as losing weight through diet and exercise, especially when transitioning to desk jobs (e.g., Jon Crandall’s health journey).
Importance of Insurance: Ensure contractors have appropriate property insurance, especially in high-risk services like snow removal.
Value Customer Feedback: Regularly collect and act on customer feedback to improve service quality. Tools like Net Promoter Scores (NPS) can help measure client satisfaction.
Early Planning: Use simple tools like Word documents to outline and organize projects, such as writing a book, for better structure and clarity.
Liability Awareness: Understand liability limitations in contracts and ensure adequate insurance coverage for risk management, protecting both vendor and client.
Operational Independence: Build a business that can operate independently of its owner by setting up efficient systems, processes, and empowering team leadership.

Quote of the Show:

“Good things come to people who see good in all things.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-crandall/
Website: https://www.jcgrounds.com/
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Removal-Solutions-Property-Managers/

Shoutouts:

Mike Michalowicz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/
Dan Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansullivansc/
- Strategic Coach: https://www.strategiccoach.com/
Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA)

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/PcUgoc5HUio
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Previous Episode

Learning Through Failure - John Bochman - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 045

In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert sits down with John Bochman, Director of Facilities at Biomed Realty and VP of AFE Chapter 33. John reflects on his career journey, from facility coordinator to director, highlighting the importance of learning from failures, embracing accountability, and prioritizing effective communication. He shares key experiences, such as moving strainers backward and navigating the challenges of managing new projects in San Francisco and Massachusetts. John credits his education at Mass Maritime, the support of his professional network, and his commitment to continuous learning and training as key factors in his growth. He also emphasizes Biomed’s strong communication strategies, training programs, and the critical role of empathy in leadership. The episode underscores the value of organizational trust, teamwork, and personal growth within the facilities management industry.

Takeaways:

Embrace Failure: Recognize that failures are an essential part of the learning process. Failures teach us how things work and help us improve. Leaders should create an environment where it is safe to fail and learn from those failures.
Value Communication: Effective communication is crucial in preventing avoidable problems. Ensure that all team members are on the same page to avoid misunderstandings. Use tools like group texts and emails to keep everyone informed and aligned.
Foster Accountability: Encourage accountability within your team. When team members take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of their work, it drives better performance and innovation.
Invest in Training: Continuous training helps in preventing repeated failures. Leaders should focus on both hard skills and leadership development to prepare their teams for future challenges.
Understand Different Perspectives: Recognize that not everyone communicates or sees things the same way. Utilize tools like DISC to understand varying communication styles and improve interaction within the team.
Promote Empathy: Cultivate empathy within your leadership style. Understanding and valuing your team's emotional experiences fosters a supportive work environment and motivates better performance.
Adapt to Change: Change is an opportunity for growth and innovation. Embrace it and encourage your team to see change as a chance to learn and evolve.

Quote of the Show:

"Failure is acceptable and expected; it’s okay to fail, just not to fail twice."

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bochman-5875816b/
Website: https://www.biomedrealty.com/

Shoutouts:

Perkins & Will: https://perkinswill.com/
Brendan Greco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-greco-b71a3857/
Ed McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-mcdonald-36278b232/
The Association of Facilities Engineering (AFE): https://www.afechapter33.org/
Fred Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-mahoney-96055980/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/39f2DDiKdRU
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Next Episode

Honest Communication Drives Successful Teams - Dustin Bussard - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 047

Do you ever struggle to find the right words when communicating in high-pressure situations?

Dustin (Dusty) Bussard is a U.S. Navy veteran and current CirCor Aerospace and Defense facilities manager. Dustin shares his experiences working in the Submarine Corp. and how he deals with tough conversations. He also discusses the importance of prioritizing customer needs, the challenges and benefits of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems), and the significance of relationship building in both military and civilian roles.

Dustin emphasizes honesty in communication, shares personal anecdotes from his Navy career, and offers practical advice on team management, especially in facilities settings. He also talks about the impact of his upbringing in a small town on his work ethic and values.

Takeaways:

Understand the needs of your customer: Prioritize tasks based on customer needs to address critical issues first and maintain a good relationship while using resources efficiently.
Manage priorities within the system: Use a system (e.g., CMMS) to organize and prioritize tasks, ensuring urgent ones are completed promptly and preventing miscommunication.
Listen first: Focus on understanding others’ concerns and perspectives to improve responses, solutions, and relationships.
Build relationships: Foster positive relationships with your team, management, and vendors to promote smoother operations, cooperation, and easier negotiations.
Use CMMS for managing maintenance tasks and priorities: Organize work orders, track preventive maintenance, and manage parts inventory to improve operational efficiency through regular updates.
Give your team what they need: Provide necessary resources to employees while managing expectations, ensuring they have the tools to succeed without unnecessary extras.
Stay even-keeled: Maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations to support clear communication, effective decision-making, and team stability.

Quote of the Show: