Nextra Presents...!
An in-depth look into Canada’s landscape and snow removal industry. Hosted by Grant Harrison, a 30-year veteran who has taken his vast knowledge and experience and built a successful coaching business in Nextra Consulting. Featuring one-on-one interviews with business owners, industry giants, national suppliers, innovators and support organizations. Learn business management lessons and strategies from some of the most professional companies in Canada.
Episodes
71 episodes
Episode 70 - Nextra Update/Powergroup Resources (W/guest Jake DeJong)
There have been some recent changes at Nextra! In this episode, Grant and Marla share about those changes, and the circumstances that set the changes in motion. Then Grant speaks with Jake DeJong from PowerGroup Resources about their part in th...
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Season 4
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Episode 70
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30:16
Episode 69 - Dave Hockley (Hockley Landscape)
On today's episode, our HR Director, Charolette Cascioli talks with Dave Hockley from Hockley’s Landscaping in Simcoe. Hockley’s brought in two temporary foreign workers this year and Dave shares what that experience has been like for him and f...
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Season 4
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Episode 69
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35:55
Episode 68 - Wendy Ladd (Jim Pattison Lease)
On today's episode, we welcome back Wendy Ladd from Jim Pattison Lease. Wendy talks about the services JPL provides as well as gives us an update on the current vehicle market. She provides information on timelines and availability of ...
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Season 4
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Episode 68
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38:32
Episode 67 - Paul Vanderzon
On today's episode, Grant speaks with Paul Vanderzon, a lifetime landscape/snow industry professional and mentor to many. Paul has spent his life working in and advocating for the snow removal industry and its associations. Grant and Paul discu...
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Season 4
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Episode 67
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1:04:58
Episode 66 - Ryan Quigley & Mitch Bursey (Storm Solutions +)
On today's episode, Grant talks with Ryan Quigley and Mitch Bursey from Storm Solutions made a transition to liquid brine in 2019 and they share how they made that transition, what was involved, and how they trained their staff. Storm Solutions...
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Season 4
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Episode 66
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36:33
Episode 65 - Brian Cotter (LGMP/Durham Artificial Grass)
On Today's episode, Grant is joined by Brian Cotter. Brian is the president of Lloyd’s Grounds Management Professionals and Durham Artificial Grass. Brian and Grant talk about about his history in the landscape industry, his dual businesses, th...
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Season 4
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Episode 65
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50:22
Episode 64 - The LO podcast w/ guest speaker Grant Harrison
Today we’re sharing a podcast from Landscape Ontario where Grant was the guest. Grant discusses what he will be teaching at the Waterloo Chapter events this fall, as well as touching on some current issues facing the industry like sales and ...
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Season 4
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Episode 64
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32:53
Episode 63 - Jim & Jenna Monk (Encore Presentation)
With company culture as our theme this month, we thought we would bring back an interview Grant did a couple of years ago with Jim & Jenna Monk of Markham Property Services. Grant met Jim and Jenna a number of years ago and was impressed wi...
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1:00:49
Episode 62 - Crucial Conversations
On today's episode, we decided to stay close to home and invite Charolette Cascioli, Nextra's HR Director and Martin Horsman, one of our resident Business Coaches to talk to Grant about a "crucial" topic. No one likes difficult conversations. B...
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Season 4
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Episode 62
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31:07
Episode 61 - Paul McCallum (TORO)
On today's episode, Grant talks with Paul McCallum from Toro. Paul talks about his history in the landscape industry, how Toro's survived the pandemic (and grown!), and how they are positioning themselves and their products to address the needs...
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Season 4
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Episode 61
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54:11
Episode 60 - Mark Bradley (LMN)
Choosing a business management software can be overwhelming. We’re hoping to make that easier for you. In the first of a series of episodes focused on business management software for landscapers, Grant talks to Mark Bradley from Landscape Mana...
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Season 4
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Episode 60
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48:56
Episode 59 - Martin Tirado (SIMA)
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, a...
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Season 4
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Episode 59
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56:12
Episode 58 - Andrew Wall (Sandler Training)
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 s...
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Season 4
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Episode 58
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1:09:26
Episode 57 - James Fullerton (Bidwell Financial)
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 Jor...
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Season 4
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Episode 57
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44:15
Episode 56 - Raqib Omer (Viaesys)
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 56
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1:25:17
Episode 55 - Joanna Phillips (Esop Builders)
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 s...
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Season 4
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Episode 55
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1:12:44
Episode 54 - Liana Desmarais (Plantscape Windsor)
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 al...
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Season 4
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Episode 54
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55:05
Episode 53 - Chris Penny (Lucrative Landscapes)
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 Landsc...
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Season 4
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Episode 53
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1:15:19
Episode 52 - Rob Murray (Intrigue Media)
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 52
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1:14:09
Episode 51 - Scott Sim (Moon Glow Lightscapes)
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 51
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40:49
Episode 50 - Lindsey Drake Nightingale (Yorkshire Garden Services)
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 experi...
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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51:29
Episode 49 - Trevor Lively (Blue Jay Irrigation)
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 t...
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Season 3
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Episode 49
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39:30
Episode 48 - Jordan Smith (VSI)
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.
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Season 3
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Episode 48
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47:03
Episode 47 - Ed Hansen (Hansen Lawn & Garden)
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 Onta...
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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1:15:23
Episode 46 - Grant Harrison (Acquisitions and being an attractive company)
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 informa...
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Season 3
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Episode 46
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40:48