Workforce Wins

Recruit. Retain. Recognize. Repeat. Seems pretty straightforward.

Industry pros in recruiting, education, coaching, leadership development, and employee engagement, however, will quickly acknowledge the many complexities that go into this multi-faceted organizational mantra. Our April Be Great edition shines the spotlight on a few admired experts known for initiating important conversations and leading the dialogue around strategies and best practices supporting sustainable futures to foster #StrongTeams for the trades, our #NexstarMembers businesses, and our own #NexstarNetwork employees.

Go Big: Industry Spotlight

We're big fans of nonprofit Tools & Tiaras Inc. and all the trailblazing work that tradeswoman and founder Judaline Cassidy is leading to empower girls and young women to pursue meaningful trades careers. Click over to this profile of Judaline in Forbes that highlights her 25-years of advocacy work. She's also featured in PM Magazine 's timely article recognizing a handful of the plumbing industry's women leaders. We were proud to spot our Nexstar members?at?SEASIDE PLUMBING INC?as well as?Lara Beltz?of?Beltz Home Service Co., a founder and board member of?Women in Plumbing & Piping.

Strength in Leadership

We're sharing a favorite quote from Nexstar Leadership and Culture Coach Lisa Kinney as a reminder of how leadership shapes the growth and success of organizations:

"If employees are your greatest asset, your leadership team is your greatest strength."

Intrigued by the lasting impact strong leadership can have within your organization? Lisa's short video outlines the importance of investing in an intentional plan to build a leadership team and ensure long-term success. Curious to learn more, Nexstar members? Connect with Lisa today.

Inaugural Class of Graduates Honored at Genz-Ryan

Congrats to our Nexstar members at Genz-Ryan and their strong team for celebrating the first graduating class of HVAC technicians from their new in-house training program, the Jack Ryan Academy.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ) reported on the work underway and interviewed Owner and President Jon Ryan who is leading the charge by charting a brighter tomorrow for up-and-comers in the skilled trades and readying Genz-Ryan's all-star workforce.

Tech Talk with NexTech Academy's Joel Ellingson

Speaking of brighter futures, NexTech Academy director Joel Ellingson was interviewed recently on workforce development in the trades. Click to listen to this recent ACHR NEWS podcast that touches on the challenges of finding technical talent, what contractors can do about it and -- most importantly -- how to take control of the most valuable piece of the contractor’s business model, the technician. Joel offers more to consider on this important industry topic in his latest blog post, and he outlines the four foundational pillars necessary to build and sustain a successful technical training program.

Top-Tier Talent Tips

Is there a difference between recruiting for the open roles within your business and recruiting for executive leadership positions? Yep. And, Steffan Busch tackles the topic in a sponsored column published in HVACR Business . Steffan, our Nexstar Recruiting Coach and Executive Recruiter, shares three benefits of leveraging the expertise of an exec recruiter. Members interested in learning more, please reach out to Steffan.

Top of Mind: Mission, Vision & Culture

Sure running a business requires a good deal of number crunching, marketing, operational expertise ... and, what else? Nexstar Leadership Coach Jack Tester nudges us to become a more purposeful leader in his latest blog post:

Curious to learn more, Nexstar members? Link to Jack's upcoming Mission, Vision & Culture training in Minnesota, April 19-20. As a bonus, new members receive one free registration to Jack's class in their first year!

Have a great story for our upcoming newsletter? Email us your ideas to [email protected]! Until then, stay-tuned for next edition. And, #BeGreat.