South Lake Tahoe Contractor Provides Inspiration to the Sweeping Industry

In 1978, Scott Perasso was a carefree 22-year-old mechanic. Then, his fiance’s father secured the parking lot sweeping contract for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Sparks, Nevada. At the time, this was the largest such enterprise in the world. He moved from California to South Lake Tahoe, bought a used FMC sweeper and was suddenly making big money for 1978: $100/night. Then, five months later, Scott was struck by a drunk driver, which required an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg. Although friends stepped in to try and keep his MGM account, after five weeks in the hospital and further recovery time before he could work, the couple had lost the contract. Our feature story is one of battling back to regain and maintain their business, which Scott and Sherry Perasso continue to operate today, 37 years later.

Customer Service: A Prime Business Component to Emphasize

Information excerpted from the American Subcontracting Association that provides input on what is generally considered as good customer service, as well as how to improve good customer service in your organization.

WSA Member Update 11.15.15

Bi-weekly bulletin includes: Best practices tips on developing a veteran hiring program; question asked by WSA Member if there is an ‘interlock system’ that restricts vehicle engine speed while sweeping, and if anyone is using dash cams on their sweepers. We have our usual Safety First bulletin, but also a link to presentation materials by John Meola on ‘Getting to Zero Safety Incidents.’ A link to Brad Humphrey’s ‘8 Tips to Finish Your Year Profitably.’

HR Guidelines for Hiring Veterans

Many WSA Members have expressed their desire to prioritize the hiring of veteranAmericanJobHeroess, if at all possible. An organization called Center for America offers two quick reference guides for businesses looking to do so. One is for small employers who want to hire veterans, national guard members and reservists and the other is for larger employers.

$ Collection Tips

Once you perform your work you need to get paid. To assist in that regard, we offer at the WSA website a PDF file from Zlien that offers a host of tips in this regard.

WSA Member Update 11.1.15

Link to an e-book resource entitled “Succession Planning: Six Top HR Strategies.” Link to a free webinar on independent contractor classifications. Links and info about the free seminars available to WSA members at the 2016 National Pavement Expo. Link to a good overview article on the importance of getting systems in place as your company grows.

Austin and San Antonio Now Getting ‘Moore Clean’

After college Jose Moore went to work for a sweeping company, where his suggested changes greatly expanded the business. When a joint venture with the owner didn’t work out, Jose and his wife, Laura, started their own parking lot sweeping company with a single account… and a TYMCO 600! Through the couple’s perseverance, today Moore Clean, LLC is a full-service sweeping and maintenance company in the Austin, Texas, area with 30 full-time employees.

Succession Planning: Six Top HR Strategies

The ideas in the handbook help position your company to minimize unexpected successions when they occur to to accidents and/or illnesses. They will also assist in minimizing the time, cost and angst of filling key roles when they become vacant.

WSA Member Update 10.15.15

Member reports of problems with getting third party vendor, ServURite, to pay. Link to a new article that covers this situation that is at the WSA website. “Guidelines for Working With Prime Contractors” also includes steps to consider when a client becomes insolvent. Link to an article that can be used as a handout for your drivers entitled: ‘Ten ways to be more professional.’ Our October safety message from John Meola centers around the topic of workplace safety. Meola discusses a number of safety improvement ideas and concepts, as well as provides a handout of workplace safety reminders for your employees.

Guidelines for Working With Prime Contractors

This article provides ideas and insight about steps to consider when working with general contractors, including third party vendors. These include avoiding ‘pay if paid’ and ‘pay when paid’ contract clauses.