1. In 5-7 years, SIMA will have established a carefully defined segmentation of members, and will have in place a specific and descriptive matrix of benefits, results and delivery mechanisms applied to each segment of members.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. Define membership segments (size, kind, region, demographic,
psychographic, etc.)
b. While traditional program delivery mechanisms (symposium, regional seminars, etc.) will continue to be very important, SIMA will test and deliver programs, as follows:
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4-6 programs of 6 hours total per year delivered by SIMA via the we or on demand; 250 total registrants per year will participate in these programs with 150 being unique users.
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8 programs offered via co-marketed or co-delivered programs with partner or similar organizations.
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25% increase/improvement in utilization of the online Learning Center.
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2. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will have in place formal, productive working relationships with BOMA and similar organizations representing users of snow and ice management services at the national level and in key market areas to promote SIMA and snow and ice professionalism, and to further mutually beneficial public relations, education, research and referrals.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. SIMA will have identified appropriate organizations with which it will pursue productive working relationships.
b. SIMA will have developed a Board-approved memo of understanding outlining common strategic goals and activities with BOMA (and other similar organizations), and will have secured the agreement of those organizations on those memos of understanding. Among other points, this memo will spell out the central role and desired results of co-marketing.
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3. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will have an engaged and diverse membership in both Canada and the US that appropriately represents all key market areas in which the snow and ice management industry is relevant.
a. Increase total membership by approximately 700 in US and by approximately
300 in Canada
b. Increase General membership by 85% Improve retention from 69 to 75%
-category 1 by 75% Improve retention from 64 to 72%
-category 2 by 30% Improve retention from 80 to 85%
-category 3 by 15% Improve retention from 70 to 80%
-category 4 by 10% Improve retention from 82 to 90%
c. Increase Associate membership by 10% Improve retention from 70 to 80%
d. Increase Affiliate membership by 30% Improve retention from 80 to 90%
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. Increase total membership by approximately 300 in US and by approximately
150 in Canada
b. Increase General membership by 40% Improve retention from 69 to 72%
-category 1 by 30% Improve retention from 64 to 68%
-category 2 by 15% Improve retention from 80 to 82%
-category 3 by 10% Improve retention from 70 to 75%
-category 4 by 5% Improve retention from 82 to 85%
c. Increase Associate membership by 5% Improve retention from 70 to 75%
d. Increase Affiliate membership by 15% Improve retention from 80 to 85%
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4. In 5 to 7 years, at least 50% of General Member firms will have at least one key employee who is a CSP or a CST, and 10% of all General Member firms will be accredited with [a to-be-determined level of accreditation for companies]. In addition, all General Member firms will receive an annually updated version of a “best practices and code of ethics” for snow and ice professionals. Further, SIMA will have put to broad and effective use (for both internal and external purposes) a clear statement of the excellent “value proposition” of SIMA membership.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. A new “best practices and code of ethics” will be developed and approved by the Board, and all member firms will receive an annually updated version.
b. A new accreditation level for firms will be defined, and the accreditation instrument/protocols will be developed, tested and ready to administer.
c. SIMA will have 12 test sites and dates per year for the CSP and CST exams through its own programs and partnerships with similar organizations. Test sites will be located in the following geographic areas: Canada – Ontario; United States – Northeast/New England, West, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic.
d. SIMA will annually administer a sufficient number of tests for CSP, CST and the new accreditation to meet the long-term professional goal stated above.
e. Without reducing the rigor of the testing instruments, SIMA will improve teaching/training preparation for professional tests so that pass rate improves from approximately 50% to 75% on the first test, and to 100% by the second re-take.
f. The SIMA Board will have approved a clear statement effectively explaining (for both internal and external purposes) the excellent “value proposition” of SIMA membership.
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5. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will have in place formal, productive strategic relationships and partnerships with appropriate state, regional and national trade and professional associations and other organizations in key market areas for a wide range of mutually beneficial activities.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. SIMA will have identified appropriate associations and organizations with which it will pursue productive working relationships.
b. SIMA will have developed a Board-approved memo of understanding outlining common strategic goals and activities with appropriate state, regional and national trade and professional associations and other organizations in key market areas. Further, SIMA will have secured the agreement of those organizations to those memos of understanding. Among other points, this memo will spell out the central role of co-marketing.
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6. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will have in place a strong working relationship with consumer media entities in key market areas and at the national level, and with trade and industry-related publications at the national level, and will be regarded as the “go-to” resource for snow and ice management issues.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. SIMA will have identified all appropriate national, regional and local
media.
b. SIMA will have developed standard PR/info kit for all press and media.
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7. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will have in place a strong government relations program (and as necessary, will have the capacity to partner with appropriate and credible regional and national entities) to bring to bear effective industry influence on national, state and local legislation and regulation issues relevant to the industry.
Within 2-3 years:
a. SIMA will identify and prioritize the issues needing attention (such as labor availability/cost, insurance issues, taxes, and other relevant issues such as salt, de-icer, noise, run-off, relocation of snow, etc.), and have in place a long-term strategy for approaching and influencing these issues.
b. SIMA will have established its government relations committee (purpose and roles, staffing and volunteer involvement, etc.), and will have identified and begun partnerships with regional and national entities for mutually beneficial government relations activities.
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8. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will provide vigorous industry leadership for ongoing and comprehensive strategic activities that promote far-reaching and far-sighted responsible environmental stewardship in areas pertaining to the management of snow and ice.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. SIMA will identify and prioritize the environmental, scientific, societal and political issues needing attention, and have in place a long-term strategy for addressing these issues.
b. SIMA will launch its “Environmental Stewardship Initiative” and will be regarded as the “go-to” organization for leadership on responsible environmental stewardship.
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9. In 5 to 7 years, SIMA will have in place a strong soft money research and educational arm (or will be a partner with an appropriate and credible national entity) to conduct research, provide expertise, and compile and distribute useful information to consumers of snow and ice management services, the industry, educational institutions, the public, legislative bodies and regulatory agencies.
Within 2 to 3 years:
a. SIMA will identify and prioritize the issues needing research and education, and have in place a long-term strategy for addressing these issues.
b. SIMA will have established its soft money research and education arm (or partnership), and begun to fund its operations.
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