Sweeping July 2019 VOLUME 43 #6
The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology
Sweeps Week: The Prior Structure What A Levi’s® Sizing Issue Can Teach Us About Customer Loyalty Meet a Member— Jason Ward Are You Providing LASR Precision Praise?
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Departments President’s Letter 3 In Case You Missed It 4 Editor’s Letter 5 Tech Q&A 12 Industry Watch 14 Coach’s Corner 22 Membership Memo 28 Dates and Events 30 New Members 37 Around the Tech Center 38 Classifieds 39 Darwin Award 40
Table of Contents
On the Cover: Chris Prior of Adirondack Chimney Co., Inc. in Middlegrove, NY stands on the com-pleted Prior Structure at the Chimney Safety Institute of America Technology Cen-ter.
Sweeping July 2019 Volume 43 Issue 5
Features What A Levi’s Sizing Issue Can Teach Us About Customer Loyalty
Are You Providing LASR Precision Praise?
All Because The Peel Hit: Sweeps Week 2019
Meet a Member: Jason Ward
6 16 18 25 July 2019
Smoke Chambers and Cast in Place Liner Installation (866) 283-8667 Ext. 706
Factory Built Fireplace Installation and Replacement (866) 283-8667 Ext. 701
Dryer Vents (866) 283-8667 Ext. 707
Gas Appliance Venting, Gas Logs and NFPA 54 (866) 283-8667 Ext. 702 Oil Appliance Venting and NFPA 31 (866) 283-8667 Ext. 703 Chimney Inspection, Documentation and NFPA 211 (Levels of Inspection) (866) 283-8667 Ext. 704
Installation and Venting of Pellet Stoves (866) 283-8667 Ext. 708 IRC and NFPA 211 (Code Questions) (866) 283-8667 Ext. 709 Customer Service and Customer Communication (866) 283-8667 Ext. 710 General Sweeping and Repair (866) 283-8667 Ext. 711
NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019-2020
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Masonry Fireplace Construction and Restoration (866) 283-8667 Ext. 700
2 S W E E P I N G
STAFF
Resources 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500 Fax: (317) 837-5365
Megan McMahon Executive Director mmcmahon@ncsg.org
Penny Seals Academic Coordinator pseals@ncsg.org
Darcy Marlett Director of Communications and Marketing dmarlett@ncsg.org
Sara Sichting Systems and Records Coordinator ssichting@ncsg.org
Russell Dimmitt Education Director rdimmitt@ncsg.org
Annemarie Stockton Membership & Outreach Coordinator astockton@ncsg.org
Charissa Benge Mahaffey Office Coordinator cmahaffey@ncsg.org Donna Lee Kasmer CSIA Certification Coordinator dkasmer@csia.org
July 2019
COMMITTEE CHAIRS and TASK FORCES 2019 – 2020
Be advised that advice given by NCSG’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) reflects best practices of the chimney sweeping industry. However, we are unable to account for any particular type of situation since regional variations in construction practices and additional environmental, physical and geographical factors necessarily vary the level of service appropriate for a particular fireplace and/or chimney. Additionally, local laws and ordinances may govern and/ or supersede the information and any recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with firsthand knowledge of the situation, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Neither NCSG nor any member of TAC will be held liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on information provided by anyone associated with TAC. By your use of this member benefit you acknowledge acceptance of these terms.
Region 6 Bob Ferrari (530) 941-5818 bob@flueseason.com
Vice President, Region 4 Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
At-Large Director Tom Hunkele (515) 249-6337 topnotchchimney@gmail.com
Treasurer, Region 3 Ron Rust (803) 730-5858 tophatswp@aol.com
At-Large Director Steven Scally (603) 895-8746 firesidesweeps@comcast.net
Secretary, Region 1 Matt Mair (603) 525-7905 matt@blackmoosechimney. com
At-Large Director Joe Sauter (317) 243-9687 joe@yourchimneysweep.com
Region 2 Bill Thornton (215) 540-9787 wissahickonvalleysweep@ yahoo.com
Stainless Steel Liner Installation (866) 283-8667 Ext. 705 To contact any member of the Technical Advisory Council, please call (866) 283-8667 and select the extension for the person who is best qualified to answer your question:
President, Region 5 Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drengler01@gmail.com
Supplier Representative Stuart Karanovich (765) 966-5084 stuartk@saversystems.com
Bylaws Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
NFPA 211 Representative Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
Ethics Joe Sauter (317) 243-9687 joe@yourchimneysweep.com
NFPA 31 Representative John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Governance Tom Hunkele (641) 774-8056 topnotchchimney@gmail.com
NFPA 54 Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
Government Affairs Jeff Keefer 513-248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com
Technical Advisory Council Michael Segerstrom (908) 253-9190 chimneysweeps@optonline.net
International Relations John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Scholarship Committee Gregg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net
Membership Bob Ferrari (530) 221-3331 bob@flueseason.com
ADVERTISING RATES for Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology may be obtained by contacting Malisa Minetree at (317) 815-4688 or sweepingads@me.com Layout and design by David Bruce, Red2 Design Bureau NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format. In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing, nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release. NCSG further reserves the right to reject at any time any advertising determined not to be in keeping with the publication’s standards. Acceptance of advertising by Sweeping magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers. © 2019 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. (317) 837-1500
S
weeps Week 2019 will be one to remember. Last year when we poured the footing and slab for the new training chimney we figured the completion was years out. Over the next few months talks began about doing it all in one year over Sweeps Week. Seven days just didn’t seem possible so Sweeps Week got stretched out a little longer and some real carpenters were called in to help. Even with central Indiana
weather of melting sun and surprise downpours the job got done in under two weeks. Hats off to everyone who helped to make The Prior Structure an amazing addition to our school to help train future chimney professionals! Jasper Drengler NCSG President
President’s
Letter Jasper Drengler
President
Hello, Everyone!
3 S W E E P I N G July 2019
In Case You
Missed
it…
4 S W E E P I N G July 2019
Renewal Season is Here! Beginning July 1st you can renew your membership for the 2019- 2020 membership year. You’ll want to renew early this year so your name will be entered in our Sweep’s Stakes drawing. Find out more by following us on Facebook!
Call for Speakers Do you have a great idea for a breakout session at the 2020 NCSG National Convention? Applications are now open to present in Orlando! Go to www.ncsgconvention.org/call-for-speakers to apply!
Nominations for Meet a Member Do you know a friend or colleague doing great work in our industry that deserves a little recognition? Nominate them to be featured on NCSG.org and Sweeping magazine in the Meet a Member feature. Send names to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org.
Greetings, Sweeps! Summer is always a bustling time here at the Tech Center and this year is no different! It’s always nice to see faces new and old around the building as we welcome sweeps for classes and of course Sweeps Week! This year’s Sweeps Week will go down in the record books as the year the Prior Structure was built. Learn more about this new addition to the Tech Center and see lots of photos from Sweeps Week 2019 in this issue. Learn more about Sweeps Week and see even more photos at www. facebook.com/CSIASweepsWeek.
at Locked On Leadership, a consulting firm that focuses on practical tactical leadership skills that yield results. Before you close the issue, be sure to read this month’s Membership Memo. Our Membership and Outreach Coordinator Annemarie Stockton has a some great information about why you should consider taking a vacation this summer along with the details on a new member benefit that will help you plan it.
Editor’s
Letter Darcy Marlett Editor
Cheers,
This month we are also proud to welcome a new contributor to Sweeping Magazine, Dave Rosenberg. Dave is the founder and principal
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5 S W E E P I N G
What A Levi’s® Sizing Issue Can Teach Us About Customer Loyalty By Taylor Hill and Carter Harkins Spark Marketer
I
f you Google “Levis size inconsistent” you’ll find dozens of articles, threads, and forums (some dating back to 2001) bashing the brand for its inconsistent sizing. You’ll see things like: • “Identical brand, style and size jeans — all completely different…”
6 S W E E P I N G
• “I know most of you already know that Levis jeans will vary…” • “Why do these two nearly identical Levi 511s fit very differently…” • “Two Levi 511s, exact same size, totally different fits. Wtf…”
the consistency, Levi’s? Quality Assurance? Especially for online purchases, this is a major inconvenience, and ultimately ends up costing me time and energy to re-order what should have been more consistently produced in the first place. Where’s my refund for that wasted time and effort?” Is this how your clients feel about your business? Are you creating unnecessary frustration for them and losing trust because of inconsistency? What Can Your Clients Expect?
One unhappy camper says, “I’m just done with them. I have 4 Levi jeans. 2 of them are the same color and everything. All are the same size on the tag, but all fit me drastically differently. And I live too far from any respectable shopping center, so I have to go online.”
As a business owner, ensuring your clients have a consistent experience when they call you or work with you is critical. It’s an easy win. If they know what to expect and they learn they can rely on you to be friendly, caring, honest, and helpful every single time they need you, you’ll have a leg up on the competition. They won’t have a reason to go elsewhere.
Another says in an Amazon review, “Where’s
But if one experience with your company is stellar
July 2019
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and the next leaves your client with a bad taste in their mouth, where’s the incentive for trust and loyalty? You’ll create confusion and frustration for that client and there’s no guarantee they’ll give you another chance just to see what type of experience they’ll have the third time around. Not everyone is that curious, patient, or loyal. After all, unless you’re the only chimney sweep within a 60 mile radius, they have other choices. And trying out someone new isn’t any riskier than giving an inconsistent company another shot. So what can you do to avoid being Levi’s®, a company whose customers obviously want to be loyal to the brand, but at some point have to decide for themselves how far that loyalty goes? A company whose customers are asking themselves, “When does the frustration, inconvenience, and inconsistency outweigh the possibility of a winning fit?” There are two things you can do to ensure
that your clients don’t feel like disgruntled, frustrated Levi’s® customers:
#1 Keep your ears open to online and offline conversations surrounding your brand and industry. It’s really not that hard to figure out what your clients want and expect from you and what their frustrations are. If you don’t know, ask! Even if you don’t spend much time face-to-face with clients, your frontline employees are meeting with and talking with your clients every single day. Find out from your team what they’re hearing. Is there an inconsistency or a frustration that comes up time and time again that can be easily fixed? Spend some time whacking those moles so your clients don’t have a reason to go to a competitor. Of course, we live in the age of the Internet, and our clients are sharing their feelings, opinions, and experiences all over the place without us even asking. By setting up a Google Alert for
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your company, you’ll know where conversations about your business are happening and what’s being said. You can also look at your reviews of course, and do Google searches for your brand. If Levi’s® did any of these simple things, they’d know that sizing inconsistency is a big frustration for their customers and a problem worth solving.
#2 Put systems and SOPs in place. Even if Levi’s® does know about this problem with sizing, because they’re such a massive operation and their jeans are made in shops all over the world, it’s possible there’s no easy solution. They can provide the materials and patterns, but the work is still being done by different humans in different areas of the world. And here’s the thing about humans: we mess up. We have good days and bad days. We have our own ways of doing things. And that’s where inconsistency comes in. No matter how big or small your operation, there’s one factor that introduces a lot of variation and that every business must cope with: humans. If you want to ensure consistency, you have to have systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place for everything you do. Systems and processes that eliminate as much of the undesirable human variation factor as possible. No, we’re not talking about replacing people with A.I., we’re talking about giving your employees a track to follow — a set of instructions and steps that clearly maps out a standardized way of doing things.
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Most business owners and employees cringe at the thought because it takes time to create and implement systems and SOPs, but the end result is well worth the effort.
July 2019
Where do SOPs and systems belong in your company? Better question: where don’t they? You’ll benefit from creating a systemized, standardized way of answering the phones, greeting clients, providing invoices, following up, etc. The more you build consistency into your business model, the more consistent your service and your customer experience will be, no matter who’s doing the work or what kind of day they’re having. So ask yourself, “Am I the Levi’s® of chimney businesses or do my clients know exactly what they’re getting when they pick up the phone?” I can promise you the answer will have a massive impact on the loyalty and satisfaction of your clients and the success of your business. Taylor Hill and Carter Harkins are the co-founders of Spark Marketer, a Nashville-based digital marketing company that works primarily with service businesses. They’re also the cohosts of the Blue Collar Proud (BCP) Show, the podcast that’s all about having and living the blue collar dream; co-authors of the book, Blue Collar Proud: 10 Principles for Building a Kickass Business You Love; and co-creators of the award-winning app, Closing Commander™, which helps contractors close more estimates effortlessly. Both regularly speak at service industry trade shows and conferences across the nation. sparkmarketer. com, closingcommander.com, @bcpshow, facebook.com/ sparkmarketer, facebook.com/bcpshow/, facebook.com/groups/ bluecollarproudnation/, facebook.com/closingcommander/
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Technical
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Michael Segerstrom
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Question: What is the best type of mortar to use for rebuilding the brickwork at the top of a chimney?
Answer: For our answer this month we will ask one of our industry leading masonry experts, Steve Scally of Fireside sweeps. He writes “Choosing a mortar for the brickwork at the top of the chimney for rebuilding is not a simple answer. First we need to know what type of brick we are laying to best match the mortar so you do not have issues with either brick spalling and failing or mortar coming out. For example, in New England there is a brick called water strucks. Best mortar for this one is a type S mortar. On older houses with soft brick, a type N mortar or even an O mortar is more suitable depending on the age of the chimney. Some of the old chimneys in different regions have a lime base mortar with sea shell added. I can remember a time we once had to send a sample to a lab to get the right mortar that we could use for the historic restoration of the chimney. So this is not a one size fits all. It requires us to know the bricks and mortar, their age and sometimes where they come from and how strong they are.
12 S W E E P I N G July 2019
After we do the rebuild we will need to do the crown, splay or wash to finish the top. A sand mix for a wash is the minimum. It is always better to build a poured or formed crown. When doing a poured crown, a quick setting concrete reinforced with rebar inside is best. A bond break around all the flue tiles is required with either a wash or a concrete crown. A minimum 1.5” drip edge over hang for the crown and a 4” minimum
thickness will make for a longlasting crown that performs well. When using a quick setting concrete we have to be careful on how fast or slow we work the crown concrete in. We do not want it to start setting up while we are putting it all together. The reason to consider using fast setting concrete is that we can set the form and pour the crown in the morning and come back later in the day and take off the forms. We do not need to wait the extra day. If you are mixing your own concrete, a type S mortar mixture with a 3/8 stone gravel is a good choice. Steven T Scally is the owner of Fireside Sweeps LLC and has been in the chimney industry for 41 years. CSIA certified since 1981 #401, Steve is President of the NEACHP Northeast association of chimney and hearth professionals, serves on the NCSG Technical Advisory Council and is an NCSG Director at Large.
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Industry
Watch PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
HPBA Pacific Affiliate to Hold HPBA Pacific Affiliate to Hold August Training August Training & Business Seminar Events There will be two 2-day hands-on gas tec
industry in the Pacific region. Heart There will be two 2-day hands-on gas technical training events members to serve industry members in the Pacific region. Hearth and chimney professionals are invited. One will be held in West Sacramento, invited. One will be held in West Sacramento California on August 13 & 14.
The other will take place intaught Ontario, The other will take place in Ontario, California on August 20 & 21. Both events will be by California hearth industry veteran trainer Bob Wise. Wise has over decadesby in the hearth, chimney, veteran HVAC, will three be taught hearth industry train plumbing, and gas fired appliances career. Early in his career, he worked for SoCalGas. Wise went on to decades in the hearth, chimney, HVAC, plumb be a trainer with several manufacturers of hearth products.
On August 19th, the day preceding the Southern California technical of career.2-day Early in histraining, career,a full he day worked for SoCa business and marketing classes will be held at the same Ontario location. “The day is chock-full with trainer with several manufacturers of hearth p seven sessions a business owner or manager should attend,” says Pat Rosengren, HPBA’s Executive Director. th
On August 19 , the day preceding the So c Ontario location. “The day is chockfull with se There are prices for HPBA members and nonmembers. Visit www.hpbapacific.org for all information, manager should attend,” says Pat Rosengren, specific locations, and registration form. The classes include meeting hiring challenges, adding to the outdoor room, government regulations training, a fulla presentation day of business and marketing threatening retail business and social media strategies. There’s even by an advisor with advice for those interested in buying or selling a business.
14
The classes include meeting hiring challe room, government regulations threatening re strategies. There’s even a presentation by an interested in buying or selling a business.
###
S W E E P I N G
There are prices for HPBA members and www.hpbapacific.org for all information, spec form. # July 2019
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Are You Providing LASR Precision Praise? Great Business Leaders Inspire with Praise
by Dave Rosenberg, CPBA|CPDFA, Principal of Locked On Leadership, LLC
R
ecognizing employee accomplishments is an essential part of management leadership. Unfortunately, most of the time I observe owners and managers carpet bombing “good jobs” and doing more harm than good. In order for praise to be effective you must use LASR precision. In WWII, when the Allies wanted to destroy the industrial and communications complex in Dresden, Germany they employed a tactic known as “carpet bombing”. They flew over 700 aircraft and deployed 3,900 tons of high explosive “dumb” bombs, carpeting the target area in ordinance. As a result, they killed 25,000 civilians as collateral damage and created a controversial public relations nightmare that persists today.
16 S W E E P I N G
In an effort to provide positive feedback, many managers will drop “good jobs” like so many tons of dumb bombs. Frequently to employees that haven’t done anything praise worthy. Indiscriminate praise is like carpet bombing a target, you don’t know where it is going to fall and while it may do some good it will also result in unintentional collateral damage. Let’s look at three possible scenarios and see the mechanics of this effect: 1. The employee sat on their hands all day – In this case, you are rewarding and reinforcing bad behavior. Worse still, if you ever try to counsel this employee to help them improve it will fall on deaf ears. After all you have been telling them
July 2019
they’ve been performing well all along. 2. The employee did some good work today but the rest of the day was unremarkable or they may have even done nothing the rest of the day – This is a missed opportunity. Here you have an employee that has done some good work but by not offering LASR guided praise you missed the opportunity to reinforce good behavior. Not knowing which behaviors were praise worthy, this employee will not consciously repeat their performance. 3. The employee was a rock star all day long, dealing with one or more difficult customers and they handled the situation with aplomb – These are the employees you want to keep and nurture. The generic “good job today” will have a demotivating affect. Like the student that studies hard and aces a test, only to find out their grade will be the average of the entire class, this employee will be deflated by vague, non-specific praise provided to the group. Eventually they will feel unappreciated and their productivity will slip or they will leave to work else where. After all, why should they work hard only to have the credit diluted?
Leaders Provide Specific and Timely Acknowledgement If WWII were fought today, the destruction of Dresden would never have happened. Today we would use smart munitions, like laser guided bombs, that are specifically targeted to destroy the factories, rail yards and communications centers while leaving the civilian housing untouched. As business leaders your “smart munitions” is laser targeted specific praise. L = Limited to the individual or team that performed well A = About the company core values demonstrated S = Specific to the behavior you want to reinforce R = Real time, give praise as close to the event or behavior as possible. Laser targeted specific praise should be timely, as close to the praise worthy event as possible. Call out the individual or individuals by name and include what they did right and how it ties in to your core values and advances the company’s mission.
For example, let us take a customer service rep at a moving company that handles a difficult customer on the phone. The company has empathy as one of its core values and its mission is to “eliminate the stress of moving”. Laser targeted praise might be “You did a great job dealing with Mr. Jones on the telephone. I love the way you listened patiently while he vented, then validated his feelings before fixing the issue. You demonstrated empathy, one of our core values while reducing his stress, the whole reason we exist as a company, great job!” As you can see this feedback targeted specific behaviors that can be replicated and reinforced the company’s values and mission. Your goal should be to provided LASR targeted praise daily. It will pay deep rewards. As a former Naval Officer and President of several companies, Dave Rosenberg understands the difficulties of managing tasks and personnel. Now he is on a mission to replace TGI Friday with TGI Monday. Dave is the founder and principal at Locked On Leadership, a consulting firm that focuses on practical tactical leadership skills that yield results. He is a Certified Professional Behavioral and Driving Forces Analyst and has worked with over 60 companies in 13 states arming them to achieve sustained and managed growth. Learn more at https:// lockedonleadership.com
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Week 2019
Sweeps
All Because The Peel Hit: Sweeps Week 2019
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If you’ve been to the Tech Center the past few years you’ve probably noticed the addition of our pizza oven. Built over the past few Sweeps Weeks and featuring a distinctive top hat brick set and Prior Fire fireplace on the front, the pizza oven has been a fantastic addition to the building. There was only one problem howeverdue to its proximity to the training chimney, the peel hit when you took a pizza out of the oven. Inspired to give students at the Tech Center the best training structure possible (and to cook pizza unencumbered) Chris Prior put together a plan for a new training tool to replace the old chimney. Evolving from a drawing of a straight up and down chimney to a large scale structure with multiple levels, stairs, and decking for students to observe from, the plan took more than 250 hours for Prior to complete. By the time the team started building, Prior had laid out a step by step plan for every level of the build, dubbed “The Prior Structure”, allowing an all volunteer team to
July 2019
finish construction in under two weeks. “This structure will be instrumental in training generations of new chimney technicians here at the Tech Center,” said NCSG and CSIA Executive Director Megan McMahon. “We can’t thank Chris and the volunteers enough for making this possible for our students.” The only training tool of its kind and scale in the United States, the Prior Structure features more than one hundred problems for students to find. We won’t give any of them away, but they range from the easy to spot “that definitely shouldn’t be in a chimney to errors you could only find by knowing the applicable codes and best practices. “Having this here really ups our game as the country’s premier chimney training facility,” said Russ Dimmitt, CSIA Education Director. It goes without saying (though of course we won’t let it) the NCSG staff and board are extremely grateful for the time and dedication that Prior and the volunteers put into this project.
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Here’s to the Two Week Crew This project couldn’t have been completed without the help of dozens of volunteers who donated time throughout the two weeks of the build. We would also like to give special recognition those who volunteered every day of the build: Chris and Ingrid Prior of Adirondack Chimney Co in Middlegrove, NY
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Ron and Renée Brigman of Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps in Laurens, SC Tim Smith of Certified Chimney Care in Greencastle, IN David Kline of Chim Cheree Chimney Specialists in Greer, SC David Steward of Copper Ridge Chimney LLC in Claremore, OK
July 2019
Coach’s
Corner Jerry Isenhour
R
ecently one of the coaches that I network with had a remarkable analogy on social media about hiring. His name is Joe Crisara, he works in the HVAC and plumbing industries in his coaching practice and the following was what he shared: Q: When is it time to hire another field tech? A: The RIGHT tech will always pay for themselves as there are two kinds of field employees — engines or anchors.
Engines & Anchors
An engine produces enough work for themselves but also enough to keep 3 – 5 others employed. An anchor drags you down and waits for YOU to provide work for him. Sadly, most service businesses are ignorant to this fact and view every employee as an anchor. Remember that YOU provide opportunity for each employee. THEY are responsible for expanding that opportunity not you. I think the words that Joe shared were golden and when I requested permission to share his words, he graciously allowed this. But as I looked at the words “engine” and “anchor” I saw where these two words could be golden words to follow in businesses management and leadership. As the leader of your own business, please read further to understand how management, leadership and so many things that can happen in your business life can be accelerated if you have the personality and drive of the engine. But, if one possesses the personality and “hold
22 S W E E P I N G July 2019
on now” of the anchor then the business could be held back and achievement of the potential never fully realized. Let’s look at some real-world business models. One that I would classify as an “anchor” is Sears Roebuck. Once the leading powerhouse of the retail market, they are rapidly disappearing across the American consumers radar. Why? They were anchored in place with a business model that did not change as the market wanted change. If Sears had simply released their anchor in time, they would be the Amazon of today, but Sears did not reinvent to change their business model to meet the needs of today’s buyer. Not only that, they also bailed out the boat selling off major brands they controlled, Allstate Insurance, Diehard batteries, Craftsman tools and others to grab quick cash. They threw away their strengths in the market. Now let’s look at companies that are engines and moved to provide the customer with the products they wanted in the way the customer wanted to buy. One of these is Apple computers under the leadership of Steve Jobs,. They took a company near the brink of bankruptcy and transformed it into a company with a trillion dollars in sales, along the way changing the way we use a telephone and the way we listen to music. Another is Amazon. No one took Jeff Bezos serious when he started selling some books online out of his garage but look at this behemoth today. Amazon has massive fulfillment centers across America.
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Would Amazon or Apple have gone to where they where they are now if they were led by anchors? No way — they were led by leaders who were engines that were finely tuned to provide maximum horsepower. The result is massive profits that others can only look at with amazement. Let’s look in the mirror — is your leadership and business management style one of being an anchor? Are you throwing out your anchor and holding yourself back due to fear of failure, or perhaps past failures or even a lack of self-confidence? If you are going to reach those dreams, you may have to pull up the anchor. Yes, you may encounter rough seas, but with proper planning, tracking and measurement you can move forward. It may take mentoring or coaching by others to get you there, but you must make your own decision that you can do phenomenal things. Perhaps heeding the classic words of Zig Ziglar, “you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”. If you are the anchor, perhaps it’s time to make those moves you know you need to make.
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And if you are an engine, you likely understand that the voyage may get shaky at times. This is where educating yourself in the processes and strategies to get to your dreams can be real and can happen. You also must realize that if you are not failing at times, then you are not trying new ideas and processes. As an engine you likely know that there will be failures, but your failures give you the fuel for your success in the future.
July 2019
This is so adequately stated by Dr. John Maxwell in his words in the book “Failing Forward”. Dr. Maxwell describes failures as the stepping stones to where you plan to go. The choice is yours: will you be an “anchor”, or will you be an “engine”? Remember the engine powers everything further, the anchor holds your positions. What is the choice you wish to make? My recommendation is to be an engine; it’s what is going to power you to your dreams. Do this and maybe people will look at you one day in awe. Every overnight success worked many years to attain a high level of recognition in this world. Be the engine and turn your business and life dreams into your realities. About the Author: Jerry Isenhour is an industry consultant, educator and coach who authors a monthly article in Sweeping as a service to the industry. For more information about Jerry and how his team can assist you individually and your business in your quest for success and your ascent to the next level, take a look at his web site www.cvccoaching.com He can be contacted at jerry@cvccoaching. com or by phone at (704) 425-0217. You can also obtain great business tips from his Facebook page CVC Coaching and YouTube channel CVC Coaching.
Meet A
Member Jason Ward Meet Jason Ward with FireCrest Chimney Service LLC in Little Rock, Arkansas. He talks a little bit about how he got his introduction to the chimney industry, as well as how he is making some changes to grow his business. What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? Is this the worst you’ve ever seen? How did you get started in the industry? My Captain at the fire department owned what would become my company. I was assigned to his engine company when I was a rookie. He liked me and asked me if I would start working with his company on our days off. The rest is history. What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Go get CSIA Certified and keep on learning. Do not be afraid to grow this business. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? Meeting the large demand during the late summer to spring season. We have added computerized scheduling which we use along with GPS mapping to keep our appointments as close as possible with the least amount of drive time. Another is growing the service staff. Our goal is to add another service truck this season, bringing our fleet up to three. We also plan to certify two of our helpers so they can take over their own vehicles.
July 2019
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What is your proudest accomplishment? Becoming a father to my son Collin!!! Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem? Yes we have. We’ve made some interesting chamber trowels and tile breaker. Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney? A hawk. What do you like to do outside of work? Watch Red Sox baseball and spend time with my wife and son. What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? The potential for education and networking. You will meet someone on every level who has been where you are going.
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History
Project W
ith the building of the Prior Structure this seemed like a great month for the History Project to highlight another momentous Sweep’s Week Accomplishment- the twisted chimneys. Designed and spearheaded by NCSG Member Kevin De lucenay the chimneys were built for the masonry heater located in the heart of the Technology Center. Thought to be the only chimney design of its kind at the time of it’s building in 2003, the twisted chimneys were built in only 5 days. Today they continue to be a lasting symbol of the Technology Center and of the partnership between the National Chimney Sweep Guild and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
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July 2019
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Membership
Memo
By Annemarie Stockton Membership & Outreach Coordinator
5 Reasons Your Team Should Take a Vacation this Summer (and how NCSG can help you do that)
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R
esearch shows Americans take less vacation time than the rest of the industrialized world. In fact, Project: Time Off found that 52% of American workers didn’t use all their vacation days in 2017. However, a number of studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and psychological benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals. Still not convinced? Here are 5 reasons you (and your employees) should take a vacation this summer.
1. Generate great company culture. Some people worry that taking time off could hurt their chances of advancing in the company or getting a raise. Research has shown that this isn’t the case. In fact, taking some time away from work might just help others see how important each team member’s contributions are. Relying on others and taking the time to cross-train and plan how responsibilities will be covered during your employee’s absence also strengthens team building and relationships between coworkers.
2. Keep innovation and energy levels high. You and you employees need time to reboot, no matter how energetic and enthusiastic you may be. Even if you can’t afford a luxurious vacation, taking a break from a familiar work environment for a few days can help employees recharge. When they come back, they will be ready to get more work done and will likely have come up with some fresh ideas.
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3. Help your employees manage their relationships.
July 2019
When employees take time off from work and spend time with their families and friends on a vacation, it allows them to deepen bonds that contribute to their overall happiness and reduce the stress that comes from neglecting loved ones during busy seasons at work. And when they return to work, their positive energy will be contagious.
4. Stay healthy. Beyond simply helping you to recharge and feel less stressed, studies suggest that taking a vacation is also key to one’s overall health and wellness. Prolonged stress can actually lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. Even the structure of your brain is altered by continued exposure to the stress hormone cortisol, which can be a major contributing factor to anxiety and depression. Taking time away from work gives your body and mind time to heal. As a bonus, staying healthy means your people will take fewer sick days, saving money and resources for your company.
discounts for just about everything: theme parks, resorts, concerts, car rentals, hotels, and even shopping deals! Instructions on how to access this benefit (along with the code) will be in your renewal packet, NCSG.org, and in the membership edition of eNewslink!
5. NCSG has a new benefit to help you find your next vacation.
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Having fun, getting away, and saving money are important for your well-being. That’s why NCSG has partnered with Tickets at Work! This cost-free benefit provides you and your employees access to thousands of travel and entertainment discounts, so you can make the most of your time away from work. There are
July 2019
Dates and
Events July 2019
July 1-31 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel
August 1-31 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel
July 8, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Golden State Chimney Sweep Guild Convention Oceanside, CA
August 1-2, 2019 Chimney Inspection Seminars OlympiAcademy Albany, NY
For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
For more information, please call 570-507-7177 or Olympiacademy.com
July 9, 2019 Business Building OlympiAcademy Scranton, PA
August 3, 2019 MCSG Summer Meeting & Windjammer Cruise Hilton Hotel Boston, MA
For more information, please call 570-507-7177 or Olympiacademy.com
For more information, please call (413) 887-2374 MCSG
July 16, 2019 Business Building OlympiAcademy Reno, NV For more information, please call 570-507-7177 or Olympiacademy.com
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August 2019
July 18-19, 2019 Chimney Inspection Seminars OlympiAcademy San Clemente, CA For more information, please call 570-507-7177 or Olympiacademy.com July 22-27, 2019 CSIA National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
July 2019
August 5-6, 2019 CSIA Inspection & Report Writing CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 5-6, 2019 2-Day Masonry Richmond, IN For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 5-6, 2019 CSIA Board Meeting CSIA Technology Center August 5-6, 2019 Chimney Inspection Seminars OlympiAcademy Fort Wayne, IN For more information, please call 570-507-7177 or Olympiacademy.com
Ontario, CA August 7-8, 2019 CSIA 2-Day Chimney Physics CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 7-9, 2019 Advanced Masonry Richmond, IN For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 8-9, 2019 NCSG Board Meeting CSIA Technology Center August 9, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 13-14, 2019 HPBA Pacific Affiliate 2-Day Hands-On Gas Technical Training Sacramento, CA For more information, HPBA Pacific August 16, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Richmond (Sandston), VA For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 19-20, 2019 CSIA Inspection & Report Writing Sponsored by MACA (Registration through MACA only) Fredericksburg, VA
For more information, HPBA Pacific August 26-27, 2019 Chimney Inspection Seminars OlympiAcademy Portland, OR For more information, please call 570-507-7177 or
September 2019 Olympiacademy September 1-30 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel September 13, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Albany, NY For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org September 16-21, 2019 CSIA National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org September 19 2019 NCSG Convention Registration OPENS April 1-4, 2019 – Orlando, FL For More information, please call (317) 837-1500 or visit https://www.ncsg.org
31 S W E E P I N G
For more information and to register, please call Jim Bostaph (757) 596-2298 or visit MACA August 19-24, 2019 CSIA National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org August 20-21, 2019 HPBA Pacific Affiliate 2-Day Hands-On Gas Technical Training
July 2019
October 2019 October 1-31 CSIA (online) CCS Online Review - www.csia.org CDET Online Review - www.csia.org Paper Proctored Exams - www.csia.org eLearning Courses - CSIA eLearning Chimney Physics - CSIA OL Chimney Physics Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel - CSIA OL Stainless Steel October 2-3, 2019 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® 2-Day Workshop & Exam CSIA Technology Center
Energy-SavingDampers Energy-Saving Setting The Standard For
Quality & Durability!
For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.dryersafety.org October 4, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org October 4, 2019 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Atlantic City, NJ For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.csia.org
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CSIA UPDATE July 2019
www.CSIA.org
learn all things chimney. The curriculum was taught by Joe Sauter and Jeremy Biswell. My words of encouragement and instruction were as follows:
Roydhouse Round Up
1.Take advantage of all program offerings- be engaged ask questions.
by Chuck Roydhouse, CSIA President president@csia.org
2.You will be exposed to many knowledge points- pay attention.
“When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute” Simon Sinek
3.This is the first step, certifying in this profession.
The first full week of May I had the honor of attending the NCSG Board Meeting, the joint CSIA / NCSG Board Meeting and presided over the CSIA Board Meeting. All three meetings were very productive. Each Board has separate mandates, goals and responsibilities. The common thread running through the week long meetings, regardless of group, was what can we do to serve our members and clients in the best possible way. It was very euphoric witnessing both Associations separately and together working for the common good of our industry. Training Academy The following week I was able to address, via “Skype”, the students attending our National Chimney Sweep Training School. We had 30 attendees eager and ready to
4.Do not stop at this level. Take other courses such as CSIA Chimney Physics and Inspection and Report Writing. Stagnation is the enemy. 5.Education never stops, it’s ongoing and only makes you and our industry stronger. 6.CSIA offers Continuing Education Online through the CSIA Surefire online training platform. This is an excellent cost- effective way to stay engaged and current while earning continuing education units for re-certification. 7.Lastly, I thanked each student for choosing CSIA for their educational needs and explained why maintaining Guild membership was important and the value and the many benefits that the Guild membership offers.
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Hot Off The Press! The CSIA MASTER SWEEP qualifications have been expanded to include more diverse subjects to provide additional selections of matriculation to qualify for this Advanced Certification. The Master Sweep Committee, chaired by past CSIA President John Pilger, were very excited to update and amplify course selections. Please visit CSIA.org and select the Get Certified section for more information. Sweeps Week Sweeps Week is something everyone should attend. For me it is like a mecca pilgrimage each year. It is a time of reflection and bonding with other fellow sweeps in a fun and relaxed atmosphere; while working to improve our industry. Giving back to CSIA and NSCG is being part of great community and contributing with others for the same goals and realizing you are not alone. We are a family and this is our family reunion. Don’t let Renée Brigman down as she is the backbone of this event. Please join us next year, you will not regret it. Training and Education is our business. We believe in providing the best possible training at every level and this year we built The Prior Training Structure during Sweeps Week. The structure will consist of multiple flues for differing appliances with
July 2019 over 100 deficiencies purposely built into the systems. Providing our students with a chance to see real world problems and find a solution to solve their client’s issues, which reinforces CSIA Certification value. This will be a one of a kind training tool. After working to create this unique vision and inspecting the completed work, you will want to develop the skills to perform the necessary repairs. We’ve got you covered! Masonry Repair for Chimney Technicians (2-day class) and Advanced Masonry Repair (3-day class) will be offered back to back August 5-6 and August 7-9 at our satellite campus in Richmond, Indiana. This is an exclusive event offered at one location during one travel cycle to learn from Master Mason Chris Prior. Our facility is an indoor climate- controlled learning center with some classroom and lots of hands on application training. Upon completion of these curriculums, the tangible things you will receive are the masonry icons (listed on CSIA website locator) CEU’s and fulfilling a Master Sweep credential requirement. The intangible rewards are the confidence to perform masonry repairs and rebuilds with a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing you are CSIA trained by Chris Prior. The ROI for this is exponential and should not be missed. This is another example of how CSIA builds value in your continued education pathway.
If you have any suggestions or questions about classes you would like to participate in, please email me at President@csia.org. Enjoy your summer with family and friends. I thank each and every one of you for making our Guild and CSIA stronger by being invested in our trade and Associations. CSIA is The Standard of Excellence in the Chimney Venting Industry. Chuck Roydhouse President CSIA
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Bring CSIA Education to YOU! CSIA Roadshow is an exciting new opportunity to experience the industry standard in chimney sweep education and earn valuable CEUs and a new web icon, through local sessions provided by CSIA’s expert instructors at your time and place. Hosting a CSIA Roadshow session will provide you with several opportunities for promoting your company or product, both on-site during the session, as well as through CSIA’s website, blog, social networks, and e-newsletter. Learn more at www.CSIA.org/Roadshow
New
Members
COLORADO Brian Sclotzhauer • Loveland
REGION
REGION
REGION
54 65
CALIFORNIA Lux Fireplace Inspections • Jason Trevno • Santa Clarita WASHINGTON Master Sweep Chimney Service • James Knowlton • Tonasket
International ONTARIO DAVESDUCTS • Dave Comia • Whitby
6
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TEXAS Marin’s Chimney Sweep Service • Brant Marin • Big Spring
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NORTH CAROLINA Ron’s Fireside Shop • Ronald Segars Jr. • Castle Hayne
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NEW YORK Guaranteed Home Improvement LLC • Justin Romano • Plainview
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37 S W E E P I N G July 2019
Around the
Tech Center. Megan McMahon
Executive Director
38 S W E E P I N G July 2019
I
know we say it a lot, but it’s because it’s true, we couldn’t do it without our volunteers. Whether it’s board members, committee members, or convention volunteers I am constantly amazed at the amount of dedication to the NCSG and CSIA our sweeps show. This thankfullness was especially prevalent last month watching our Sweeps Week volunteers work on the Prior Structure. In just two short weeks our all-volunteers crew built a training tool from the ground up that will benefit generations of students that come through to learn at the Tech Center.
Of course we can’t forget the volunteers who signed on to feed the people working on the build! The kitchen volunteers turned out three hearty meals a day for volunteers and staff under the leadership of Renée Brigman and Ingrid Prior. If there’s one thing you can count on at Sweeps Week, it’s being well fed. The staff and I can’t say thank you enough to all that made this addition to the Tech Center possible. We can’t wait to see students training with it!
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Work for a Growing Company! Chimney Solutions, based in Atlanta, GA, is looking for Salespeople and Installers with the desire to move up within our company. A $1000-$2000 signing bonus is available, depending on certifications. Pay will be commensurate with experience. Relocation is available for the individual that meets our needs and qualifications. Send resumes to dpace@ chimneysolutions.com or visit our website at www. chimneysolutions.com. Experience Sweep Wanted In business since 1978, we are looking to expand our team. Located in Roseville, CA (just east of Sacramento). WANTED – a certified sweep looking for growth opportunities. Benefits include:
CLASSIFIED ADS FREE FOR NCSG MEMBERS Members can run one 35-word classified free each year! Regular classified ads are $2/word or $1/word for NCSG members. Classified ads are non-commissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, please contact Charissa Mahaffey at cmahaffey@ncsg.org or 317-837-1500.
• Signing bonus available • Competitive salary w/commission • Medical & Vacation included • Full Time position Please send resumes to Amie Ryan - amie@ryanbrothers.com
39 S W E E P I N G July 2019
Darwin
Award
See a chimney in your area that had you scratching your head? Send it to the editor, Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org for publication in Sweeping. Include a few words about the scene and location.
“Mike [son Mike Wood] and I were asked to do a consultation for a realtor who was about to buy a home in the foothills outside of town. The current owners did a “pop-up” remodel but didn’t give a second thought to the existing chimney. The scary part of it is that it was done only four years ago, and came under the purview of a county building department. There are very strict building codes, so it just boggles my mind. Guess I will have a chat with the supervisor! Jeff Charlebois Boulder County Chimney Sweep
Ad Index 40 S W E E P I N G
Ahrens Chimney Technique 800-843-4417 ahrenschimney@qwestoffice.net 29 Approved Industries 866-439-0069 info@approvedindustries.com 13 Copperfield 800-247-3305 www.copperfield.com 7 CVC 704-425-0217 jerry@cvccoaching.com 4 ENERVEX 770-587-3238 www.enervex.com 8 Firesafe Industries, Inc. 800-545-6607 www.firesafeinc.com 27 High Sierra Metals 530-288-1820 highsierrametals@yahoo.com 24 ICP 508-695-7000 www.chimneycaps.com 5 Lindemann Chimney Company 866-629-8006 www.lindemannsupply.com 9 Lyemance www.gllchimneyproducts.com 32 National Chimney 800-897-8481 www.nationalchimney.com front cover New England Chimney Supply 866-513-2378 www.newenglandchimneysupply.com 15 Olympia Chimney Supply, Inc. 800-569-1425 www.olympiachimney.com 11 Sand Hill Wholesale & Mfg., Inc 800-258-5496 www.sandhillwholesale.com 26 SnapLok Rotary Sweep Systems 702-790-4197 www.snaploksystems.com 23 Z-Flex 800-654-5600 sales@z-flex.com 17
July 2019