BSS is Building Hope in Big Sky Country

Building Hope in Big Sky Country
It’s no secret … breaking into the snow industry is easy. A truck and a plow are enough to get you started; but it takes the right mindset, leadership and faith in your team to have staying power.
Since founding Montana-based Bozeman Site Services (BSS) 12 years ago, building hope through servant leadership has been Doug Duschene’s guiding light. From day one, his goal has been to help people grow, become better and further their careers – whether at BSS or elsewhere. “We tell everyone that if (they) leave us our goal is that they will be the very best employee for their next employer, by a long shot,” he says.
Not that he’s wishing away good employees – they’re hard to come by in a tight job market; but Duschene says he’s trying to build a system that will make working in snow and ice more attractive: “Our goal is to make it a place where people can come and have a lifelong career, to be able to afford to raise a family, and to give them meaning and purpose.”
Building Hope through People Power
Duschene is passionate about lifting up all his employees, especially those who might have a difficult time finding a job due to life situations or because of past mistakes. Having been the recipient of such grace, he seeks to return the favor.
“People in my life have given me a second chance and not allowed my mistakes to ruin our relationships,” he says. “I want to allow that grace to those who need it. People need that because no one is perfect.” -DOUG DUSCHENE
Fostering that culture includes preaching honesty, trust, putting others first, and allowing them to take ownership of their actions – mistakes and all.
“We empower our employees to learn and grow and make decisions; we give them the opportunity, and if they make a mistake to own it and fix it,” he says. “We all make mistakes; it’s how (we] deal with them that defines us.” -DOUG DUSCHENE
Building Hope – With risk comes reward
“Before they know it” is a theme that Duschene preaches throughout his company. It relates to proactively identifying areas where ream members can be of help – whether on a customer’s site or for their fellow employees.
He uses a coin system to recognize those who go above and beyond; for example, an employee arrived for his shift early and saw that his crew leader and manager hadn’t arrived. He rook the initiative to warm up the trucks and get them ready so they could roll out on time.
Those efforts are rewarded during the company’s daily meetings. It not only gives powerful recognition to those who earn the coins but also serves as an example for others since Duschene believes the company’s growth rests in his ability to successfully empower all members of the team to see the bigger picture. “I hope our next phase is developing a foundation we can build on – one that embraces the value system while keeping the personal experience, quality and customer service top-notch,” he says.
Cheryl Higley is Director of Education & Content for SIMA. Email her at chcryl@sima.org or call 262-236-9972.
SNOW BUSINESS// DECEMBER 2020 // www.sima.org/snowbusiness