Pay/Communication/Training/Shout Outs
From Christine Baker
Hello Everyone,
I hope you are enjoying a little slower pace in January and finding time to take care of yourself. Work-life balance is really important, if you need any assistance with your schedule please let us know. Weekends are still busy and we will see increased business with school groups and Ophir. We strive to find a good level of work and training in January, but not overloading schedules. This is a good time to get out and ride/take some time for yourself and like everything, it is typically easier to adjust schedules with advanced communication.
Our dual goals of creating exceptional guest experiences, and creating a lifelong passion for the mountain environment apply not only to our visiting and local guests, but also to each of you (our internal guests). Some areas we have been focusing on this year are: Pay, communication, training, spending time with each of you.
Pay: The move to including group and assigned private bonus was made to create both more equitable opportunities for instructors in different programs, create a more consistent and predictable earning potential, and also increase earning potential for group lesson instructors. Increasing the L1 increase from $.50 to $1.50 supports our value of PSIA-AASI and developing great people. It also increases the earning potential of each of the individuals who partake, in a meaningful way. Pay is something we will continue to address and make adjustments. Please let me know what you think would be the next meaningful step.
Communication: While some may say there are too many emails, we do really value getting information out, not just to the instructors who are at group lesson briefing every day, but also to our private lesson instructors and part-time instructors who don't have that venue each day. Our instructor website, use of ProCard messaging, monthly town halls, and our pulse surveys are all efforts to have meaningful two way communication.
Training: The training supervisors have really worked hard to create lots of opportunities for training this year - for certification based topics, and also really looking to create professional development opportunities that match your interests. We keep looking to invest in all of you and your development.
Face to face communication: Group lesson briefings, 9am laps, 3:30 laps - we are all trying to catch up with you and hear directly what you’re seeing, hearing, needing, liking, etc. Last year wasn't very good for being together, but this year is great for outside catch ups.
8am Shout Outs - 8am Ram8 Access for you and a friend.
Kailey Toia. Kailey has stepped up her game as an instructor in that her personal touch is evident in every lesson and with every student. She has bridged the gap from teaching groups to getting private requests. Excellent job Kailey!!
Cameron Enoch. Cameron’s experience in snowsports is obvious and his lessons are a model of group organization and safety. His students are always happy and having a great time in his lessons. Congratulations, Cameron, on your recent engagement!
Brook Vienneau, NASTAR crew. Doing a great job getting things lined out and figured out!
Shout out to Em Palermo who has gotten terrific feedback from guests on all her lessons and is also willing to work additionally as needed.
Key Kern does a great job supervising the Madison Base Office. She has been training new staff members throughout the season also. Thank you for all you do Key!
Thank you all for your exceptional contributions. Your 8am run can be any day between 1/24 and 1/30. Please email Christy Mikulich (cmikulich@bigskyreort.com) and your manager:
The date (between 1/24 and 1/30) that you’d like the early access loaded.
The name of your plus one
Please email at least 24hrs in advance
If anyone wants to nominate someone for a shout out, please send me an email with their name and the great things they are doing, we’d love to hear the great things you are seeing!
ProCard ProTip:
Q: Can I confirm to request wage for a lesson that is booked on me the day of the lesson?
A: No. The cutoff time for confirm to request is 8pm the night before the lesson.
If you are having problems with confirm to request please take a screenshot of the issue and send it to Lucia
Christine Baker she/her
VP Mountain Sports | Big Sky Resort
406-995-5736