Sports field management is a business, and like other businesses, its managers have challenges with staffing and human resources, leadership, career development, crew training, budget and contract management, recordkeeping, etc. SFMA has developed resources that you may find helpful in managing your crew, your facility and your own career.
Resume/Cover Letter:
Interview:
- Beware of the Top 5 Interview Mistakes
- How to Answer Any Interview Question
- Are You “Interview-Ready”?
Communication:
- Effective Verbal Communication with Employees
- Communication – Can You Hear Me Now
- The Sports Turf Manager as a Crisis Communicator
- Effective Email Communication – Taming the Savage Email Beast
- How to Write Like a Pro
- The Different Ways You Learn to be a More Effective Speaker
- Top Ten Steps to Networking
- Use the Easiest Non-Verbal Communication Strategy to Enhance Your Professionalism
- Crisis Communications for Sports Turf Managers – Presented by Scott Boyle and Dr. Brandon Horvath (2016)
- Keys to Success in Media Interviews – Presented by John Fech (2016)
Leadership:
- Impacting an Industry Through Professionalism
- Leadership in the Knowledge Economy
- Image Alignment
- Pride – A Leader’s Greatest Problem
- Benefits of Certification
- A Break Through Approach to Human Growth and Leadership Development – Presented by Phil Eason (2017)
Workplace Professionalism:
- Making Peace with the Rules: A Guide to Getting Along with Human Resource
- Employee Engagement: Fostering Employee Engagement with New Employees
- Employee Engagement: Fostering Employee Engagement with Long-Term Employees
- Effective Verbal Communication with Employees
- 10 Tips to Better Crew Training
- Create a Collaborative Work Environment
- An Easy Strategy to Gain Recognition for Your Work
- Promote your Credentials in Your Facility’s Sports Program
- Developing a Quality Internship Program
- How to Recruit an Intern at the SFMA Conference
- Internal Conflict Resolution Guidebook
- Looking for Success? Look No Further Than Your Staff
- Sample Employment Agreement
Business Practices:
- Lease vs. Buy
- Strategies for Weathering the Economic Downturn
- Marketing to the Sports Turf Manager in a Challenging Economy
- Top 10 Tips on How to Create a Successful Partnership with your Field Provider
Other:
- Balancing Work and Family
- Ethics and Product Endorsement
- Top 5 Red Flags to Budget Approval
- How to Convince Your Employer to Send You to an SFMA Conference
Recordkeeping:
Staying organized and maintaining accurate records for all aspects of your facility is essential for a successful program. John Netwal, CGCS, Director of Operations at North Scott Community School District, has created extensive records to keep track of field maintenance, equipment, budget and employees. Listed below are examples of his records accompanied by worksheets you can adapt to your facility.