It’s All About the Customer

Lifeguards need certifications that span across first aid, lifeguarding, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

For those in the pool, spa and aquatic facilities industries, predicting and understanding future trends is the easy part—the tough part is applying and adapting behaviors to capitalize on those trends. As pool and spa professionals look to the future, one thing is clear: pleasing the customer, and meeting their needs, is of the utmost importance. What the customer wants … Read More

Increasing Profits with Custom Water Care Programs

For some pool and spa/hot tub companies, the service department is the largest part of the business.

Pool and hot tub service and specialty retailers across North America continue to report strong growth—from pool and hot tub sales to accessories and outdoor living product purchases. Despite this, the biggest challenge for most is chemical sales—or the lack thereof. The question many retailers have is how they can sell more water treatment products at a profit when competing … Read More

Managing Service Truck Stock

Starting a service truck inventory plan involves stripping the truck down and restocking it, counting every single piece in the process.

Inventory tracking is one of the most complex and vexing issues for pool and spa/hot tub retailers and service companies. Virtually everything that happens in a business conspires to degrade inventory accuracy. Service employees forget to write things down, sales staff give items away, operations people are bogged down and no one is tracking warranties… the list goes on. However, … Read More

Modern Hot Tubs: Efficiency Redefined

Modern Hot Tubs: Efficiency Redefined

Today, most consumers are very conscious of energy use—no matter the product. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to consider the impact their products have on the environment. The trend to go ‘green’ is growing and has spawned several innovations as it pertains to product design and development. This method of thinking has also made its way into the hot … Read More

Developing a Successful Business Plan

A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) assessment is useful if owners take the time to carefully and realistically go through each step.

A clear business plan that includes goals and the means to achieve them is the key to running an efficient, profitable company. Business owners who keep their eye on the ball are more likely to complete a profit plan that assures a solid future. The fall and winter, when business starts to slow down, is the right time to reflect … Read More

Supplementing Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance

Supplementing Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance

Almost every aquatics industry professional has likely heard stories about the use of enzymes in water maintenance and for solving water quality problems. Many have also probably asked themselves along the way what, exactly, are enzymes? In performing a quick Google search on the word itself, one would likely come across the following Wikipedia answer: Enzymes are large biological molecules … Read More

Mind the Gap When It Comes to Connecting with Customers

Millennials account for 31 percent of all luxury goods purchased online, compared to 23 percent of gen-Xers.

Demographics, or the study of human populations, are an important tool that helps businesses understand the impact different generations have on the economy—how sales and spending have been affected in the past and what is in store for the future of service in this industry. Shifts in demographics and the characteristics of those populations have a profound effect on how … Read More

Consumers Are Attracted to Businesses and Products with Sustainability at the Forefront

Efficient management of internal business operations related to energy costs is key to profitability in the new ‘green’ revolution. Changing out office/store lighting to reduce electricity consumption is one example; slashing just one per cent off will enhance profits.

How businesses choose to revolutionize their operations to meet the demands of the consumer will ultimately determine their future. Practicing sustainability can help revitalize a business, but first it must be understood, and embraced. Consumers have changed their buying habits over the past few years. Now they are looking for ways in which to modify their lifestyles yet still enjoy … Read More

Best Practices for Automatic Safety Cover Care and Maintenance

By minimizing the drop to water, the automatic safety cover system will run with less sag and operate more smoothly.

Automatic safety covers are gaining popularity, largely due to the many options which allow them to be installed on pools of various shapes, sizes, and designs, but also because of the great benefits they provide the homeowner, including safety, savings, and convenience. Automatic covers that have been tested and comply with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standard are considered … Read More

Stains and Water Discoloration

A stain is a discolouration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon.

Staining and water discoloration issues have plagued the appearance of swimming pools and hot tubs since the inception of the aquatics industry. These unsightly blemishes occur on pool and hot tub surfaces and can be a distraction from their desired appearance. They can be extremely frustrating, as well as difficult and expensive to remedy. Removing stains can be a complicated … Read More