Tips on How to Find the Right Workers and Keep Them on Staff

Employee retention is all the buzz these days in the pool and hot tub industry—and rightfully so.

Some professionals looking for employment in the pool and hot tub industry often contemplate taking training programs, but do not simply because he/she does not have the time. At the same rate, many employers in the industry find they are hiring for the same positions year after year, season after season. That said, there is a way to put an … Read More

Why Smart People Can Make Bad Business Decisions

Every organization consists not only of individuals, but a hierarchy of power among those individuals. No matter how noble the group’s goal, there is often a struggle for power beneath the surface.

Companies in the pool and spa industry are facing an ironic problem. Success depends on the quality of everyday decisions made by people in the company. However, people have hardwired flaws in their thinking that are reinforced by a multi-tasking, time-constrained environment. In fact, many companies are doing little to help improve their employees’ quality of thinking and instead, in … Read More

Aquatics Industry Opens Arms to E-Learning

Pool and spa/hot tub professionals now have options, and self-paced online learning has become an attractive proposition.

The pool and spa industry has been slow to embrace online learning. However, an increasing number of professionals are recognizing the value it brings to the table, or in this case, to the computer. In an increasingly busy world, time is of the essence. Many industry professionals know they need the training and will benefit from it; however, finding the … Read More

A Leadership Tactic That Can Inspire Employees to Give Their Best

A Leadership Tactic That Can Inspire Employees to Give Their Best

Empowering employees in today’s business world requires a new dynamic in leadership. One way high-performing companies are accomplishing this is by adopting a business strategy that has been used for centuries in sports—coaching. What does a coach look like? A coach is a lot like a teacher, a person who imparts knowledge and gives instruction. They look a lot like … 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

Specialty Pool Care Programs Can Increase Profits by Providing Service Techs More Time to Investigate

Specialty Pool Care Programs Can Increase Profits by Providing Service Techs More Time to Investigate

Shrewd service professionals are increasing their revenue streams by taking time to look around the backyard for additional sales opportunities. Rather than waiting for things to breakdown, these pros are looking for ways to upgrade the homeowner’s pool experience, while at the same time increasing profits by selling cleaning accessories, replacing/upgrading old equipment, and offering advanced maintenance programs. To afford … Read More

Operating a Small Pool Business

Operating a Small Pool Business

If you are like most professionals in the industry who are operating a small pool/spa business, then there is a good chance you got involved in the trade because it was a fun summer job or way to help out with the family business. However, what you may not have realized until after starting the business and stopped working as … Read More

5 Habits to Ditch Now for a Super Successful Future

5 Habits to Ditch Now for a Super Successful Future

If it’s true that our habits determine our future, knowing our habits and where they take us is one of the most important things we can do to shape that future. Good habits will help us build success, while our bad habits will draw us off the path. It’s the simple law of cause and effect. If you keep up … Read More

Value-Based Selling

Value-Based Selling

A customer enters a pool store with an electrolytic chlorine generator (ECG) cell that is scaled beyond repair. If the customer wants to continue enjoying his/her saltwater pool, the cell would need to be replaced and a better quality pool salt with scale preventatives should be recommended. However, due to fear the customer might balk at the cell’s replacement cost, … Read More

How to Get the Appointment

How to Get the Appointment

When a homeowner makes their first call to a pool/spa builder or service company, they are looking for the expert help only a trained professional can provide. Unfortunately, many of these potential customers, who are often eager to spend money on whatever they need to make their backyard getaways perfect, are met with silence. Calls are not answered. Voicemails are … Read More