Looking back What kind of a year 2015 was for you, and why? “Very slow with pool installations due to the weather. People don’t buy pools if it’s not hot enough to swim!” — Doreen ZettleBZ Pools & Decks Inc.Johnstown, Pa “Moderate growth, improved margins, lower operating costs, and higher net profits were slightly offset…
Zodiac Pool Systems claims its iAquaLink controller system is the most intuitive, easiest to use pool controller on the market. “iAquaLink 2.0 took a major step forward in terms of ease of installation and connecting to the home owners Wi-Fi network,” says Dave Goldman, Zodiac’s director of product development. “We’ve also been working with several…
Part of being a pool service professional is to make customer recommendations that result in optimal operation of their facility. Commercial pools burn a lot of energy making the water pristine for patrons. However, if the parts and chemicals aren’t working efficiently, your customers are likely wasting money. “Pool service companies should be auditing facilities…
I’d like to ask you some questions: How’s your online marketing these days? What about your website? Is it delivering all the customers you can handle, or is it more like an online brochure? While we’re at it, let’s talk about your presence on social media — or should I speak with your social media…
Previously, we covered finding an email service provider (ESP) for your email campaign and some available options; now you need a strong list of contacts to receive this marketing — in their inbox, not the spam folder. First, implement email list-building tactics. “The best thing you can do is put a signup form or an…
I have been working with contractors throughout the trades for more than 27 years, and I have watched a lot of once-profitable companies go out of business. The process of going out of business is gradual, often taking three to four years, and most don’t even realize they are in trouble until it’s too late….
Do-it-yourself websites and television shows give homeowners the misconception that every project is compatible to their skill sets, including maintaining a swimming pool. Increasingly, homeowners are attempting to clean, chemically treat and even install new equipment on their pool without the aid of a professional. While some individuals can handle this, many soon find it…
Not following the payment structure I described in part three of this series can cause you big problems. Customers who deviate from this will cost you a lot of money, not only in not getting paid but also in attorneys’ fees. In your sales contract, add a binding arbitration clause. People argue this with me,…
When Zodiac designs a product, Steve Gutai, director of technical sales and marketing at Zodiac Pool Systems, says it does so with three markets in mind: consumer, pool builder and service technician. The company’s new closed-combustion chamber heater, the Jandy JXi, which the company released this spring, benefits all three groups equally, Gutai says. “The…
Membrane Concepts in Massachusetts is one of a handful of companies in the nation that installs custom 60 mil PVC in-ground pool liners. Owner and general manager Ron Melbourne has three employees who travel all over the nation together installing pool liners. All of them say they couldn’t be happier in their jobs and having…
If the majority of your workday is spent planning pool service routes, it may be time for a new strategy. Depending on your needs and budget, there are a variety of ways to effectively retool your service routes. What the Process Looks LikeDan Lenz started working for All Seasons Pools, near Chicago, in 1987. He…
Every company has some version of MSP — marketing, sales and production — and it is an extremely valuable tool. However, few use it in the manner I am about to describe, and I think we are often doing it all wrong. Most companies spend money advertising, then they or their salesperson runs to the…