Advice for Small Operations
What advice would you give to a one-poler or small operation?
Peak Performance
Every business owner wants to increase net profit, and there are two common approaches to doing that: increasing prices and cutting expenses. However, there is another way to increase profit without raising prices or slashing expenses: performance pay.
Time is Money
When building and running a small pool service business, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the many tasks. From invoicing and handling customer communications to keeping the correct chemicals in stock, having a good grasp on time management is critical to success.
Shades of Safety
When it comes to commercial pools, interior finishes are more than an aesthetic choice.
Flatlining to Flourishing
Why do some acquire basic sales skills but never develop further, either flatlining or flaming out?
Pumping Out Savings
Nidec Motor Corp., a motor manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri, introduced a new variable-speed motor and software upgrades that make replacing pool pump motors simple.
Tight Done Right
Customers are often eager to complete their backyard oasis with a pool, but limited space, system demands and aesthetics can compete with utilities, setback codes and property lines.
Dripping with Professionalism
In the pool industry, everyone is equal when it comes to marketing and building a brand. Because most of the tools the largest companies use are also accessible to smaller operations. Even better — many of them are free.
Testing the Waters
From a retail perspective — even for companies that build and sell big-ticket pools and spas — water testing is more than determining pH and chlorine levels. It is a valuable customer service and a promotional strategy.
Hats off to the one-polers
For a couple of years, we’ve printed the mentors of our 30 Under 40 recipients on the last page of the magazine (page 70). We do this for a few reasons, and I’m not sure we’ve ever highlighted those. For one, it never hurts to reflect on the people who helped you get where you are today. It’s so easy to feel alone, and remembering that people are willing to help and support you is a great comfort. One of the purposes of 30 Under 40 is to encourage young professionals to grow their careers and stay in the pool industry. Having mentors in the field can help keep people around longer. Showcasing these relationships in PoolPro hopefully will encourage others to seek mentors or become one.
EBITDA and the Multiple
In the September/October issue, I defined EBITDA as net profit adjusted to make it more useful for business valuation. To estimate a company’s value, valuers multiply EBITDA by a number called the “multiple.” The result is the estimated value of the company.
A sustainable workforce through mentoring
For a couple of years, we’ve printed the mentors of our 30 Under 40 recipients on the last page of the magazine (page 70). We do this for a few reasons, and I’m not sure we’ve ever highlighted those. For one, it never hurts to reflect on the people who helped you get where you are today. It’s so easy to feel alone, and remembering that people are willing to help and support you is a great comfort. One of the purposes of 30 Under 40 is to encourage young professionals to grow their careers and stay in the pool industry. Having mentors in the field can help keep people around longer. Showcasing these relationships in PoolPro hopefully will encourage others to seek mentors or become one.