This story first appeared on watershapes.com.
Somebody has to say this
— it’s long past time to stop
using the term “pool guy.”
I understand there’s a
certain old-timey, folksy appeal, but in
an industry that has has dramatically
evolved in recent decades, clearly the
time has come to move beyond that
hokey and shopworn label.
This story first appeared on watershapes.com.
Somebody has to say this
— it’s long past time to stop
using the term “pool guy.”
I understand there’s a
certain old-timey, folksy appeal, but in
an industry that has has dramatically
evolved in recent decades, clearly the
time has come to move beyond that
hokey and shopworn label.
So, what’s my problem? When I
hear people describe themselves as
“pool guys,” and you know who you
are, it evokes memories of a defunct
industry culture, and a time when we
were collectively very different than we
are now.
Fact is, much has changed over
the past 30 years. We are no longer an
industry focused on template pools
and limited possibilities. Instead,
the maturation of the industry, the
technology now used, and the level
of complexity within these bodies of
water beckons a more professional
designation.
If we hope to attract talented young
people who aspire to call this a career,
it makes sense that the title of the job
reflects how the job itself has changed.
It’s more than just labeling; we
need to stop and re-evaluate our own
understanding of what we do. What
contributions are we as an industry
providing to the world? How are
we contributing as a composite to
quality of life, health, exercise, smiles,
happiness, confidence and on and on?
What does it really take to design
and build great pools? I think we all
realize the answer to that is “quite
a bit,” and the moniker “pool guy”
doesn’t get any of that across. As a
term, it was out-of-date a long time ago.
MY MAPS AND LEGENDS
I’ve spent half of my adult life in this
amazing industry, worked in many
capacities, moved through many
chapters and worn many hats. It’s one
of those vocations where you can check
out anytime you like, but you can never
leave — at least it’s been that way for
me. There is just something about this
H2O business that draws me back time
and time again.
Maybe it’s because I was born under
a water sign. Or far more likely, it’s
the smiles I see on faces when they
experience the pool environments we
as an industry design and build, and of
course, all of the wonderful people I’ve
met along the way. As a result of my
association in the industry, I’ve been
afforded the opportunity to own pools
of my own, and watch my children learn
to swim at an early age and become
empowered by their ability to move in
the water. As a result, I believe they are
more confident people.
Although I have spent most of my
time in design, sales and construction,
years ago, I built several service routes
and sold them. Along that journey, I
went down the road of Tech 1 & Tech
2 as well as the NSPI/APSP CSP-CBP
certification/designations.
I also went through the CBP, CPO,
CPO Instructor and AFO programs and
certifications, mostly because I wanted
to understand and have an inside look
at what the service side of our industry
does, with real world experience in
doing so.
UNIFIED PURPOSE
That time helped me develop a deep
respect for those that work out in the
heat/cold, inclement weather and get
the job done. I tip my hat to those
professionals who keep the pools
running and looking beautiful. Your
contributions are just as important as
any others in this industry.
When you break this industry apart,
we find multiple layers of disciplines,
and each one is an important spoke in the wheel. Design/sales, construction,
service and repair, manufacturing,
distribution, operators — we are all
interdependent on each other. The
roles are diverse, but they are ultimately
part of the same effort with the same
ultimate objectives.
BALANCING THE SPOKES
This is one of the reasons I believe you
need to include everyone within your
organization, when possible, to sit at
the table for discussions and problem
solving at least on a quarterly schedule.
This allows each department
to understand the roles and
responsibilities within the organization.
You just never know what solutions may
come out of the contributions of cross
department problem solving. Give your
people this opportunity and watch what
happens to morale and teamwork.
Throughout the years, I’ve heard
over and over about the disconnect
between sales and construction at other
companies. Yes, you’re going to have
issues, but there is no reason why there
must be a disconnect. I am telling you,
we solved much of it by being a team
with each division clearly understanding
the importance of the other.
THE ESSENCE OF THE
QUESTION
When we step back and look at the big
picture, I believe we can find a clearer
perspective on the question of industry
identity and culture. I believe we are
in the “Health and Wellness Industry,”
or perhaps the “Lifestyle and Outdoor
Entertainment Industry,” and maybe
even the “Fun in the Sun Industry.” And
we are certainly in the “Watershaping
Industry.”
Ultimately, our purpose is directly
tied to the value of water itself. Water
is life — without it, we don’t survive.
All living things depend on it. And we
humans are attracted to water like few
others as a result. The sound of running
water stirs our souls, the connection
to it mesmerizes and calms us. There
is just something magical about clear,
clean water to jump into, swim in and
immerse yourself within. Even the
sound of water has its positive effects.
Consider the responsibility we
take on daily: to provide clean,
fresh sanitized water for millions to
play in and swim in. To design and
construct projects that are safe. To
create H2O habitats that inspire fun,
joy and laughter. To build incredible
watershapes that our end users look
at from their homes or enjoy on
weekends with family and friends. The
commercial projects and waterparks
countless people enjoy. The memories
of water we all have from when we
were kids. What a responsibility, what
a privilege!
This is why I say we consider a new
label for ourselves because we are truly
ambassadors in a very special industry
— all of which leads to this simple
question:
How do you describe what you do?