Scaling UP! H2O

As water treatment professionals, we must continue to expand on our knowledge of the industry. Learning from others in the industry is a great way to do that! One key aspect of the water treatment industry is understanding polymers. Many of us regularly use these products but have no idea how they are created and where they come from

On the podcast today, we are joined again by Mike Standish, co-founder of Radical Polymers. Mike has over 28 years of experience in polymer additive design and development. Before forming Radical Polymers, Mike served in technical and business leadership roles within global, publicly-traded chemical companies. He is responsible for developing and patenting industry-leading polymers for use in the water treatment, oilfield, and detergent industries.

Mike will be talking all about tagged polymers and what's new in this space over the last few years in today's episode. After Mike's presentation at the most recent AWT conference, I knew we needed to talk further and get this information to the entire industry. As James McDonald has said about Mike from him joining me on episode 14, "Mike is one of those presenters that you'd listen to even if he was reading from a phone book. He's well-spoken and always highly informative in very relatable terms. Good guest!" I hope you learn something today and enjoy hearing from my friend Mike Standish!

Time Stamps:

Introducing Mike Standish [15:00]

What's new since Mike's last appearance on Scaling UP! H2O [17:11]

How does a product go from a concept to something we can use with a customer [18:22]

What does field testing look like? [21:28]

How we test for polymers [24:21]

How do we traditionally test for polymers? [32:45]

What do people need to consider when updating their polymer technology? [38:30]

How stable is the tag polymer with halogens? [43:14]

Where to learn more about tag polymers [45:18]

James' Challenge: "Check makeup water for phosphate" [54:53]

Quotes:

"It's been helpful to me to translate the complexities of polymers into practical use." -Mike Standish

Links Mentioned:

Submit a show idea

12 Week Year

Rising Tide Mastermind

The Hang

Business Webinar Series

014The One with Mike Standish

Reach out to Mike directly

Mike's AWT Presentation

Even though most of us were ready for 2020 to be over and never speak its name again, it is essential to take the time to reflect on the past year and what we learned. This is something that I love doing every year no matter what. There were some valuable lessons and many challenges we overcame that we should all be proud of. Once we have taken the time to process the progress we made in 2020, we can turn our attention to the year ahead.

In today's episode, I discuss some tips on productivity, goal setting, and being intentional with your time as we move into the new year. When we take time to be intentional instead of just reacting to the year, it can make all the difference in our success.

Please enjoy today's episode and happy New Year!

Timestamps:

Importance of using a calendar [4:20]

How Trace uses his calendar [10:26]

Using Tribute Statements to be intentional with your time [15:20]

How to prioritize your task list [17:20]

How Trace uses Outlook with his task list [31:30]

James' Challenge [40:50]

Quotes:

"In the first week of the year, start planning your year." -Trace Blackmore

"I hope 2021 is your most productive year yet." -Trace Blackmore

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

119 The First One of 2020

Submit a show idea

The Hang

Rising Tide Mastermind

The Business Webinar Series

Franklin Covey Planning Method

Books Mentioned:

12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington

First of all, Merry Christmas! How about this? An episode releasing on Christmas Day. Consider it my gift to you!

2020 has been a year like no other. We have faced many challenges, but I think there are also valuable lessons for each of us to learn from 2020. My favorite thing to do at the end of every year is reflecting on what worked well and what did not work well to make the necessary changes for the next year. And of course, always celebrating how far we have come. Although much was out of our control in 2020, I believe we made the most of it and grew together as a water treatment community.

In today's episode, we are doing something we have never done before. We are looking back at the top five episodes of 2020 to re-visit some of the lessons we learned together this year. What would you say you learned this year?

Enjoy, and cheers to a new year!

Time Stamps:

Episode 119 - S.M.A.R.T Goals [1:44]

Episode 120 - Legionella [13:39]

Episode 122 - EOS [19:32]

Episode 125 - Safety [27:22]

Episode 137 - Cooling Towers [38:02]

Quotes:

"When it comes to goal planning, less is more." -Trace Blackmore

"We need to use the knowledge we learned this year so we can make next year even more effective." -Trace Blackmore

Links:

Episode 119

12 Week Year Planner

Episode 120

Episode 122

Traction

Episode 125

Rising Tide Mastermind

Episode 137

Have you lost sleep wondering what will happen to your water treatment business when it is time for you to retire? If you don't have an overall plan for your exit strategy, it's time to get one. Even if you don't plan to exit for a long time.

In today's episode, I speak with Michael Warady, President and Co-Founder of the Sylmar Group. Before founding Sylmar, Michael led project development efforts and was a member of the growth-stage equity investment team at AquaTECTURE where he led the development of new water treatment projects such as cooling towers and wastewater reuse facilities. In addition to running the Sylmar Group, he is an Industrial Advisory Board member of the International Desalination Association and sits on the non-profit Access Books board.

Michael and I talk about some different options for exiting your business when that time comes. It's so important to be comfortable and confident in your long-term plan, and in today's episode, we talk about how to make that happen. Enjoy!

Timestamps:

Introducing Michael Warady [10:30]

Starting The Sylmar Group [17:25]

How to plan for your business after your retirement [22:54]

What are some of the ways to valuate a business? [29:15]

Transitioning to a more formal balance sheet and income statement [33:39]

What to do when someone reaches out to you about buying your company? [37:24]

Top concerns when it comes to selling your business [40:51]

What is the first priority if you want to exit your business soon [46:41]

A real life example of one of The Sylmar Group's customers [51:45]

Quotes:

"Water is the one irreplaceable thing on earth." - Michael Warady

"What is the type of business I want to pass onto the next owner?" - Michael Warady

"A typical sales process is a six to nine-month process." - Michael Warady

Connect with Michael Warady:

Website: sylmargrp.com

LinkedIn: in/mwarady

Links Mentioned:

Rising Tide Mastermind

127 The One With Tom Hutchison

Trusted Advisors Network

The Hang

How much money do you think you'd be able to save if you had better information when making daily purchases? I'd suggest that it is a lot. By having better data, we could also reduce our energy consumption and positively impact our environment (and our pocketbooks.) The truth is, we need better information so that we can make better choices.

Our guest today is Ron Kamen, an expert in clean energy. He believes firmly that making a transition to clean energy is necessary for our future. In today's episode, we discuss clean energy, ways to save money and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time.

I hope you walk away from today's episode with some tangible steps to move towards clean energy, save money, and have a positive effect on the environment at the same time.

Timestamps:

James' Challenge [05:50]

Introducing Ron Kamen [13:00]

What are some simple ways to move towards clean energy [19:05]

Lighting [20:45]

Air filters [22:08]

ROI in clean energy [26:50]

Solar energy [36:27]

Electric vehicles [47:58]

What is the most significant barrier people face towards making clean energy choices [24:15]

Quotes:

"We are all forces of nature. We can have a dramatic impact." - Ron Kamen

"Go clean, save green." - Ron Kamen

Connect with Ron Kamen:

LinkedIn: in/ronkamen

Podcast: Awesome Earthkind Podcast

Awesome Earth Kind x ScalingUp! H2O

Website: earthkindenergy.com

Links Mentioned:

The Hang

Fusion Capitalism

Sense Energy Monitor

2020 has been quite a year. It has required all of us to be flexible and creative to keep our businesses running successfully. Earlier this year, I pulled together the best and brightest and hosted a webinar series to help our Mastermind Group navigate different aspects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. From Human Resources to Self-Care, we covered it all. You can go back and watch those videos anytime by clicking here .

In today's episode, Jill Cavano and I wanted to follow up with everyone since the webinar series. We discuss the best practices we have learned about navigating work in the water treatment industry during the past few months of this pandemic. We touch on company culture, core values, economic recovery, and more.

I hope that today's episode allows you to continue to pivot and work successfully during these unprecedented times.

Timestamps:

Company culture [08:28]

Core values [13:08]

Economic recovery [23:17]

PPP Loan Forgiveness [28:44]

What we have learned so far this year [30:15]

Coming HR questions during this time [47:44]

Goal setting and long term planning [1:05:25]

Self-care during a pandemic [1:15:24]

Quotes:

"Core values are the bedrock of a good culture." - Trace Blackmore

"How can we learn from each other's mistakes and victories so that we don't have to go through this alone?" - Trace Blackmore

Links Mentioned:

Proactive Webinar Series

Rising Tide Mastermind

092 The One About My TED Talk Experience

The Hang

Video Presentation Part 1

Video Presentation Part 2

Books Mentioned:

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran

Traction by Gino Wickman

In today's episode, I am doing one of my favorite things – answering your questions!

As water treaters, it is so vital that we stay curious and continue to learn all that we can about our industry. That is why I love these episodes so much. It gives us a chance to discuss some common questions that many water treaters have. In today's episode, we get technical! We will be discussing wet analysis, keeping track of stack temperatures on boilers, and more.

Please enjoy this episode of Pinks and Blues, where I answer some of the questions submitted by members of the Scaling UP! Nation, and let's remember to scale up on knowledge so that we don't scale up our systems!

Timestamps:

More about wet analysis [05:30]

Logging stack temperatures on a boiler [14:20]

Boilers with feed water tanks and oxygen corrosion [20:54]

Quotes:

"You, as the water treater, are the biggest advocate for the boiler."

"When we understand what we do better, not only do we get better as individuals, but we get better as an industry."

Links Mentioned:

Submit a show idea

Register for the Scaling UP! Hang

Rising Tide Mastermind

Happy Thanksgiving Scaling UP! Nation! I am so thankful for each and every one of you! I am also thankful for the organizations out there that help each of us do our jobs better.

There are so many organizations out there that support us in the water treatment industry. Usually, people tend to think about large-scale global organizations, but there are so many local resources that we can work with and learn from as well.

My guest today is Max Herzog of the Cleveland Water Alliance. The Cleveland Water Alliance is a collection of forward-thinking research institutions, industry leaders, environmental organizations, and public utilities that together advance a new way of thinking about regional economic development. Max talks to us all about the Cleveland Water Alliance and how organizations like this are moving the water industry forward.

I hope you enjoy today's episode, and it inspires you to look into some local organizations in your area that you can learn from and partner with.

Timestamps:

Introducing Max Herzog [06:57]

What is the Cleveland Water Alliance? [08:16]

Some of the Cleveland Water Alliance's current projects [10:05]

What does the process with the Cleveland Water Alliance look like? [16:36]

How do people engage with the Cleveland Water Alliance? [19:00]

What Max sees as the most significant issue when it comes to water [22:38]

Where to find out more about the Cleveland Water Alliance [29:02]

The one thing Max would like to communicate in this episode [31:07]

Quotes:

"Our focus is on the value of water innovation."

"Consider innovation and invest in innovation."

"I encourage folks to think about the possibilities. Don't shut out innovation as something that's a waste of time."

Connect with Max Herzog:

LinkedIn: in/max-herzog-59975688

Website: clevelandwateralliance.org

Links Mentioned:

Rising Tide Mastermind

Erie Hack

Submit a Show Idea

Books Mentioned:

The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran

In our industry, it is so important to stay on top of new technology. Did you know that feed pumps can now use intelligent pumps, cloud connectivity and digital services? This new technology can enable real-time monitoring, remote control, fault prediction and system optimization to help you reach a new level of performance.

In today's episode, I am speaking with Jared Gabel. Jared is a market development manager at GRUNDFOS, the largest pump manufacturer in the world. In addition to knowing a lot about feed pumps, Jared is in a Green Day cover band. I think that's pretty cool because Green Day may or may not be my music of choice when it comes to singing karaoke. We talk about all types of boiler feed pumps and all upcoming technology and improvements in the space. Enjoy!

Timestamps:

Introducing Jared Gabel [08:12]

Metering pumps [10:30]

Different types of drive mechanisms [12:45]

New features of pumps [17:25]

How should we be sizing pumps? [21:10]

Calibrating a pump [26:05]

Changes in technology with metering pumps [30:10]

Metering pump installation [37:22]

What is the one thing you want people to stop doing? [45:08]

Quotes:

"You can make it as complex or as simple as you want, depending on the technology you choose." - Jared Gabel

"Don't be opening the brains of the pump if you are not a brain surgeon." -Jared Gabel

"Be open to the new technologies that are out there." -Jared Gabel

Connect with Jared Gabel:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaredgabel

Links Mentioned:

Chemical Compatibility Database

Scaling Up! Hang

Rising Tide Mastermind

GRUNDFOS Technical Institute

Jared's Green Day Cover Band

Scaling UP! Nation, it's hard to run your life. Everyone expects the most from you, and you expect the most out of yourself. This leaves most of us running faster and faster until we run out of gas. We all need to take time to get gas and make sure we take care of ourselves before we take care of everything else. The problem is, we don't. Stave yourself too long without that needed gas, and you may not have the option of refueling.

My lab partner in today's episode is John Fenton, the "CEO Sensei." John J Fenton is a Certified Success Principles™ Trainer, an award-winning speaker, best-selling author, and leading authority in Leadership. Following a successful 30+Year career as a Managing Partner and CPA in one of the world's largest accounting and consulting firms, John launched his business in 2013 in executive coaching and consulting to help busy executives be the best leaders they can be.

John shares his personal story with us to better take care of ourselves as we become better business owners, managers, technicians, and everything in between. Please enjoy my interview with John Fenton.

Timestamps:

Introducing John Fenton [7:45]

John's breakthrough goal [18:41]

Taking five minutes each day to re-focus [23:00]

Advice for choosing to be different [25:45]

Being selective with the information you absorb [31:38]

John walks us through a short meditation [40:04]

John's advice on where to start [49:04]

Discussion Questions:

Is there an area in your life where you need to choose to be different?

Where can you carve five minutes out of your day to focus on what you are grateful for?

Do you have a clear vision of your purpose and passion in life?

Quotes:

"Enjoy your success now." - John Fenton

"Frequency and repetition is so important in everything we do." - John Fenton

"Take just five minutes in the day... focus on some breathing and focus on what you are grateful for." - John Fenton

Connect with John Fenton:

Website: johnjfenton.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnjfentonceocoach

Links Mentioned:

092 The One About My TED Talk Experience

131 The One About Standard Operating Procedures

156 The One with Tricia Molloy

The 5 Minute Mastery

Brene Brown's TED Talk