Scaling UP! H2O

Currently on the show we are doing a multi-episode series on getting your Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation. The CWT is the highest professional designation in the water treatment industry and is administered by the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). A CWT exam is a rigorous, 200-question, four-hour exam that water technologists can take after five years of experience in the industry. It may sound daunting, but having a CWT is a sure way to bump up your career and demonstrate your knowledge, ethics and commitment to the industry.

In this episode, we are going to be exploring all things CWT together with Angela Pike, self-proclaimed queen and Senior Service Manager at AWT. Angela works directly with the committee responsible for the CWT and has since become a guru on the entire AWT process. Together, we'll be delving into the reasons why you should get your CWT, how to get it, how to study for it, how to pass the exam (not test,) as well as what to do if you do not pass the exam and how to re-certify. We're going to be providing some tips and advice to help you prepare and pass the exam the first time around. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new perspective on the value of a CWT certification and how to best go about the process. Take a listen!

Timestamp:

Learn more about Angela's role at the AWT. [0:04:22.0]

Angela's definition of a Certified Water Technologist. [0:05:49.0]

Why is the CWT an important certification? [0:08:30.0]

The elevated status that comes with having a CWT. [0:10:02.0]

How to begin the process of becoming a CWT. [0:11:50.0]

What to expect from the CWT exam. [0:15:25.0]

Advantages of taking a computer-based exam. [0:18:19.0]

Angela's tips for passing the CWT exam. [0:21:02.0]

When is the best time to take or re-take a CWT exam? [0:25:10.0]

Find out what happens after you pass your CWT exam and hear Angela almost say "test" instead of "examination." [0:26:50.0]

How long does a CWT certification last for? [0:33:47.0]

The CWT Continuing Education Unit (CEU). [0:37:04.0]

Remember: Your CWT does not automatically re-certify! [0:43:35.0]

Quotes:

"At the moment we are 10% CWT certified. I would like to see us at least be 25%." — Angela Pike

"A CWT proves that you are knowledgeable and ethical… It's a stamp of approval." — Angela Pike

"We're proud of the people that take this step and finish the process." — Angela Pike

"The pass rate is typically one third of the class... Nobody said it was a simple exam but it's well worth it." — Angela Pike

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

CWT Presentation

Association of Water Technologies

Certified Water Technologist Certification

Angela Pike on LinkedIn

Today on the show, we welcome recently Certified Water Technologists, Andy Morcomb of Jaytech and Andy Williams of South Eastern Laboratories. We are continuing our series on how to become a Certified Water Technologist (CWT.) We invited the Andys on the show to hear about their experience with the CWT process, from start to finish. As you know from our previous episode (Episode 26) there are two different ways to take your CWT examination – digitally or on good old-fashioned paper.

Andy Morcomb took his test remotely through Pearson Vue and in this episode, he shares with us all about this unique experience. We also find out how both Andy and Andy prepared for their exam and how the CWT has boosted their confidence in the industry. This episode is packed with helpful tips and insightful advice for taking your CWT exam. You will hear firsthand why this is exam is so valuable and how it can advance your role in the industry at large. It is important to know that you are not alone in this process and this episode is here to help you on the brave journey towards your CWT. It's time to get out there and do it, so take a listen!

Timestamps:

Find out how Andy M got into the water treatment industry. [0:03:10.0]

What made Andy M decide to take the CWT exam. [0:07:00.0]

Tips for navigating the CWT Handbook and other resources. [0:09:00.0]

How to know when you are ready to take the CWT exam. [0:10:50.0]

Registering for the CWT exam and advantages of taking it remotely. [0:12:15.0]

How long does it take to get your CWT exam results? [0:17:00.0]

The biggest lessons Andy M learn from taking the CWT exam. [0:22:30.0]

What the CWT designation has done for Andy M's [0:29:10.0]

Re-applying for the CWT certification after five years. [0:33:50.0]

Find out how Andy W got into the water treatment industry. [0:44:30.0]

Andy W's reason for taking the CWT exam. [0:49:30.0]

Andy W's experience and process of getting his AWT. [0:57:16.0]

Find out how Andy W finds new water treatment business. [01:10:16.0]

Keeping up with changes in the industry. [01:11:40.0]

Start your journey to becoming a CWT:

The first thing you should do to start is to pick a date to take the examination. Once you have a date, you can work backwards to success!

Once you pick a date, go to the linked In Page: Scaling UP! Nation! and tell the whole Nation! Then share your study plans, tips and the like so we can all help each other get the CWT.

Quotes:

"You have to learn what your learning style is… And find the outlet for that material." — Andy Morcomb

"If you study and spend the time in the industry, absolutely anybody who puts their mind to it can pass this test." — Andy Morcomb

"What I would say to someone who is waiting to do the test, is you're really missing out." — Andy Morcomb

"I found, after taking the test, that I can solve a lot of problems that not a lot of water treaters can." — Andy Williams

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Scaling UP! Nation! Linked IN Group

Andy Morcombe

Jaytech

Pearson Vue

South Eastern Laboratories

CWT Certification Information

Why Become a CWT Presentation

The Value of a CWT

CWT Code of Ethics

On this year's last episode of Scaling UP!, we will be talking again about the Certified Water Technologist Designation, CWT.

I was only planning on doing 2 shows on the CWT, but with getting so much response from the Scaling UP! Nation!, I decided to do one more.

Timestamps:

A review of the last few weeks on the CWT. [1:52]

Do I need to be a AWT member to become a CWT? [5:20]

Is there a cost difference between in-person and remote examination? [6:05]

What is a passing score on the CWT exam? [6:43]

Can I use the CWT logo when I get certified? [7:02]

Standardize test tips. [8:23]

Helpful links to navigate the CWT process. [19:53]

Sharing with your successes and challenges with your peers. [21:37]

More questions. [23.02]

Solve the problem about not having good light during running your tests. [23:43]

Closing comments. [24:46]

Take the CWT Challenge:

If you are going to be in this industry, why not be the best in this industry? I challenge you to start on the journey to getting your CWT. You may not get it tomorrow and it may be 5 years from now. The point is you are on your way to getting it. You've started. And one thing is for sure, you will never finish anything you never start.

On last week's episode I asked you to go to the Scaling UP! Nation's Linked IN page and let everybody know the date you will take the exam. If you haven't done that, I urge you to do so.

Be sure to sign up for the 5 tips to help you with the examination. https://scalinguph2o.com/cwt.

Making your job easier:

The mechanical is usually a place that has horrible light. Our tests results are based on interpretation of color changes that require good light. If you don't have good light where you are, bring the good light with you.

We have solved this issue with a small, portable and cost effective rechargeable LED light. It is small enough to fit in your tests kit without taking up too much space and provides good quality light (6500K.) After mentioning this light on show number 24, I have received dozens of questions about it. To better answer these questions, I have created a video to show you what it looks like: https://scalinguph2o.com/lightvideo.

If you are interested in purchasing this light, I have set up an affiliate link to Amazon: https://scalinguph2o.com/light. The affiliate link adds no extra charge to you; however, Amazon does pay me a commission for the sale.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Scaling UP! Nation! Linked IN Group

Jaytech

Pearson Vue

CWT Certification Information

Why Become a CWT Presentation

The Value of a CWT

CWT Code of Ethics

Light Video

Our guest today is Cpt. David Marquet of The United States Navy. David (now retired), was the Commander of the nuclear submarine Santa Fe – probably the most amazing job in the world! (in my opinion) In addition to commanding nuclear powered submarines, David is also the author of Turn The Ship Around, which was written in 2013 and tells the remarkable true story of how David was able to turn the lowest performing submarine into the highest performing evaluation in the history of The Navy. David was able to do this by transforming his team with what he calls a "leader-leader" mentality, rather than the pervasive "leader-follower" mentality, which is typically how The Navy had always gotten things done!

In this episode, we learn more about this model of leadership and how you can transform a team by cultivating the creativity and independent thinking of its members. This is a book about how you can apply the 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People on an organizational level and why the legacy of a true leader is to bring out the leader in everyone else. An episode with a true hero – take a listen!

Timestamps:

Find out how David came to be in the Navy [03:50]

Critiques of the "leader-follower" model of leadership [05:50]

Why David was re-assigned to the lowest performing submarine [07:15]

How to lean back so others can lead forward [10:15]

Developing leaders and an independently thinking team [14:15]

Introducing the "I intend to" technique in permission-based organizations [15:10]

Allowing your team to have more authority by thinking out loud [20:00]

The importance of team interaction in determining business success [27:10]

Writing procedures that support "leader-leader" thinking [27:49.]

The impact of the "three name rule" on team building [34:43]

Building the ladder of leadership [43:20]

Quotes:

"The leader fixes the environment, not people." - Cpt. David Marquet

"Creating an environment where your people can go off and express the leadership they have inside them… that's the legacy of leadership." - Cpt. David Marquet

Connect with Cpt. David Marquet:

Website: www.davidmarquet.com

Twitter: @ldavidmarquet

Links Mentioned:

David finding inspiration in the bathroom

Books Mentioned:

Turn The Ship Around

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

On today's show we talk to the 2018 president of the Association of Water Technologies, Marc Vermeulen. Marc tells us about his life from becoming a water treater to becoming the AWT president. We will also learn about specific items that you can take advantage of that the AWT is offering this year.

AWT Technical Training:

If you have listened to the show before, you know that I am proud to be a training with AWT for the Technical and Fundamental trainings. This episode talks specifically to what is offered at the seminars as well as how to get the most out of the seminars.

Pinks and Blues:

This segment of Pinks and Blue deals with a set of questions, not just one or two, around pH meters. I have complied a list of about 12 different and similar questions and talk about the pH meter to try to answer them all. We will talk about proper meter care, calibration procedure and many more items around the pH meter. Take a listen.

Timestamps

00:05 - Introduction

00:55 – AWT Technical Training Seminars

14:20 – Interview with Marc Vermeulen Introduction

16:10 – About Marc

17:40- CWT Certification

21:45 – International Business

23:55 – Biggest water treatment victory

24:43 – Biggest water treatment hurdle

26:11 – AWT presidency

28:42 – AWT board meetings

29:55 – AWT – technical

32:10 – Pure Water for The World

39:15 – AWT 2018

40:47 – AWT volunteers

43:20 – What one thing should we know about AWT?

44:50 – Lightning Round

51:35 – Pinks and Blues (Listener Questions)

52:45 – pH meter calibration

1:07:17 – How long should a probe last?

1:08:55 – What is the best pH meter?

1:11:07 – The necessity of a pH meter

1:12:21 – Alkalinity vs. pH meter

1:13:55 – Closing statements

Links Mentioned

Scaling UP! Nation! LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12074848

Marc Vermeulen LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-vermeulen-20416721/

Hawkstone Solutions – http://hawkstonesolutions.ca/

CWT Tips – https://scalinguph2o.com/cwt

AWT Certification(CWT) - https://www.awt.org/certification/index.cfm

AWT Technical Training - https://www.awt.org/education_events/technical_training.cfm

AWT Technical Training Booklet - http://www.awt.org/pub/0d1c4ef7-afef-94eb-dc75-2286998dba10

The most requested guest in Scaling UP! History! (Mark was the one doing all the requesting)

It can be lonely out there as a water treater. Having friends you can count on is a must. Mark Lewis is that kind a friend to me. After meeting Mark over 12 years ago, we have encouraged each other to be better water treaters.

In this episode, we are going to learn how Mark became a water treater. We will also hear how he started volunteering with the Association of Water Technologies and all the opportunities he was able to take advantage of because of this. Mark will let us know how everyone should approach AWT's Technical Training and what the difference is between the Fundamentals and Applications Training and The Water Treatment Training. We will even talk a little about chillers.

In fact, you will hear Mark answer questions I didn't even ask. This is sure to be one of your favorite episodes as we talk a bit about everything. And, since I know you will be left wanting more, I have invited Mark back for another episode. Please enjoy my interview with Mark Lewis, CWT.

Quotes

"Getting on this show is harder than selling some pieces of water treatment business." — Mark Lewis

"You are now asking your own questions?" — Trace Blackmore

"Saturation temperature is the refrigerant coming out of the condenser barrel going back into the economizer."— Mark Lewis

"I shook Chuck Branvold's pants and they ripped." — Mark Lewis

Links Mentioned

AWT Technical Training Seminars: https://scalinguph2o.com/tt2018

CWT Exam Handbook – https://scalinguph2o.com/CWTExam

Association of Water Technologies – https://www.awt.org/

It's How You Play the Game: The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith - https://scalinguph2o.com/itshowyouplaythegame

Soul Keeping: Caring For the

Most Important Part of You - https://scalinguph2o.com/soulkeeping

Certified Water Technologist Certification – https://scalinguph2o.com/cwtinfo

Mark Lewis on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56/

STEM TASKFORCE

The STEM taskforce is looking for some volunteers to help in the booth for a few hours each day. If you have children, bring them along, and enjoy the rest of the festival after your few hours are up in the booth.

For more information on the USA Science and Engineering Festival you can visit their website at www.usasciencefestival.org. If you are interested in helping the AWT STEM taskforce, please contact Sara Wood. Her email is [email protected] or call her at 1-(240) 702-1671.

Today on the show we welcome Dick Hourigan. Dick is a Retired US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel and an Analytical Chemist who has been in the water treatment industry since 1973. After being retrenched from his job in 1992, Dick founded Richard Hourigan Inc., as an Illinois water treatment company serving Illinois and southern Wisconsin customers. In 2007, Dick also launched his own website, www.RichardHouriganInc.com and in 2009 opened www.TheWaterTreatmentStore.com to sell his water treatment products on the global market. In 2010 Dick also opened www.MissedPerceptions.com, which is a blog that serves to facilitate communication with global customers. 2018 will mark the 45th year of Dick being in the water treatment industry. He has had a lot of unique experiences and today shares the trials and the triumphs of being a water treater for the most part of his life. There is so much value in hearing the experience of others in this industry and in this episode, Dick walks us through his first jobs, the process of starting his own company and encourages us to never give up and to do whatever you do, well. Take a listen!

Timestamps

Find out the three cornerstones in Dick's life and career. [02:28]

How Dick found himself in the water treatment industry. [03:08]

Dick's process and advice for approaching customers. [07:27]

Learn more about Dick's first beginnings as a sales manager. [11:00]

How Dick picked himself up after getting fired and discovered a new path. [17:30]

Why Dick decided to start his own company and how he did it. [20:30]

When Dick knew that he had made it as a business owner. [24:50]

Find out why Dick has never hired a single employee. [26:05]

Why Dick's biggest accomplishment was achieved in his first job. [26:50]

The most prolific changes Dick has seen in the water treatment industry. [31:48]

Why Dick applauds the stupid things that happen in the field. [34:30]

Hear Dick's advice for anyone starting out in the industry. [36:15]

Where do you go to learn more about water treatment? [37:45]

The first steps Dick takes in any troubleshooting process. [42:40]

Questions from the mail bag! [52:00]

Quotes

"Almost none of us got into this business intentionally." - Dick Hourigan

"I thought hiring an employee is either going to be the best or the worst thing I ever do." - Dick Hourigan

"Anything that is worth doing, is worth doing well." - Dick Hourigan

"It's not what happens in our life that defines us, it's how we respond to those things." - Dick Hourigan

Connect with Dick Hourigan

LinkedIn: in/dickhourigan

Dick Hourigan Inc: www.richardhouriganinc.com

The Water Treatment Store: https://richardhouriganinc.com/sunshop/

Dick Hourigan on Twitter: @dhourigan

Books Mentioned

General Chemistry by Linus Pauling

The Narrative of Life by Frederick Douglass

Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly

Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly

Uhlig's Corrosion Handbook

Our guest today is Taylor Technologies' Chris Golden, CWT. Chris is a great resource to the water treatment community as a water testing expert. He also provides a great perspective to our industry because he was a water treater himself.

In this episode, we will hear about several articles Chris wrote that deal with the opposite of treating equipment. He addresses what will happen if you don't treat equipment. Chris has found that this approach sometimes creates a better understanding when explaining how vital our services are. He also tells us about his career as a water treater and throws in a few tips on testing.

Articles Mentioned

The Benefit of Chemically Treating a Open Cooling System Part I_FINAL

The Benefit of Chemically Treating an Open Cooling System Part 2_FINAL

The Benefit of Chemically Treating an Open Cooling System Part 3_FINAL

The Benefit of Chemically Treating an Open Cooling System Part 4_FINAL

What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Epilogue_FINAL

What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Part 1_FINAL

What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Part 2_FINAL

What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Part 3_FINAL

Why Test for Azole in Cooling Waters

Links Mentioned

Taylor Technologies Website – https://taylortechnologies.com/

Chris Golden LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgoldentaylortech

Co-Create: How Your Business Will Profit from Innovative and Strategic Collaboration - http://amzn.to/2GSZXRe

SPIN Selling – http://amzn.to/2nOdJMl

SPIN Selling Workbook - http://amzn.to/2se0ERP

The most 2nd requested guest in Scaling UP! History! (Mark was the one doing all the requesting this time too).

Today on Scaling UP! we re-welcome Mark Lewis, CWT. On this episode, Mark takes the interviewer position and asked me questions. As different as this experience was, I found it very interesting to be on the other side of the mic.

Mark also joins me for a Pinks and Blues session, that I'm sure will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Please enjoy my interview with Mark Mark's interview with me…

Timestamps

0:09 – Introduction

1:46 – Begin interview with Mark

2:30 – Mark's opinion of Scaling Up

6:25 – Where does Trace find the time for Scaling Up? / The inspiration for Scaling Up

14:43 – What has been the one comment about Scaling Up has made you the proudest?

17:11 – Mark's opinion of the benefits of CWT Certification

19:59 – What topics would Trace like to cover on future episodes?

23:05 – Closed loops

26:06 – Filters on closed loop systems

29:41 – How do you determine the proper treatment program?

35:21 – Inspection tools

42:05 – pH and alkalinity

43:07 – Lightning Round with Trace!

43:15 – What are the last 3 books that you have read?

45:41 – If they made a movie about your life, who would play you?

46:19 – What would you tell yourself if you could go back in time to your first day as a water treater?

47:42 – if you could have a conversation with any person in history, who would it be?

48:21 – Pinks and Blues

48:49 – How do I know if my chiller is scaled?

52:28 – How would you know if your boiler is starting to get fouled?

54:51 – How do you know if you've had a softener upset?

56:58 – How can someone detect hardness leakage before the regeneration period?

1:00:06 – What is the difference between a sand filter and a separator?

1:04:56 – Is a sock filter/pleated filter better on a closed loop system?

1:07:56 – Closing statements

Quotes

18:00 – Are you a water treater with 15 years of experience, or are you a water treater that has been in the industry doing the same thing for 15 years? - Mark

24:21 – Closed loops are the most neglected system in the water treatment portfolio. – Trace

47:19 – Write books, take notes, do whatever you need to do. Get all of the knowledge out of this man's head. – Trace on his father

52:16 – We've got to address all of our chemical issues chemically, and our mechanical issues mechanically.

53:36 – Your service doesn't start when you walk in. Your service starts as you're driving up, looking around.

Links Mentioned

AWT Technical Training Seminars - https://scalinguph2o.com/tt2018

CWT Exam Handbook – https://scalinguph2o.com/CWTExam

Low cost endoscope - https://scalinguph2o.com/scope

Test kit light - https://scalinguph2o.com/light

Association of Water Technologies – https://www.awt.org/

The Advantage - http://amzn.to/2EdMKFb

The 5 Dysfunctions - http://amzn.to/2EP33oM

The Machine – http://amzn.to/2FZX6Vv

Turn the Ship Around - http://amzn.to/2C5Ywvl

Certified Water Technologist Certification – https://scalinguph2o.com/cwtinfo

Mark Lewis on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56/

Today on the show, we welcome one of the leading experts on the topics of reverse osmosis – Wes Byrne. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a relatively new technology whose applications are rapidly growing. Wes Byrne is the perfect guest to tackle RO as he has literally written the book on reverse osmosis titled: Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide For Industrial Users. Wes's book is a go-to guide in the industry and is hugely valuable to design and process engineers working for RO equipment manufacturers, engineering companies and those who are responsible for the operation of an RO system. Wes has been working with RO for forty years in the fields of design, engineering, field support, monitoring, piloting, troubleshooting and new product development. His forte, however, is fixing troublesome RO units. In this episode, Wes explains what RO is, what we should be looking for in order to troubleshoot and why RO is a miracle process for today and the future.

Timestamps

Find out how Wes got into the RO industry. [02:20]

Wes explains exactly what reverse osmosis is. [05:36]

What type of applications require reverse osmosis. [06:43.]

Examples of pre-treatment for the RO unit. [10:42]

Indications of when to clean to RO system. [13:10]

Discover how reverse osmosis works. [13:24]

How long should a RO membrane typically last? [14:50.]

Wes shares his basic troubleshooting tips. [16:50]

The craziest things Wes has seen in his RO experience. [22:00]

Learn more about the RO cleaning process. [23:17]

Wes's advice for anyone trying to learn more about RO. [25:58]

The exciting new innovations taking place in RO. [27:15]

How will RO help us with the water crisis leading into the future? [29:12]

Why a failed RO system is not to blame for problems. [31:15]

Quotes

"RO gives us the ability to take a previously unusable water stream and turn it into something very valuable." — Wes Byrne

"RO, in my mind, is a miracle process that just keeps expanding in the world of water." — Wes Byrne

Links Mentioned

Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide For Users by Wes Byrne –

Wes Byrne Consulting

Wes Byrne on LinkedIn

Pure Water Cloud