Send us a textThe swimming pool and spa industry is a land of professional growth and development but you have to earn it. In this episode we hear of three current industry people being promoted, or recognised for their accomplishments. These are meritorious, not quota driven. They are earned and not part of a contrived equity program. Each deserves their particular outcome based on the years of work, learning and dedicated application of their skill. We also review an...

Send us a textWe catch up with expert in all things stone and tile, Carl Yench from Europe Imports in Sydney about the upcoming ban on engineered stone and ask if the regulators have gone to far. We reveal the 'it's about time' lead generation program from industry, for industry and if it is worth your time. We also discuss the new issue of SPLASH! coming across your desks this week.Make sure you avoid ROHMO and get booked into SPLASH! Trade Expo!For you free industry...

Send us a textIn a world where nothing stays the same for long we have come to accept that change is inevitable and our industry is no different. So, what happens when a regulator needs regulating and change becomes critical for ensuring the continued opportunity for innovation and development? We look at an emerging story and how the industry association (SPASA) is working to help create and implement necessary change.We also take a few minutes to review the new rules around work...

Send us a textNone of us like complexity but we all benefit from compliance to current legislation, if in the very least is serves towards staying solvent and out of prison. Ignorance is no excuse under the law which means you have to be across all of these workplace changes all the time for everything that affects your business and employees. Today we review a number of significant changes that were introduced in December 2023 and a few more to be implemented in the coming months...

Send us a textThe ATO says unpaid tax from small business has more than doubled in the past 4 years and they are not happy. Today we look at the exposure, the risk and the benefit of being ahead of your tax liabilities to avoid the threat of insolvency as the government pursue their pound of flesh. We also reflect on the top 5 online news stories as read by you. A discussion around staying ahead of regulators on environmental, water and energy usage in pools. We...

Send us a textThe new issue of SPLASH! is out and ready to read. The cover feature is AI in the Pool Industry and today we try to engage AI with limited success. Always an interesting discussion to see if imminent changes are a threat or indeed an opportunity.We do find success though taking a look in brief at the magazine content together. Also, an interview from Daena Bougoure-Latchford who leads the industry drive towards consumers via the Pool & Spa Lifes...

Send us a textVery special to be joined by full time pool industry champion and sometimes podcast host Luke Daly. In this episode we take a look at how consumers are engaging with our product offerings via the consumer shows in 2024. We discuss whether consumers are turning up at all, if they are, are they ready to spend or are they pulling back in response to a tightening economy. A reminder on the last days to nominate for industry awards for 2024 and to register for the Tax web...

Send us a textWith stagnating or arguably contracting economic conditions continuing for the foreseeable future, is it really worth investing in advertising, branding and consumer engagement? We unpack this question with a zoom in on the recent Perth Pool & Spa Consumer Expo in WA where the January 2024 local state figures show that, unemployment rose, retail prices contracted and overall spending was down. Surely spending a chunk of marketing budget in that economic en...

Send us a text'Time Sensitive Tax Planning' are probably 4 words that have not considered compelling or sexy. Today with the help of Ben from Inspire Accountants we tell you why this topic is a compelling one. If you want to pay more tax , or be less informed and less profitable and secure then give this one a miss. If you do want to minimise tax and maximise your sustainable profitability then this is for you.Ready. Set. SPLASH!For you free industry news updates and S...

Send us a textWhat a privilege to launch into a new year full of hopes, plans and no doubt it's share of challenges to be overcome. In our first SPLASH! Podcast for the year we have some exciting announcements and interesting insights to what lies ahead. Watch out for a new mega consumer show coming to Melbourne in February that we tell you a little more about.We reveal the new media brand in the industry stable to further strengthen our message to industry and government in comm...

Send us a textToday we discuss safety and standards, in particular the AS1926.1 Fencing Standard. We look at an unfolding story about potentially flawed processes within a Sydney council inspection program.We also look a the latest Business Rick Index from CreditorWatch and discuss the impacts on business into 2024 generally and more specifically our industry. Plus a friendly reminder to book your accommodation and team into the biggest industry event even in the southern hemisphere - S...

Send us a textWe are celebrating the 150th issue of SPLASH! just released and coming out to all of our valued subscribers. If you are on subscribed get you latest digital copy today at splash.online. We take a look at a couple of new industry announcements including a new era for the Master Pool Builders brand and what it means for you. We also gain access to a freshly launched online learning program to assist newbies in getting up to speed quickly.The latest 2023 Drowning Report...

Send us a textAnother week and another public holiday for the hard working sports obsessed citizens of Victoria as they celebrate the 'race that stops a nation'. The Reserve Bank of Australia also celebrated the day by giving the population a 25 basis points rise to increase the cash rate to its highest level since 2011. What does this all mean for our industry? Well it depends on how you consider where value is stored. We also talk about the increase in recovery pools/spas/treatm...

Send us a textWe continue our dive into the changing landscape of business. A new release from the 'Small Business Matters Report' reveals some alarming statistics for small business owners and ongoing financial viability. In this episode we also look a the growing need and demand for pool renovations and the options available and tying in to larger landscaping projects.And we continue our look into Australian manufacturing with a special look at AIS Water who turned 30 years old ...

Send us a textIt's always a good week when the latest and by default greatest issue ever of SPLASH! shows up on my doorstep and in the inbox! Today we discuss the latest Cordell Construction data, review the Top 5 online news stories and have a quick look at some of the industry happenings with expansions, conferences and acquisitions.Our deep dive today is construction focused around the challenges of fixed price contracts, continued inflationary pressure and a tightening market. ...

Send us a textThere has been a lot of talk about a constricted, reducing, restricting, reducing (insert negative synonym here) economy and consumer spend. Yet, house prices are holding in some places and continuing to rise in many others and there has been significant wage growth, yes, offset by inflation, There is also the prediction of a long hot summer and in may parts we are already seeing signs of this emerging. We take a look at what should we expect, how ...

Send us a textClark Rubber CEO, Anthony Grice joins the podcast from the recent Clark Rubber Franchise Convention in Cairns. Anthony explains why Clark Rubber are so invested in ensuring every location retains trained and qualified staff as per the certification pathways. Is it for attracting and retaining staff, increased professionalism or is there something else?We also take some time to interview the new chair of the Aquatic and Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW, Marco Blanco who...

Send us a textIn an industry that loves the big story, have we got news for you with the biggest acquisition in several years now underway. We uncover the detail around this and will continue to bring more information in coming weeks as the details and changes unfold. Also, there is something different about the professional trade industry brand that we reveal today too.Ready. Set. SPLASH!For you free industry news updates and SPLASH! Magazine copy simply go to...

Send us a textShould you increase your share of budget allocation to marketing spend in a retracting market space? The answer according to research and best practice is yes... but there is more to it. Today we talk with expert, Cam Bailey who has been working behind the scenes with our industry to ensure brands are positioned for growth and untangling the mire of marketing confusion. Our conversation reveals the power of effective audience targeting with cut through campaigns...

Send us a textIt seems every other day another builder is going bust. The economy changed during covid and is changing again rapidly post. Why are some business failing to navigate the change and fall into the pit of insolvency? We review our recent conversation with a small business professional accountant who provides 5 tips for small business to remain solvent through the economic uncertainties and changes.We also hear about some incoming exciting updates and changes to ...