Choose the Best Customers for Your Business
It pays to be picky!
 
In building a business, it's tempting to say "yes" to every customer and every project. Don't fall into a trap of trying too hard to win projects at any cost. Never tolerate unreasonable or nonsense customer requests in an attempt to make the sale.
 
Finding the Right Customers for You: determine the profile of your ideal customer, so you can screen new potential new clients for "fit". The right customers are often the ones who are:

  • Motivated to get the job done right
  • Interested in listening to your advice and expertise
  • Willing to invest in a proper, quality installation
  • Loyal over the long-term
  • Located in the neighborhoods where you like to work

There's plenty of work out there, so don't feel like you need to bend your standards or put up with bad behavior. Determine your best-fit clients and go get more of those!

The Team at Aqua-Flo Supply

Aqua-Flo is Hiring! Check Out a List of Our Open Positions
Know a friend or family member who is looking to build a career with a fast-growing landscape / irrigation industry leader?

We're hiring for many positions throughout Southern California. Visit our website or click here for more information.
Stop Carrying Multiple Accent Light Fixtures & Lamps
One Adjustable Fixture Does It ALL!
Carry just one fixture that can be field-tuned to the exact requirements.  WAC Lighting accent fixtures are fully adjustable for light output and beam spread.   
 
WAC Lighting fixtures are fully adjustable without the need to disassemble the fixture or switch parts.  Simply set the desired light output (lumens) and beam spread and move to the next fixture.  
 
Brightness Adjusts with a Screwdriver Set the level of light with a twist of the wrist. No need to disassemble to change lamps. Easy field adjustment to your client's preference.

Continuously Adjustable Beam Spread Simply twist the shroud, then lock to tune the beam to the object(s) being lit. No guessing, no fuss.

With WAC's adjustable fixtures, there's no need to use trial-and-error to find the right light.  Just adjust each fixture to exactly what's needed and go. 
 
Learn more here: 5011 Accent, 5111 Mini-Accent, 5211 Grand Accent. See them all in person at Aqua-Flo!
Must Have Products for a Cleaner Job Site
The first thing your customer will notice is how well you keep a job site clean.  
 
A clean worksite demonstrates your commitment to professional results. Be sure you have plenty of supplies to make it fast and easy to keep your worksites in top condition... BOTH while you're doing the job AND when you're making the final touches.
 
Manage debris Keep debris under control with durable LoadBuster contractor trash bags. 
 
Keep pavement spotless. It's essential to keep pavement around your work project clean. A stiff bristle pavement broom makes quick work of removing all types of leaves, trash and dust. When there's caked-on debris, wash-down muddy areas with a Christy's hose and jet hose nozzle.  
 
Wipe up and keep clean. Christy's Pro-Wipes multi-purpose hand towels come in a self-dispensing container and are a must-have for both cleanup and unexpected accidents.
 
Don't let a messy job site impact your reputation and prevent you from getting additional work.  Stock up on Christy's clean up products.
How to Respond to Customers Who Are Tempted to Buy On-Line
Homeowners have discovered many branded products are now offered on-line and will often try to buy around you. Here are some ways to respond to their objections:

Customer says: “I can get it cheaper online.” Acknowledge the objection in neutral terms – for instance, “You’re looking at the price” or “You’ve been doing your research. Great!” Then move the discussion toward the value of the warranty and the advantages of working with a professional. “The upfront price is just the beginning. If you buy here, you also get a warranty that’s not available online.” Pause to make sure customers understand this, then add the benefits you provide as an experienced contractor.

Customer says: “I can install it myself.” Again, acknowledge what the customer is saying. “You feel comfortable handling installation,” or “Sounds like you’ve done this before.” Now shift the conversation toward the value you can offer: “We like to help people save time and hassle, and of course make sure everything is done right.” Or, for more complex installations, “This is designed to be installed by a professional. My staff is trained to ensure everything will be done to spec - that’s important. And we can make it quick and easy for you.”
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring or Promoting
Many top landscape contractors like the book Traction, which provides a wealth of insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale a successful operation. Traction presents these three questions you should use to evaluate a potential new hire. Ask yourself:
 
1) Do they get it? Does the employee understand his/her role and what he/she needs to do to deliver on the job requirements?
2) Do they want it? refers to the employee’s desire to do his/her role. Is this a job he/she will be motivated to do?
3) Can they do it? refers to the employee having the physical, mental, and emotional capacity to accomplish his/her role. You can't hope or wish someone into abilities they don't have.
 
You cannot grow an organization with people who are not totally committed. The answers must be “yes” on all three questions for each employee. The answers for the three questions will let you know if that individual is going to be successful in your business as a new hire, and also if he/she can be promoted to greater responsibility.
4 Tips to Save Water Using Rain Bird's Smart Irrigation Solutions
Many customers want to save water but worry that switching to water-efficient products will negatively affect the health of their lawn and garden. The truth is today’s smart irrigation solutions are an excellent way to deliver water exactly where it’s needed for a healthy, beautiful landscape.

Remember these tips when talking to your customers about their water-saving goals.

Tip #1: Pressure Regulation One of the easiest and fastest ways to save water is by using pressure regulation (PRS) to reduce excess pressure and wasteful misting and fogging. Save up to a gallon of water a minute using Rain Bird’s PRS technologies for sprays, rotors, and valves.

Tip #2: Prevent Low-point Drainage with Check Valves Eliminate low-point drainage in irrigation systems, especially on slopes. Use XFS-CV Dripline and Xeri-Bug™ Emitters with check valves for drip systems. For overhead systems, use 1800 Series Sprays and 5000 Series Rotors with optional Seal-A-Matic (SAM) check valves.

Tip #3: Identify Leaks with Flow Indicating Basket Filter Identify and troubleshoot leaks in drip systems using a Rain Bird Flow Indicating Basket Filter, an all-in-one solution that provides flow measurement, filtration and pressure regulation.

Tip #4: Convert to Drip with Easy Kit Easily convert an overhead irrigation zone to drip with time saving, easy to install solutions from Rain Bird. The Rain Bird Spray-to-Drip Retrofit Kit includes everything you need to convert up to 400 square feet to water-saving drip irrigation.