227 The One Where We Talk About The Importance of Having A Water Management Plan

Scaling Up Nation, I cannot wait to introduce you to today's guest, Larry Pond. Larry is an expert in Compliance and Quality Assurance at IWC Innovations. Today, Larry and I are going to discuss how to prevent Legionella and other water-borne pathogens by having a good water management plan in place for each of your clients. Larry is a great communicator and my hope is that he inspires you to have the ‘water management plan conversation’ with your clients today.

One of the things I admire most about Larry is his seemingly effortless ability to ask soft questions to his clients so he can set up the right water management plan specifically catered for their facility.

Some of the questions he gently asks his clients are:

• • • Do you have a water management plan?
    • How do you protect your system and people?
    • What risk factors do you have?
    • Are your current measures adequate for these protections?

After asking those questions to his clients (and many more), he then gives them the additional metaphors and stories they need to hear in order to drive home the importance of analyzing their risk factors and preventing outbreaks. If you are a water treater, you are going to love today’s episode. 

 

Bottom line: Larry Pond is going to tell us why having a water management plan is important.

Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client. 

 -Trace 

 

Timestamps: 

James’ Challenge: “Test pH of condensate immediately and then an hour later on the same open sample.” [05:50]

Introducing Larry Pond of Innovative Water Consultants [09:03]

Water treatment from an end user’s perspectives [10:38]

Having the ‘water management plan conversation’ with your clients [17:43]

Risk factors [26:28]

The importance of learning  [28:58]

Testing positive for Legionella [33:58]

Advice to other water treaters [40:57]

Learning from our mistakes [44:24]

Lighting round questions [48:29]

 

Quotes:

“The art comes in seeing their perspective, and learning how to gently say that it’s screwed up without saying it’s screwed up.” - Larry Pond

“If their answers are blank stares, that’s your opportunity for teaching.” - Larry Pond

“A water management plan is key to identifying your risks; to mitigate them through proper control measures” - Larry Pond

“A water management plan is the cheapest, conceivable form of insurance that gets you off the hook.” - Larry Pond

“The conversation should be geared towards putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes, not just your own. “It's not just a job, it’s not just a paycheck. ” - Larry Pond

“Complacency is not a path for resolution”.  - Larry Pond

“When we all do the same things over and over and over and over again, it gets boring. We get complacent. And we almost resent going back to the same accounts because it’s boring.” - Trace Blackmore

“When we push the limits, we’re leaning.” - Trace Blackmore

“If you are intimidated by any topic, that is your sign that you need to go out and learn as much as you can about that topic.” - Trace Blackmore

“If people are allowed to make mistakes, that is where the true learning is.” - Trace Blackmore

“A rising tide raises all ships, but a bigger ship can hold more people.” - Trace Blackmore

 

Connect with Larry Pond:

Email: larry@iwcwater.net

Website: iwcinnovations.com

Social: @IWCINNOVATIONS

 

Books Mentioned:

Boiler Water Treatment - Colin Frayne

The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins

Hannibal - Tom Harris

 

Links Mentioned:

083 The One About Water Management Plans

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention: Toolkit

205 The One To Listen To If You Want To Hear How Rewarding A Career In Water Treatment Can Be