SPLASH! Podcast

Send a text The 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...

Send a text We 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 w...

Send a text In 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 impl...

Send a text None 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 w...

Send a text The 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 ahea...

Send a text The 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...

Send a text Very 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 t...

Send a text With 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 spe...

Send 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 profitabi...

Send a text What 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...

Send a text Today 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...

Send a text We 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 pro...

Send a text Another 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 yo...

Send a text We 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...

Send a text It'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 ch...

Send a text There 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 s...

Send a text Clark 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 interv...

Send a text In 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! F...

Send a text Should 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 conversa...

Send a text It 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 uncertainti...

Send a text The best way to predict the future?  You'll have to listen in to this podcast to find out and discover what recent announcement is making massive news in our industry.  News from industry, for industry including a huge announcement from the peak body.  We also talk with New Zealand and reveal the winner of the national NZ Pool of The Year.  David also picks a new fight with indust...

Send a text It only happens six times a year but what a good day it is when it happens!  It's revealing, inspiring and informative. Yes, the new edition of SPLASH! went out recently and we take a quick look at the industry trends, news and new product. We review the Top 5 Online News Stories that you have created for the last couple of months.  And a very insightful interview with FLUIDRA Man...

Send a text A very special podcast as we interview Jayne Orth on her retirement from industry after three decades.  Jayne has been a passionate contributor to industry towards improving product, practice and our people.     A true leader in retail and chemical product knowledge and training Jayne has been a formidable force for progress. Jayne is most certainly unretiring in nature but circumstanc...

Send a text You join David from the airport in putting this podcast together.  Today we hear from the recent Aquatic & Research Institute conference with Lindsay McGrath taking the opportunity to interview the Architects at 106 about ' Third Place Thinking' and the keynote speaker, Kobi Simmat around industry and leadership. David also shares an interview with Stefan Ossenberg from A...

Send a text Grab your Akubra and get ready for a road trip to the NSW bush for the Country Pool Managers conference. The voices may be a little quieter and the accents a little broader but the challenges in managing the consumer, the facilities and the business are all too similar.   As is often the case the reserved but considered voice of those in the country sounds a warning that should be heed...