Talking Pools Podcast

Peter’s Fresh Take on Service Tech New Hires and Lee’s Cheer for Girl Power in Pools!

Rudy Stankowitz Season 4 Episode 608

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 In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Peter and Lee delve into the topic of new hire training. Peter shares his experience of hiring a young woman who has little to no experience in pool service. He expresses his preference for hiring individuals with minimal prior experience, as it allows him to train them from scratch without having to correct bad habits they may have learned from previous jobs. Lee enthusiastically praises Peter for bringing another woman into the pool service industry, highlighting the importance of gender diversity and inclusion in the field. Their discussion touches on the benefits of training new hires without preconceived notions and the value of fostering a more inclusive workforce. 

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[Intro Music]

Peter: "Welcome back to another episode of Mondays Down Under on the Talking Pools Podcast! I’m Peter, here with my mate Lee as usual. Today, we’re diving into something every pool service business owner goes through—new hire training. And I’ve got a bit of a story for you."

Lee: "Ah, Peter’s got a story! You’ve been hiring again, haven’t you?"

Peter: "Oh yeah, mate. I’ve just hired a young woman—her name’s Sarah. And let me tell ya, she has next to no experience in pools, but that’s exactly why I hired her. I prefer it that way."

Lee: "You prefer someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing? That’s bold, mate."
laughs

Peter: "Yeah, I know it sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. When you bring someone in who’s already worked with pools, sometimes they’ve picked up some bad habits, or they’ve learned things in ways I don’t agree with. You end up spending more time breaking those habits and reteaching them than you would just starting fresh. With someone like Sarah, I get to mold her exactly how I want from day one. No bad habits, no second-guessing."

Lee: "I actually get that. Clean slate, right? But hiring someone with no experience? It’s a bit of a gamble. How do you handle that?"

Peter: "It can be a gamble, but it’s about attitude, not experience. Sarah’s eager to learn, and that’s what matters. I’d rather have someone with a good attitude and no experience than someone with years of experience and a bad attitude."

Lee: "Fair point. Plus, you’re adding more women to the pool industry, which is brilliant! It’s a tough field for women to break into sometimes, and we need more diversity. So, I’m celebrating that!"
laughs "Go, Sarah!"

Peter: "Yeah, I’m all for that. Honestly, we could use more women in the industry. They bring a different perspective, sometimes even a better attention to detail, which can be a game-changer."

Lee: "Absolutely. Women in the pool industry are often more meticulous, more client-focused. And, let’s be real, they help break down the old boys’ club feel. It’s good for everyone—clients and the industry as a whole."

Peter: "That’s exactly it. I think it’s a win-win. We need new blood, fresh ideas, and Sarah’s got that enthusiasm we all look for in a new hire. She’s asking all the right questions, eager to learn the ropes. I think she’s gonna be a fantastic tech."

Lee: "Love it. So, how do you train someone with zero experience? Where do you even start?"

Peter: "First, I make sure they understand the basics—water chemistry, equipment, the whole works. I don’t throw them in the deep end straight away. I get them comfortable with the fundamentals, and then they shadow me or one of the senior techs for a while. It's a hands-on job, so that’s the best way to learn."

Lee: "Yeah, you gotta see it, do it, live it. That’s the way in this industry. I reckon you’ve got the right approach, mate. And like I said, props to you for bringing another woman into the field. We need more companies like yours doing that."

Peter: "Thanks, mate. I’m really excited to see how she progresses. Maybe we’ll get her on the podcast one day, talk about her journey from knowing nothing about pools to becoming a seasoned pro!"

Lee: "Oh, I’d love that! That’ll be one for the books for sure."

[Outro Music]