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Industry News |
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Pool & Spa News wants to know what's got you stumped!
Send us your questions on products, construction, service, retailing or business management.
Then, find the answers in the July 30 issue of Pool & Spa News.
Click here to send an email |
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Business Tip
What to Outsource and What to Keep In-House
Many small business owners understand the power of outsourcing—that is, subcontracting an operation or project to a third party. It’s can be a great way to save time and money. But how do you decide what to keep in-house and what to outsource? Here are a few questions small business owners should ask themselves to find the right balance.
Is this one of your core competencies?
If your business is well known for quality customer service, don’t outsource your customer service department. In other words keep doing the things you’re good at and outsource those tasks or projects that cost too much time or money, or that require greater expertise.
How will outsourcing affect the entire operation?
When thinking about outsourcing, many small firms see the cost savings but disregard potential problems, namely loss of control and less predictability. Many assume a cheaper price means savings, but with all the minutiae involved in outsourcing, cost is only one concern.
How much control do you want?
If you still want a good deal of control over the project (if you want to see progress in person or be able to speak with the person completing the project at any time, for example) it’s best to outsource locally. If you’re confident that the project, task or product isn’t going to change directions often, and you trust the vendor you’re working with, you might consider outsourcing abroad.
Who is the best person to work with?
Do more than a Google search. Get a reference from another small business or hire a consultant. Make sure the person or firm you’re outsourcing to has the proper credentials and that they understand your brand and vision for the project.
From the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Legal Center |
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MOD Design Tip
 What great design concept are you working on?
We’ve found a supplier that works with copper and different metals. We’ve been using them to produce some pretty unique waterfeatures that we design. They aren’t something that you could shelf-buy, so they make the projects more interesting. We’ve seen the standard off-the-shelf features, but they’re kind of boring after you use them once or twice.
How does it work?
A lot of times we’re looking for something that’s kind of old in character. So with the patina you get on top of a copper waterfeature, you can’t beat it. Other times, we’ll have them hand-hammer the copper for a distressed look. Then of course stainless is on the contemporary side. But the metals are very versatile – you can do anything with them.
I just design what I want, show the producer where I want baffle, and they put them in.
I even had them make me copper sinks and cooler bins for my outdoor kitchens. They add a lot of character.
— John Hackett, Vice president and landscape architect, Dynamic Environments, Boerne, Texas |
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Trade Show News
Space Draw for IPSPE Begins
Space draw for the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo is currently taking place. A sample of the companies that have already committed to the show include Hayward, Viking Pools, Waterway Plastics, Zodiac Pool Systems, Latham Intl., Paramount, BioGuard, Arch Chemicals, King Technology, SmartPool, Master Spas, Coast Spas, Clearwater Spas, Cal Spas, Strong Spas, Artesian Spas, Del Ozone and Haviland.
To be included in the space draw, all contracts and a required 50 percent deposit must be submitted immediately. Contracts received after the selection takes place will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and charged the post-space draw rate.
To read the IPSPE blog, visit blog.poolspapatio.com
For more information, click here.
Questions? Contact Exhibit@PoolSpaPatio.com or 972.536.6350.
 2010 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Exhibits: November 3 - 5, 2010
Conference: October 31 - November 5, 2010
Mandalay Bay Convention Center | Bayside Halls
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
972.536.6350
www.PoolSpaPatio.com | info@PoolSpaPatio.com
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