For our first-ever Top 50 Service program, we asked the leaders of the PSN and Jandy Top 50 Service companies to answer the same question: What was the best business decision you made in the last year? Here are some of our favorite answers, from five company head. They provide a diverse range of insights and suggestions.

Poolman

WAYLON BENNETT

We recently changed our pay for every route technician. Every technician received a $3,400 per year pay increase. This raise was given due to the hard work, dedication and high standards that are put on each and every one of them. The impact on the company will lower the employee turnover and help to raise the quality of service to our customers.

Pure Swim

RICH GALLO

This past year, we looked at the new and current employment laws. Although we provide various benefits for our employees, we wanted to make sure we were compliant with all of California's employment laws. We went to several seminars with the IRS, Employment Development Department, Division of Labor Standards and the State Compensation Insurance Fund to become familiar with these laws and make the necessary changes within the company. We now understand that compliance means protecting our employees, which in turn means protecting the company.

America's Swimming Pool Co. — Dallas

HERSCHEL FORESTER

This year we focused on hiring full-time maintenance/service techs versus part-time, which has allowed us to locate career-minded individuals for employment. We have eliminated the college students and increased our associates by individuals who have chosen the pool industry for their career. We have also given the associates more career path information, training and certification information.

Stewart Pools

ARON STEWART

In an effort to spread out the workload, we have hired more employees and decreased the number of daily stops each employee must make. This has reaped multiple benefits. First, our people are not overworked. Second, it allows our techs to spend more time communicating with customers and building those key relationships. Instead of a quick in-and-out visit, we have the time to speak with our clients in their own backyard, face to face. Lastly, it allows our team to spend an hour or so each day collaborating as a team in our daily meetings.

Crystal Clear Custom Pools

TOM SHEEHY

Firing myself as a pool cleaner and repair technician was the best business decision I made last year. I can hire or train people to do those tasks. I can't run a company if I'm an employee. Firing myself meant I had to learn to be a better business owner. That means rubbing elbows with as many other business owners as you can, whether in the pool industry or not, and learning from their mistakes and the problems that slowed growth.