AFT&C news🗞️ - Page 16 of 18 - Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

Florida State University Aquatics

Post author:Contributor
Post published:October 29, 2018
Post category:University Aquatics

Florida State University Aquatics There is a lot more to consider when maintaining these colossal giants of competition and wellness than one might think. Pool Operators face a myriad of challenges…

Swimming Pool Horror Movie: 12 Feet Deep

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 21, 2018
Post category:Horror Movie Reviews

Diving into the Movie: 12 Feet Deep When Aquatics International magazine first called me and asked if I would be interested in a project that involved watching a horror movie…

Pool Service Marketing

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 8, 2018
Post category:Marketing

How Pool Service Companies Can Stand Out: Marketing Strategies That Actually Bring Customers Most pool service companies make the same marketing mistake. They build a website.They post on social media.They…

Copper Sulfate Exposure Reduces Cyanobacterial Biofilm Colonization

Post author:Rudy
Post published:September 25, 2018
Post category:Algae Subscription Content

Sub-Lethal Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate Exposure Reduces Cyanobacterial Biofilm Colonization (Swimming Pool Black Algae) Abstract Persistent microbial colonization, commonly referred to in the swimming pool industry as “black algae,” represents a…

University of Georgia Aquatics

Post author:Contributor
Post published:September 23, 2018
Post category:University Aquatics

University of Georgia Aquatics There is a lot more to consider when maintaining these colossal giants of competition and wellness than one might think. Pool Operators face a myriad of challenges…

How Strong is Pool Chlorine?

Post author:Rudy
Post published:September 17, 2018
Post category:Water Chemistry

How Strong is Pool Chlorine? Understanding Available Chlorine Content (ACC) in Pool Chemistry A Key Concept in Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Training One of the most misunderstood concepts in swimming…

Pool Service Software

Post author:Contributor
Post published:September 4, 2018
Post category:Sponsors

The Dirty Swimming Pool Water Epidemic Includes Your Pool - Yes, Yours! It’s the week before Memorial Day 2018, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases its latest…

Duke University Aquatics

Post author:Contributor
Post published:August 27, 2018
Post category:University Aquatics

Duke University Aquatics There is a lot more to consider when maintaining these colossal giants of competition and wellness than one might think. Pool Operators face a myriad of challenges…

pH Rise in Swimming Pools

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 21, 2018
Post category:Science Fair Project Water Chemistry

Spas, Splash pads, and Waterpark rides... Why Aeration Causes pH Rise in Swimming Pools Ever wonder why the pH in certain pools always seems to run high, no matter how…

Swimming Bugs In My Swimming Pool

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 13, 2018
Post category:Pool Service Tips Misc.

What are these Swimming Bugs, and how do I make them go away? The Fishing Spider is not a swimming bug, it is an arachnid. Due to appearance, is often…

Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.

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On this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee Salisbury, Shane from Auckland, and Nick from Brisbane dive headfirst into one of the biggest challenges facing pool professionals everywhere: time management.

From subscription fatigue to overloaded schedules, the crew discusses how pool service companies can streamline operations, eliminate wasted effort, and create smarter workflows without adding more stress—or more monthly software fees.

Nick shares how he has transformed Buffer Zone into a centralized operational hub for his business, using it for everything from technician scheduling and supplier management to equipment manuals, staff notes, training resources, and client communication. The conversation explores how keeping everything inside one ecosystem reduces missed jobs, forgotten tasks, duplicated subscriptions, and operational chaos.

The episode also explores creative “workarounds” within software systems—showing listeners how to use scheduling tools for personal appointments, admin blocks, vehicle servicing reminders, supplier pickups, and inventory management. Shane discusses his previous use of the Timely calendar system and how similar functionality can be recreated directly inside Buffer Zone to simplify operations and reduce reliance on external apps.

Lee takes the conversation further into productivity systems, sharing how tools like Google Workspace, Google Calendar, Google Tasks, Google Forms, Google Drive, and automation integrations can dramatically improve efficiency for pool service companies. The discussion highlights real-world examples of live technician reporting, automated spreadsheets, winter repair prospecting, quote generation, inventory forecasting, and field-to-office communication systems that save hours every week.

The team also discusses password management, shared staff access, cloud-based documentation, technician accountability, and how centralizing information can protect businesses when employees leave or systems fail.

Most importantly, this episode focuses on the philosophy of continuous improvement—making small operational changes that create massive long-term gains. Whether you’re a solo operator or managing multiple technicians, the crew emphasizes that investing time into better systems today can save enormous amounts of time, stress, and money tomorrow.

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com