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I was just doing a little research and I found an interesting read that inspired me to blog.  I think if everyone thought like Mr. Bill Sifflard it would be a different time completely.  If we can think positive, we could turn around this economy.  Who knows why this all started, but it sometimes feels like we talked ourselves into it…. Let’s talk ourselves OUT of it! Join me in a positive spin!

Take a look at this post: http://bssentialsolutions.com/find-the-time-for-mastermind

I have been with Pumps & Systems magazine for 5 years and I am continually surprised at the number of pumps that surround me.  Before I started the job, I NEVER saw a pump!  Now, I see them everywhere… I can sometimes even tell you who manufactured it!  What I have found is… WE COULD NOT SURVIVE WITH OUT PUMPS!  Here is an interesting story about a water treatment facility in our home town of Tuscaloosa!  See any of your products in there?

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20081215/NEWS/812152998/1007?Title=New_water_plant_will_aid_growth

The Pumps & Systems Staff just returned from an exciting WEFTEC in the windy city of Chicago. WEFTEC is always one of the best shows we attend, and it was quite impressive this year. Every booth was busy. With the economy in rare form, I thought my clients would be fearful or uncertain, but this was not the case! It is very good to know that we have intelligent leaders in the water industry who can forecast market changes and respond to the economic situation with power, not fear!

Water is a basic need. Industry leaders understand that people always need clean water. For this reason, I believe you will see many companies work together to make the process more efficient.

 Speaking of the economy, how is your business cutting costs to help with the economic strain?

As I was updating my Linked In profile this afternoon, I received an email that a friend found me on Facebook.  It is amazing how much time we can spend on these networking sites.  The newest site we found, as you have probably read on Michelle’s blog, is Twitter.  You can follow people… How fun, right!  But, how useful are these tools is the question.  Would it be better just to pick up the phone and call instead? 

I think you have to do both.  With our day moving faster than ever, we have to be able to multitask.  You need to be able to make a phone call when needed and also know when an email is appropriate.  Your clients are very busy as well… So, you must cater to their needs and habits… If your clients are on Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter, you should be there as well.  Make it easy for people to get in touch with you!  Also, make it easy for them to learn a little something about you. You know, so they will REMEMBER YOU!

So if you need me,  I can be found at these sites:

http://www.pump-zone.com/advertise.html

http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlimatthews

http://twitter.com/pumpmarketing

I was at the MINExpo in September and I was amazed by the size of the show. It was not just the GIANT equipment, but the amount of international exhibitors.  I was most intrigued by the Australian section because I am an honorary citizen of Sydney from a college internship.  As I walked through the show, I realized that pumps and systems are everywhere: USA, Australia, India, China, Germany… Everywhere…

Out of curiosity, where are you from?

We are preparing our 2009 Editorial Calendar.  I want to make sure we are covering all the topics that keep you up at night!  What issues are you faced with everyday at your plant or facility?  Have you had a time this year when you thought, “I wish Pumps & Systems would cover this more.” If so, please let me know so I can discuss it with our editorial team.  We want Pumps & Systems magazine and pump-zone.com to be your information source.  This is your opportunity to ask. 

California’s state legislature is expected to pass a water softener ban.  After reading this, I am concerned that it could cause major problems for everyone involved.  It seems to me that this would only increase our energy costs.  An issue we are already struggling with daily!  

The only time a lot of us think of “Hard Water” is when you wash a new shirt and it comes out looking ragged or you have a bad hair day. But, this is a big deal.  There are many people involved in keeping our water clean and efficient.  We have already spent many funds developing greener softening technologies.  Will this bill send us backwards?

The press release states “Under the bill, water boards – which are not answerable to the voters – would be able to simply issue a “finding” that they believe bans would be helpful.”   

Should a “water board” be deciding on the most efficient way to run our water systems?  

How will this affect our water treatment plants?  How will this affect Maintenance Costs?