188 The One To Listen To If You Are Considering Becoming A Water Treater
Are you considering making a career change to become a water treatment professional? Are you feeling burnt out and overwhelmed in your first year working as a water treater? Or are you navigating how to retire from a life spent working in the water treatment industry? If so, today\u2019s podcast is for you.\xa0
Our guest is fellow Mastermind member and Continuous Improvement enthusiast Shawn McGrade. Shawn started as a building engineer and decided six years ago to become a successful water treater. Today we will discuss his water treatment journey, how he became the top sales rep at his former water treatment company, the importance of mentors, continually developing yourself, and some things he wished he would have known the first year starting in this remarkable industry.\xa0
Being a water treater is an incredible privilege. Our clients allow us to see behind the curtain, revealing to us fortunate few how things are made. They trust us to make the right call so they can keep doing what they need to do. Water treaters are crucial to a wide variety of facilities, and thankfully there are people like Shawn McGrade and our Scaling UP! H2O listeners who daily demonstrate to their clients the importance and benefits a great water treater can be to their company. Nation! Thank you for being astounding at what you do!\xa0
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client,\xa0
-Trace\xa0
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Timestamps:\xa0\xa0
James\u2019 Challenge: \u201cResearch Langelier Saturation Index (LSI).\u201d [05:01]\xa0
Changing professions, Shawn\u2019s journey to becoming a successful professional water treater [07:02]\xa0
An average day as a water treater [23:00]\xa0
What should we be doing when selling new accounts? [31:05]\xa0
Joining the Rising Tide Mastermind for continuous development [35:04]\xa0
What are the best ways one can be successful in the water treatment industry? [45:40]\xa0
What advice do you have for those looking at a career change? [47:02]\xa0
The importance of mentors [49:30]\xa0
Resources to help you become a better water treater [57:20]\xa0
Lightning Round Questions [62:01]\xa0
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Quotes:\xa0
\u201cI looked at water treatment as an opportunity to make something of myself and take things to the next level.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cBeing patient, cordial, sharing things in laymen\u2019s terms are crucial when communicating with customers.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cThe day-to-day is never the same, and as water treaters, we need to wear a lot of hats to be successful and bring value to your customers.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cIf you sit back and let your client show you what they do, let them walk you around the plant, it\u2019s a huge way to build trust and build that relationship.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cWe get the front row seat to see how it\u2019s made. To get those private tours, to see how it\u2019s made, it is priceless.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cIf we learn something from each experience, then that means we are going to get better the next time that opportunity comes around.\u201d -Trace Blackmore\xa0
\u201cIf we keep doing what we\u2019ve always done, pre-COVID, we will never be successful in the future. We need to change our sales techniques to the new climate.\u201d -Trace Blackmore\xa0
\u201cYou have to be dedicated and committed in order to be successful.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cNormally we are busy working \u2018in\u2019 the business, and Mastermind allows us to work \u2018on the business and \u2018on\u2019 ourselves. \u201c - Trace Blackmore\xa0
\u201cThe advice I\u2019d give to any water treater is to: Be patient. Don\u2019t get overwhelmed. Invest in yourself. And to educate yourself to feel confident in those technical topics.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cLet\u2019s encourage more women to be in the water treatment industry.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
\u201cWhen you are with a customer and don\u2019t know the answer, don\u2019t lie. Integrity is everything in this business. Look it up and get back to them.\u201d - Shawn McGrade\xa0
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Connect with Shawn McGrade:
LinkedIn: in/shawn-mcgrade-08187114a
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Links Mentioned:\xa0
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)\xa0\xa0\xa0
Rising Tide Mastermind\xa0\xa0
Submit a Show Idea For Our Podcast\xa0
Association of Women in Water, Energy & Environment\xa0
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Books Mentioned:\xa0
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People\xa0
The 12 Week Year\xa0
Traction\xa0
The Success Principles\xa0\xa0
Can\u2019t Hurt Me\xa0\xa0\xa0
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Podcasts Mentioned:\xa0
Lewis Howes\xa0\xa0
Joe Rogan\xa0
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