262 The One About Hiring the Best Water Treaters
When you know that you need to hire someone, what do you look for? How do you know if the person you are interviewing is a good fit? What does your hiring process look like? In today\u2019s market, do you still find it easy for you to find the right person for an open position?\xa0
If hiring the right person is something that you are struggling with, then this episode is for you. My lab partner today, Chris Bellizzi, is someone who has been coaching business owners for years on this topic, and this is something he is very passionate about.
Chris Bellizzi started his career in the Water Treatment industry fresh out of college. After graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1994 from the University of Washington, he went on to work at NALCO. He started as a Sales Representative, and was promoted to\xa0 District Manager three times and eventually became the Regional Manager in the middle market business sector at NALCO. Currently, Chris is the General Manager at EAI Water and the Managing Partner at ApHinity. ApHinity from EAI is a brand of technologies based on the science of chemical affinity. The technologies ApHinity offers play a critical role in the challenging water conservation, reuse, and recycling environments of today. Chris is also a Certified Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist and a Certified Water Treater.
Chris and his wife Elsa have four daughters - two of whom are now working in the water industry (not for Chris!), and he loves being able to\xa0 \u201ctalk shop\u201d with them.
If you are a Water Treatment company owner or a hiring manager, this episode is for you! Chris will share with us why building trust and delivering results are the foundations of finding the right people for your company, the 10 traits that he looks for when interviewing someone, why setting expectations is important, and how perpetuating the OKG (our kind-of-guy / our-kind-of-gal) mentality made him and his team better Water Treaters!
Bottom line: Chris Bellizzi will share with us his keys to hiring the best people for open positions at your\xa0 company.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.\xa0
-Trace\xa0
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Timestamps:\xa0
Why the water treatment industry is the best industry for people who love to learn [00:54]
Thinking On Water With James [06:55]
Promoting Legionella Awareness Month in August and other industry events [08:15]
Finding the right people is difficult [11:23]
Introducing Chris Bellizzi, the General Manager at EAI Water and the Managing Partner at ApHinity [14:02]
Why building trust and delivering results are the foundations of finding the right people [18:49]
Where to find candidates and the 10 traits to look for when interviewing candidates [22:00]
The art of hiring slowly [43:21]\xa0
Setting expectations [50:33]
Perpetuating the OKG (Our-Kind-of-Guy / Our-Kind-of-Gal) mentality [55:04]
Lightning round questions [1:03:57]
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Thinking On Water With James:\xa0
In this week\u2019s episode, we\u2019re thinking about how to properly store pH probes. Why is pH probe storage important? What can happen if stored improperly? Can a pH probe be stored dry? Can it be stored in city water or distilled water? What about storing it in a pH 4, 7, or 10 buffer solution?\xa0 Why would one be better than another? Is there a storage solution designed for pH probes? How might the storage solution be applied to the rubber cover often used to protect probes between uses? Take this week to think about your pH probe and what proper storage means to its accuracy and lifespan.\xa0
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Quotes:
\u201cI was able to become a District Manager at a very young age, and it forced me to learn how to run teams and grapple with the issue of hiring at a very early age.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cWhat are the core values that clients really buy from over the long term? Number 1, they buy trust, number 2, they buy results.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cCredibility + Reliability + Intimacy \xf7 Self-Focus = Trust.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cThe non-negotiable traits I look for in an interview are people with low self-ego, high-integrity, high emotional intelligence, someone who cares, and a passion for mechanical and chemical things. The negotiables are work ethic, someone that got your back, social leadership, competitive drive, an aptitude for mechanical and chemical things.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cThere is no one solution in Water Treatment; there are a variety of ways to get from Point A to Point Z.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cIn the Water Treatment Industry, people that are successful are those that are very comfortable initiating the relationship.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cThe longer the interview process, the better. The art is in managing your expectations as the hiring manager and the interviewee\u2019s expectations, and not losing people along the way.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cPrioritize hiring the right values and behaviors over experience and booking business.\u201d - Chris Bellizzi
\u201cThe Water Treatment Industry should never be boring. It comes with its built-in alarm, and that alarm is if you ever feel bored, you are doing this job wrong.\u201d - Trace Blackmore
\u201cLife is too short. Do something you love, you\u2019ll never work another day in your life.\u201d - Trace Blackmore
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Connect with Chris Bellizzi:
Phone: (949) 939-7162\xa0
Email: cbellizzi@eaiwater.com\xa0
Website: eaiwater.com
LinkedIn: in/chris-bellizzi-a08b6863
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Links Mentioned:
The Demographic Drought - presentation by Author and Economist Ron Hetrick
173 The One With the Exit Plan
The Every Man Ministries Podcast
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
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Events:
August is Legionella Awareness Month
Smart Water Summit \u2013 August 29 to 31 in San Antonio, Texas
Water Infrastructure Conference \u2013 September 11 to 14 in Portland, Oregon
StormCon 2022 \u2013 September 26 to 28 in National Harbor, Maryland
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Books Mentioned:
The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
Revenue Growth Engine by Darell Amy
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