Business
Episode Summary: Today, we sit down with Scott Frost, who has served as Senior Vice President of Sales for North America at Fluidra for almost three decades. Since its founding in 1969, Fluidra has grown into a well-respected multinational group in the pool and wellness industry, operating in more than 45 countries through its subsidiaries with a team of over 6000 employees. Fluidra’s portfolio includes a number of prestigious brands such as Jandy®, AstralPool®, Polaris®, Cepex®, Zodiac®, CTX Professional®, and Gre®. Scott says that, after over 28 years, nothing compares to this particular crisis. He speaks on how the pool industry has been impacted by the pandemic since the beginning of 2020 and what opportunities emerged in the new normal among the radical changes that the industry has undergone as a whole. However, Scott also notes that there are more positives than negatives in the long run and that one of the most important ways for companies to thrive is for them to have open, honest communication with their customers as everybody continues to navigate these uncertain times. Topics Discussed: 01:05 - An introduction to Scott Frost 05:32 - The past year was both “an exciting and challenging time” 11:05 - Tackling challenges and rethinking just-in-time systems 16:03 - How the pandemic has influenced Fluidra’s decisions 18:33 - Why no other crisis compares to this one 19:45 - The pandemic’s positive effects on the industry 25:44 - The pandemic’s negative effects on the industry 28:15 - Texas freeze effects 33:25 - Suez Canal, trucking, and freight effects 35:47 - How manufacturers are alleviating supply chain issues 40:11 - How to help customers navigate these tricky times 48:34 - How dealers can adjust consumer expectations 52:06 - How Scott sees the industry recovering Sponsors: Fluidra Pool Pro Mag Connect with Guest: Episode Webpage Website Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Connect with Pool Chasers: Website Instagram Facebook Facebook Group Twitter YouTube Patreon Key Quotes from Episode: “Just-in-time” only works if you have historical basis to understand what the future will bring, and there is now such a lack of understanding of what the future holds. A positive from the pandemic is that I’m now spending a lot more time talking about the convenience and the fun of owning a pool. It’s put us on the radar. We’re in the backyard entertainment business. The easy thing is to react to what the consumer wants. “I need my pump fixed,” or “I need my pool cleaned.” That’s reacting. Being proactive and looking at your business with a proactive approach is a good practice.