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- "The Blog?!"
February 1, 2008
"The Blog?!"
Posted at 3:02 PM
"The Blog?!" Sounds like something that just climbed out of the swamp in a bad B-grade, Steve McQueen movie. Yet that's exactly what I find myself faced with as I wrestle with this monster I've created. And just like Frankenstein, my blog came to life with a bolt of lightning on a dark and stormy night. Aquascape's first ever reduction-in-force occurred, scarily, right when my blog was coming to life--unveiling the dark side of my creation.
What was conceived with so much hope and promise quickly morphed into a mud-slinging forum for anyone and everyone to air their feelings. Yes I know a little due diligence or SWAT analysis ahead of time could have easily brought to light the potential risk of creating such a prominent public forum to reveal the inner sanctum of a privately held company. Yet I've never felt the need to allow outside critics or commentators to dictate how I make decisions or live my life. Now I'm wondering if having thick skin -- a trait that has previously served me well, is on its way to becoming my Achilles heel?
But here's what I do know: Family, friends, co-workers, business associates, and even (gulp) customers have questioned the sanity of my continuing with "The Blog?!" What good could come of it they ask? What's your longterm strategy? Why give people a forum to spew their venom? All of these are good questions. I acknowledge that I don't have equally compelling counter arguments for those questions. Clearly, from a business perspective, or from a rational approach, the sane thing to do would be to shut down "The Blog" and go back to my comparatively "boring" business life where all I have to worry about are things like meeting payroll, hitting bank covenants, and making sure Aquascape stays a viable, thriving organization.
Yet there's another side of me that doesn't feel clean about that either. What I'm saying in my blog is the truth as I see it. It might not be pretty, flattering, or sexy, but it's real world. As are the visceral responses it generates.
Of course, there are people who have become angry and hurt, as a result of Aquascape's recent changes -- just as there are people who understand and are eager to move the company forward as a result. Some people like CNN (hard to believe, I know), and others like FOX. My blog is not going to change that, and it's not intended to. It's up to each and every person to come to their own conclusions, based on their interpretations of what I write and what others write in response. That's the real world. And here's the deal from my end. I stand by every blog entry I've posted, every sentence I wrote, and each word in them. Yes, we reduced our labor force to get our spending in line with our sales. So why bother to spin it any other way?
Here's the ultimate blog question to all of you in blog heaven or hell. Should I just button up and close this blog down? Or should I continue to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with running any business? You tell me.
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I believe your new distributor model is causeing your Companies hurt in combination with the refinancing and housing decline.
You are not adding value with it. It is a house of cards which will continue to worsen as the number of marginal distribution points you add increases and the high quality distributor you have had in the past flee to greener pastures.
I challange your belief that it will over time grow the market in any long term sustainable way.
Greg, Your gut instincts have gotten you this far. Whether the bolg goes forward or not should not even be on your radar, it is such a small insignificant issue in the big picture. You are an innovator, a leader and an entreprenure. Do what you do best...boldly move forward based on what YOU believe is the right thing to do. The blog world is not the real world. Let your actions and results speak for you.
Greg, Since you ask, I have followed your blog as well as learned from your seminars and Pondemonium PLUS from many other sources. You have given me a deeper insight into your business than through any other avenue as well as the posting from the sayers and naysayers. It is a great learning experience for me and what I am able to take away from this blog. You have opened the door to your inner sanctum which is a rarity and even if you find a good business mentor, you would be lucky to receive from them what you are giving to us. I will be seeing you again Wed in Vancouver. Keep blogging!
David Bossom
Greg what are the plans for Aquascape Inc and the 'new' direction you are heading with the company? How is having more retail locations in areas going to help, I mean there is only so much profit to be made at this point and if you have a satuation point of retailers in close proximity to each other isn't the pie getting sliced smaller? I have seen this happen with the installer side - 5 CACs in a tight radius - we each average 10 feature installs, that amount is barely enough for one company to earn profits as a 'water features only' company. I understand that as the pie grows there will be more opportunties for all of us, but until then we struggle along. Shouldn't the pie be made larger at a greator pace then the retailers/installers are growing, this would allow the people who believed in the vision at an early stage to become established over the 'lets jump on board and make money' crowd. Personally I don't think the seminars about how much money can be made should be promoted, it will only bring in the people who want to make a quick buck off the latest 'fad' and not really care about the future of this industry or the clients they leave
behind. Perhaps it is better to work with the people who are passionate & established in this industry and helping them grow then to try to get new clients and saturate the market - remember Ponds done right - it can best be achieved by quality installs not quantity - Customers served right - this takes dedicated people who care - not people interested in only the numbers.
You just told the whole world that you've never actually seen The Blob. The Blob came from outer space in a meteor.
I disagree with commenter Steve's quote: The blog world is not the real world. What has made blogging so wildly popular is that the real world can participate. Ordinary folks can write and be published. By the same token, the real world can read and comment on the blogs. Blogging encourages human interaction in a very non personal platform (meaning the internet). My advice is:
Keep on blogging!
Blog baby blog!
(I wonder if commenter Mark will slam me for not getting my 70's catch phrase references accurate)
how many people did you fire before you went on your " great adventure in costa rica "?
Tell us again who much it hurt you and how hard it was for you.
The new distributor plan will be the downfall of Aquascape.It is bad for everyone ( even AI )
You talk about how the end customers will be served better. this is a very short sighted view.
The contractors are only going to be hurt by more "yahoos" having easier access to AI product to go out and get rich quick with no concern for the masses of poorly built ponds and uneducated customers left in the wake. Where does that leave AI ? Where does that leave the Industry ?
The retailers that have chosen to stock AI supplies are now competing with more for the same slim market. They will be forced to look at other product lines.Where does that leave AI?
Scarcity and Abundancy, yeah yeah yeah wake up people!
Where is the loyalty from AI to us that they have DEMANDED from us for all these years?
Someone moved my cheese? ummm yeah AI moves the cheese everytime they want a bigger piece of cheese.
The sky is falling ! Where will Greg and AI be when my sales are no longer enough to pay my bills or for my business to grow?
It dont matter if you are a contractor, retailer or distributor. This is going to be the downfall !
I will always tip my hat to Greg for all he has done for the pond industry, but he needs to get rid of the "yes men" sitting all around him and start listening to real people ( remember us greg )
If you ( Greg ) will listen to the words that maybe you dont want to hear. Not all of what is being said here is "mud slinging", some of it is being said by people who do not agree with you but fear the reprecusions from speaking our minds.
If you can do this, please continue the blog
I really wish you guys writing in to rag on Greg would stop. It seems that most of you who complain work for Greg. And there's the key ... complain, talk but work it out at the office.
It's interesting to me (and indicative) that very few of those responding to this particular blog even bother to answer Greg's question: to blog or not to blog? In my view, blogs generally provide a forum for people to voice, often anonymously, thoughts and ideas they're unable (or too embarrassed)to express openly. Sports blogs are a great example. In this case though, I would have thought that, given the nature, purpose, and stature of Inc Magazine, blog contributors would have been mature enough to be constructive - not necessarily non-critical, but constructive. Surely most readers have valuable insight into many of the subjects addressed in Greg's and other Inc blogs. So here's my answer to Greg's question: if those responding are trying in good faith to add to the readers' knowledge, which is pretty easy to determine, the blog serves a worthwhile purpose and ought to be continued. If not, Greg, you have many more worthwhile uses for your valuable time.
It's interesting to me (and indicative) that very few of those responding to this particular blog even bother to answer Greg's question: to blog or not to blog? In my view, blogs generally provide a forum for people to voice, often anonymously, thoughts and ideas they're unable (or too embarrassed)to express openly. Sports blogs are a great example. In this case though, I would have thought that, given the nature, purpose, and stature of Inc Magazine, blog contributors would have been mature enough to be constructive - not necessarily non-critical, but constructive. Surely most readers have valuable insight into many of the subjects addressed in Greg's and other Inc blogs. So here's my answer to Greg's question: if those responding are trying in good faith to add to the readers' knowledge, which is pretty easy to determine, the blog serves a worthwhile purpose and ought to be continued. If not, Greg, you have many more worthwhile uses for your valuable time.
It's interesting to me (and indicative) that very few of those responding to this particular blog even bother to answer Greg's question: to blog or not to blog? In my view, blogs generally provide a forum for people to voice, often anonymously, thoughts and ideas they're unable (or too embarrassed)to express openly. Sports blogs are a great example. In this case though, I would have thought that, given the nature, purpose, and stature of Inc Magazine, blog contributors would have been mature enough to be constructive - not necessarily non-critical, but constructive. Surely most readers have valuable insight into many of the subjects addressed in Greg's and other Inc blogs. So here's my answer to Greg's question: if those responding are trying in good faith to add to the readers' knowledge, which is pretty easy to determine, the blog serves a worthwhile purpose and ought to be continued. If not, Greg, you have many more worthwhile uses for your valuable time.
Yes blog. If you are familiar with the blog world at all you will find you are asking the wrong question. The real question is whether or not to enable comments. You will find that many prominent bloggers have their comments turned off. The signal to noise ratio on your blog (and most blogs) so far is very very low. However it may be against Inc.s policy to disable comments. However it is interesting to see what people are really thinking, is it not...Just don't get caught up in it.
Has commenter Steve never heard of mixed metaphors? Perhaps he will also note that The Blob was just pure fiction when he returns from the most recent Star Trek Convention?
Keep the blogging fires stoked Greg. We all have a dark side to ourselves and our businesses, and we're living vicariously and cathartically through your candor to say the things we'd never have the nerve to say ourselves in a public forum. This is real world stuff and a damn entertaining read to boot. There's just something inherently liberating about being authentic and saying, "damn the torpedoes".
To everyone who has expressed suprise or dismay that this rather unruly dimension of the gritty business world has appeared uncensored on the otherwise pristine and [allegedly] overly-sensitive INC website...get real. There are a multitude of valuable business lessons to be derived from this entire blog. INC seems quite pleased with all this controversy anyway. It's great for business! If it bleeds it leads...
Greg is undoubtedly getting some interesting and profitable revelations from these posts too.
I agree with "Randy" & "me" that the signal to noise ratio is fairly low here, but unless one needs an unchallenged monolog this is by far the most entertaining and useful format for the free and uninhibited exchange of ideas and emotions.
Personally I've had my fill of "free speech zones" anyway. Let EVERYONE have their say and keep on bloggin'.
I agree with the post 'Posted by: at February 2, 2008 10:10 AM' I have seen for myself companies that falter because nobody wants to risk saying anything against the majority thinking within a company. Yes people have a place - just not at the top of a company. Greg should be able to get a feel for what we are really feeling and thinking. AI has already lost some of the best contractors becuase they spoke their mind (sometimes off base & out of line)I am just glad I don't have Greg's problem in life - figuring out truth from fiction when it comes to deciding what is right and wrong for not only his company but his customers as well. Maybe it's time to bring in a mixed core group of contractors & retailers to sit and discuss (with no financial benefits for participating) what we are experiencing from all this constant change at AI and what we would like to see and help do. Even though AI is a privately held company are we, his long time and dedicated customers in the same position as stock holders would be. I mean we did after all 'buy' into the vision.
Too bad we don't get replies to these posts but instead a new post from Greg
Greg, if you dedicated your blog to actually talking about various aspects of Aquascape, i.e. the corporate culture that exists at AI or spent time to actually use the blog to train others, then yes, please continue to blog. Your supporters have been quick to state that you have taught or trained them how to run thir businesses or to be better business people, why not dedicate your blog to that.
Otherwise, if you are going to continue to use this as a means to justify what you have done in the past, or indirectly answer people questions to no one's satisfaction, then please discontinue blogging.
For those of you who question if Aquascape listens to its customers it is obvious they do. they opened up their Distibution model and for the first time I and other companies in my area have choices on where to get products. Does this also make it easier for competitors of mine to get into the business. It sure does and I think thats great! The more installers installing water features done right the more people are going to be exposed to the truly most enjoyable form of landscaping. And as for installing them right who even comes close to training and educating its customers as much as Aquascapes? Finally when your No 1 your doing something right which is why Im going to give Aquascape the benefit of the doubt as they move thir business into the future. Im enjoying the ride and this Blog too so my money is on Aquascape and not the No 2 supplier. By the way who is No 2 anyway?
ACAC,
Dont you see that is the problem? Sure it is great when poeple are exposed to water gardensing but at what cost to us?
Think about it. You had a distrubtor who BELIEVED in the Aquascape way to build ponds RIGHT and was TRAINED in Aquascape way to build ponds RIGHT. Now you have irrigatin suppliers etc who are stocking items. Just another piece of inventory to them.
what about that distributor who has stocked ONLY Aquascape product ( which AI demands )now that the popularity is growing AI changes the rules?
How does this effect the installer? Sure now you think it is great, you probably have distributors fighting over your business. How long will that new love affair last? What long term effect will this move have on the industry? only time will tell.
Remember when you first started building ponds?Who did you call for help? Was it your distributor? I hope that is not who new installers are calling now.
bottom line AI realy screwed the distributors with this move. Right now you are living in your little world thinking this doesnt effect you but what will AI do next? Pond Kits in Big Box stores? Cut back on trainings ? Pondemonium is already being shortened to 3 days? every seminar is costing you $100+ per person. What is next? Will the next " change in business strategy " effect you?
I guess we will have to wait and see.
Greg I know it sounds like I am bashing you but please believe me I AM NOT !
I just miss the AI that I was so excited about .. the company that put its customers first. The cmpany that had a culture that was refreshing and hwas full of hope for the future.
'Concerned' stated exactly what I was thinking. This blog is not doing anything for the company on a professional level and it certainly isn't doing anything for the readers on an educational level, which is a shame. You have really built an amazing business and you probably have excellent business strategies to share. If you look at the other blogs on Inc.com, you'll see that they focus on aspects of business that can be applied to most any company. So you had to get rid of some employees recently. Show me a company that hasn't - that's business and everyone should just get over it! From what I understand in other posts, those employees were treated fairly (although that would always be debated, no matter how many weeks of severance you offered). This blog is becoming more like a 'my space' page every day; all attitude and no aptitude. If that's the end result you are looking for, perhaps it should be done on your own website. It's difficult to discern what this blog is doing...here.
If anything, all this blog does is tell the world how much time your employees spend doing things other than work. I've read so many posts talking about how disappointed your employees are about the culture change, but they still have plenty of time (and complete freedom) to bash you and your company anonymously. The only thing that isn't available to them is a dictionary.
If you are truly asking for opinions, my vote is to discuss broad-brush policies and strategies that will enlighten your readers and help your customers grow their businesses. I think that potential customers would be turned off if this blog is their first introduction to Aquascape.
Why does anyone believe just cause somebody says their an employee a customer ect. that they are? As for to blog or not to blog I think there is merit in seeing each and every week how and what your going to say Greg. All business owners can learn from that at the very least. And for you outsiders who believe what is written is by insiders than I guess you come from an industry that doesnt have competitors!
Blog on and moderate the comments. Allow comments that are pertinent to helping people run their business better.
amazing that with all that has been said here by Greg and by other posters, that the only thing that some people get out of this is the enjoyment in pointing out other peoples spelling errors
As an insider to many parts of the company, there’s no shortage successes and failures on personal and professional level that could benefit other companies. To this point there is value in sharing the laundry and the triumphs. I believe Greg – and the entire team at AI – is first human. At their best is stunning execution to the market and at their worst stumbling failures to teammates including customers and employees. Sharing both the up and down sides balances the entire picture. There is no part of the company, or even the marketplace that cannot be improved in terms of performance and success. I have not been shy about sharing my insights, however unpopular sometimes, inside the company. This is not advocacy for continuing or not on this blog. There are serious concerns throughout our world and this honestly is most trivial of concerns in the big picture. That is unless the topic and insights provided by not only Greg but also the posting participants help another with a severe concern of their own. It is then that the blog has substance and purpose. Otherwise, we have to move on with the work ahead of us.
ohh this is great!
As a business owner I've got 2 questions.
1. How much did that building cost?
2. Are you ready for the cliff anything related to home improvements is falling off?
If a company has to pay low wages and get employees to believe then something is wrong. Maybe you really aren't profitable without outside cash infusions. A 178 people in a 60 million company seems like a lot.
But I sure as hell wouldn't want to be in the pond industry over the next 3 years. It probably gonna be like the granite countertop industry. Deathbed.
This fiasco sounds like the lovesac story. Hilarious in how bad it is.
2. Are you ready for the cliff anything related to home improvements is falling off?"
THE SKY IS FALLING - that's what the above post reminds me of! No I don't drink the Aquascape Kool-aid - reality is the economy is slowing down, gas prices are up, home prices are down BUT where else are you going to spend time relaxing with your family and get value and use of everyday? Your backyard! So will waterfeature install sales slow - somewhat in certain segments - but there is always people who have money to spend to enhance their lives and spend they will.
"BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG", that is the question. Well Greg, you're initial attempt at this blog is to help others in the business world, right? Then brother, 'JUST DO IT'. You meant well, then do what you intended to do!
All the power to you I say!
Keep blogging!!!!! The comments, etc. on this blog likely represent the true happenings and feelings of the majority of the companies around the world - they just haven't opened up yet. This blog is educational in more ways than one - just on different topics. I continue to monitor the comments here - getting a chuckle out of some, and feeling the pain of others. I have learned a lot from you and your organization. I am just sorry I haven't been able to take advantage of more of the opportunities that were out there. This is my first blog ever.
Greg - What future plans do you have for Aquascape? I am excited and anxious to find out. Your new distributorship arrangement has been very benficial to my company. Sure you had to let a few employees go - never an easy task, but it sounds like you did more than many employers have done in similar situations. I have had to fire a couple of people - but it wasn't as a result of decreased sales. Looking back, I probably should have contacted the authorities for at least one of them. I wish your former staff the best in finding new employment.
One thing that I have not seen mentioned hear is that although your new model has a few hundred more distributors to deal with, but fewer staff to deal with them, it should be very easy to manage without having to deal with the 45,000 or so contractors you were dealing with directly - up until January 1, 2008. That much of a decrease in phone calls, emails, etc. and you only had to let a few people go - I would have thought there would have been more.
I now have two distributors to choose from. The service provided by the first one was/is terrible, so I wouldn't deal with them unless I needed something right away. They do carry all the products, but their outreach appears to be non-existent. They are also installers and have not been helpful for us at all with training. They seem to only want my sales. As my business has grown, I am seeing their trucks running all over the place in my area.
Funny, I haven't heard a peep from them about the coming year - right around the corner up her, but I have been in contact with the new distributor many times and even have a meeting with them tomorrow to work out the details for this year and beyond. Their traing schedule for this year is chuck full of opportunities. Can't wait to attend as many as possible. I love this pond building stuff. The new distributor - and yes they carry items other than just pond supplies - has a dedicated person just for their new water garden division. The person has clearly been doing their homework since coming on board, and has been learning the industry and providing training opportunities when needed.
Keep up the innovative approaches, keep the blog, and continue with "Ponds Done Right, Customers Served Right!!!" I look forward to talking with you at Pondemonium 2008.
Greg,
Some might steal your time, some my try to steal your ideas, but never, ever let them steal your fun! It would be a shame for so many that dont know Greg/Aquascape/Water Gardening to miss out on your insights and perspectives. Don't let the Blog terrorists ruin it.
Blog out with your thoughts out!
Greg,
Don't let the nay-sayers keep you from blogging. You are the one who took an idea from concept to $60m in 10 or so years...not them.
Keep sharing your thoughts, ideas, experiences, and more with us. Your insight is of huge value to some of us!
And to Benny... I am glad to be a pond builder, and look forward to facing any challenges the 'sagging economy' may bring to my company. But I must ask.. if the economy is so bad, why did I just have a record setting January...with snow on the ground?!? Why did we just have a phenomenal response to our first trade show? Guess the economy isn't so bad after all, huh?
Keep Blogging!
I'm sure even the abundance of negative comments by ex employees, current employees, current customers and ex-customers serve as a valuable learning tool to all business owners. Would like to know more about how you are dealing with the current management team in light of all the comments made by all. Will the current management team remain in place as you make further changes to your company? Will you ever respond to some of the comments previously made so we can all learn from your experience?
Most "bloggers" want The Good, The Bad and The Ugly to help feed the addiction that comes with blogging. As much as I think Greg is wasting his time doing this, I also know he really diggs the Inc.com blogg and will not quit over being scrutinized by anyone or group.
I would like to see this blog continue with it's original intent and a little less drama.
Keep blogging, Greg. The purpose of the blog in the first place was so people could learn from your experiences which it looks as though they are. Keep your eyes on the goal and don't get tripped up by the obsticals in your way.
Greg
Keep on Blogging!!!!!!! As for as all the so called current dissatisfied employees speak up at work so I will be proved wrong. I personaly feel most if not all the dissatisfied are not working at Aquascape. I have noticed the Aquascape team is back at Aqualand.
Yes Aquascape has had some Legacy distributors leave even ones I have great respect for. Not one of the distributors have reached their prior year total. One went out of the way to claim his sales and profits are way up even while filing for backrupcy protection at the same time. Why would he lie, simple he was part owner of the new buying co-op formed to offer ex Aquascape distributors a "greener pasture".
Kind of like Greg saying Aquascapes sales are up 40% in the next blog, but somehow he had to cut 10% of his employees?
Some of the Legacy distributor comment above refers indirectly to a former well publicized distributer that went to work for Greg for a few years to tell others how to build their business in many seminars across the country.
He sacraficed his own growing operation to help out Greg in a time of trouble and now that act of kindness has taken its toll on his own business.
There are other such similar poster childs of Aquascape that find themselves in business trouble:
1. Ernie---Patio Ponds
Why did he leave Aquascapes and purchase items from Pondsweep? Ask Greg next time you see him! Oh' I forgot that Greg now has purchased that, inferior product we heard about in training seminars company, his father owned and sells that now to?
2. Scott Story---Pond Professor-CAC Board Member
Why is he not in Janesville, WI any more? Why is there no contact info with his name or number on their own website.
Why was he paid by Aquascapes to travel around the country telling others(who paid money to attend) how to run a profitable retail pond shop when he had already closed one up within a few years earlier with outstanding bills to suppliers?
How many people bought into the concepts he spoke about and are no longer in business like him?
Keep drinking the Kool-aid until the pitcher runs dry!
Greg, Is his just you stirring the pot? Sounds like YOU making these responses... how 'bout answering some of the questions DIRECTLY!
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