Keeping the Funnel Full

A “few” years ago, while I was in college, I spent a summer working for a company that built gunite swimming pools. For those who don’t understand the process behind building a gunite pool, I’ll explain.

After the proper hole has been dug in someone’s yard, and the wooden supports for the rebars have been set, and the rebars are put in place, a truck, similar to a cement truck, arrives. This truck has firehose-size hoses and a “grinder” on the back, and is hooked up to a water supply. Someone now has to break 100 lb. bags of a cement-like powder (gunite) into the grinder. The system in the truck then mixes the powder with the proper amount of water, and forces the resulting cement through the hose so it can be sprayed around the area that, ultimately, becomes a swimming pool. It can spray both horizontally and vertically, so you can form a seamless swimming pool.

This system works well, as long as the water pressure and the amount of powdered cement are consistent. The individual holding the nozzle of the hose, with the mixture being pushed out at over 100 lbs. of pressure, can comfortably balance their weight, and get the job done quickly and efficiently.

The problem occurs, though, if either the water pressure drops or the person carrying the 100 lb. bags of gunite doesn’t keep up with the system. What can happen then is that the pressure can drop to 0 lbs. then jump back to upwards of 200 lbs. I actually saw one of the guys at the nozzle get thrown across the pool when that happened.

Those of you, who know me, have probably figured out the point of this story. Keeping a gunite truck operating properly, means keeping the proper flow of ingredients running through the system.

Regardless of whether you are in construction or sales, keeping the funnel full will keep your business flowing smoothly and get the job done quickly.

Work smart and keep your funnel full, and none of us will get “thrown across the pool.”