First, the routine news, updates, and gossip:

1. AQS will switch to off season hours, beginning Thursday, October 1^st, 2020.That will be 9:00am to 3:00 pm, and for the first time ever, only 4 DAYS A WEEK, MONDAY THRU THURSDAY. —- As always, you can still call 816 – 461 – 7627 any time when we are NOT open, and we will do our best to meet you at the store and fill your order by appointment. I live real close ! Call during daylight hours only, please.

• The big sale outlined in last month’s newsletter is still going on and you will probably have at least until Oct 1^st to take advantage of the savings. See last month’s newsletter for details.

• Speaking of last month’s newsletter, be sure to check our website regularly for all of the recent newsletters and for other innovations and changes that our webmaster is implementing fairly regularly. — We just recently underwent a complete overhaul and revision of the entire format and added a huge section which is a REFERRAL LIST for contractors who we are comfortable recommending to our customers and friends. When you call them be sure to say that you were referred by THE AQS WEBSITE so that we can track the success of this new program. It’s even OK TO ASK THE CONTRACTORS TO BUY THE PARTS FOR YOUR JOB FROM AQS. Sometimes they forget who is referring people to them.

• GOOD NEWS——– The effects of factory shutdowns and shipping delays due to the Virus situation seems to be coming to an end. Things seem to be a lot more “normal” in the pipeline that we depend on to provide quality service and materials options to you, our customers. Thanks to all for sticking with us thru this rough stretch.

• NOW FOR THE BIG ITEM YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR:::::::::::

FIFTY YEARS OF WORKING FOR THE SAME BOSS, AND COUNTING—————————————————–

As I sit at this keyboard and attempt to inform, instruct, and entertain my readers it occurred to me that you might find interesting a little insider info about the structure  and history of both AQS and it’s owner, Joyce Kay Jones. Also, I will , in the next few paragraphs, discuss how Darrell B. Jones (me, the GM of AQS) has managed to keep a job for so many years without being qualified, in so many respects.

It all dates back to a point in time exactly fifty years ago today, at 7:00 pm on 8/21/1970. That in when I said “I do” to Mrs. Jones, “the boss”. We were married in the chapel, on the campus of CMSU, in Warrensburg, Mo.

Life was pretty normal for several years. We both worked, she as a teacher and me as an engineer. Then two things started to happen; Kids and Business. Five children and three businesses were born to our family. We made Kay the owner of the main, and only remaining business, AQS irrigation Supply. That made her the boss. And the rest, as they say, is history.

It has actually worked out very well for me, but right when Kay began to get used to being boss we started to get a whole new generation of bosses; the twelve grandchildren that have granny wrapped around their little fingers. Not only are they in charge of granny and me, but they also seem to expect instant action when any need arises. I’ m sure glad that at least our jobs pay so well. We have become rich beyond our wildest dreams or expectations. Our wealth is measured in terms of kids, spouses of kids, grandkids, granddogs and grandcats, friends and relatives. We are set for life !!

Back to business. Kay took some time off during the child bearing and raising years, but went back to teaching when our youngest was about 12 or 13. She is not very active in the company these days. But she is still boss and I’m glad she is. It takes a lot of pressure off a guy. I enjoy the roll of G.M. and feel privileged to be one of the few people I know who was actually able choose who would be his boss. And I could not have chosen better!

For those of you who might be considering career changes or who have experienced job shakeups because of the virus situation and the economy in general, I hereby wish to share a few things I have learned in 50 years about how to keep a job working for the same boss all the time.

1. Marry her
2. Accept your roll
3. Create a fun and productive relationship
4. Walk the line
5. Forget the bad; remember the good
6. Give credit to her
7. Have broad and varied interests
8. Share almost everything
9. Provide support
10. Write good things to put in the newsletter about the best 50 years of your life!!!

The discounts range from 60% to 80%, mostly about 75%. All discounts are based on minimum quantity purchases. Minimums vary from category to category.

Our entire inventory is also available at 75% off list if you want to buy it all. Buy the business too and get 80% off the inventory. Valuation on the business, not including inventory is $ 50,000.00.

Lots of options to think about in a sale like this, right?

***   The new normal includes a trend toward three-piece ladies swimsuits; a top, a bottom, and a face mask. How sexy can this world get, anyway? Is the suntan line right below the eyes now? And is it true that the China virus is just another big cover – up? Inquiring minds want to know!!

***   A cottage industry is born!  Retired folks, listen up. You may be among the most reliable sprinkler controllers on the market. Keeping the grass green is actually an obsession for many of us, yours truly included. And many of us have a lot of time on our hands these days. Why not put our passion to work for all of humanity? In a previous life of mine, when I owned a contracting company which did both mowing and sprinkler repairs a big service that we offered was to do a thorough check of the sprinkler system after each mowing. This was appreciated by most of our customers, especially the commercial accounts. And, it brought in some extra work for our sprinkler crews. And, most importantly, the net result was better looking, more consistently green lawns for the world to enjoy. I now have a few subdivisions (my customers) who have volunteer residents who take care of the common sprinkler systems that benefit all the residents. Many of these folks are retired guys who enjoy the challenge of keeping the world as green as possible. They do it for fun.

It has occurred to me that there are probably many such folks who would be willing to just observe the function of other people’s systems on a regular basis and report any problems that they might see. They could e-mail reports and recommend action and even refer people to companies who could fix problems. They could flag bad heads, or leaks, and inspect valves, controller programs and functions, and suggest adjustment changes or location changes on heads. They could troubleshoot problems and locate lost valves with the help of an electronic locater (available for rent at AQS).  Each individual could create their own list of services and AQS could serve as a broker, bringing sprinkler owners and retired people looking for trouble together.

Submit your name, phone # and e-mail handle to this website to get on the list. And if you are a sprinkler owner who does not have time or motivation to inspect your own sprinklers on a regular basis you can also sign up the same way. We will try to match folks up according to needs, geography, and such. —— Let it be known that “Senior Green Services” is thus conceived.

***   AQS just got in a shipment of an improved version of ¼” vinyl tubing (that is drip, or spaghetti tubing for you drip irrigation enthusiasts) What is improved about it, you may ask? It has a much thicker wall thickness. The outside diameter is probably twice as wide as the old stuff. We are hearing a lot of complaints this season about squirrels and other animals chewing holes in the above grade portions of some drip systems. Actually, I have had these problems at my own home this spring, and a little bit for the last few years. This thicker tubing should at least make it take longer for the animals to chew their way thru. And that will give you more time to load your pellet gun.

We also are now stocking that ¼ “tubing in both black and a nice tan color which should blend in better with your river rock in those flower beds.

Happy sprinkling this summer and fall

Darrell AQS Jones

I was planning to write about communication this month anyway, but now I am wanting to also discuss the virus situation and the subject of shortages of goods that we are starting to experience. Since all of this is tied together I will dispense with the “bullet point” format this month and just submit a few paragraphs on VIRUS COMMUNICATION SHORTAGES Yes, a shortage of good communication exists !

With the advent of all the wireless and enhanced options for making communications easier and more accurate, one would think that our news media would be able to get things right more often than a few years ago. And they do sometimes actually turn in good results regularly. Our weather forecasts are the first example that comes to mind. I must say that the media is getting pretty good at conveying what we need to know regarding forecasts, warnings, alerts, and statistics. And because they do so good, we tend to forgive them when they are wrong occasionally. Sports news is pretty good too. Local radio and TV stations  and print media even seem to be fairly good at covering the day to day reporting of local happenings. But the national media, in this writer’s opinion,   is letting us down almost every day by allowing politics to influence every corner of their coverage. News has become a show, and since all the news shows are also supposed to be entertainment, they are spiced up and hurried up in order to compete with one another. This results in inaccuracies, un truths, and yes, “fake news”. I don’t trust any of what the national news outlets are putting out any more.

The virus has greatly compounded the problem because even “the experts” that our news shows quote regularly seem to be very inconsistent and not in agreement about  much of anything pertaining to the so-called pandemic. I believe that sources and facts are not being checked or questioned. Good communication should include that service. Otherwise, we are just spreading lies. Everyone wants to seem smart and have all the answers. And in their rush to compete for the shock value of the scoop, the media does not care much about the truth any more. This is only one of many huge side effects of the virus scare that is doing immense damage to our society.

Another side effect is one that I am afraid we are just beginning to feel the effect of. Shortages of all kinds of products are just beginning to become evident because of the lag in time between production slowdowns or stoppages and consumer demand peaks. Some food items and things like toilet paper have already been in short supply, possibly due to another side effect; hoarding. Finally, as I addressed in last month’s newsletter we are too dependent on imported products which we cannot control production on. There are just too many things that can screw up the pipeline between producer and consumer. A good example in my industry is a very popular sprinkler head, mostly made in Mexico which is not available any more due to some of the above side effects of the  virus.

How can we, as individuals, affect the many negative effects of the virus? I believe that two big subjects best cover the answers to this question. Eliminate your fear, and work hard at honest communication.

I wish I could tell people how not to fear what many perceive as a terrible plague that is going to kill millions and can not be stopped. I can’t. But my strong suggestion is to boycott the national news on this subject because they just want to foment more fear and they truly do not know what they are talking about most of the time. Live your life as if there was no virus, because it is truly a relative minor matter that has been blown totally out of proportion. Do what you would normally do. Resist the bureaucrats that are trying to run your life because of the virus scare. Draw your line in the sand and stick to it. That is a very valid form of communication. For me, it is “the mask”. I do not intend to allow my paid government servants to control me that way. How could anyone expect me to hide this beautiful face? I am an American and we still have a constitution and I claim my right to not wear a mask. I already feel better, just having written down my position on the matter.

If you also want to take a public stand on this issue, submit your paragraph to this website and we will probably publish it next month.

As for working hard at honest communication, these key strikes are a part of my personal attempt to say something meaningful. For you, it might be visiting with friends or family. It might be a newspaper op -ed. It could also be as a public speaker at a forum that you may already be a member of, IF YOUR FORUMS HAVEN’T ALL BEEN SHUT DOWN. What ever you do , try hard to check your facts, be honest, and keep it friendly. Those who disagree have a right to their opinion, too. And mostly, have courage and perseverance.  Stay positive and live your life the way God intended you to. Do not give in to the gloom and doom bunch. Influence them instead of allowing them to influence you.

Keep the faith !!

Sometimes when you would turn on one zone, all of them would try to run. Other times only 2 or 3 zones would try to run at the same time. I think this had a lot to do with the very low pressure and volume of the water flow. Probably, if a toilet was flushed at the same time the sprinklers were trying to come on it was like a perfect storm and factors added up to cause inconsistent seating of the diaphragms when the clock called for them to shut off. Add to that an iron pipe main line out of the basement which had been unpressurized all winter long, thus allowing oxidation to occur inside the pipe. When the system was finally pressurized for the summer I believe that the oxidation, scale, rust  migrated out to the valves, also probably contributing to the difficulty of the diaphragms seating consistently. Any little obstruction like that can contribute to valve’s inability to seat. The scale will probably flush on out of the valves after several cycles of on and off, but I highly recommend getting rid of the Iron pipe on the downstream side of the tap anyway, for several reasons. The second big reason is that as iron pipe ages scale and calcium accumulate more and more on the inside walls of the pipe, thus restricting flow more and more each year.

So, inspect , at least clean, and replace as indicated all the diaphragms in the system; Replace the iron pipe part of the main line;  and time the system to come on at an hour when water use in the rest of the home is lowest and when city pressure is highest. These are my recommendations for this “case in point”.  — Lesson learned — Many times the answers to problems are more than one. Several factors usually contribute to problems in sprinkler systems, especially on older installations. Use logic and common sense and it might just all make some sense at the end of the day.

FUN WITH SPRINKLER SYSTEMS: A study in how to better enjoy your sprinkler system. I always enjoy just watching and listening to sprinkler systems running. Especially zones that have gear heads, or impact heads, or the like that turn and show off a little for the public. Impact heads, although they are getting very rare, are extra fun because of the sound that they have as a byproduct of the motion. At my previous home, I always kept at least one impact head in the yard just for the sound. I believe that the sight and sound of sprinkler systems running early in the morning or late in the evening when the wind is calm, is one of the most soothing and relaxing experiences that one can enjoy. It is good for the soul !

Little kids sure have fun with sprinklers, as do many dogs and other pets. On a hot afternoon, when there might not be time for a trip to the pool, sometimes just turning on the sprinklers for a few minutes can be a good alternative  activity. And if you really want to have some fun, have a whiffle ball game in the back yard with the sprinkler system running and a slip n slide at each base. Who needs a swimming pool?

If gardening is fun for you it can be even more fun if you can create or expand a drip irrigation zone to make everything get the proper amount of water at the right time. Also, with drip technology the water conservation aspect of gardening can be a fun game too.

Use a zone of your sprinkler system to provide makeup water for your water feature , pond, or decorative waterfall. Enjoy your beautiful water features without having to be constantly concerned about running the pumps dry, or having to refill the reservoir.

I could go on and on, being the sprinkler guy that I am. But seriously, there can be much more to owning a sprinkler system than just watering the grass. Send in your entry about how you use your sprinkler system for unique purposes that some of the rest of us might want to try. Your ideas might get published in the next AQS newsletter, who knows?

FULL CIRCLE: The return of the indexing valve is now at hand, at least at AQS irrigation Supply. For those who do not know what I’m talking about indexing valves are a product line that I sold back in the early eighties. It involves use of a single solenoid valve to control up to eight zones of irrigation. As the solenoid valve opens, it allows water to enter a round indexing valve which directs flow thru only one of the multiple ports in the bottom of the valve. Then, when it closes and re-opens it indexes to the next port, and so on. I sold this set up back in the day because it was inexpensive and gave me a competitive edge. K-RAIN MANUFACTURING in Florida has continued to make these valves and still does.

Now, I think the price factor might be more important again but I have another big reason for re- introducing this product. — AQS still owns a fairly large inventory of these indexing valves — I need to find new homes for them so I can make room for other inventory. So, I am motivated. And if the market seems to be there for the product in general at my extra, extra, discounted prices then I might start buying this product again and promote them at regular pricing Even at regular pricing they will make the cost of materials for a multi – zone sprinkler system substantially less than for a conventional electrically controlled system with separate valves for each zone, and wire running all over the yard.

Also, in the next article after this one, SPRINKLERS ON  A TIGHT BUDGET, you will see how innovations like the indexing valve and other cost saving measures will help more people to experience the joy of owning automatic, in ground irrigation systems.

SPRINKLERS ON A TIGHT BUDGET: The joy of being a DIY, — DO-IT YOURSELFER. —- So you want a sprinkler system, but you are on a very strict budget, and you do not know anything about plumbing,  electricity, landscaping, hydraulics, or operating a trencher, pipe puller or boring machine. Don’t worry, it is OK. AQS has worked with DIY folks just like you for over 30 years now. In fact, we kind of specialize in your kind of folks. I too was a DIY on the system for my first house. I learned so much and had so much fun that I got into the business, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The sweat equity factor has once again come into play as money gets tighter and we seem to have more time on our hands at home. School teachers are becoming part time carpenters on their own home improvements and remodeling. Office workers are becoming painters, electricians, and landscapers. Barbers are cutting grass instead of hair. Be careful when they come back to work that they don’t apply crabgrass preventer to your scalp. — The point is that labor is one of the largest dollar components of most home improvement projects. And the home owner can take control of that aspect, time permitting. Especially on something like installing a sprinkler system.

But I am not skilled, you might say. I am not skilled at typing either, but here I am writing a monthly newsletter. I can only do it now because I have the TIME. Do you have a little extra time lately? Are you willing to learn with a little help from your friends at AQS ? Could you feel good knowing that you would be saving roughly 50% of the cost of your system by becoming a DIY?

Would you like to know everything about your sprinkler system as you use it in years to come? Do you take pride in your accomplishments? —Let’s talk. I’ll help you design and plan your project. We can discuss options and values. You will have a fairly accurate estimate of material costs before you start. You will have access to professionals in case you need a little help with certain specific aspects like the water tie in, or pipe installation. You will have a go to guy (me ) when questions arise. — YOU CAN DO THIS ! I know you can because I have worked with hundreds of other successful DIY’S over the years. You can even have fun doing it. Make it a family project.

And, the bonus factor is the additional incentive this summer only if you participate in our MADE IN USA PROGRAM at AQS irrigation supply. We are talking EXTRA DISCOUNTS here folks. See the next article for details.

MADE IN USA: Our lawn sprinkler systems in this country are automatically MADE IN USA because the customer’s lawn or grounds is the final assembly factory. Contractors and DIY’s are the workers in this factory. Stores like AQS are the warehouses to keep the factory supplied just like Ford cars draw on their internal warehouses to keep parts supplied to the final assembly lines.

But, just as with cars and many other products, our components are often imported. I understand why this has been necessary in many cases and it still is and will remain so for a long while I suspect. Our friends in foreign countries depend on us to consume their products just as we need them to produce them. If they can do a better job and possibly at a lower price, it is difficult to justify domestic production of many items. EXCEPT AND UNTIL, our dependence on other countries makes us vulnerable or weakens our position in the world community. That is where we find ourselves increasingly in this country. We CAN DO THINGS but we increasingly choose to have other countries do it for us. It is called outsourcing and I believe that we simply must try to do less buying from other countries and increase our original manufacturing activities right here in the USA.

As an older person who takes several prescription drugs every day, I don’t like that I am dependent on our friends in China to keep my supply coming. I trust Americans more. Why doesn’t big pharma understand that? I think it may be because we have not told them loudly enough or often enough.

I’m sure you can list a large number of products that you would like to see produced in the USA rather than off shore. A few others that come to my mind are shoes, appliances, clothing, and, of course, electronic devices.

In my world of lawn sprinkler components it is no different. Over 25 years ago I was asked by a customer who was very patriotic to develop a bill of materials for his new sprinkler system which would include only items made in the USA. Even that long ago it was extremely difficult for me to develop that bill of materials. Today, I doubt if I could do it at all. Even though It may not seem very important in the sprinkler industry, I believe we should make an effort to reverse this trend of buying foreign so much, in every industry.

So, with this in mind I challenge the manufacturers, distributers, and buyers in the lawn sprinkler industry to start making an effort to bring it on home in terms of component manufacturing for lawn sprinklers. AQS will try to do our part by implementing our MADE IN USA program which is outlined below.

Each month this newsletter will feature a product or manufacturer which is demonstrating an effort to bring production of sprinkler parts back to the USA. And in an effort to put our money where our mouth is, we will offer our customers special pricing and or discounts on the featured products.

The AQS featured products for May and June,  2020 will be the Hunter PGP – ADJ gear head and the Hunter MP ROTATOR nozzles. Packaging must have the words “ MADE IN USA”  in order for the buyer to qualify for this promotion and the buyer must say that he/she wants the “ MADE IN USA “ discount for the time frame stated above. In addition to what ever your normal discounts might be, you will receive another “AND 5 % “ during this promotion and during this time period. — Congratulations to Hunter Industries for  continuing to be a MADE IN USA manufacturer. Keep up the good work. And you sprinkler customers continue to buy American when possible.

BACK TO REGULAR HOURS AT AQS ————–The first day of spring is on March 19^th this year. We will switch from winter hours to regular business hours starting on that date. You probably remember that we open at 8 AM and close at 4 PM , Mon. thru Fri. and will open by appointment almost any other time if you will call the cell #816 729 7681 and give us a little time to get to the store and prepare for our appointment with you. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy, unless you have a big emergency.

INTRODUCING A NEW SERVICE AT AQS ————–Estimating the approximate cost of having a sprinkler system installed, or the materials and machine costs associated with a DIY project by a home owner or by an un- initiated group of  volunteers like “the athletic booster club” has always been a guessing game. It seems like the word “estimate” has been confused with “firm bid” in many cases and the difference is ill defined for some people. In an effort to clarify for the benefit of both the installing contractors and the end customer ”homeowner” AQS has initiated a program called PRO – ESTIMATES. It will also benefit DIY buyers and the store they buy from like AQS.

There  are currently two companies in the area who have signed on to provide independent, professional estimating services in the market that AQS serves. They are Tel- Tec Corp and Stevenson International. Both can be reached thru this web-site or by calling AQS at 816 461 7627. They will make the initial visit, interview the customer, gather information, and provide an ESTIMATE based on the facts at the time. Further, they will arrange for a qualified installation contractor to provide a firm bid if the customer wants to proceed after receiving the estimate. PRO – ESTIMATERS will also arrange for a design to be drawn up at the customer’s expense if they want to go out for competitive bids from several contractors or if the customer wants to be a do -it – yourselfer. The design will include a detailed bill of materials PRICED OUT. The PRO – ESTIMATERS will also serve as expediters all thru  the project and help with communications between customer, contractor, and supplier.

PRO – ESTIMATERS will not contract installations but will match up qualified contractors with customers and answer questions connected with the projects. They will normally be compensated by suppliers and contractors, but will in some cases do extra consulting and training, mostly for DIY’S, and will charge the customer on an hourly basis for that. They are independent businesses specializing in making the purchase of a sprinkler system easy and comfortable for the public, providing a source of customers for qualified contractors, and increasing market share for participating suppliers.

THE NEW MINI STANDARD (junior) VALVE BOX —————-is now available at AQS. It will handle housing three 1” valves quite easily at a fraction of the price of regular standard boxes. Less plastic will be visible in the yard. Home owners like that. A little less digging is required. Installers like that. Takes up less room in the warehouse. AQS likes that. — Everybody wins.

PRICE CHANGES AT AQS—————-are a necessary evil. As of this writing only a few increases have been made by our vendors but we expect more in the next few months. Some backflow preventers are up a little already this year. Poly pipe  pricing usually gets adjustments about July 1^st. We should have a good supply in stock at 2019 pricing before that. It may not last all year, however. Major manufacturers like Rainbird and Hunter usually publish new pricing in the spring or early summer. I have not received any notification yet, but I expect at least a small increase just because they can. Our biggest unknown usually is the freight costs that are directly tied to the price of oil usually. Right now oil is down, but that can change fast sometimes. We must pass along these changes as they affect us. Even on the items that we buy freight prepaid or included, we still have to pay in higher prices, higher minimum orders, or delays in shipping. So, Thanks for your understanding when “the necessary evil” comes into play.

To you contractors, you might be wise to put a contingency in your long term contracts, possibly tied to oil pricing or maybe even to the price of a certain component of sprinkler systems, like pipe, or gear heads,(something that you will always use a lot of). Also, call AQS any time to get current pricing, especially on big projects or for bids you are expecting to install in the distant future.

NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER —————-will introduce you to new contractors in the KC area who are now working with AQS. Also, we always like to promote  our existing contractors who have been instrumental in our success over the years. So, send us a blurb if you need a little more advertisement. Consider our newsletter your great big business card that we will be handing out.

Until next month, happy sprinkling, and may all your start – ups be trouble free !!

Darrell AQS Jones  — 816 461 7627

1.  OUTSIDE WHAT BOX ? — A study in non-conformity.
2. WARPED SEASONS — cause and effect
3. BUSINESS PERKS — creating your own work environment
4. ABOVE AND BEYOND — free advice for future generations

WHAT BOX? — The term “thinking outside the box “ has been around a long time. It is often used to help generate new perspectives and as a tool for problem solving. I know from experience that it can be effective. As a product design engineer one of my jobs many years ago was to conduct company wide formal brain storming sessions called VALUE ANALYSIS. Representatives from all departments would participate in regular meetings with the goal of improving the companies’ products and making production more efficient. There were not many rules in these sessions except that everything was on the table, there were no bad ideas, and that everyone was to keep an open mind.

The value analysis sessions often resulted in design changes, process modifications, and even sales and marketing improvements. I was lucky to learn a little about how to re – approach problems and see alternatives that are sometimes hidden by the walls of THE BOX.

A good example of thinking outside  the box can now be observed at the highest levels of our government. If one thing doesn’t work or if an obstruction blocks the way some leaders are learning to come at the problem from a whole different direction, and keep probing and adjusting until a suitable solution is found. Sometimes several solutions are combined to create a super solution. Sometimes the solution to one problem is found to also work on other problems that are being dealt with at the same time. Open minds and relentless energy are the keys to success, I think.

What kind of a box do you think within? How can you break out and see things anew? What does it take to shake up the status quo? Next month’s newsletter will discuss techniques and strategies to apply which just might help you to start thinking more outside the box. One of my personal favorites is to solicit help from my friends. So, with this in mind, please e-mail me your contribution and we will publish it next month with your permission. HOW DO YOU FIND NEW PERSPECTIVES?

TIME WARP — This is a term I usually associate with fictional space travel movies or with the supernatural. But, we seem to be experiencing an actual manifestation of this phenomenon with our seasons right now, in the year 2019. This morning, Aug. 2^nd I walked to work in weather that could have easily been early April or late September. Air conditioners are getting some frequent rests this summer. March was a big snow month this year and May and June the wettest on record, I think. July was cool and less humid than usual. Some may point to the studies being put forth on global warming and ozone depletion and such to explain what is happening. Chem trails is another popular theory that some people subscribe to.

I do not buy in to any of the above. I feel that we are stuck in a season warp that has naturally happened at random times in history and will happen again at future random intervals. I see it as a good thing. It causes us to not take for granted all the “normal weather” for certain seasons. It should make us appreciate more when we actually get what we expect. Also, wrong season weather is akin to other such rare and good things as left handed people, geniuses, and, of course, red heads. So, let’s enjoy the variety and marvel at our good luck to live in such a diverse world.    —–   And, all of you left handed, red headed geniuses just thank God that you can be as unpredictable as the weather in Missouri.

PERKING UP YOUR BUSINESS – I have worked for quite a few employers, in many types of businesses over the years. I like to think that I have learned a little at each job. Eventually I started to create businesses of my own and I tried to incorporate as much as possible some of the things I had learned working for others. In the next few paragraphs I would like to enumerate some of the PERKS of owning a small business and also some potential PERKS that should be valued by employees of small businesses.

At the top of my list is the work environment. A business owner has quite a bit of control over his/her environment. And, a smart owner will encourage employees to also exercise control over their corner of the work environment, whether it be office decor, building maintenance, or simply the setting on the thermostat. The workplace is where we live a good part of our lives and we all should have as much control as possible over what it is like. The business owner can and should be the final decider in chief on any changes that affect everyone or that might cost the company money. But everyone who works there will be happier if they feel they are included in such decisions and that their input is taken seriously. This is a PERK you can offer that won’t cost much and will build moral in the ranks.

Another PERK that is often overlooked or not exploited is what is called FLEXTIME. It is simply another way of giving employees more control and responsibility. Flextime systems can be custom designed to meet certain needs but usually it is as simple as coming in and leaving an hour or so earlier or later than normal some days as long as minimum hourly and production expectations are met.

INCENTIVES can be a great perk that the company only has to pay for if it is demonstrated that the company is benefiting. Sales commission is an obvious example but there are many ways to create incentive programs that work in all departments of an organization. (the manager might have to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX a little on this one.)

I believe that the best way for business owners to become PERKIER and better employers is to treat their workers as partners by including them in as many decisions as possible and helping them to feel like they have a stake in what happens each day. Give them some ownership; if not financially, at least by a sense of belonging and being appreciated. What is good for the rank and file will also be good for ownership in the long run.

ABOVE / BEYOND — This little section is devoted to placing maximum emphasis on the basic work ethic that I believe still exists in most people today. I see it all the time. People actually doing more than what would normally be expected for the amount of compensation they get. A good example is the server at your local café. You know; the one that hustles and obviously is overworked, but always smiles and never complains. Sometimes called servers, these are really public relations experts that you are always happy to tip generously. Another profession that comes to mind are the live on stage musicians. Sometimes they work so hard to give a flawless performance that I feel sorry for them and worry that they might have a heart attack or such right on stage. The backhoe operator who manipulates the boom and bucket with perfect dexterity as if the machine and operator are one hybrid, highly skilled entity. All of these examples are typical of the many, many folks who take great pride in their work and are passionate about their professions.

Sometimes I worry that my generation has not done enough to instill these values in our young replacements. How can one learn to have passion in their work when their day is mostly consumed by electronic device interaction? What is the new incentive to pursue excellence? Why should they keep trying harder and harder to achieve more and more? Why go above and beyond what is required?

The answer, my friend is blowin in the wind. But I hold out hope that DNA will save the day. Our ancestors probably had the same concerns about us. So, what can we and must we do to be sure that our passion and ethics are fully transferred to the newbys?

First, we must not waiver; WE must continue to go above and beyond, no matter what. We must be the best examples we can be. Second, we must encourage, praise when appropriate, and correct if necessary, the next generation. Be cheerleaders! Show interest in and concern for the efforts of these people. We must always stay available to teach and council. Finally we are the ones who are sometimes able to open doors and smooth the path a little. Go above and beyond in helping others go above and beyond.

To you newbys, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help from others who might be qualified to mentor or council you on matters of work ethics and passion for your profession and the like. Give some old guy one more chance to go above and beyond!! It might be good for both of you.

The inventory count and data entry input are complete and most of the various AQS business systems are up and functional again after our extended holiday shutdown. Winter is never a very good time at AQS, but this year it was better than most because of a few industrious contractors who were at least able to get some installations started before the bad weather set in. So, a big THANKS to you guys who took a chance and got things going very early in January. It was a big help for us at AQS and I hope it has helped you too. It is not easy to get out there and work in cold weather, I KNOW!
This year our newsletter will consist mostly of headlines and newsflashes which will be designed to refer our readers to our website, “AQSIrrigation.com” for in depth details and further information on the subjects that we hope you will be interested in. So, please try our new format below and see if it works for you. And please give us feedback when appropriate. Let us know how we might better communicate to keep you informed about all things AQS and sprinkler related. Ask questions, and we will do our best to find answers.
HEADLINES  — FOR MID-FEBRUARY, 2019
AQS WILL RETURN TO REGULAR SEASON HOURS beginning Monday, March 18; a little later than usual this year due to the DIY classes and contractor seminars that we will be scheduling for early March; see below. Regular season hours will be 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday thru Friday, and by appointment only after hours and on weekends.
CLASSES Are now forming for both do-it-yourselfers and for contractors interested in getting into either sprinkler installations or maintenance and repair. We have not offered anything like this for several years. Demand is high again now, particularly for qualified troubleshooters and repair professionals. Get your training at AQS and benefit from our 39 years of experience in the field. Also, we hope to be your prime supplier and source of leads for work. Call Darrell at 816 461 7627 for details about the classes and visit our website, AQSIrrigation.com to learn more about our company.
NEW FEATURE FOR 2019 AT AQS will be a “guest contractor” on site at AQS from time to time to help answer your homeowner questions and possibly even schedule work to be done at your home. These special visits will usually be on Fridays or Mondays, or possibly mid-week sometimes if weather is such that the contractors can’t work. Call 816 461 7627 to check the schedule and get expert consultation from veteran lawn sprinkler professionals.
LOOK FOR NEW PRODUCTS at AQS this spring. We are in the process of considering several brand new product lines. The ones we settle on will be introduced by factory reps at the seminars outlined above, sometime in early March.  
AQSIrrigation.com will have more details on all these subjects and much more.See you there, or better yet, come by our store at 13665 East 42nd Terr, South, Suite G, Independence, Mo. 64055 for the grand tour and a sales pitch by Darrell, Low pressure, I assure you.

Darrell AQS Jones.

Click above to access our November 2018 newsletter!