413 Charting the Future: Mastering the Art of Strategic Planning
Release Date: 03/28/2025
438 Innovative Water Treatment Chemistry with Matheus Paschoalino
Scaling UP! H2O
Can a carbon-negative, bio-based molecule replace legacy phosphonates and help you use less azole—without sacrificing corrosion performance? In this episode, host , welcomes Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of , to unpack polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (PHCs) and how they’re changing cooling-water programs from the field up. We cover HEDP replacement in light-duty systems, azole enhancement in copper-challenged waters, a second-generation cut for heavy-duty heat flux, and PHC behavior with oxidizers and non-oxidizer biocides. From Bioforge to Basin:...
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437 Redefining HR: The Key to Talent & Culture in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O
What if HR wasn’t the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , HR Director at , to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry. Redefining HR’s Role Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH’s HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent...
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436 Raising the Bar: Legionella Management & Industry Standards
Scaling UP! H2O
With those words, Jemma Tennant highlights one of the most profound differences between Legionella management in Europe and the United States. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), to explore how legislation, enforcement, and professional training shape the fight against Legionella. Proactive Regulation and Duty of Care The UK treats Legionella as a foreseeable and preventable risk. Jemma explains how laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations require mandatory Legionella risk...
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435 Optimizing Legionella Control Strategies with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica
Scaling UP! H2O
Legionella remains one of the most complex challenges for water professionals worldwide. How do we balance effective monitoring with realistic costs—and which strategies deliver true public health impact? In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes Head Public Health University of Rome "Foro Italico to explore new insights from his comparative research on Legionella control. Reframing Legionella Risk Dr. Spica explains why public health data increasingly points to Legionella pneumophila—not all Legionella species—as the primary concern for human health. He shares how...
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434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root
Scaling UP! H2O
“Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time.” In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and why a targeted focus on Legionella pneumophila can save both lives and resources. From Outbreaks to Proactive Policies Patsy unpacks a central truth: most regulations emerge reactively, often after a high-profile outbreak. Drawing on...
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433 Legionella Investigations and LIDO Technology
Scaling UP! H2O
What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn’t about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxygenation). Legionella on the Rise Dr. Krause has investigated high-profile Legionella outbreaks and seen firsthand how current prevention strategies often fall short. Despite ASHRAE 188 standards, CMS requirements, and increasing water...
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432 Water Management Plans: Evolving Standards and Best Practices with Matt Freije
Scaling UP! H2O
"Just because you have a water management plan doesn’t mean it’s working." That’s the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water safety, compliance standards, and real-world implementation challenges facing facilities in 2025. Beyond the Binder: Water Management Plans That Actually Work In an era of heightened awareness and shifting regulations,...
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431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff!
Scaling UP! H2O
Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella? Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it’s still misunderstood by many: Legionella. In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is there still confusion between a water treatment program and a water management plan? Tracing It Back: History, Misconceptions, and Missed Conversations Trace opens with the 1976...
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430 PFAS Regulations and Technologies with Brian Liotta
Scaling UP! H2O
“The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS.” - Brian Liotta PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with , Director of Marketing and Product Development at , about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds. ...
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429 The Life and Career of Jim Lukanich
Scaling UP! H2O
“You can’t learn it all in one year. You can’t even learn it all in ten.” That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode. Returning to the for the first time since Episode 10, joins host to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment industry. From his early days at U.S. Steel to leading technical innovation at Buckman Laboratories, ChemCal, U.S. Water, and Kurita, Jim has been a force for mentorship, learning, and raising the bar in technical excellence. Building a Career, One Problem at a Time Jim...
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"Strategic planning is creating certainty in an uncertain world." – Tim Fulton
Strategic planning is essential for success in any business, yet many companies either overlook or struggle with the process. In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, to explore the fundamentals of strategic planning and how businesses can chart their course for success.
Tim shares insights on why strategic planning matters, how to involve the right people, and how to create a plan that actually works. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or part of a team, this episode provides valuable takeaways to help you navigate uncertainty, set clear objectives, and execute effectively.
Why Strategic Planning is Critical
Strategic planning helps businesses stay focused in an unpredictable world. By analyzing past performance, assessing the present, and setting future goals, companies can adapt to changing markets, industry trends, and emerging technologies like AI.
Who Should Be Involved in Strategic Planning?
Successful planning requires input from leaders and key employees at different levels. Involving the right people fosters collaboration, avoids blind spots, and ensures that the plan is practical and actionable, rather than created in isolation.
The SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Understanding Your Business
A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) helps businesses understand their position. Identifying strengths and weaknesses within the company, along with external opportunities and threats, provides a clearer strategy for growth and risk management.
Executing the Plan & Measuring Success
A strategic plan is only effective if it’s executed properly. Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) ensures clarity, while quarterly reviews and color-coded tracking (Green, Yellow, Red) help teams monitor progress. Methods like the 12-Week Year and OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) keep businesses on track and accountable.
Why Having a Third-Party Facilitator Can Make a Difference
An outside facilitator brings an objective perspective, helping businesses stay focused and engaged during planning. Leaders who try to both facilitate and participate often struggle to balance these roles. Involving an expert improves discussions and strengthens team buy-in.
Common Mistakes in Strategic Planning & How to Avoid Them
Many businesses fail in strategic planning due to poor communication, lack of follow-through, and ignoring potential risks. A strong plan must be actively maintained throughout the year to ensure long-term success.
Tim Fulton joined Trace Blackmore to deliver essential insights into strategic planning, emphasizing clarity, involvement, accountability, and the power of facilitation. This episode challenges listeners to create meaningful strategies, fostering organizational resilience and success in any environment.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
3:00 – Trace Blackmore encourages listeners to help spread the word about Scaling UP! H2O Podcast by sharing it with their colleagues and network
07:00 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:12 – Water You Know with James McDonald
11:00 – Interview starts: Welcoming back Tim Fulton
13:12 – What is Strategic Planning?
15:44 – Who should be involved in Strategic Planning?
23:22 – Why should companies strategically plan
34:58 – Best time for strategic planning
40:00 – Objective and Key Results (OKRs) explained
Quotes
"No weigh-in equals no buy-in.” - Patrick Lencioni, quoted by Trace
“Fear is the biggest obstacle preventing businesses from strategic planning.” - Tim Fulton
“Not having a plan is a plan for failure.” - Trace Blackmore
“Doing strategic planning without a facilitator is like being quarterback and referee at the same time.” - Tim Fulton
Connect with Tim Fulton
Phone: (678) 427- 9436
Email: [email protected]
Website: smallbusinessmattersonline.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timcfulton/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
280 The One About Retaining Top Talent
289 The One About A SWOT Analysis with A Twist
368 Adapting to the New Workforce: Attracting Top Talent
164 The One With Chris McChesney
What the Heck Is EOS? A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS by Gino Wickman
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do you call the attraction of water molecules to each other that gives water its unique properties, such as a high surface tension, high boiling point, and ability to dissolve many substances?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
