EP272: Dig into the Dopamine & The Dollars will Follow!
Release Date: 04/18/2025
EP272: Dig into the Dopamine & The Dollars will Follow!
The Pond Digger Podcast
Today's podcast is focused on improving sales techniques for contractors. Eric emphasizes the importance of identifying and exploring a potential client's emotional drivers, or "dopamine hits," rather than immediately focusing on the financial aspects of a project. By encouraging clients to elaborate on their aspirations and the feelings associated with their desired outcomes, contractors can build stronger connections and ultimately increase their chances of securing a sale, as "dollars will follow dopamine." Participants also share personal experiences and "wins" related to implementing...
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EP271: 50 Years of Cichlids with Ron Soucy
The Pond Digger Podcast
This interview with Ron Soucy covers his longtime involvement in the fishkeeping hobby, especially with African Cichlids. He shares memories of being among the first to breed certain Tanganyikan fish and the excitement around new species arriving. Eric and Ron discuss how the hobby has changed, with fewer new fish and the decline of local fish stores. Ron recounts interesting breeding experiences, like Synodontis catfish acting as foster parents. He also shares his experiences as a fish wholesaler and offers tips for keeping certain fish, such as lowering the water temperature for...
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EP 270: Response Ability
The Pond Digger Podcast
Eric explains the concept of "response-ability" in this insightful episode of The Pond Digger Podcast. Tripplet reveals how shifting your focus from mere duty to your actual ability to respond can revolutionize your client interactions and business outcomes. Discover practical strategies, including mastering the art of qualifying questions and leveraging the strategic power of silence during negotiations. Hear real-world examples from the community and learn how developing specific skills through dedicated practice unlocks greater control, confidence, and profitability. This episode...
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EP269: San Diego Aquarium Club
The Pond Digger Podcast
Dive into the vibrant world of aquarium keeping with Angel, the passionate president of the San Diego Tropical Fish Society, as she shares the rich history of their decades-long club and the exciting events they host. Discover the unique challenges of leading an established society while embracing modern approaches like social media to engage a new generation of fish enthusiasts. This engaging conversation explores the deep connections within the fish keeping community, highlighting the crossover appeal between aquariums and ponds and the shared passion that unites hobbyists of all...
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EP268: Upgrading Our Sound w/ Melody Jackson
The Pond Digger Podcast
Eric Triplet, and his colleague MJ are experimenting with new audio equipment, specifically the RODEcaster Pro 2. Their conversation highlights the ease of setup and the potential for improved recording quality, especially in challenging environments like trade shows. Eric recounts past frustrations with unreliable equipment and expresses excitement about the portability and clarity of the new setup. They also briefly discuss the podcast's positive impact on their business and their plans for future remote and on-location recordings. Ultimately, this recording serves as a trial run and a...
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EP267: Ascension Ladder
The Pond Digger Podcast
Today's episode features a discussion about the concept of an "ascension ladder" in business, which involves offering a range of services or products at different price points to cultivate long-term customer relationships and increase revenue over time. Eric illustrates this idea with a personal anecdote about a long-term pond maintenance client who gradually increased their spending. Contrasting this positive example is a frustrating experience at a bike shop, where the staff's aggressive upselling attempts and poor customer service highlight a flawed approach to the ascension ladder and...
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EP266: The Compromise (Weekly Compass)
The Pond Digger Podcast
Today Eric shares an audio recording of his "Weekly Compass" called "The Compromise." It captures a coaching call focused on the detrimental effects of compromising on personal and professional goals. Triplett encourages listeners to identify areas where they are unnecessarily making concessions, drawing parallels to business, health, and relationships. Participants share their struggles with work-life balance, anxiety, and overcoming limiting beliefs, seeking guidance and accountability from the group. The discussion emphasizes the importance of discipline, time management through calendar...
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EP265: The First of a Kind Koi Pond Pump - with CEO of MDM Inc, Benjamin Ashe.
The Pond Digger Podcast
Eric and Benjamin discuss the history of MDM, specifically how Benjamin's father pioneered the use of 1725 RPM motors in non-submersible pumps for koi ponds. Benjamin clarifies that his father didn't invent the motor itself but was the first to apply it to this specific application, significantly impacting the water garden industry. The conversation touches on the evolution of the market, the shift towards external pumps, and the efficiency benefits of MDM's Sequence pumps compared to submersible options. They also explore MDM's product history, current innovations like DC pumps, and future...
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EP264: Behind The Curtain of EasyPro Pond Products with CEO Paul Cole
The Pond Digger Podcast
Eric chats with Paul Cole, the CEO of EasyPro, a long-established company in the water gardening and lake/pond industries that recently became 100% employee-owned. They discuss the positive impacts of this transition on employee morale, teamwork, and innovation, as well as Cole's background and his decision to lead the company. The discussion also touches on EasyPro's extensive product offerings, their renewed focus on marketing and new product development, particularly in the pond sector, and their commitment to engaging with the industry and supporting contractors. Furthermore, they...
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EP263: Field to Table (Weekly Compass)
The Pond Digger Podcast
Eric shares his business coaching session within the "Contractor Circle," focusing on themes of client communication, sales strategies, and personal growth. The participants discuss overcoming technical difficulties at the start, share personal wins related to applying coaching principles, and plan for a future intensive session on vital business questions. A significant portion of today's show explores the idiom "leaving it on the table," interpreted in a business context as not fully capitalizing on opportunities or failing to understand client needs, contrasted with...
info_outlineToday's podcast is focused on improving sales techniques for contractors. Eric emphasizes the importance of identifying and exploring a potential client's emotional drivers, or "dopamine hits," rather than immediately focusing on the financial aspects of a project. By encouraging clients to elaborate on their aspirations and the feelings associated with their desired outcomes, contractors can build stronger connections and ultimately increase their chances of securing a sale, as "dollars will follow dopamine." Participants also share personal experiences and "wins" related to implementing these strategies, highlighting the effectiveness of focusing on the client's enthusiasm and vision. The podcast encourages active listening and asking open-ended questions to uncover these deeper motivations.
- Look for the dopamine, not just the dollars, by focusing on what truly excites your clients.
- When a prospect expresses excitement, ask open-ended questions to encourage them to elaborate on their vision.
- Resist the urge to immediately jump to practicalities or budget, instead exploring the emotional drivers behind the customer's desires.
- Practice active listening and use word tracks like "What else?" to encourage the other person to share more.
- Engage in self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement in your communication and listening skills.
Resources:
- Contractor Sales Secrets: ContractorSalesSecrets.com
- Fitz Fish Ponds: Koi Trips
- Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett
- The Pond Digger: https://theponddigger.com/
- LA Pet Fair: https://www.lapetfair.com/
- Atlantic-Oase: https://www.atlantic-oase.com/
- Helix Pond Filtration: http://helixpondfiltration.com/
- TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group): TWT Contractor Circle
- TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group): TWT Contractor Power Circle
- The Pond Digger Instagram: Instagram
- The Pond Digger Facebook: Facebook
- Train With Triplett TikTok: TikTok