January/February is a great time to renew, rethink and set goals for this next year. As a retailer what should you be doing to prepare for the needs of your store and your customers? Take a look at "Creating a Welcome Environment," a good review about aquatic plants and pond fish that your customers will want. There were many beautiful water lilies introduced last year. See the very best lilies that won top honors in the IWGS competition. There are many products brought to market by our top pond industry manufactures each year. See the dozens of new products that were entered in the New Product Challenge and read about the top products of the year. From new fish foods to new pumps, take a look at the new products you can use this upcoming season. Now is the time to call the manufactures and learn about their products. There are two koi articles; one about skin and one about gin rin. See how these two elements can increase the value and appeal of a koi - something your customers may be looking for, even if they don't know it yet! Remember when pricing/sorting your koi to include these characteristics. Industry Veteran Rick Smith shares with you his marketing experience that can help you change as your industry and customer's needs change. Now make some goals and get going.
Looking for year-round business? Here are two articles that may help. One explores a segment of the goldfish market and the other highlights the benefits of selling koi art. Read how to take advantage of these business opportunities that may help offset the seasonal nature of your business and increase profits. In this issue we continue our exploration of aquaponics, in Aquaponics Explained Part 2 - A Good Fit for Pond Professionals. Learn about the fish and plants that are successfully used in this emerging industry. Two industry events are chronicled here for you - the Waterlily and Lotus event held in China and Pondemonium 2011. After reading the reviews take a look at the many pictures to get a closer feel for these industry events. Wondering what expenses you can deduct on your taxes? A tax expert will review many of the expenses the pond industry businesses have and how to take advantage of them on your tax return. Building a pondless water feature? Learn from a 25-year pond industry veteran on the ins and outs of sizing and building a pondless feature. Do it right the first time!
Aquaponics - a good fit for pond professionals? In this issue, is part one of a two part series featuring an in-depth review of Aquaponics. Learn about this emerging market in detail that could lead to new business for you. To help understand the difference between Aquaponics and Hydroponic gardening we have an article that does a quick review of hydroponics and its benefits. With the changes in the seasons special care needs to be taken for ponds and aquatic plants. Learn from two industry professionals about how they deal with their respective specialties. This is also a time to be on the lookout for signs of "Aeromonas Alley." Learn what it is, the problems that erupt and what you should do for your customers' koi. Talking about koi, Brady Brandwood gives us an in depth look at the beautiful Ki Utsuri koi variety. For every pond and water feature you install, you need a signed contract. How strong is yours? Do you address things like changes in the weather in your contracts? Be sure to cover your bases and learn from veteran Rick Bartel on how to write a strong contract for this industry. Product of the Year entries and nominations are now being accepted. Take a look at the announcement page and/or pondtrademag.com. To wrap up our September/October issue with a smile, we bring you thoughts on "How to Be Happy Anytime."
Hard to believe we already need to be planning for the Fall and Winter seasons. Pond Pro Shop shares with you two programs they have launched that have helped increase sales in November and December - a "Pond Dollar Promotion" and their new "Christmas Store." Have you ever wondered what the difference is between up lighting, moonlighting and floodlighting? Another great add-on to a pond project is to light up the night. Mike Garcia will help you understand 10 different techniques used in Garden Lighting, as well as a few other useful tips. Nelson Water Gardens and Nursery shows you, step-by-step, an inexpensive, quick way to make fountains out of glazed pottery - another quick add-on sale to a pond project. For more on the wonderful sounds of water, read the excerpt from "The R.I.S.E. Method." It is all about adding audible dimensions to waterfalls. Language of Koi is all about Goshiki, the old and new style. There are four more great articles that every business can learn from, touching on customer loyalty and naming new products, to overcoming adversity and being on TIME.
As water feature and pond construction opportunities become available, be sure your estimates cover all costs so you can guarantee a profit. In our article on Estimating Jobs, you will learn to charge not only enough to cover expenses, direct and indirect, but place a value on the "artistry factor." A fountain can be a beautiful addition to a pond. They are also beneficial as they add aeration and water movement. See how one company has developed a self-powered, remote controlled fountain system you can spec for your customers' ponds. Talking about aeration, learn the details regarding dissolved oxygen concentration and why it is a critical element in every healthy pond. Here you will learn how it affects fish, how to detect low levels, what immediate actions to take if needed and how to prevent low levels. Do you know what anoxic filtration is? Most don't, so here is a good review on how conventional biological filters work and how they differ from an anoxic filtration system. Our Language of Koi series continues with an in depth look at the Tancho. Then learn about feeding those koi or goldfish. Read how these fish are different from other pets and what they need for good health and strong growth. Okay what do you know about Facebook? As Facebook continues to grow and change, learn what every business should be doing and why from our marketing expert. Many of us find ourselves married to both a business, and our spouse. Here is expert advice about protecting your marriage from the ravages of life in business. Includes an in-depth, terrific list of "together activities." We hope this offers hope and encouragement and helps you be successful in both your business and personal lives.
This is an important time of year to address keeping ponds and fish healthy. There are two great articles that will cover the things you should be doing now to help yourself and your costumers. Then get your marketing warmed up for the spring. Marketing expert Pam Greiner gives you great tips on how to get started. Have you wondered what's up with those postage stamp sized colored boxes that are showing up in ads? They are called "Tags" and Pam will tell you all about them. Want to make an impression as a contractor or a retailer? Be sure to see the ten scene stealing aquatic plants in this issue. Learn from our horticulturist expert their names, the conditions they need and what to expect all in one place. Talking about all in one place, be sure to see the tables about Pest Diseases, Pest Controls, and Pest Descriptions. Learn to identify and treat for pests in the water feature industry. The koi variety Hariwake is explained, including tips on how to retail them. The IWGS event is reviewed; learn who was inducted into the IWGS Hall of Fame and much more. Veteran water feature expert Demi Fortuna will step you through "Choosing the Perfect Pump." He will take you in-depth into submersible pumps and why you might even want to run two instead of one. Then there is a short but important tip about improving your communication that is a must read.
What are you going to do in 2011 to improve your business? Our marketing expert will share tips on improving your business in just 20 hours a month. Web videos and YouTube are becoming more important as the digital age generation is growing up. We will teach you some of the insider's top 10 tips on making YouTube work for you. On a lighter side, see how one koi farm handles their koi farm security. Demi Fortuna, 25-year expert, will address getting the most out of your pumps in the first of a two part series. Is maximizing flow rates worth the trouble - be sure to read this article to find the answer. Have you every had a customer ask - do they come in blue? Blue koi that is. The answer is yes; learn about these two koi varieties - Asagi and Shusui. We have a chapter excerpt from Mr. Kodama's new book Koishi. This chapter features the Aokiya Koi Farm, where the koi variety Kikokuryu was created. Learn about the breeder and how the Kikokuryu evolved. Water quality is so important in every water feature and pond. There is an in-depth overview of water test kits - their selection and proper use. Next is an article about Algae - the causes and cures. Two great articles that are a must read for any one in the pond industry. Many pond builders and retail koi store owners are in the business because they truly enjoy it. But if you don't enjoy what you are doing, or maybe would like to figure out what you would like to do. Inside this issue are ten steps to finding your passion. Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. (Confucius)
This is the time of year to reflect and plan for the New Year. We have a pond contractor, Dave Jones, and a retailer, Carl Petite, with suggestions on how they have been successful in this pond industry. Dave talks about a segment of pond building that you may be missing out on - retrofits and upgrades. It takes work to find new customers, but remember your prior clients - they may be ready for a change or addition to their pond. Retailer, Carl started his successful business when everyone said not to - during this difficult economy. He shares seven tips that led to his success. Marketing expert, Pam Greener explains why marketing plans may need to be updated as our customers thinking has changed. She will give you a fresh approach on how to promote your business, the services you offer, and a new understanding of your customers. Citibank also has suggestion on how to boost your revenues with important points every business owner should be aware of. Are you prepared to answer some hard questions when a new potential client contacts you? A 23-year pond-building veteran will give you his answers to the 10 questions all contractors should be prepared to answer. What is a Doitsu Sanke and how is it different from other koi varieties? See some points that you can use to motivate a sale when talking with customers in this quick article about this beautiful variety. On the cover is the water lily of the year, announced at the 2010 IWGS Symposium. Learn more about this amazing hardy lily, that looks like a tropical, as well as the other top winners. This years winners are truly stunning. Thank you to all our subscribers and advertisers for your support in 2010!
Twenty-year industry veteran Rick Bartel shares his view on the "Rock on the Bottom" controversy. This provocative article "Rocking the Boat - are Rocks the Problem?" introduces his theory about "rocks" and good pond design. A second must read article is "Rain Water - Benefit or Hazard for Ponds," by water expert Ann Telford. Is that rain water really safe for you fish? Mr. Kodama completes his series of "How to be Successful Selling Japanese Koi." He discusses the importance of visiting your customer's ponds and koi education. This issues POND Sources covers large format pressurized filters, with an article by Tamsie Pierce, descriptions of six leading filters on the market and the POND Sources directory of manufactures and distributors. IKEAGE meaning, "mud pond harvest," is a Japanese koi farm tradition. See how one US koi farm continues the historical tradition here. It is always amazing to see the koi come out of the mud ponds, more beautiful then the year before. Ponditat for Humanity is an annual charity pond build event by IPPCA. See great pictures of this year's pond renovation/upgrade. Ever have one of those days where you just have a really hard time getting up in the morning and starting the day? Best Seller author Gretchen Rubin shares her eight tips on improving your (Monday) Mornings.
NEW: This issue features the launch of *POND Sources*-a new section
of POND Trade that is a combination of product articles and a
directory of manufactures and distributions. This first issue focuses
on Filters and Filter Media. Find an overview of the many filter
media brands that are currently available for ponds. In the 1970's
there were no pond specific commercial filters in the market, now see
your variety of choices. Want to find out more about these products?
It's easy; just check the POND Sources Directory of manufactures and
distributors.
We also explore that vexing problem leaky ponds. Expert Jamie Beyer
steps you through the first part of a two-part article about
investigating leaks, with techniques to use and tips on prevention.
On the personal side, do you have a dreaded task you just can't get
done, or struggle with? Learn six strategies to help you GET that
task done. Blackwater Creek Koi Farm will show you and help you
understand the koi variety-Kumonryu. Also take a look at a Monster
Pond and what it took to complete this demanding pond. Marketing
expert, Pam Greiner, in-depth article covers the important aspects of
your e-mail campaigns, social media, and website. What is the number
one element? Content. Learn how to do it the right way. Remember you
can find press releases and upcoming events in this magazine and on
our website.
The Pond Trade includes many forms of water features. Covered in this issue are container gardens, that can be made out of anything that can hold water, to large “farm ponds” needed for a variety of different purposes. Focusing on koi and pond health, Vicki Vaughn, koi health expert, shares her experience with metal toxicity. Learn how to tell if it is present, where it might be coming from and what to do about it. Then koi industry expert Mamoru Kodama teaches retailers how to keep koi alive until they are sold. Learn what tasks employees should perform including feeding, cleaning & medicating. Then read about the beauty and challenges of the koi variety Kujaku, from long time US koi breeder Ellen Kloubec. Want to learn how to have a successful e-mail marketing campaign? Pam Greener shares critical dos & don'ts – don’t just SPAM your e-mail marketing list, make it work and generate sales for you. Four leading aquatic plant experts share their favorite plants. See their final choices and read why they selected each one. Included is a chart to see at a glance how the plants compare. Last, but not least, take a look at NAPP’s first national event.
Focusing on water chemistry–there are two great articles to help with your understanding of the water in our ponds and one on “how to” offer the service of water quality testing.
POND Trade Magazine is proud to announce the winners of our first Product of the Year Award. Six industry leaders helped make the selection along with the Online voting by our readers. Congratulations to MinnFinn Max – The Overall Winner. See all the winners in the two categories: Pond Equipment and Pond Products.
Advertising is critical to your business. Marketing expert Pam Grainer will give you tips on the do’s & don’ts - like what font not to use. You will learn about 8 important things to keep in mind when you design an ad.
Have you wondered what it is like to own a koi retail store? Joe Pawlak shares his experiences with you about what you can expect, including details on managing fish.
Butterfly koi – where did the name come from, what are they – Randy LeFever explains their origin at Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery.
On the lighter side, see Pagel’s Pots - Walter Pagel, a water garden industry legend’s backyard features a collection of pots filled with miniature aquatics that are delightful and different from the norm.
Focusing on the retailer you will find articles about effective retailing systems, learn the ends and outs of credit card interchange and processing fees, and tips on dealing with theft in your business. Important topics to help you be successful. Our plant expert goes into detail about the plants that are available, when to use them and how to mix them. Sell koi? You need to know several Japanese words and terms. Included here is a quick, illustrated list of some of the more common words you will hear. New starting with this issue is our Question and Answer section. Questions will be answered by the International Water Garden Society moderated Steve Stroupe; koi questions by Joe Pawlak; and other experts in the field of the question. Our first three questions cover several great topics. Then take the time to revisit the top 10 rules of communication in *Mom Says to Play Nice*. Also new this issue is a web only article. Again along the line of focusing on the retailer it is about what you should know when you want to start Pond Shop.
What is a CrossOver pond? - a design that is koi friendly with a water garden appearance. Read how this design differs from the hybrid pond, koi pond and water garden. Why sell goldfish? A goldfish breeder will teach you how; along with a discussion on the different varieties that are available. Your customers' have algae covered or dirty waterfalls? Here is a hand out article on cleaning and maintaining those pesky waterfalls. Includes tips on finding leaks. Aquatic plants for veggie filters - which ones to use and why. There two great articles about planning for the next year - our marketing expert uses easy to follow steps to creating a marketing plan and, in the article Planning for Spring what retailers should be doing now. Learn what is the number 1 thing you want to avoid as a koi retailer. The IWGS has introduced their winning lilies and inducted two into their Hall of Fame. Finally take 30 minutes to be happier - learn how in this issue now.
Hybrid ponds are the topic of our cover story – A Pond in the Middle. Find Part 2 of UK retailers sharing their knowledge and experience in the garden pond business. Winter is an important topic at this time of year and we have three great articles by three experts in their fields covering the subject – for plants – Fall Finale (Aquatic Plant Care in the Fall), for koi – Overwintering Koi Under Thick Ice (a good read for all koi keepers) and then a good overview covering both plants and fish for the fall and winter in – Falling into Winter. Want to increase you profit, reduce your labor and make a nicer looking water garden? Find the answers in the article – Pond Design –Plants vs. Rock Edges. Learn about the profitability of goldfish, how pipe fittings can make a difference, what to look for in Shiro Utsuri and how to host a local event. Tips on how not to be a “used car salesman.” On a personal note 7 points of advice on taking control of you busy, hectic days.
UK retailers share their knowledge and experience in the garden pond business. A Two-pond Filtration System for Koi - advice on how to use a second pond as a filter, learn what has worked for this garden pond industry expert. Kikokuryu – what is that? Get some tips and learn about this great koi variety. Step-by-step information about How-to Install a Disappearing Fountain, including advice on how-to maintain them. Must know information about the current trend of Social Media Marketing Madness - what it is and 10 Steps to Success. Expert advice covers the topics of Water Lily Pests and Diseases and Summer Pond Care. Yes, there are benefits to rising early, learn how-to with some practical steps. Distributor and Manufacture team up, see what they are up to. How to use banners as inexpensive marketing tools, tips on doing it right.
Make it Bigger, don’t be afraid to seam that liner pond. This lead feature covers step-by-step advice on how to seam a liner and make that pond bigger. Find great advice on Staying Productive During the Dog Days of Summer. Learn about the challenges of breeding and selling Showa. Do swans belong in our pond or water gardens? Learn what else your customers may want to put in that pond and how to deal with them. Then there is information on how to deal with raccoons in our ponds, and how to make that first impression and make your business look good in Dress for Success. High Stress - 12 great tips are covered in this magazine on how to deal with high stress. Aquatic plants, what should I use? Find the answer in Botanical Psychotherapy and finish off with Keeping Ponds Healthy…learn ways to help maintain good water quality.
How to use Signage as the Silent Salesman, Profiling Today’s Pond Buyer, Preparing New Koi for Sale (knowledge you need), and advice on what plants to use in the pond or water garden and why just to mention a few articles full of great business advice. Along with learning about signage, our business professional advices on water garden and pond department displays and inspiring life-long customers. Find information on a new business opportunity Rain Water Harvesting; includes how it is beneficial to your customers and is helping the environment. Understanding Sanke is covered in this magazine, including tips on how to get top dollar for them. Simple Living Simplified – 10 tips on things you can do today to simplify your life.
Professional advice on how to make and use a plant filter is our lead article in this issue, titled The Grid Veggie Filter. Then find business tips and suggestions about the recession – how to rise to the top even in down times. Aquatic plant sales down? Get tips on how to refine your plant sale systems, includes advice on how to avoid common mistakes. Garden Pond Industry experts talk about how to have a more successful pond department/business and an article that includes step-by-step design and construction of an above ground koi pond. Selling Kujaku? Eight easy features that you need to know and can make them easy to sale.
Heron control, the magic of the Lotus and business tips on how to fail or flourish in our current economy is just the start of this information packed magazine. Authors share their knowledge and advice about the “Green Industry” in articles like The Greener Side of Ponds and Wind Power is Finally Here. With a growing concern about droughts our expert gives tips and ideas about water-wise use of water in pond maintenance. A new series about the Language of Koi starts with Kohaku. Insights are given as to what to look for in a Kohaku and how to price koi to get top dollar.
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