The Sprinkler Nerd Show

This episode is brought to you by, PHISH, and the letter 'S'.  'S' is for SPLIT. Split Open and Melt.  

In this insightful episode, Andy and Paul reflect on their recent project, delving into the complexities and vital importance of pressure in irrigation systems, especially pertaining to a vast green rooftop. While the specifics of their project remain confidential, the co-hosts openly discuss the general scope, centered around the deployment of wireless sensors for data analytics, enabling the client to monitor conditions of the landscape more accurately. They outline the project's challenges, from the discovery of low water pressure on the rooftop to the absence of water meters and pressure gauges, illuminating how their technology provides the client with crucial insights previously obscured. Emphasizing the critical role of monitoring, they illustrate how their wireless sensors and dashboard platform reveal the "vital signs" of water infrastructure, much like a medical check-up reveals the health of a human body. Paul and Andy share anecdotes from their fieldwork, where they identified a significant leak due to a mainline break, likely caused by inadequate winterization. The revelation of this break underscored the hidden nature of water problems and the need for meticulous observation and the right tools to diagnose and manage such issues effectively. The episode pivots to a discussion about data collection, particularly the innovative use of wireless technology. They replaced a failing wired system with a more robust wireless one, including soil moisture sensors and water meters with both analog and digital capabilities. This transition from wired to wireless signifies a substantial improvement in monitoring and managing the system, with the potential for real-time insights and rapid problem detection. Throughout the podcast, the hosts compare an irrigation system's vital signs to human vital signs, with pressure transducers acting like a blood pressure monitor, providing real-time feedback on system health. They argue that knowing the pressure in an irrigation system is paramount, even more crucial than flow rates in some cases, as it can instantly signal issues such as leaks or system malfunctions. A central theme is the emphasis on the importance of starting diagnostics at the water source rather than the controller and the need for constant pressure monitoring to ensure system integrity. This approach could potentially transform maintenance routines and system diagnostics in the industry. Key takeaways and insights include: The "vital signs" of irrigation systems, akin to those in medical practice, are crucial for diagnosis and management. The conversion from wired to wireless systems represents a significant step forward in monitoring capabilities. Real-time pressure monitoring can reveal issues that flow monitoring might not, highlighting the need for comprehensive diagnostic tools. The hidden nature of water systems necessitates the adoption of visual and digital tools for accurate assessment. Andy and Paul's dialogue underscores their commitment to innovation and their continual learning process, as they seek to enhance their understanding and management of irrigation systems. Their hope is to develop tools that will become industry standards, ensuring that businesses can effectively manage their water systems. As the episode concludes, the sense of partnership and mutual respect between the two is palpable, as they look forward to their next project with anticipation. Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of irrigation systems and the evolving technologies that monitor and manage them. Key Points: The importance of pressure in monitoring irrigation and plumbing systems. Discovery of a significant leak due to a mainline break on the project's large green rooftop. Transition from a problematic wired system to an innovative wireless one. The utility of wireless soil moisture sensors and dual water meters for both analog and digital monitoring. Comparison of irrigation system diagnostics to checking human vital signs, emphasizing the crucial role of pressure transducers. Importance of starting system diagnostics at the water source for accurate assessment and management. The discovery that booster pumps were cycling without effectively raising the pressure, affecting rooftop irrigation performance. The podcast's emphasis on continuous innovation and the application of new diagnostic tools to improve industry standards.

In this episode, Andy, delves into the nuanced debate of context versus control within the realm of management, particularly focusing on the irrigation industry. This concept, inspired by an episode of the Tim Ferriss show featuring Reed Hastings, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, challenges traditional management styles by advocating for a more empowered approach to leadership. Through Reed Hastings' insights and his own reflections, Andy explores how setting clear contexts rather than imposing strict controls can lead to more innovative and motivated teams. Highlights Inspiration from Reed Hastings: The idea of context vs. control was sparked by Reed Hastings' discussion on the Tim Ferriss show, emphasizing creative management styles over conventional, control-based approaches. Definition of Context vs. Control: Control is described as a rigid, micromanagement style, whereas context provides goals and empowers employees to achieve them in their own way. Impact on the Irrigation Industry: Andy applies these concepts to the irrigation industry, suggesting that understanding the 'why' behind actions can lead to more engaged and self-sufficient teams. Reed Hastings' Metaphor: The comparison of industrial and creative companies illustrates how context-driven management can lead to innovation and unique customer experiences. Management Philosophy: Andy expresses his preference for a management style that sets a clear context, allowing for autonomy and self-guided decision-making within teams. Key Takeaways Setting the context in management involves clearly defining the goals and the 'why' behind tasks, and empowering team members to make decisions that align with company objectives. Context-driven management can foster a culture of innovation and flexibility, particularly beneficial in creative or service-oriented industries. Understanding and implementing the context vs. control management style can enhance team motivation, satisfaction, and overall performance.

In the episode of the "Sprinkler Nerd Show," host Andy Humphrey and his guest, Paul, embark on a detailed discussion about the technical aspects of irrigation systems, specifically focusing on the importance of flow and pressure monitoring. Andy begins by recounting his observations of inefficient sprinkler systems at a resort, noting that a vast majority are functioning poorly. He suggests that the resort's irrigation system is so ineffective that it might as well not be in operation. This real-world issue leads him to reflect on the broader implications for the irrigation industry, particularly the innovations in flow and pressure monitoring technologies. To dive deeper into the topic, Andy introduces a thought experiment based on the game "Would You Rather?" The game is simple: one person poses a dilemma in the form of a question starting with "would you rather," and the other person chooses one of the options. Andy uses this format to pose a significant question to Paul: Given a choice between flow monitoring and pressure monitoring for a commercial irrigation system, which one would you choose? Paul acknowledges the complexity of the question. Traditionally, the industry relied heavily on flow monitoring, with pressure monitoring being a more recent development. He expresses a preference for both but understands that the question demands a choice. The conversation shifts to an in-depth analysis of the two monitoring methods. Flow monitoring is essential for understanding water usage and identifying leaks through abnormal flow patterns. It is a vital tool for water conservation and efficient system management. On the other hand, pressure monitoring provides diagnostic insights that are not immediately apparent through flow data alone. For instance, pressure fluctuations can indicate issues with the municipal water supply that could affect irrigation system performance. Andy and Paul discuss the scenarios where one type of monitoring may be more advantageous than the other. For example, Paul shares an anecdote about a situation in Washington, D.C., where several irrigation systems under his management experienced a drop in performance due to a reduction in municipal water pressure. This incident underscores the value of pressure monitoring, as it can provide early warnings about changes in water supply that are beyond the control of the irrigation system manager. The discussion delves into the practicalities of managing large-scale irrigation systems. They examine how continuous logging of pressure data can provide insights that intermittent readings cannot. Paul points out that as municipal water systems age, providers often reduce water pressure to extend the lifespan of the infrastructure, impacting irrigation systems connected to the municipal supply. This practice, while beneficial to the municipal system, can have unintended consequences for irrigation, making pressure monitoring an invaluable tool for understanding and adapting to these external changes. As they further explore the nuances of flow and pressure data, Andy and Paul consider the implications of having one without the other. They agree that while flow sensors are crucial for accounting for water usage, pressure sensors offer a more sensitive diagnostic tool that can help explain why certain anomalies in water usage may occur. Andy then offers a perspective that connects the physical observations of an irrigation system to the data provided by sensors. Walking around the resort, he notices visible signs of system failure, such as broken infrastructure and poorly performing sprinkler zones. He posits that either a flow sensor or a pressure sensor could indicate such problems, but each does so in a different way. A flow sensor could detect a broken pipe through abnormal water usage, while a pressure sensor could indicate a drop in performance due to pressure changes. As they wrap up their discussion, both Andy and Paul lean towards the importance of pressure monitoring when forced to choose. They liken pressure sensors to a doctor checking blood pressure—a critical first step in diagnosing a patient's health. They explore the idea that while flow is a measurement of consumption, pressure provides a more immediate reflection of system health. Paul highlights that from a management standpoint, pressure data is more actionable, especially when monitoring remotely. He also notes that installing pressure sensors can be simpler and less intrusive than installing flow sensors, which often require cutting into the mainline. This ease of installation makes pressure sensors a more attractive option for quickly and cost-effectively assessing system performance. In conclusion, Andy and Paul's conversation in the "Sprinkler Nerd Show" episode brings to light the strategic importance of choosing the right monitoring tools for irrigation systems. They discuss the trade-offs between flow and pressure monitoring and conclude that while both are essential, pressure monitoring may offer a slight edge in terms of diagnostics and system management, particularly when faced with the constraints of municipal water supplies and the need for remote system oversight. Their dialogue is a testament to the evolving technological landscape of irrigation and the need for professionals in the field to adapt and make informed decisions about the tools they use to manage water resources effectively.

In the latest episode of the "Sprinkler Nerd Show," host Andy shares his insights on the importance of being unconventional in the irrigation and landscape industry. Below are key thoughts highlighted from the discussion: Embrace Unconventionality: Humphrey emphasizes the need for businesses to stand out by being the "orange in the apple bin," advocating for a distinct approach to conventional industry practices. Question the Status Quo: He encourages listeners to think differently by asking unique questions to clients, proposing innovative solutions, and redefining the customer interaction experience to set themselves apart from competitors. Redefine Industry Standards: By adopting unconventional methods, such as integrating advanced technologies like soil moisture sensors, businesses can lead the market and force competitors to follow their innovative practices. Zig When Others Zag: Humphrey highlights the advantage of going against the grain, suggesting that by choosing less traveled paths, businesses can find shorter lines to success, symbolizing less competition and a more distinct market position. Challenge Perceived Limitations: He inspires businesses to question why certain practices are avoided in the industry and to explore these areas as potential opportunities for innovation and differentiation. Change the Game: Humphrey posits that by being unconventional, businesses can not only set new trends but also change the rules of the game, compelling even large competitors to adapt to these new standards. Seek Opportunities for Innovation: The discussion suggests looking for what is missing in current offerings and exploring unconventional solutions that could potentially change the future of the industry. Encourage a Mindset of Exploration: By sharing his upcoming vacation plans and the prospect of unconventional thoughts it might inspire, Humphrey models the behavior of seeking inspiration from outside the industry to bring fresh ideas to one's business. Value of Continuous Learning: Ending on the note of appreciating his audience for seeking knowledge through podcasts, Humphrey underscores the importance of continuous learning and staying open to new ideas as a way to achieve unconventional success. This summary captures Andy Humphrey’s message of leveraging unconventional thinking as a strategic tool for differentiation and leadership in the irrigation and landscape industry, encouraging businesses to innovate and redefine industry standards.    

In this episode of the Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy Humphrey shares his experiences and insights from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he visits OpConnect and spends quality time with his son at the University of Utah. He looks forward to enjoying St. Paddy's Day weekend activities, including drinking green beer and skiing. Amidst his travels, Andy seizes the opportunity to engage in a thoughtful discussion on the topic of soil moisture sensing technology, its applications, and the broader implications of experimenting in life and business. Andy underscores the podcast's mission to assist irrigation professionals, regardless of their experience level, in leveraging technology to enhance their services and gain competitive advantages. He passionately discusses the experimental nature of life, encouraging listeners to embrace trial and error in both personal and professional contexts. Andy advocates for a mindset of continuous learning and experimentation, particularly in the realm of soil moisture sensing, to better understand and optimize irrigation practices. Highlighting recent conversations on soil moisture sensing, Andy delves into the practical benefits and transformative potential of this technology. He emphasizes the importance of data collection and analysis to validate assumptions about soil conditions, which can lead to more informed decision-making in irrigation management. Through a series of anecdotal insights, Andy illustrates how soil moisture sensors can reveal the nuanced behaviors of soil under various conditions, offering a more scientific approach to irrigation that challenges traditional assumptions and practices. Andy encourages his listeners to adopt an experimental approach when utilizing new technologies, viewing them as tools for discovery and improvement. He stresses the significance of observing and interpreting data over time to gain deeper insights into soil moisture levels and their impact on irrigation efficiency. By promoting an inquisitive and open-minded attitude towards technology, Andy hopes to inspire irrigation professionals to explore new possibilities, question established norms, and ultimately, enhance their expertise. Concluding the episode, Andy extends an invitation for feedback and engagement, emphasizing his openness to connecting with the audience and sharing knowledge. He leaves his listeners with a message of encouragement to remain curious, willing to experiment, and committed to advancing their skills in the ever-evolving field of irrigation.

Self-reflection is the key. It's the process of questioning our methods, our decisions, and our attitudes towards change and adversity. It's about asking, "Am I the bottleneck in my team's performance? Do I resist new technologies or methods that could enhance our service? How can I lead better, communicate clearer, and inspire my team?"

Smart controllers don’t save water. Nozzles don't save water. They CAN, but I believe that Irrigation professionals, who are CURIOUS ENOUGH to know how to use smart controllers have the potential to save water. 20 years is a long time not to have an answer for something that seems so basic, and I've come to the realization that it is easy to connect the dots looking backwards. We can laugh at Steve Ballmer now, but at the time, he MIGHT have been right...so, here is my message for you today - The future doesn't create itself, someone has to create it. I encourage you to stay curious, and to borrow a phrase from Reid Hoffman co-founder of LinkedIn, “things that seem totally Nut Balls, 10 years later, that’s just the way you do it!”

PATENT REFERENCE: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/3b/0b/7d/58dc2a23a7e96e/US3808385.pdf     Background on the Invention: In certain areas of the country where dry climatic conditions prevail, sprinkling and irrigating systems are generally maintained for prolonged periods of time. Obviously, however, means are required for automatically closing down said systems when there is rainfall or when moisture conditions in the atmosphere are excessive. Also, upon completion of the rainfall, automatic reopening of the sprinkling system is desired. Moisture-responsive actuators have been known to operate in response to the weight of rainfall captured in a receptacle attached thereto or in response to certain types of moisture absorptive mechanisms associated therewith. Also, ground sensors and probes have been used. However, such devices have proven to be inefficient, of short life, and relatively costly to manufacture.   Can you guess what the Patent is?   I'll give you a moment to think.   Let me repeat the first sentence: In certain areas of the country where dry climatic conditions prevail, sprinkling and irrigating systems are generally maintained for prolonged periods of time. Obviously, however, means are required for automatically closing down said systems when there is rainfall or when moisture conditions in the atmosphere are excessive.   Can you guess?   RAIN SENSOR. Although for the purpose of a Patent, the name is, MOISTURE RESPONSIVE SWITCH ACTUATOR.   Why am I mentioning this to you?   Because this patent was issued on August 11, 1972   We are still using a device that supposedly makes an irrigation controller, "SMART", that was invented in 1972.   Now I'd like to read you the Patent Abstract to add a bit of clarity.   Patent Abstract: A moisture-responsive actuator is employed for controlling the operation of a fluid-operated sprinkling or irrigating system or the like. The moisture-responsive actuator is provided with hygroscopic material which expands in response to contact with rainwater to de-press a switch to deactivate the sprinkling system, the hygroscopic material contracting upon a drying thereof to release said switch whereupon the sprinkling system is activated.   WHY?   Why are we still using this technology?   I don't have an answer, I'm simply offering you the opportunity to ask.   It is thisexample fo Curiosity, that may lead you to your next big breakthrough. The breakthrough can be anything, not necessarilty a product invention. It could be a new way of doing something in your business, and new way of organizing something in your home.   It is the act of being Curious, to question things, to ask why, the evokes change and growth.   With this in mind, I'd like to propose that Curiosity is a Catalyst for Innovation.   Curiosity as a catalyst for innovation highlights impact of asking "What if?" and "Why not?" "I wonder what would happen if.."   This mindset has the potential to propel us beyond accepted norms, challenging us to reimagine possibilities. Curiosity can breakdown barriers to innovation, urging us to explore the unknown and question the status quo.   It's a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is endless, and it's through this curious mindset that it becomes possible to uncover new paths to progress and solutions to our most complex problems.   Like, why are we still using a Rain Sensor that was invented in 1972, and doesn't actually "SENSE" the rain?   It is actually more like a Sponge/Switch. When the sponge is wet, it swells, and trips the switch.   Yet, every manufacture today still uses it.   Yes, My own curiosity kicked in and I do have a new apporach to this, but I'm not going to share it with you today. You'll need to come to my keynote speech next week in Ontario Canada to find out..   My final thought for today is on the potential to nurture a world that is continuously evolving and enhancing, and that embracing curiosity unlocks limitless opportunities, showing that the pursuit of knowledge and the bravery to question are fundamental to progress and, even, human advancement

Tim Ferris Show Reference: Episode #721 Master Negotiator William Ury   ==========   William Ury introduces the concept of self-mastery and the critical role of self-regulation in negotiation and conflict resolution. He suggests that the power to influence others is rooted in our ability to first influence ourselves, acknowledging our inherent tendency towards reactivity. Ury employs the "balcony" metaphor to illustrate a mental vantage point from which we can detach, refocus on our primary objectives, and assess situations with greater clarity.   This elevated balcony view encourages a momentary pause between provocation and reaction, providing a pathway to navigate conflicts thoughtfully and avoid impulsive decisions we might regret, like hastily sent emails or messages.   I once received advice never to send an email, make a phone call, or send a text when feeling emotional or reactive. Ury echoes this sentiment, suggesting that such a moment of pause to reflect is not just a learned skill but an inherent human capacity that we must consciously practice.   So, when you're on the cusp of an immediate reply to an email, as you sense that emotional trigger, take a pause. Hold off. Give it 24 hours. Practice this discipline.

Hello, my friends. Welcome back to the Sprinkler Nerd Show. It's been a while since we last spoke. I'm your host, Andy Humphrey, and this is episode 154. You might notice that I sound a bit under the weather today—I've caught a cold. Though I lost my sense of smell last night, which is funny, I don't think it's COVID. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel, from the Consumer Electronics Show to Calgary for a significant event, then directly to Europe for a week with my wife. I got home and the very next day, I fell sick. Despite this, I'm eager to kick my ass into gear, start producing more content, and get back to regular updates. I appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing my thoughts again on a regular basis. If you're a regular listener, you might have noticed my absence. It's been since Friday, January 5, since I last released an episode. Life has been happening—fast and hard. I've been incredibly busy, and today, I thought I would do something a bit different. I'm going to play for you a recording of a keynote presentation I gave for the Canadian Prairie Chapter of the Irrigation Association in Calgary, Canada. I was invited to their annual irrigation conference to give a presentation, and I had to think hard about what I wanted to talk about. It's easy to focus on products, their features, and benefits, but those concepts are fleeting. There's always a new product, a new feature, and such things aren't what truly motivate me. Instead, I chose to share a bit about my journey in irrigation, why I chose this industry—and interestingly, it was indeed a choice. Despite the common joke that nobody intentionally enters the irrigation industry, for me, it was a deliberate decision. I was intrigued early on by the fact that sprinklers operated based on a schedule—Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 6 AM—and I wondered why there wasn't better technology to guide water application in the landscape. So, without further ado, I am excited to share with you my keynote presentation. Before we dive in, I'd like to extend a special thanks to everyone in Calgary I had the pleasure of meeting, especially the entire Board of Directors of the local Irrigation Association, the Prairie Chapter. They have built a fantastic community, and I was genuinely impressed by the level of interest and curiosity everyone showed towards the topic I presented. Thank you so much for your curiosity and for giving me the opportunity to speak at your conference. Here is my presentation.        

Sprinkler Nerd Unite (theme song) [Verse] We're the nerds of the green, the rulers of the lawn Dressed in flannel shirts, rockin' shades like we're cool With our spray heads and rotors, we conquer all terrain We're the ones who make it rain, oh yeah (oh yeah) [Chorus] Sprinkler nerds, rise up and take a stand (take a stand) We're the smart ones, leading the irrigation land (oh-oh-oh) With our wrenches and timers, we're the heroes in disguise Sprinkler nerds, let's light up the skies, yeah! (ooh yeah)

GET YOUR T-SHIRT HERE: https://sprinklernerd.com/unfuckit --------------------------- Andy (00:46.717): Joining me again today is Paul Bassett for our annual Prediction Show. Welcome, Paul. Paul Bassett (00:53.61): Oh, I'm so happy to be here. This is one of my funniest shows of the year, where we get to banter about the year prior and how our predictions were. So, I was looking forward to this day all year. Andy (01:05.953): And we are going to provide some banter today. This is a guarantee because Paul doesn't have any idea what we are going to talk about today or what this episode is about. I baited him in because we do our annual predictions episode, but I'm going to make a change. Paul Bassett (01:28.254): Okay, this is definitely new. Andy (01:29.029): Because, and this is like a resolution, you know, I want, in 2024, I want to be more honest with myself. Not because I've been lying or anything like that. I just want to sort of lean into my own intuition and try to acknowledge myself and what's interesting to me. And like the prediction episode honestly wasn't that inspiring for me. And I think that it's because it wasn't original. So, and what I mean by that is I didn't come up with the concept for a predictions episode. It wasn't my original thought or idea. I copied the idea from my friend, Andrew Udarian, who runs the podcast, Ecommerce Fuel. And I liked what he did with that kind of approach for predictions and looking back. And so I took it and kind of modeled with it, but... Paul Bassett (02:25.609): And... Andy (02:25.817): You know, as I think about trying to be more honest with myself, I don't think it was that, you know, it was kind of cool and whatnot, but really it wasn't that inspiring to me because I want to create more original content instead of, you know, sort of copying what somebody else has done and try to make it my own. And so with that in mind, I want to make a change. So what we need to do, Paul, is we need to unfuck this episode, this predictions episode. So this is the unfuck it episode. Paul Bassett (02:53.742): Thanks, Bill. All right. Andy (02:55.813): Let's unfuck 2023. You know, what are people still doing in 2023 that needs to be unfucked for 2024? Paul Bassett (02:59.874): All right, that's a good place to start. Paul Bassett (03:10.53): Good thought. It makes my mind spin. Are you asking me, or do you just want me to come up with some thoughts, or are these your thoughts? Paul Bassett (03:38.315): All the time. Andy (03:40.107): Yeah, I... Andy (03:48.65): And just sort of like more rapid prototyping in terms of like, what can we do in our lives, our jobs, our industry, to help move the needle and create that change? And change means you got to unfuck something and change it. Paul Bassett (04:08.826): I love the term. Every time you say it I get giddy like a kid hearing a curse word. Andy (04:15.569): We're allowed to, right? I mean, yeah, I'm gonna tag this episode as not safe for children. Paul Bassett (04:17.59): Yeah, yeah, we're on the internet. Paul Bassett (04:24.718): Oh man, my 10-year-old's not too far from me. And we're gonna say 'unfuck it' at least ten times every minute. Andy (04:34.165): And if you are interested, I'm not saying this to you, but if you're listening and you're interested, you can get yourself a Bill Beckley original 'unfuck it' t-shirt. Visit sprinklernerd.com forward slash unfuck it, and you will find the t-shirt available for sale. Paul Bassett (04:44.542): You can. It's one of the best. Paul Bassett (04:52.278): Well, at least we're going to have more laughs per podcast on this episode than before. Just hearing you say it. Andy (04:56.697): Yeah, right? And this is original, you know, we are not scripting off of a list of shit to talk about. And I think that, you know, it kind of dawned on me a little bit when I replayed the episode number one. So if you're, you know, if you haven't listened to episode number one, and again, I don't mean you, I just mean the listeners, listen to episode number one, which I just put out there a couple of episodes ago, and I was afraid to put it out. But then... Paul Bassett (05:13.023): Yeah. Andy (05:23.961): Once I put it out there and started listening to it, I really appreciated how unscripted our thoughts were, and they were just natural, thought-provoking ideas and conversation, and I want more of that. Paul Bassett (05:38.142): Okay, I mean, dude, that's how you and I live our life. So I prefer that way than any other way. Although I did have some notes, but my notes now that I look at them, going... Andy (05:46.345): Well, we can still use your notes because I'm just trying to like loosen the script a little bit so that we can maybe look at your list and talk about them through the lens of like, you know, unfucking things. Paul Bassett (05:57.45): Oh, and my list was really preparing 10 minutes before our call. Okay, Paul, what are you going to think about? What are you going to do? Like, what are your, you know, predictions or thoughts really? And it's not like I sat for hours at a time and determining, OK, what am I going to think about? I don't need that anymore. It's something you and I do all the time anyway. Andy (06:20.633): Okay, well, do you want me to start off with something, or do you want to start off with something really? So again, I'm just kind of going, you know, the tip of my tongue here. I didn't have a list and I wanted to be a bit more organic, you know, and just have a thought on the fly. So what I'm thinking about first is more like again that inward reflection sort of set of saying, Let's unfuck a thing or widget or a way of doing something. It's like I think we all need a little unfucking of our own meaning. It's really easy to... Paul Bassett (06:24.214): Yeah, go ahead. You start it off. Andy (06:50.365): Grab onto a thought and just ride one perspective, one point of view. And I think we need to carry, we need to think what would it be like if we could carry both perspectives at the same time? So maybe for instance, okay, switching to a matched precipitation rate nozzle might be the right thing to do. We carry that flag, we wave that flag, but what would it also be like if we didn't do that? Is there another way to do it? Would it be okay as well? So can we carry like the two, you know, sort of contradicting thoughts at the same time? Paul Bassett (07:31.318): And I think, Andy, you turned me on to this thought. I mean, another podcast you put in front of me, I don't know how many months ago it was, you know, when this thought came up. But of course you can. And the thing that I when you say that is like, who even cares? Who's even analyzing? Did match precip rate and I'll just make a big difference in the way I water my grass. No. Why is that? You have no way to even freaking tell whether match precip or the regular nozzles infiltrated the soil at a different rate. How do you tell that? Who even cares? How do you know? Does it matter? Andy (08:11.761): And what will even uniform you can do with? Paul Bassett (08:16.114): Exactly. So even if you did switch one zone was matched, precip and the other one was not, how in the world do you tell? Is it just visually coloring of the grass? Or is there another way to that? That's about, that's the only way you don't know. You can, you know, one of the thoughts you, you gave me, and when I think about it now, I'm trying to visualize how the water goes through the air. Andy (08:28.797): Mm-hmm. Paul Bassett (08:42.25): Hits the ground and then infiltrates into the soil and what that profile of soil moisture moving through the soil looks like. Who's to even know today? I don't know, do you know? No, I don't have a tool to do it. It's just my imagination thinking it's flowing through the soil in the same aspect as it was before. So it is a thought. Good one. Andy (09:06.789): Yeah, and again, I literally came up with the MP, or not MP, match precipitation rate thought on the fly. It could be anything. We tend to like to grab a hold of something, stand on a soapbox, say, this is the way. So I guess my challenge would be, what if we were to unfuck that and say, well, what if it wasn't? Can we carry the alternate thought at the same time so that we have two different perspectives or viewpoints so that... The mind stays open to new thoughts coming in versus trying to channel down a one-way street. Paul Bassett (09:38.774): And that is a very good thought that a lot of people can't wrap their head around, right? Unless you're open, like either you're a Democrat or a Republican, you can't be one or the other, can you? Andy (09:51.921): Why can't you just be purple? Paul Bassett (09:56.071): True that both of us with our purple on today, although because the Ravens are playing right now, but it's true. Andy (10:02.041): Yeah, why does it need more blue? We need more purple. Paul Bassett (10:05.194): We need more purple for sure. So that's a good thought. Because sometimes we all get conditioned to think this way is the right way. Why don't you think the other way? Why can't ear green controllers and sprinkler heads work differently than someone else? Because you've been conditioned that this is the way it's always done and we've always done it. And this is the way I'm always gonna do it. I don't wanna change. I like it the way it is. No, you're right. It's so much better to have an open mind. Andy (10:14.057): Mm-hmm. Andy (10:22.77): Mm-hmm. Paul Bassett (10:34.891): And be an accepting. Andy (10:34.961): So, unfuck ourselves. I guess that was my first thing is like, before we can think about maybe somebody else or a gadget or a gizmo or a process or a software needs to change, what if it was like we could look at ourselves first and see, unfuck our own thoughts to have, to hold both thoughts to be true at the same time. Paul Bassett (10:57.886): And for you and I, we are open-minded people. We are not red or we are not green. We're ce

Every entrepreneur begins with a dream, a vision that feels timeless, much like creating a classic album. When Smashing Pumpkins, the band behind 'Siamese Dream', started their project, they were sure they were creating something classic. In the world of entrepreneurship, this conviction is your starting point. It's the belief in your idea's potential, in its ability to stand out and make an impact. But how do you nurture this belief, especially in the face of doubt and uncertainty?

Recorded in January 2019 - Episode #1 has never been published, until now.   ----- What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of failure? Does the fear of failure trick you into believing that perhaps perfection is the goal? Does fear prevent you from starting? Why do people have great ideas, but do nothing with them? I'd like to introduce today's episode as something that although was a bit of a failure at the time, was simply the first attempt. And I thought it would be important to show all of you an example for attempt #1. And to encourage you to keep trying at whatever it is you have a vision for. What you are about to hear is Podcast Episode #1, that was never released. Why? Because it didn't meet my expectation, and I was embarrassed, or perhaps scared of failure, scared of what other people might think, those other people being you, and sometimes are not actually afraid to fail, we are afraid to BE SEEN failing. Think about that! It is not missing the shot that is scary, it is being seen missing the shot that is scary. So, this episode is for me. It's my turn to be seen missing the shot. Even though this was my very first shot, I was too afraid to play it, so I'm going to lean in and play my failure for you. This was recorded in January of 2019, before I knew anything about podcasting and I was just experimenting. Before we jump into it. I have 2 thoughts that would encourage you to embrace. #1 is the concept of TRYING: TEN STEPS TO INNOVATION! TRY TRY AGAIN TRY ONCE MORE TRY A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY TRY IT AGAIN TOMORROW TRY AND ASK FOR HELP TRY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP TRY TO FIX WHAT IS NOT WORKING TRY TO EXPAND WHAT IS WORKING JUST KEEP TRYING UNTIL YOU SUCCEED   #2 is to frame life as an experiment. How can you fail if this is just an experiment. Life is often like a vast experiment, a perspective that holds profound truth. Like an experiment, life is filled with hypotheses, trials, errors, and results—each phase a critical component of the journey. This analogy beautifully mirrors our own experiences, where each attempt, each 'try and try again,' becomes a stepping stone to unforeseen outcomes and valuable lessons.

My special guest today is Chris Sinsel, inventor of Efficient Fittings, the universal sprinkler fitting. FREE SAMPLE HERE >> Free Sample Form  "You know, I wanted to make something universal, and I needed something for a 3/4" sprinkler head and a 1/2" sprinkler head. So I was taking measurements because, and I screwed a 1/2" sprinkler head onto a fitting completely tight and went to take measurements. I realized you only use approximately half the threads on that fitting. And for some reason I just had this idea that I wonder if I could fit that 1/2" threaded portion into a 3/4" inch sprinkler head and see if that worked."

Three irrigation contractors walked into a bar...   3 irrigation contractors, experts in their field, decided to unwind at a local microbrewery after a long day's work. As they sipped their IPAs, they couldn't help but carry their profession into their leisure time. "Did you guys see the irrigation as you walked in," asked the first contractor. "It looked like trunk slammers put that system in". "I don’t know, it's probably due to the crappy soil in this part of town," said the other contractor. "Really? I always thought the soil was pretty descent around here." "Let's make a bet," boasted the 3rd contractor, always confident in his soil identification skills. "I bet the soil outside this brewery is loamy,"  The second, with a smirk, disagreed. "No way, it's definitely sandy soil. I can tell just by looking at the plants growing out front." The third, not one to be left out, chimed in, "You're both wrong. That's classic clay soil if I've ever seen it, just look at all that runoff". The banter continued until they decided to settle the bet: whoever was right would get free beer for the night. Excited, they stumbled outside, each scooping up a handful of soil. But as they examined their findings, they could not agree – each was convinced their assessment was correct. In a twist of professionalism, they decided to send a sample to a testing lab for an accurate analysis. The suspense was intense as they had to wait A WEEK for the results. Finally, by the next Friday, the lab results arrived, and to their astonishment, they were ALL wrong. The soil was a Unique mix, unlike any of the types they had argued for. A smirk of astonishment filled their faces as they realized not only their shared mistake, but also that no one would win the free beer!

My Philosophy     "I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon if I can.   I seek opportunity – not security. I will refuse to be a kept citizen, to be humbled and dulled by having my state and nation look after me.    I want to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed – never to be numbered among those weak and timid souls who have known neither victory nor defeat.   I know that happiness can come only from the inside through hard constructive work and sincere positive thinking.   I know that the so-called pleasures of the moment should not be confused with a state of happiness. I know that I can get a measure of inner satisfaction from any job if I intelligently plan and courageously execute it.   I know that, if I put forth every iota of strength that I possess – physical, mental, spiritual – toward the accomplishment of a worthwhile task ere I fall exhausted by the wayside, the Unseen Hand will reach out and pull me through.   Yes, I want to live dangerously, plan my procedures on the basis of calculated risks, to resolve the problems of everyday living in a measure of inner peace.   I know if I know how to do all this, I will know how to live and, if I know how to live, I will know how to die."     H.B. "Pat" Zachry Founder, H.B. Zachry Company Sept. 27, 1901 - Sept. 5, 1984   A pioneer of a futuristic construction systems, first used to build Hilton Palacio del Rio.

Andy: Hello, all you listeners out there in podcast land. I hope everybody's having an amazing day after Thanksgiving. This episode is going out to the world on Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving. So I hope everybody had an awesome, relaxing end of season, sort of speak in our world and a season day after Thanksgiving. And this is, we're coming into a big week next week, which is the annual irrigation conference called the IA show. Technically it would be the irrigation association annual conference and at the conference, I will be. Not at a booth or anything formal, but demoing some technology that I've been working on for this last year, which is a long range wireless soil moisture sensor. And if you are able to join us Tuesday evening, which is the night before the show, I will have plenty of sample. And for those interested to join the beta group, some beta devices. And I thought. What better way to prep for next week than to have another discussion with my good friend, Paul Bassett, who has been helping to advise on the development of the sensor [00:02:00] and, uh, the entire, uh, let's call it a project, the entire project. So Paul, welcome back to the podcast. Oh, Paul: thanks for having me, Andy. And I can't wait to be one of the first beta users and testers of of this technology. It's been something that our industry's been needing for. Since its inception. So this is going to be one of those technologies that hopefully everyone's going to embrace because it's now going to have the soil moisture sensing, right? In the palm of your hands. Andy: That's good in the palm of your hand. When, while he's saying Paul saying that I have one in the palm of my hand and what's pretty awesome too, is I would say you are one of our industry's beta testers. You know, there's a probably just a handful, maybe there's more than a handful, but there's a few people that have always had a liking to test new products and seek out new products in just that early adopter sort of way. And you are definitely one of them. And this is not your first time, this will not be your first time beta testing soil moisture sensors because you've actually been testing them for, you know, 20 years at this point. At least Paul: 20 years for sure. And I remember when, when baseline. First came out with their control system and their soil moisture sensors. And I was ecstatic back then and still to this day on how the technology works. And I really like the taking the wired soil moisture sensor readings and converting it over to now a wireless reading, which is just phenomenal being able to transmit. Out of the ground, what the soil moisture is without a Andy: wire and to be able to try to connect the dots, so to speak, in terms of hand. No, it just rained. Let me quickly check my app and [00:04:00] see what that did to the soil profile, right? Or, you know, we adjusted some run times. I had the crew adjust some run times. Let me take a look at the app and see what that did to the moisture profile. I think that most of the time when we set a schedule on a controller, start time, run time, day of the week, it's an educated guess, right, using whatever tools we have ability at that moment in order for us to determine what the run time should be to apply the right amount of water. But there is never been really a tool, I shouldn't say never, there are some, but there's not a universally available tool that anyone could use to then see the results of. What did that adjustment from 30 minutes to 45 minutes look like, or from one hour to 30 minutes? What is it actually doing to the soil? There isn't a universal tool available that anyone can use easily and affordable to start learning. Paul: And I like what, what you've done by taking on this particular project and Finding the latest technology that's available and using the, that technology and intertwining it with soil moisture sensors, specifically, most folks aren't really aware of, you know, how this frequency transmits and how it was received and how it gets moved from the device into the palm of your hand. Why don't you tell us how that Andy: works? Yeah, there's a stack. We won't go right now all into all the details, but there's a stack of of different technologies that when you stack it together, the data basically passes through the stack and it is delivered to you in the web browser on the phone or the computer. So the device pings through a gateway, either private or public. Then it goes up to a network server and the network server passes it to an application server. Then the application server is what pushes it to the U. I. So one data point, one point of moisture has to pass through all [00:06:00] those little channels along the way in order for the user to then see it on their device. And that's been, uh, I wouldn't say it's a challenge, but it makes what seems, it makes what seems so simple, actually quite technical under the hood. It is Paul: very technical under the hood, Andy, for sure. And the way you describe it. Andy: Yeah, and you gotta sort of learn each of those, each of those, you have to learn each of those, um, pieces of technology. Because it's not just one of them. And so one of the things that I've done is, you know, gathered a group of people together, i. e. you as one of the advisors and, uh, and Nate as as an engineer, uh, and then a whole slew of other people that are sort of experts in their line of work. So it might be it's the network server developer, or it's the application server developer, or it's the hardware engineer, or it's the application developer. Um, you know, designer of the actual, uh, capsule, if you will, the hexagon. So there's kind of had to have been a T there's a whole team that's sort of working on this project, uh, to move data from the ground all the way up to the cloud or right into the palm of your hand. And what I think is pretty awesome. Is that where we, where we've landed started from an idea, you know, that you and I shared back in the spring where we kind of said, man, what would it, if sole moisture sensors were easy, what would that look like? And that's where we came up with this, you know, scan it, drop it, connect it. You know, you don't have to call anyone. You don't have to activate anything. You can just. Scan it, drop it and connect it. And, you know, so what people will, we'll see is that that is the trying to make it easy for the everyday person has been our goal and both affordable, [00:08:00] affordable and easy for the everyday person. So you can just. Grab one out of your truck, scan it, drop it, add it to your account, and you're off and running. Paul: Andy, it's phenomenal to hear that because it sounds like it's something that's been really needed in our industry to be able to have something this easy to deploy that it sounds like almost everybody could use it. It's not just for the professionals. Is that right? Andy: That's that's the goal. You know, there are products out there that have 10 X 100 X. The capabilities of what what I've been building because the The point of what I've been trying to build is something that's for everyone. Not something that is extremely scientific, not something that's research grade, not something that has to be connected to a control platform, but just a soil moisture sensor for the everyday user so they can have the tool to learn. So they can have the tool to see what happens as a result of their watering patterns. And I really think that that's a missing, a missing piece is that we don't, we are not able to connect the dots on what happens when you apply the water. We apply the water and then we We imagine what happens to it, and then we make some assumptions based on the health of the plant material. If the plant material is not healthy, then we make another assumption of I either over watered or I under watered, but we don't have a good tool to actually learn about the health. The application or precipitation rate, you know, and as it relates to the runtime on what you do. And so I think that, you know, somebody might say, I don't know really where I want to use this sensor. It's like, well, just go put it somewhere and you'll quickly have some data that will make you more curious. And you'll want to put another one in another spot because you'll get even more curious and then you'll start bringing in more data. You'll start learning and then you'll become. Over time, a better [00:10:00] irrigator because you have the, you know, cause and effect, so to speak, Paul: and, and to one of the things that I've learned through the knowledge lab that you've been working on is that, you know, this, this information that you're displaying, you're putting it in a way that It's easy for people to see it and understand it and ingest it. It's not in major graphs and very hard to see. So that's one of the things that I've really been encouraged about by the way that you're displaying the information on the application. Andy: Yeah. Again, right. It's gotta be easy and understandable and ideally in the palm of your hand, you know, the sensor in the palm of your hand and the data in the palm of your hand and I'm pretty excited about, uh, The level, let's see, how do I say this, the, I'm pretty excited about the level that the application is at for beta, you know, I think that, um, you know, a lot of products come to market as beta and they really are at level one, you know, maybe it's just one, just one graph and it's very simple, but what, uh, What the users will see in the, in the first beta launch is actually a lot of additional features in the software, um, such as notifications, users can set up an email notification that if the soil reaches a certain threshold equal to or greater than equal to or less than, et cetera, they can get an email notification, uh, right in the beta, in the beta version. That is a good, Paul: you're right. I did when you showed that to me, I was like

Happy Hour Invitation >>>>> Register Here  Podcast Reference: This Week In Startups Episode #1845 ======== Alex Wilhelm - You know, for a really long time, people looked down their nose at people who worked with their hands and those jobs were viewed as, as lesser. And even the whole blue collar white collar divide was, was not just class in the United States, but it was also, you know, kind of like a cultural cachet that, that, that were valued to jobs didn't have. Uh, if we think about the power of digital technologies in a realm of generative AI, we're taking away the white collar premium. And oddly enough, pushing that back onto the blue collar jobs, there's a full circle element to this that I, that I, that I appreciate and find ironic that the computer guys got so smart, they took away their own jobs.  Andy Humphrey Hey there, my friends. It's your host, Andy Humphrey. Welcome to episode 145.  of the sprinkler nerd show. I'm super stoked that you're tuning in today. Just like to remind myself this super stoked you're turning into tuning in today because there is a whole universe of podcasts out there more than anyone could ever listen to in a hundred lifetimes. There's a whole universe of podcasts out there. So the fact that you're hanging out here today. is pretty awesome. Thank you so much. And I hope that you are having an awesome day wherever you are listening from.  And as I say that wherever you are listening from, tell me where you are listening from. I love making new friends with all of you guys. So feel free to shoot me a text message. I'll give you my personal cell phone number here. It is two zero eight.  Send me a text message. Tell me where you are listening from. And uh, when you do text me, please add your name. Don't just say something like,  hello, how are you? So I know that. Uh, you are not just a, another bot trying to, trying to sell me something because I do get a lot of spam text messages. So shoot me a text message, 208 908 3229, tell me where you're tuning in from.  Uh, let's see, you guys know that I love sharing. Stories and insights and sometimes even a few laughs here and there. And I hope that today's episode adds some good vibes to your day. I'm going to share a few things that I think would particularly resonate with anyone in the trades. Uh, community, which obviously would be the landscape and irrigation industry as a trade. Um, and, uh, you know, if you are loving the vibes today, as I say that, you know, if you're loving what you hear, why not spread the good vibes with others, share it with your work buddies, share this episode in this podcast with your work buddies or anyone that you think might appreciate these topics, particularly anyone. Who might be like you, who likes to think divergently. I mean, different. I mean, anyone who likes to question what it is they think they know, because at least that's what I like to do. Question what it is I think I know so that I can be curious, curious, curious enough to learn something new. Okay. All right. Enough of this chit chat intro. Let's jump right into the heart of today's episode. Here we go.  If you are an irrigation professional, old or new, who designs, installs, or maintains high end residential, commercial, or municipal properties, and you want to use technology to improve your business, to get a leg up on your competition, even if you're an old school irrigator from the days of hydraulic systems, this show is for you.  So for today, I have three topics to share with you. Number one, something I heard recently that points favorably. To the future of the trades industry. Number two, an invitation to join me at the op Connect late night welcome party at the IA show. Number three, a technology platform that I've been building with two other team members for the past year that we will have ready for beta testing soon.  So, okay, let's start with the future of the trades industry, and in case you missed it. Missed it in the intro. I'm going to play this clip again for you, this really short clip, and I may play it a few times just to drill the point home. The computer guys got so smart they took away their own jobs. The computer guys got so smart they took away their own jobs.  The computer guys got so smart they took away their own jobs.  Let me play it one more time. The computer guys got so smart they took away their own jobs.  It's frickin awesome. I just think that this is an amazing concept. The computer guys got so smart they took away their own jobs. There's just something so ironic about that that it reminds me of these lyrics.  Now this is a story all about how My life got flipped, turned upside down And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air My life got turned flipped upside down and that might be exactly what is coming for some people as it relates to a I their life is going to get turned flipped upside down because what they think what they thought they think what they think they thought they knew the value of that is changing. The puck is moving. So some people's lives are going to get turned flipped upside down.  However, the reason I say that trades rule. And that's kind of why I put that in this episode is because what really resonated with me and this episode, which I, you know, will link here in the show notes, what resonated with me is when Jason Calacanis predicted that the jobs that require the sort of like human hands or like, aka the trades, you know, plumbers, carpenters, anything that requires the trades will be more in demand.  And I think that it's sort of like the, you know, it's that flip happening. It's like the poles getting reversed when society at one time, uh, it's not that we When I say we, society, devalued blue collar jobs, we put this sort of false, um, pedestal under white collar jobs, aka going to college, aka getting a degree. You know, I, we'll save my true thoughts on this for another podcast, but is, where is the value there if much of what is taught there can be and will be outsourced to another country? Right? Through the internet, remote workforce, or replaced by AI.  Is that the, is that really where humans should put their value? And what's really fascinating, flip that over, blue collar jobs, work with your hands. These types of jobs will be in more demand than ever. And he says six figures. So good news for you guys wanted to just play these quotes because as I listened to them in my day to day and the content that I consume when something It sticks out to me. I want to share it with you and that one did because I think it looks bright for the future of the trades industry. Whether you work in the trade, whether you are a sole proprietor, whether you own the business and employ trades people, the entire trades industry  looks positive.  So let's play the entire quote from Jason Calacanis right now. What are the safe jobs? Do you think in a world of AI, if you're 18 right now, listening to this, anything physical in the world, that's like a trade skill  is going to be crazy. Like, you know, try getting a plumber, electrician, any of those jobs. So if you have the propensity, it's going to be a six figure job. And I would say it's safer than the equivalent six figure job. You might get after 20 years of being a journalist, right. To hit six figures as a teacher or journalist is a 10 to 20 year journey, I'd say. And your job as a plumber, electrician, carpenter. Pick the trade will be higher.  Excellent. Now let's move on to item number two on my list today. And that is an invitation to join me at the op connect late night. Welcome party at the I a show up. Connect has generously.  Scheduled a happy hour irrigation appreciation event on Tuesday, November 28th. So if you are listening to this and plan to attend the IA show, which officially I believe starts Wednesday trade show anyway,  Tuesday night. From 8pm to 9pm, we invite you to join OpConnect, Justin, Breck, you know, and myself at Rita's Riverwalk, Rita's Riverwalk, at 8pm Tuesday, November 28th, from 8pm to 9pm, and then I will sponsor the Late Late Night. Event, so if any of you guys stay past 9 p. m Then I'll take over from OpConnect and this will be the sprinkler nerd meetup sponsored event in the after party So join OpConnect, Justin Breck, myself at the IA show Tuesday night, November  28th, Rita's River Walk, just google that, I could give you the address, but just google it, it's Rita's, like Margarita, Rita, Rita's River Walk, San Antonio, Tuesday, November 28th, 8pm. Would love to see you there. But this is my lead in to my third kind of announcement and that is about the technology platform that the three of us have been building for the past year, which eventually will be a very A comprehensive platform and there's multiple legs of the platform that range from analytics to control to monitoring and the first kind of public release of the technology  is a  long range  wireless soil moisture sensor. I'll  pause for a moment. Yes, you heard that, a  Long Range Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor Platform.  And our platform has two parts. Number one is the hardware technology of the sensor, which has a, um, how do I say this?  A shelf life, an installed shelf life of approximately five years. So we, we have engineered, manufactured an amazing product  that measures the soil moisture at three inches and measures it at six inches. It provides an average and the soil temperature. And we're building this at an affordable price because part of our business plan is what we are calling the democratization of soil moisture sensor technology. So we believe that.  If you, why would you want to spend 800 on one soil moisture sensor, we believe that you should be spending 800 for at least 10 to 20 soil moisture sensors. Because one, we want to, we want to get a lot of sensors out there because we want you to learn. We don't want price to be the barri