Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

QR codes... they have been popping up everywhere I look lately and I think they can be an effective marketing tool for all of us as well. What's a QR code? Its technical term is Quick Response code and was first used in the automotive industry to track vehicles during the manufacturing process. More recently, it has gained more mainstream acceptance thanks to the increased popularity of smart phones and its compact size.

You can see an example of one here - this one happens to take you to our new commercial survey form (more on that later).

The codes are now being used over a much wider range of applications, including entertainment, airline ticketing, product marketing and in-store product labeling. A quick Google search will turn up plenty of free sites that allow you to create your own QR code (<a href="http://www.qrstuff.com" target="_blank">www.qrstuff.com</a> is quite user friendly). Once there, you can create a code that will take interested prospects to any page on your website, display your contact information, show a video or take them to a form to fill out to be contacted. Most sites offer analytics with a paid subscription for keeping track of "scans" in real-time.

There are infinite possibilities not only what can be in the QR code but also where you can put one. It can be put on any literature, the back of a business card, your trucks, or even on a t-shirt. I am sure that you can all find an ingenious way to use them in your business.

Aquatherm has completed a new online version of our commercial survey form - you can see it right now by scanning the QR code above from your phone or by visiting the back-door page at <a href="http://aquathermindustries.com/survey" target="_blank">aquathermindustries.com/survey</a>. In addition to providing us with the technical information necessary to help size your system, we are also able run a DOE RSPEC program simulation of any project you are bidding. Just fill out the form, click submit, and we will email you the results. Please fill out the form as completely as possible to get the most accurate results.

Lastly, before we get to the October numbers, Dave, Dan, and I will be calling on as many of you as possible in the coming weeks in an attempt to identify some current trends in the commercial pool market and strengthen our marketing efforts in that sector. I've listed several of the questions below so you can start giving them some thought.
<ul>
	<li>What percentage of your jobs are commercial versus      residential year-to-date? For last year?</li>
	<li>Of the commercial jobs you have bid/received, how      are they finding you?</li>
	<li>Number one reason these owner/operators considered      solar?</li>
	<li>What type of commercial jobs are you bidding, such      as water parks, city pools, hotels, schools?</li>
	<li>Do you see the number of commercial opportunities      increasing, decreasing or staying the same?</li>
</ul>
We'll be presenting the results at our upcoming Annual Master Dealer Kick-off Meetings.

Congratulations to <strong>Stilwell Solar, FL</strong> who takes the top spot in October with 301 collectors! Congrats to Bill and his team! <strong>Mark Naylor Solar Specialists, CA</strong> came in second with 182 collectors for October, and coming in with a 3rd place finish is <strong>Central Florida Solar, FL</strong> with 98 collectors. Nice job Bill - if you can sell just another 138 collectors this year, you'll start the new year a Gold Dealer!

The Top Salesman spot goes to <strong>Bill Long</strong> from Stilwell Solar with 27 sales for the month. Outstanding job Bill! In a very close 2nd place spot is <strong>Mark Naylor</strong> from Mark Naylor Solar Specialists with 26 sales in October - great job Mark! <strong>Scott Bologna</strong> from Stilwell Solar had 16 sales for an overall 3rd place finish for September.

In another new show for us this year, Aquatherm will be exhibiting at the <strong>Athletic Business Conference</strong> December 1 - 2nd in Orlando. This show attracts thousands of pool owners and operators for military bases, health and fitness clubs, colleges and universities, wellness centers and private sports/recreation centers.

May you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family and our best to you and yours!

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