Hello! Anybody in water/mold/fire restoration companies that uses Xcelerate software? (I know it's Lightspeed's official software)...
They advertise a Zapier connection but I can't find * anything * about it on Zapier's site. Apparently a state secret. Much appreciated any intel on what Zaps are available. Thanks!
It appears a takeover is imminent in Austin. Can other teachers in the state share experiences with TEA leadership at the helm?
(am a parent committed to public ed - apologies, ban me if I am not allowed)
Edit: included which A (Austin) and that I’m a parent!
Mighty parents of Austin - AISD's preliminary budget reductions include:
-"Begin transition away from 1:1 devices"
-"Initiate an evaluation process to review and discontinue software based on usage and alignment with academic vision"
You have an opportunity to fill out a comment card (trustees are reading every word) in support of this effort; if you have a story to tell or research to share, do so.
If you don’t know what to say, here is some copy/paste for you:
I strongly support reevaluating our use of screens, devices, and technology at AISD. Data and research do not suggest that implementation has led to superior educational outcomes and has in fact been negative for our children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Let's make lemons out of lemonade. Let's restore research and data-backed educational practices to our schools in order to protect the cognitive development of our children. Let's stop using screens and devices as behavioral management tools. Thoughtful and intentional technology use should have a baseline backed by research and data.
Everybody has a story about a teacher who changed their life - let's spend the resources we have left after recapture (ugh) on teachers instead of private-equity backed edtech apps designed to monetize our children and our public school system.
Hey! Looking for notes, discussion, and comparison on compensation models in pool and spa service.
Do you lean towards an hourly model, with technician pay scales? Or are you paying for performance, per unit of work?
Am seeing more and more pros experiment with the latter... Figuring out pay for performance and productivity - and ensuring checks and balances on quality.
I'm seeing/hearing:
Per pool + filter clean flat fee
- The most common model!
Hourly + Per pool kicker + filter clean flat fee
- Base rate, but you get a productivity lever that keeps techs moving.
Other Custom:
I've heard some more creative ones (based on gallonage, pool complexity to normalize, even a "commission" earned on the customer's recurring service amount.)
Then there's stuff like commission on selling service items on route (O-rings, new baskets) and I've seen a range between 15-30% on that.
Would love to hear variations on any or all of these - and what keeps your team coming back for more.