Education

When I graduated from high school, I thought I would take 1 years off before going to university, that 1 year grew into 35 years, now my dream is that maybe when I retire I will finally get to further my education.  I often say that my biggest regret in life is that I did not get a post secondary education.  Maybe that is why I put such a strong focus on education in our company.   When I started my work experience I thought I would use the education I had, to be able to do the jobs I got, little did I know that no matter what job you have, you will constantly have to further your education, education never ends.  After working in the same industry for over 30 years, each year I realize how much more there is to learn.  I do not think I will ever know it all, it is just not possible, but I am committed to continue to encourage not only myself but all our staff members to broaden their education and knowledge in our industry.

This past off season we invested in sending 8 staff members to an in depth chemistry school put on by one of our vendor partners Bio-Lab.  Over the past 20 years or so I have probably been to 15 chemistry schools, and to be honest I wondered if it would be beneficial for me to attend or not, but am I ever glad I did.   Like other chemistry schools I have gone to before, I heard much of the same things, but no matter what, I always learn something new, or once again pick up something that I once knew but have either forgotten or possible thought  was not important before.  Knowledge is never ending and no matter how mundane a course or seminar is, if you come away from it with 1 new bit of information it will have been worth while attending.

Education is one of the criteria we use when choosing our suppliers, why should we promote their products if they are not willing to invest in their dealers so that we as dealers can properly teach our customers in the proper end use of the product.  We have a number of industry leading suppliers who not only invest in us, educating us in their products, but often also invest in educating us in how to become more successful business partners . These are suppliers who realize that it is much more beneficial for them to help build strong dealer partners then to constantly have to look for new dealers. 

As a company we are committed to investing in our staffs knowledge.  When new sales staff are hired they go through an extensive training course before they are able to serve our customers.  Even then they will continue to learn each day as they deal with new circumstances.  We encourage sharing of ideas and knowledge as we realize we are only as strong as our weakest link, and to some degree we are all the weakest link.  We have also just gone through some training courses with all our sales staff and also service and construction staff.  I am sure that there were times that staff members  thought that the training sessions were a waste of time, but I would disagree with that, because I am sure that they all picked up at least one new bit of knowledge or idea that will help them better serve our customers.

Twice Baked BBQ Potatoes

Summer time menus are flavorful and fun, and this is one of my family’s all time favorite way to have potatoes! Having a back yard BBQ? This recipe is one way to really impress your guests without spending all day in the kitchen, and also a good way to get your little ones to eat their potatoes with out a complaint! Last night I paired this recipe with some salmon and corn on the cob! YUM!

Use big baking potatoes. (Washed with the skin on) Bake your potatoes either in the oven or on the BBQ for an hour, or until soft. (Sometimes I cheat and microwave them for a few minutes to speed up the bake time)

Let them cool fully

When they are cool, cut them in half and carefully scoop out the insides. (Make sure to leave enough inside the skin so they stay in one piece)

Mash the potato that you’ve removed from the centers of the skin, add sour cream, chives, salt and pepper, real bacon bits, and shredded cheddar cheese. (Add as much or little as you like of each)

Whip all together with your beaters!

Fill the skins back up with a generous helping of your whipped potato mixture.

Top with a little extra shredded cheese and a little paprika or your favorite spice rub (try our Butt Rub, that’s what I use!) and put back on the grill for 15 min (or until the cheese is melted and heated throughout)

Who is jealous of my leftovers for lunch today?

Enjoy everyone!!

-Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer

HHL Life Lessons

Working at HHL for the last 7 years I have learned so much, so I thought I would share some of the most important things we have learned

"My ‘life lesson’ is to remember the importance of “Celebrating Life”. I continue to remind others, and myself, that many of the things we get stressed out about on a daily basis are generally not life altering. We might worry about our jobs, our bills, our direction but truthfully in 10 years they are generally things we look back on and say ‘Well that wasn’t worth getting worked up over’. If it is not something like a health crisis that is beyond our control then we need to maintain the perspective that ‘yes’ we have challenges but they are manageable and we can get through them. I’ve learned that life can be a lot more enjoyable when we focus on the positives of what is around us, not the negatives. Celebrate what we have, not begrudge what we don’t have! Working at HHL has taught me daily the benefits of having water in my backyard (and our customers!) to help me embrace the above. Family time, friend gatherings and surrounding ourselves with those that mean the most to us is true perspective on what matters most during our time her.!"-Brad A. Sweet, Partner

“Often times the only pool knowledge a new customer has is that they enjoy swimming, while the actual mechanics of the pool can be overwhelming to them at first!  I know I had my steamer oven for months and I would randomly push every button on the thing until in exasperated submission it did what I wanted it to do!  Patience is so important when explaining the mechanics of a pool or hot tub to a new owner. At HHL, our goal is to create an environment where the customer feels comfortable calling us or dropping by to ask us any pool related question without feeling that any question is too trivial!”-Debby vandenHof, Aylesford Store Manager

“I started working for Holland Home Leisure in 2005. During these past 7 years, I have learned many things from HHL. I have learned team work is one key factor that is very important. I always enjoyed completing tasks individually but when I started working at HHL I quickly learned that this is not the most effective way to run things. I realized that you have to depend on other co-workers to help you solve problems and run business more smoothly. The staff has shown me that everyone has different personalities and strengths and this is what makes the business stronger.”- Kristi Huestis, Service Advisor

“When you tell a customer you will do something for them whether it be to look into a product for them, check on work that has been done on an item we sold them or maybe investigate a product that we don’t carry for them, make sure you keep your promise!

Making a promise to a customer is no different than making a promise to a family member or a friend. Keeping your promises is important in every aspect of life because it build’s trust which all positive relationships are based on!”- Debby vandenHof, Aylesford Store Manager

“Change is GOOD! Shocking I know, but working at HHL things are constantly changing, so you learn that change is necessary! Every year something is different, multiple times a year even. Staff are new, procedures are “tweaked” and revised (this sometimes feels life altering), and simple things change too. Popular items can change drastically in the change of a season; fashionable cushion colors are completely different from year to year, even the store design changes. Which marketing techniques grab people’s attention are also changed throughout the years. I could go on and on about change but as Mike always says “you need to move the cheese” and “without change there is no growth”. I think we could all learn from those words!”- Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer, New Minas Retail Manager

“HHL differs from other companies and always puts customer satisfaction first over productivity and making a profit. The staff would rather see a customer happy and enjoying the product that suits them the best. HHL has shown me why it is so important to make sure the customer is satisfied as that is what keeps a business running for 30 plus years.”-Kristi Huestis, Service Advisor

“There is something satisfying about helping a customer with a pool problem, you giving them your best advice and having that customer come back with a smile on their face to say that their problem has been solved. When I was a seasonal employee at HHL, I think this satisfaction is what kept me coming back year after year. Holland Home Leisure takes great price in helping frustrated customers solve their problems, and following up with those customers to make sure they are enjoying there products as much as they should be.”-Katie McLean, New Minas Above Ground Specialist

“My dad used to always say to me that when he started putting in pools, he never assumed it would be his life long career and he would often wonder what he would do “when he grew up”. This always surprised me so much because I assumed this was a life goal of his, and in reality it was just a job in the beginning. He became so passionate about his job it turned into a career. Many of us started as summer employees here at HHL and something about this industry and company has turned our jobs into careers. The more you embrace your job the more you succeed, the more you work with the company and showcase your strengths the more opportunities will arise for you. I strongly believe being passionate about something helps you thrive.”-Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer, New Minas Retail Manager

Until next time

Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer

Big Green Egg

It seems like we have been waiting forever to the nice weather to get here.  Finally it seems like we will be able to enjoy our outdoor living spaces.  I know I fired up the barbeque a couple of times in April, but I do not think the weather allowed for much barbequing in May.  Last night we had our first hamburgers grilled on our Big Green Egg of the year.  I do not think you can get a better hamburger than one cooked over natural charcoal, using your own ground beef, and homemade barbeque sauce. 

When we first started selling Big Green Eggs I actually resisted getting one for myself.  I could still remember having to wait for my charcoal barbeques to light, and for the coals to be ready to grill.  It seemed like we were always cooking well before the coals were ready, but I was assured that the Big Green Egg was different, and that it can be ready in around 15 minutes, which is not much different than your propane barbeque.  I finally brought one home a couple of years ago, and it is now my barbeque of choice.  Grilling on a Big Green Egg adds flavour to everything you cook. 

So last night on the way home, I picked up a 2 lb Prime Rib Roast, I figured I really wanted to enjoy those first burgers of the year.   When I got home I lit the Big Green Egg.  I chopped up the roast, and ran it through the meat grinder.  I added an egg, some Bad Byron's Butt Rub, salt and pepper, mixed it up and made 4 patties.  By this time the Big Green Egg was at 600 degrees and ready to grill.

The Burgers needed about 5 minutes per side, and they were perfect, nice and moist, and ready for the plate.  I finished them off with a great Barbeque sauce recipe that I found a few years ago.  We used to make fun of our eldest daughter and how quickly she could devour a fast food hamburger.  She would have hers finished before anyone else even had theirs unwrapped, but I think we would have given her a run for her money eating ours last night.  There is something about eating food that is cooked outside, it just seems to taste so much better.

Here is the barbeque sauce recipe

4 cloves minced garlic

3 TBS Olive Oil                                                           

1 cup ketchup

1/4 cup water                                                            

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar 

2 TBS Paprika

1 TBS Chile Powder

1 TS Cayenne Pepper

Heat the oil, and then add the minced garlic, sauté  for a couple of minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients and then reduce heat.  Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.

This is great on ribs, or pork, but also works well with chicken and hamburgers.                                      

 Enjoy-Mike vandenHof

Big Green Egg in Action at our 30th Anniversary!

Staying Young

Last night I witnessed my 7 year old in full costume and “stage” make up for her Dance Class photo shoot. I felt like I was in an episode of Tot’s and Tiara’s, surrounded by children ages 4 and up in mascara and lipstick. My daughter was absolutely thrilled to have full permission to leave the house with make up on, I on the other hand looked behind me to see my baby girl in her booster seat with more make up on than I had, and was mortified.

In the days of dance classes, acting lessons and countless other activities our little ones seem older than they really are. I for one am so happy to be in a business that provides family activities that allow kids to act their age. I am all for any activity that allows kids to be just that, kids! Swimming is still the highlight of my daughter’s summer; summer has not officially arrived until she gets to go for a dip in the pool. If we stay in a hotel for the night, the first question asked by her is always the same, is there a pool?

The joy of watching kids swimming and splashing around in the water, having competitions to see who can make the biggest splash always makes me smile. Pool water also has the tendency to revert some adults back into the children! If these youthful adults enter a splash competition the odds of winning tend to be in their favor!  So, this summer I’m voting for activities that keep the young acting young, and have the young at heart joining in!

Talk soon!

-Liana vandenHof Rhodenizer

Sale Recap

It’s Tuesday, May 24! That means we have also survived yet another Victoria Day Weekend sale! As most of you know, this is Holland Home Leisure’s biggest sale of the year! It’s a great time to come in and stock up on your pool and hot tub chemicals, and buy those accessories that just aren’t working like they used to. While the weather left much to be desired, it didn’t stop our customers from coming out to cash in on some great deals.

Another success of the weekend: Our very first Splash for CF fundraiser! On Saturday, with the help of some awesome volunteers, we set up a dunk tank and BBQ in the Holland Home Leisure parking lot. The money raised there, combined with your generous donations in-store, made our first CF fundraiser a very successful one! A huge thank-you to all of the customers that donated to a great cause this weekend, and of course to our volunteers that manned our BBQ and sat in the freezing cold dunk tank for what I’m sure seemed like forever. Also, a special thank-you to “Stripes” the clown for showing up and making us all laugh with some of the most ridiculous balloon hats you’ve ever seen! It was just what we needed after a hectic weekend!

Trevor with "Stripes" the Clown

Chris from K-Rock in the Dunk Tank

Dunk tank volunteers warming up in the hot tub!

Leigham, cooking up a storm on the BBQ

So if you missed our Splash for CF fundraiser this weekend, stay posted for our next event, or stop in to either Holland Home Leisure location and drop off your recyclables! We’ll be cashing in our recyclables (and yours) all year long for Cystic Fibrosis!

For the Foody

One thing about the vandenHof family is we like to eat! A good recipe gets passed quicker than any gossip. Pasta, risotto, salmon, salads…mmm YUM!

We all have our all-time favorites, meals that you can barely go a week without, meals that my 7 year old will request every other day, and meals that show up at every single family potluck. I thought I would give you one my little ones all time favorites  (it can not be cooked in your backyard…oops!). I would like to present this opportunity for all of are followers to send in your favorite family recipe! J

Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta (Called Special Pasta in our house)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 bottle of Basil Pesto

2-3 tbs of Sweet Chili Sauce

4 (or more) cloves of garlic

Fresh Cilantro chopped

1 box bow tie noodles (or shell)

½ cup Fresh Parmesan

Put water on to boil noodles.

Cook your chicken in a little bit of olive oil along with your garlic, when it is cooked, add your sweet chili sauce, cook for one or two minutes. Put your noodles in your boiling water.

Add the bottle of Basil Pesto to your chicken, keep on low heat.

When the noodles are cooked, add to the pan (I use a very deep frying pan), add the parmesan and the fresh cilantro (I use a large handful of cilantro or more). Stir well/

I serve with a fresh salad on the side and little fresh parmesan sprinkled on top.

I look forward to reading some of your family favorites! You can either respond directly on the blog or e-mail me at liana@hollandhomeleisure.com

Ok, Now I’m hungry J

-Liana vandenHof-Rhondenizer