It helps to have teammates. That’s the headline on Ed Wodalski’s last column, and it’s true in every aspect of life. Ed was a good teammate. Sadly, he passed away Sept. 21 at the age of 64.
Ed came home on a Wednesday evening after officiating a high school football game, talked to his wife and sat down to rest. He died of a massive heart attack a short while later.
Appropriately, his final column talks about baseball and one of his grandkids. He loved baseball, and his grandkids were his world.
He also really enjoyed putting this publication together for you, and this column ends his run in fine fashion.
Ed Wodalski was a good teammate. He will be missed.
This summer I had the privilege of helping coach my grandson Eli’s baseball team. Getting 13 wiggly, easily distracted 6- and 7-year-olds to hit, catch and throw can be a challenge.
In Rookie League, teams use pneumatic pitching machines. Opposing coaches place the ball in a tube-like barrel, triggering a light that blinks three times before launching the ball. Occasionally the machine misfires, and instead of a “whoosh” there’s a wimpy “poof,” which brings giggles from the bench.
As a Lugnut, everyone bats and takes turns at positions in the field.
Being a team member means running to the ball and helping others make a play.
In many ways, plumbing franchises are like teams, each member ready to assist the other.
Brad and Amanda Sims, the subject of this month’s profile and the 2015 Mr. Rooter Franchisee of the Year, say one of the biggest benefits of being a franchise member is the support you receive.
“There’s always someone out there who has either been down the same road you’re on or is currently on the same road,” Amanda says. “You always have someone you can network with and bounce ideas off of. That’s one of the best things we’ve received out of the franchise system — being able to spend time with other people doing the same thing we are and actually talk about it. You can’t do that with your competition.”
When the Sims started with Mr. Rooter they were assigned a franchise consultant who coached them in the Mr. Rooter methodology, and remains in contact today.
“We talk at least on a monthly basis and sometimes more than that,” Amanda says. “There’s a site visit every year and then at conferences we always spend a little time together. They’re always there if you’re having an issue or need help finding training opportunities.”
In plumbing, like baseball, there’s much to be gained from your peers. A good teammate will always pick you up. Maybe you need advice on a new service you’re launching, or maybe you’re playing third with a runner on second base.
Run to the bag!
Obediently, Edward hurries to third, leaving the ball behind — still rolling on the ground.
Like baseball, Mr. Rooter offers various training opportunities where owners and employees of franchisees can come together to continue their education. A business can travel offsite for a seminar or bring the training to them. The Sims hosted their first such three-day seminar in September.
“It was focused on the technicians, but also the owners to teach them how to go back and train their own people,” Amanda says. Since joining the Mr. Rooter team, the Sims have gone from making just shy of $200,000 a year to $1.6 million in 2015 — growth they attribute to coaching and support from Mr. Rooter.
As for the Lugnuts, they too had a good year, and I sincerely thank them for the autographed team ball. I’ll treasure it always.
