How Partnership Unlocked Pinellas County’s True Potential
Implementing new systems and processes is hard. You need top-down, bottoms-up alignment and commitment to the change. This was the challenge facing Pinellas County Utilities. They owned the powerful WIMS platform, but its full capabilities remained underutilized across their sites. The initial implementation momentum had faded, and as Technology Manager Quentin Jones discovered, inconsistent use was creating a cascade of business risks.
This isn't a story about a technology gap, but a much more common and critical adoption gap. It’s about breathing new life into an existing asset by getting the team to adopt and change. This is the blueprint for how Pinellas County drove change management for WIMS by leveraging the expertise and training of the Aquatic Informatics team.
The Turning Point in Quentin's Own Words
Quentin recognized that fixing this adoption gap wasn't a solo mission. He had a pivotal insight: "Why are we doing this? We should go to the experts. We're not the experts… we should call Aquatic Informatics."
What followed wasn't just a consultation; it was a commitment. The Aquatic Informatics team arrived on-site, ready to do a full diagnostic "on their own dime." This strategic pivot, from an internal struggle to an expert partnership, transformed the entire project.
It was more than a decision; it was a shift in mindset that became the foundation for their success. In this short video, Quentin Jones explains exactly why this collaborative approach became the "big turning point" for his entire organization.
Buying in: How Working Together Really Worked!
For Pinellas County, the partnership with Aquatic Informatics wasn't just helpful—it was the strategic advantage that provided the proof and confidence they needed to win.
Their success wasn't magic; it was the result of a clear, collaborative strategy. Here are the key actions that made their partnership work, and the takeaways you can apply to your own organization.
Key #1: Build Trust Before Building a Plan
- How They Worked Together: The partnership began with a strong commitment to customer service. The Aquatic Informatics team came on-site "on their own dime" to conduct a full, hands-on assessment. This immediately shifted the dynamic from a sales pitch to a collaborative problem-solving session, establishing them as a trusted advisor from day one.
- Your Takeaway: A partner who invests their own time to understand your problem is a partner who is committed to your success. This value-first approach is the foundation for the honest, open conversations needed to drive real change.
Key #2: Arm Your Champion with a Professional Case for Leadership
- How They Worked Together: They conducted an on-site assessment that produced more than just notes; it resulted in a professional report, a clear PowerPoint, and a strategic summary. This armed Quentin with the credible, data-backed materials he needed to present a compelling case to his director and secure immediate "top-down support."
- Your Takeaway: Leadership responds to professional, data-backed strategic plans, not just ideas. A strong partner doesn't just give you advice; they provide you with the polished, authoritative deliverables you need to make your case in the board room.
Key #3: Arm Your Champion with a Professional Case for Leadership
- How They Worked Together: For the plant managers, the argument wasn't about high-level strategy; it was about their daily work. Quentin used the assessment data to tell a story with numbers, showing them the hard data on the "man-hours" they were losing to spreadsheets compared to the efficiency of the plants that were using WIMS correctly.
- Your Takeaway: Top-down mandates only go so far. To get true, enthusiastic buy-in, you must answer the team's unspoken question: "How does this make my job better?" Use data to prove the direct ROI for them—less tedious work, faster reporting, and more time for value-added tasks.
Key #4: Schedule a 'Tune-Up' for Continuous Improvement
- How They Worked Together: For Pinellas County, securing buy-in wasn't the finish line; it was the starting line. To maintain momentum, Quentin established a cross-functional "pit crew"—a team of engineers, IT staff, and operators who meet every two weeks. This regular check-in creates a dedicated forum to ensure everyone stays aligned on their "common plan on how we're going to better utilize the tool."
- Your Takeaway: Buy-in isn't a one-time event; it's a process that requires maintenance. Establish a regular, recurring meeting with key stakeholders from different departments. This creates a rhythm of accountability and a proactive space to solve small issues before they become big problems, ensuring the change truly sticks and improves over time.
Sustaining Success for the Long Haul
Pinellas County successfully reignited their software investment, building a more efficient, confident, and collaborative organization. But success isn't a one-time fix; it's a commitment to continuous improvement, which is where ongoing education and support become critical.
A high-performance engine requires skilled drivers, which is why, as Quentin mentions, his team is now taking full advantage of the Aquatic Informatics Academy. This on-demand training program provides a library of expert-led videos and documentation, designed to help users master every feature of the platform. This commitment to continuous training ensures the team is not just proficient but are masters of their tools, ready to adapt and excel as the technology evolves.
This commitment to learning is part of the ultimate lesson from Pinellas County’s success: peak performance is maintained through a lasting partnership. Knowing they can always lean on Aquatic Informatics for support—whether for a complex question, future strategic planning, or ongoing training via the Academy—provides ultimate peace of mind. It’s the assurance that expert help is always just a call away.
This commitment to learning highlights the ultimate lesson from Pinellas County’s success: peak performance requires a lasting partnership. The team now has peace of mind knowing they can always lean on Aquatic Informatics for support. Whether they need help with a complex question, strategic planning, or Academy training, they know expert guidance is always just a call away.
Is your organization ready to unlock the full power of its technology? Contact us to learn how a strategic partnership with Aquatic Informatics can help you achieve your goals!
