SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575944
SportsTurf: How do you develop rela- tionships with turf managers? Williams: When first calling on a new customer, it's important to let them know who we are, and let them know how World Class products can help make their facil- ity the best it can be. We let them know our various product lines and help find the best product that is a fit for their par- ticular fields. We share with them positive experiences our current customers have had at their facilities with our products. We spend as much time as the customer desires to learn about them and not 'get in the way', while at the same time trying to build a long-term relationship. The goal of World Class is to make the turf manager's job easier and to exceed our customers' expectations. ST: Do you have any recommendations for customers on how to get the most out of their supplier relationships? Williams: Turf managers should have no reservations about asking any ques- tions about our products' performance. The suppliers should always be available to help in any situation. Good communi- cation is the key, whether it is about how good the field looked, or an occasional problem. There is a remedy for almost anything, and we will always find a solu- tion. If our customers are not happy, then we are not happy. ST: How do you typically research and develop new products? Williams: We have test plots at our man- ufacturing site. We are constantly working on improving our products and keeping up with any needs or ideas the turf managers may have. Customer feedback is the key to our product development. ST: Are there any new technologies you are developing that you can share with us, or any new products that will soon be available? Williams: We are working on new prod- ucts and ways to help enhance the look of the stadium or facility, not only the play- ing field. We aren't ready to announce the details at this time. ST: Are there any new markets that you are entering? Williams: We aren't ready to announce details at this time. ■ ST TOOLS & EQUIPMENT STMA COMMERCIAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: WORLD CLASS ATHLETIC SURFACES Another installment in our new, occasional series highlighting STMA commercial members. This month we hear from Mike Williams of World Class Athletic Surfaces, Leland, MS: 36 SportsTurf | October 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com