Class is in Session

Last week, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) closed the book on another successful PestWorld. I can’t imagine anyone who attended the event — pest management professionals (PMPs), suppliers, distributors and industry consultants — left Las Vegas disappointed.

For those of you who regularly follow my blog, Keeping it Simple, you’re already familiar with some of the great pest management products exhibitors were showcasing at their booths (and, for those of you who don’t follow my blog, what’s the matter with you?)

I spent a lot of time last week in the exhibit hall, running from booth to booth with my camera in tow. There could have been another whole day, and I still probably wouldn’t have been able to see it all.

Each night, back in my room at the beautiful Palazzo Hotel & Casino, I posted my thoughts on the exhibits and uploaded the day’s videos. Sure, there were many PMPs in attendance, but many more could not be in Las Vegas for the NPMA’s premier event. Hopefully, thanks to my daily video blogging — or, vlog — everyone was able to get a glimpse of what they missed (and maybe we’ll see you in Hawaii next year).

One regret I have is that I didn’t post much about the fantastic educational sessions that were just as much a part of NPMA’s PestWorld as the exhibit hall. The folks at the NPMA do such a great job every year of putting together classes that are relative, informative and valuable to PMPs.

If you attended the show and missed the educational sessions, shame on you. If you did attend the educational sessions, I hope you’re able to follow through with what you learned and implement something new at your company.

The depth of the educational sessions offered at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 really made me think. In the past few months alone, I’ve attended some excellent educational opportunities offered to this industry in Arizona, New York and Kentucky (and, unfortunately, missed out on a good one in Illinois).

As the year comes to a close in less than two months, there’s still an opportunity to learn. Next week, in New York, Bug Off Pest Control Center is hosting its annual New York Pest Expo. This year’s event, which Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine is proud to help sponsor, has taken on a particular pest as its focus: bed bugs.

If it’s true you can never learn too much, then it’s certainly true you can never learn too much about bed bugs. This emerging pest dominates the conversations in every corner of the pest management industry. Even experienced PMPs seem to be searching for answers when it comes to these pests.

The New York Pest Expo: Bed Bug Edition next week will bring PMP magazine’s bed bug editorial series to life, with featured speakers Dr. Mike Potter from the University of Kentucky and Dr. Dini Miller from Virginia Tech. It’s sure to be the can’t-miss bed bug educational program of the year.

Unfortunately, if you haven’t already registered for this event, time is running out. There are still seats available, but you’d better hurry — the registration deadline is Nov. 7.

Please, click here to register for this outstanding event. We truly hope to see you at The Armory in New York next week.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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Viva Las Vegas

Bright light city gonna set my soul,
Gonna set my soul on fire.
Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn,
So get those stakes up higher.
There’s a thousand pretty women waitin’ out there,
And they’re all livin’ devil may care,
And I’m just the devil with love to spare.
Viva Las Vegas, viva Las Vegas!

The largest gathering of pest management professionals (PMPs), suppliers, distributors and consultants in the pest management industry — a pantheon of Who’s Who in the pest management industry — will be on hand in Las Vegas next week for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009.

If you’re among those PMPs who are making this journey to the desert, I can promise you won’t be disappointed. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) always puts together a fantastic show, and this year’s show promises to be just as fabulous as Las Vegas itself.

As we make last minute preparations at Pest Management Professional to attend the show, I thought it might be helpful to provide some tips on how to get the most out of NPMA’s PestWorld 2009.

A quick Google search on tips for trade show attendees yielded some pretty good advice, which I thought I’d include here with a few tips of my own:

• Have a goal of what you want to accomplish.
• Make a list of which exhibitors you’d like to visit, what seminars you want to attend and which new product lines you’d like to see (a list of exhibitors and seminars can be found on the NPMA Web site).
• Set appointments with any exhibitor you’d like to meet during the show.
• Pack comfortable shoes — you do a lot of walking at trade shows and in Las Vegas.
• When deciding what to wear, keep in mind you’re a representative for your company.
• Allow enough room in your suitcase(s) to bring back more than you take — this includes literature, freebies and product samples.
• Some exhibitors provide bags, but come prepared by bringing a comfortable carryall for all that literature and freebies.
• Make sure your badge is in plain sight while attending the seminars and exhibits.
• Have a pen and notebook ready for notes.
• Take a break after a few hours to refresh, have a snack and get some fresh air.
• Attend the educational sessions — this is why you came.
• Don’t linger too long at each booth because there’s plenty to see.
• Don’t stay in a conversation with a company in which you’re not interested in doing business. It wastes your time and the exhibitor’s time.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned tradeshow professional, I hope you found some of these tips useful.

Two more pieces of advice I must dispense: 1) Bring plenty of your own business cards and 2) Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others.

After all, it’s all about the networking. Meet as many of your peers as you can and form solid business relationships with suppliers and distributors. NPMA’s PestWorld is your chance to get in touch with everyone all in one place. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.

Now, for those of you cannot attend this year’s show, stay tuned to my blog, Keeping it Simple, as well as the PMP magazine Twitter page. I’ll do my best to post daily recaps on my blog and live updates on Twitter.

See you in Las Vegas!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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Stand Up for Small Business

I was honored to be among the handful of family, friends, supporters and news media attending Bob Dold’s official announcement of his decision to run for Congress in the 10th Congressional district in Illinois.

Held at the headquarters of Rose Pest Solutions in Northfield, Ill., there was a definite excitement in the air. Adorned with red, white and blue balloons and plenty of “Dold for Congress” signs, buttons and bumper stickers, this pest management firm was the picture of the American small business.

Dold is like many of you. He’s president of his family’s pest management company, where he works along side his PMP Hall of Fame mother and father, Judy and Bob Sr. (Chief). He’s a family man too. He and his wife of 10 years, Danielle, have three children, Harper (7), Bobby (5) and Honor (2).

“Families are struggling and small businesses are being forced to cut back or close up shop,” Dold said. “I’m running to represent the voices of small businesses and the thousands of 10th District residents employed by them.”When I sat down with Bob after his official announcement, he told me that if elected, in a way, he’d be representing pest management professionals (PMPs) everywhere.

Having gotten to know Bob — and his family — on several occasions since I became managing editor of Pest Management Professional close to a 18 months ago, I can’t think of a more-qualified person to represent this industry on Capitol Hill.

Bob has the experience and the passion required for such a monumental undertaking. He also has support — from his family, friends and colleagues — and welcomes as much support from this industry as he can get.

To learn additional information about Bob’s campaign, I urge you to visit www.doldforcongress.com. And to view video footage of his announcement, click here.

Also, stay tuned to the October issue of PMP, which will feature our exclusive interview with the candidate.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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Meeting ‘Bugs’ … and Wife

Sitting on the couch across from Al and Sandee Burger earlier this week, I felt like I was visiting old friends rather than interviewing people I’d just met.

That’s the level of comfort you get from this legendary husband-and-wife pest management team when you visit their home in Miami, Fla. Their hospitality is outstanding.

It’s no wonder they’ve succeeded so triumphantly in the pest management industry: The two areas where they’ve always focused their attention over the years has been in treating their employees as family and making their customers happy.

The couple’s love and affection for each other is evident as well. They share memories, tease each other and laugh together as they recall moments from throughout their career as pest management professionals.

Now retired, the Burgers ran “Bugs” Burger Bug Killers as a team for more than 25 years, providing pest management services to more than 10,000 restaurants and hotels in 44 states. Al was the marketing/sales genius, while Sandee was the brains behind the operation.

I’ve said it many times since I became managing editor of Pest Management Professional magazine — and I truly do mean it — but I’ll say it again: Visiting pest management professionals is the best part of my job.

I was reminded of that again when I when I met with the Burgers. As members of the 2009 class of PMP Hall of Fame inductees, Al and Sandee shared with me so many of the stories and accomplishments which led to this honor.

I look forward to seeing them again in Las Vegas for the PMP Hall of Fame induction banquet along with the rest of this year’s Hall of Fame class and former inductees who are sure to attend.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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Say Thank You

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Marty Grunder, let fill you in a little bit. Marty is the president of Marty Grunder! Inc., a business consulting company that provides speaking, training and consulting services to entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout the United States and Canada.

I follow Marty’s blog and, from time to time, I’m struck by something he’s written. Recently, it happened to me again. I read Marty’s post on showing your appreciation for the everyday people in your life who do their jobs, and it made me think.

Do I show my appreciation for those people in my life? Do I say thank you enough?

I remember writing a column back in December about giving employees a pat on the back. I reiterated that point in another column I wrote for Wildlife Management Professional magazine this past April.

My point in those two columns is still valid — show your employees they’re appreciated. Marty’s blog post also illustrates the importance of showing your appreciation for all the people who make your life better.

Anyway, I simply thought this was worth mentioning. Oh, and thank you for reading.

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Do You Blog? You Should

I love blogging. I’m not going to lie — I get such pleasure out of the convenience of being able to write and quickly publish my thoughts on any given topic for the whole world to see. I’ll admit, maybe I get such a sick satisfaction from this is because, after all, I am a writer (or, at least I play one on TV).

The ability to blog opens up a whole new world for would-be writers, self-proclaimed experts and people with strong opinions (hmm … that does sort of describe me). Whatever you’re thinking — whatever you can type — with the click of a mouse, the whole world can see.

Of course, this has its down side too. After all, the types of people described above might not be the best writer, might not be much of an expert on anything and might have some wacky opinions. Such is the Internet.

But, blogging is a good thing. Done right, blogging can be a useful tool for your business. Much can be said about the correlation between a properly maintained blog and a company’s Web site SEO (search engine optimization). Connecting with your customers — and potential customers — through a blog (and other social networking) is the chic way of communicating.

Through my own blog, Keeping it Simple, I’ve connected with many people in this industry, as well as people outside the industry. I try my best to post new entries at least once a day (my apologies for slacking off while traveling) and I enjoy the feedback I get from the people who visit my blog regularly.

About a month ago, I posted a Friday Link Roundup, in which I provided links to some of the other industry blogs I enjoy reading. I since decided to make that a regular feature on Fridays (in addition to including all those blogs in my blogroll at all times).

I’ve been amazed at just how many pest management professionals (PMPs) employ blogs for their companies. I commend them for jumping on board with this evolving trend, and thought it would be nice to list some of them here:

ABC Pest Control

Accurate Termite and Pest Control

Adam’s Pest Control

All-American Pest Control

American Pest Management

AmeriCare Services

Arizona Pest Control

Brasure’s Pest Control

Bulwark Pest Management

Clark Pest Control

Evans Pest Management

Hearts Pest Management

JP McHale Pest Management

ProBest Pest Management

Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators

Rentokil

Stern Environmental Group

Truly Nolen

Xterm Pest Management

I’m absolutely sure there are many more PMPs out there with company blogs — and I’ll find them. Of course, you could make it easier on me and send me an e-mail with a link to your blog. I’d be happy to add you to my blogroll and link to your blog in an upcoming Friday Link Roundup.

Tid Bits:

• Have you read PMP Editorial Director Frank Andorka’s open letter to the editor of Smart Money magazine yet? I suggest you check it out

• Not only can you follow Pest Management Professional on Twitter @PMPmagazine, you can follow PMP business columnist Harvey Goldglantz as well. See what he’s tweeting about @HGPCMC

• Don’t forget you can become a fan of Pest Management Professional magazine on Facebook. Check it out.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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Cooper’s Words Still Ring True

I want to revisit my post from Aug. 12, Not-So-Smart Money.

As you know, Smart Money magazine wrote reprinted a scandalous diatribe of lies about the pest management industry recently. In response to that, PMP Editorial Director Frank Andorka wrote a letter to the editor of Smart Money.

Two years ago, when Smart Money originally published the same article, PMP Hall of Famer Norm Cooper wrote a Web Exclusive article, “Seven Things Smart Money and Ken Bensinger Won’t Tell You.“

Cooper’s article still holds true, and I thought it worth re-posting here. Enjoy!

Seven Things Smart Money and Ken Bensinger Won’t Tell You

By Norman Cooper

1. Pest management professionals are NOT “the pesticide industry,” nor are they “bug zappers” as stated by Mr. Bensinger in his opening and misguided diatribe. Most pest management professionals utilize integrated pest management techniques, which encompass good management practices such as pest exclusion, remedying conditions to ensure that internal environmental conditions conducive to pest proliferation are eliminated or reduced and, when necessary, to apply low-impact, approved pesticides in a safe and judicious manner.

2. Virtually all pest management professionals are required to be certified in compliance with their states’ regulations, and must continue to attend approved educational pest control seminars in order to maintain their certification. Any use of pesticides that are not in compliance with label directions (which are mandated by the federal and state governments) are subject to severe penalties.

3. The Harvard School of Public Health credits the advances in the prolongation of life in the past century to (1) advances in medicine, (2) better nutrition and (3) pest control. It is imperative that these tools be utilized wisely. Professional applicators and government regulators are responsible for balancing the “benefit vs. risk” ratio.

4. Mr. Bensinger wrote that “in theory, the extermination company is responsible for any pre-existing, or ‘old,’ damage not caught during inspection, yet buried in their contracts is tricky language that can make it difficult to win a claim.” Doesn’t Mr. Bensinger realize that there are areas that are not accessible to inspection, even with much of the most sophisticated tools? To accept responsibility for guaranteeing a home that you have not treated would be either financially suicidal or prohibitively expensive? Does he truly believe that performing an inexpensive yet thoroughly professional visible examination and stating that “this report is based upon our inspector’s visual inspection of accessible areas and on sounding of accessible structural members and that this report is based upon the observations, judgments and opinions of the inspector and carries no guarantee or warranty expressed or implied” is tricky language?

5. “If your neighbors don’t hire me too, this treatment is worthless” is the heading of one of Mr. Bensinger’s sections. Of course, whether in an apartment building or even in a detached house, having your neighbors getting treatment in conjunction with the treatment of your premises is certainly more effective, especially for outdoor insects, but any pest management professional can cite countless situations where getting your neighbors to participate was not an option and where treatment for one unit was still very effective. His examples of ant species were not without some validity, but he misleads his readers by invoking the lowest standards of journalism.

6. The example of termite pretreatment at very low cost is not necessarily a case of “not using pure juice.” The termite company may have a crew of applicators that they want to keep employed, or they may do the pretreatment at a price lower than their cost because they may be looking for long-term warranty renewal profit. In any case, it is their business decision. They should not be accused of under-delivering, particularly by a regulatory official. Rather, if the regulatory agency should test and prove that improper formulation was used, legal action should be taken against the offender. Isn’t that the regulatory agency’s function? Regulating, rather than implying fraudulent behavior?

7. No stone was unturned in this article that obviously had a predetermined slant. Many of the so-called “industry professionals” were employed in an adversarial position. The specter of chemical poisoning; unscrupulous mega-giant corporations; legal impotence; preyed-upon consumers and even global warming, which the author neglected to blame on the pest management industry. The pest management industry, with almost 20,000 firms, certainly might have some incompetents and some charlatans, but all efforts should be made to weed these blights out. The industry, with the assistance of regulatory agencies, is doing its utmost and I believe that we are as successful as most industries and professions in doing so. To imply that the negative aspects were the norm rather than the rare exception is a disservice to your readers.

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