How long has it been since you were on the front line in the war on pests? I’m talking about getting into one of your vehicles with a technician or sales professional and doing a ride along. I know you may have supervisors or branch managers who are supposed to do that, but can you […]
Business
Pest Management Professional magazine offers business advice to industry professionals who run their own businesses. Read advice from industry experts.
That’s a Wrap! … more fun with fleet marketing
I dropped a short post last week about using companies that use their fleet trucks to sell their services (like...
Field Training: Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and On-The-Job Action
More than just ride alongs, field training creates a bridge between classroom education and on-the-job action. Not all professions lend...
Education at Your Fingertips
Our industry is slowly, but surely seeing the benefits of online training for rookie and veteran employees alike. Using computers...
5 Tips for Training That Sticks
Every pest management professional (PMP) has had at least some form of training in a classroom. If it’s your job...
A Study Buddy in Your Pocket
For many pest management professionals (PMPs), smartphones and tablets are a lifeline. The devices give them access to optimal routes,...
Financial Strategies: Why are S Corporations So Popular?
Knowing the difference between a C corporation and an S corporation is essential for effective tax planning. It’s important for...
Safely Surfing Your Wi-Fi Wave
Most homes with Internet access also have Wi-Fi routers that send movies, TV shows, music and other data to every...
Added Value: Customer Assessments Help Sales
What can we learn from other industries to help improve our sales process in pest management? A lot. Recently, I...
Business 101
Employment issues, tax codes, new regulations, equipment investments — what’s not to love about running a professional pest management firm?...
2016 State of the Industry: It All Adds Up
The numbers don’t lie. We’re in a relatively mature, stable industry with plenty of growth opportunities ahead. It’s that time...
Marketing Matters: Classified Ads, Motivation and Pinterest
Q: I’ve had difficulty getting technicians to respond to our classified ads. Do you have suggestions about marketing to prospective...
Financial Strategies: Employees vs. Independent Contractors
Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor will cost you, so classify your workers correctly. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)...
Public Speaking Can Open Many Doors
In July, I spoke at the Northern Illinois Home Inspectors Association’s annual conference. It was great. About 40 attendees listened...
Added Value: Climb Every Mountain
I’m a big fan of musicals, and one of my favorite songs is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic “Climb Every Mountain”...
Better Business Blogging, Part II
Last month, we defined what a blog is and offered a few tips about how you could harness its mighty...