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Book Review: Who Moved My Cheese?

It is human nature to resist change. Most of us don’t like to step out of our "comfort zones." This paradox is explored in Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, a book that veteran industry professional Richard Berman, manager, technical services, Waltham Services, Waltham, Mass., recommends to anyone involved in the pest control industry.

Who Moved My Cheese? is a parable about mice and people. It tells the story of how four different mice deal with change. Two of the mice embrace change, a third mouse is hesitant at first but eventually embraces change, and a fourth mouse resists change altogether. The mice that are able to adapt have a more fulfilling, successful existence, while the mouse that resists change, stagnates.

Berman says that readers will identify with one of the mice, perhaps causing him or her to take a look in the mirror. This was the case for Berman, who, after reading the book, began applying some its principles. For example, when Berman attends conferences he will sit at one table for the first day but then he will choose a different table for each remaining day. "Maybe by viewing the presentations differently and interacting with different people, I will come away with a different perspective," he says.

Examples of PCOs needing to adapt to change are everywhere, but one that sticks out in Berman’s mind is when Waltham Services switched from first-generation anticoagulants to second-generation anticoagulants for rodent baiting. "I remember having some reservations because (the second-generation anticoagulants) were two to three times more expensive, but as it turned out the new baits not only worked great, but they ended up being less expensive because our callbacks were dramatically reduced," Berman says.

Berman has witnessed this need for adaptability from his early days in the pest control industry. When he first began in pest control in 1969, Berman was well versed on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the federal law that governs the manufacture, distribution and use of pesticides. Lo-and-behold FIFRA was amended by the Federal Environmental Pesticide Act of 1972 (FEPA). "I remember thinking that I knew everything there was to know about FIFRA and that I would have such good job security, so when FIFRA was amended by FEPA it was a rude awakening for me," Berman recalls. "I learned real quickly that if you can’t deal with the way this industry changes, you are in trouble."

For a chance to win a FREE copy of "Who Moved My Cheese?" at www.pctonline.com/Maybook. To buy this book or other books from PCT magazine, visit us online at www.pctonline.com/store.

“BUGS!” receives International Film Awards

BUGS!, the 3D, large format feature film presented by Terminix, received three top awards from the Giant Screen Theatre Association during the eighth annual GSTA Achievement Awards held in Glasgow, Scotland. The 40-minute film features the hidden world of insects in awe-inspiring, macroscopic detail. It combines incredible footage with cutting-edge technology to explore the dramatic lives of a praying mantis and a butterfly. Nearly 40 insects were shot on location in the jungles of Borneo and in the U.K., where a microcosm of a tropical rainforest was replicated in the studio for extreme close-ups.

The film’s production teams picked up two major prizes for Best Cinematography and Special Achievement for micro/macro photography. The film also received the Marketing Achievement and Creativity (MAC) Best Marketing award for the Terminix/ SK Films’ partnership launch of the movie. SK Films Inc. is a leader in the large format film industry, developing and producing films for IMAX and other large format theaters.

"We’re pleased that BUGS! continues to get attention for its outstanding first-rate production," said Steve Good, Terminix vice president of sales and marketing. "Terminix is proud to be a part of the valuable educational and entertainment value this film provides for children and adults alike. "

Sean Phillips, BUGS! director of photography, earned first-place honors for Best Cinematography and Technical Oscar-winning Specialist Photographer Peter Parks of Image Quest 3D took home the Special Achievement Award for micro/macro photography.

In addition to financial support of the film’s production, Terminix worked closely with SK Films to develop a strategic marketing program to help participating theaters promote the movie.

The Terminix Web site was expanded to include a special BUGS! section. It provides a list of theaters showing the film, movie trailers and links to the official BUGS! Web site. For more information, visit www.giantscreenbugs.com.